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7 Bike-Friendly Coastal Campgrounds

By Jesse Hammond
Active.com

Summertime is beach season. But it's also a great time to ride your bike. Add camping and you've got a trip that just screams "long weekend."

Whether you're packing up the panniers for a self-guided bike tour, craving some sunshine after singletrack riding or on a quest for some quality time with the family, check out these seven beach-side camping destinations.

CA Highway 1 Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay, California

Located about 30 miles south of San Francisco, this four-mile stretch of beach may be more famous for surfing than cycling, but its location on Highway 1 makes it an ideal stop for cyclists touring the California coastline.

Oregon Sunset Astoria/Seaside KOA
Hammond, Oregon

A century ride away from bike-loving Portland, this campground lies in the northwestern-most corner of Oregon. Rather drive? This KOA offers bike rentals—in addition to mini golf, hot tubs and homemade fudge.

Florida MTB Oleta River State Park
North Miami, Florida

Mountain biking in south Florida? You bet! Open year round and offering air-conditioned cabins, Oleta River SP contains over 10 miles of trails ranging in difficulty from easy to advanced. And just down the road is downtown Miami.

Beachgrass Bike Nickerson State Park
Brewster, Massachusetts

When New Englanders think "day at the beach",  Cape Cod usually comes to mind. With over 420 campsites on 1,900 acres, Nickerson SP offers plenty of room to stretch out, not to mention an eight-mile bike path leading from the campground to the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail.

South Carolina trail Charles Towne Landing
Charleston, South Carolina

Discover colonial Charleston and bask in Southern charm as you ride hard-packed trails under a canopy of centuries-old trees. The campground rents bicycles and is close to the 10.5-mile West Ashley Greenway.

Bike on beach False Cape State Park
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Not accessible by car, the least-visited park in Virginia is perfect for those looking to truly escape civilization. An easy five-mile trail through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge leads into the park. Just don't forget the bug spray.

Long Island Heckscher State Park
East Islip, New York

Whether your choice of tire is knobby or smooth, there are plenty of ways to have a two-wheeled good time on Long Island--from the Stillwell Woods County Park trails to century rides throughout the summer.