Hello, Adventurers! Welcome to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If you love outdoor activities such as hiking and paddling, exploring nature and learning about wildlife, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts and nature programs. To our return readers, thank you for your support! We commend you for being committed to learning. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around!

Fall is a wonderful time in the Lowcountry and, in addition to offering perfect temperatures, represents natural abundance. As the culmination of seasons of hard work, fall is when many fruits and vegetables are harvested for our collective enjoyment. Our second-to-last article is an exploration of the fall harvest, what harvesting means for farmers, and how fall festivals are celebrated throughout various cultures. In addition to being fall harvest time, October through December also doubles as crab season! That’s why our most recent article is dedicated to the beautiful blue crab! We give you a few fun facts about blue crabs, the local practice of crabbing here in South Carolina, as well as how you can join in on the fun of the season! We hope you’ll give our latest articles a quick read!

Today’s topic is a fan favorite: camping! As temperatures drop and the leaves change colors, late fall is many people’s favorite time of the year to bring out the old camping gear. We want to discuss the difference between beach and forest camping, with a focus on how you’ll prepare for each. While camping is a fun way to take a break from everyday life, camping must be done with ample care and respect for the environment. Taking the steps mentioned here can mitigate risk, cut down on pollution, and help ensure you have the best time ever! Now, camping is a separate art from hiking. We have an entire article dedicated to preparing for hikes, which includes a packing list, called ‘Hiking Must Haves: How to Make the Most of Your Nature Treks.’ As well, we took the time to cultivate a useful resource for those who want to know the best places to hike in the Lowcountry! (Perhaps, we’ll make another resource for those who want to know the best places to camp!) If you lack much of the gear mentioned below, hiking is a much easier alternative to camping. You can hike the area you plan to camp as part of your preparation! If you have the necessary equipment and merely want to be sure you’re covering your bases, look no further. This is the article for you!

Beach Camping

Beach camping is the oft-romanticized, less-done alternative to forest camping. While many enjoy the beach and its breezy comforts, they cannot imagine themselves staying the night. Well, we’re here to inform you beach camping can be incredibly enjoyable! Expert campers rank beaches around the world as some of their favorite camp spots. However, there are certainly differences in how you pack and prepare for a beach trip which will extend over-night, or even days. The first and most important tip is to find a designated campsite on the beach. This may be difficult, as campsites are often located near the beach instead of directly on the water. Nevertheless, using a designated campsite is beneficial due to its accessibility. If you need water, restrooms, or electricity, a campsite will allow you quick access. As well, many beaches have their own laws which prohibit access after a certain time of day. While you may not believe these laws are enforced, many public beaches employ people to drive along the coast directly after sunset and ensure everyone has gone home.

Now, once you’ve found a desirable campsite, it’s time to plan. Just like any good hiking, you’ll want to develop a plan for your trip. Check the weather forecast. Is rain imminent? While you might be able to adequately prepare for a light shower, you’ll want to be wary of intense winds. Winds along the coast can reach high speeds, with the average wind speeds between six and ten miles per hour in South Carolina. We’ve all experienced a windy day at the beach and still enjoyed ourselves, but erecting a tent can be infinitely more difficult when the wind reaches a fever pitch. If you’re camping alone, this is something to seriously consider.

Another part of your plan which does not translate to forest camping is tides. If you’re situated directly on the beach, you’ll need to research the tidal patterns for that particular beach. Tides move out at a certain time of day and then cycle back in-land at a certain time of day, which means you may need to move your tent to avoid soaked gear.

Once you have a plan put together, it’s time to pack! The basics are what you would expect: tent, tarp, sleeping bag. If you plan to cook meals, you’ll need a burner or starter wood, as well as pots and pans. Food is, of course, a must. However, there are a few beach-specific things which can make your trip one-hundred times smoother. The first are sand stakes. Since beach sand is looser and more likely to shift than dirt, anchoring your tent can be a pain. Sand stakes are made for beach sand. They are shorter, thinner, and have holes strategically placed along their length. Some sand stakes screw into the ground. Both of these options are preferable to regular stakes, which can be pulled out of the ground at a light wind.

A small duster and dustpan can come in handy for collecting stray sand. You’ll more than likely trek a bit of sand into the tent at some point and these tools will ensure you sleep comfortably. Sunscreen is a must. Just as you wouldn’t go to the beach for the day without sunscreen, you shouldn’t neglect its addition to your overnight bag. Most beaches offer little shade and a single day spent swimming and lounging can result in an intense sunburn. Plenty of water should be brought along, even if you’ll have access to fresh water at the campsite. As well, bring trash bags to collect any waste you produce, as you surely do not want to contribute to beach pollution!

Bug spray is a small-but-crucial item, since mosquitoes like the beach as much as anywhere else. Speaking of animals, beaches are home to their own cast of wildlife, including coyotes, crabs, and other creepy crawlers. Be sure to package any food up and away. If you’re camping on a beach with nesting turtles, you’ll need to practice extreme caution. You’ll need to camp well away from nests, use red light lamps, and follow the other advice set forth in our article on hatchling season.

Camping on the dunes is a big no-no. Dunes are fragile ecosystems for many rare types of foliage. Camping on dunes can lead to erosion. Honestly, because of their shifting nature, dunes aren’t a preferable place to set up shop anyway. Before placing your tent, be sure to smooth down the sand there, as small humps are no fun to sleep on!

Finally, our last tip is: Do not—under any circumstances—go swimming at night. While the waves may be nice to listen to, low visibility and no lifeguards present is a recipe for disaster.  Those are the essentials for beach camping, now let’s dive into camping in the woods!

Forest Camping

Forest camping is the traditionally thought of, oft-done version of camping we all know and love. While sometimes less glamorous than beach camping, camping in forests offers its own advantages. Due to trees and other foliage, wind risk is low. There are plenty of options for dedicated camp sites, as well as non-designated areas where you can camp without fear of being told to leave. There are no tides and, therefore, no need to worry your things will be washed away in the middle of the night. There’s plenty preferable about forest camping, but also plenty you’ll need to prepare for!

Similar to beach camping, you’ll need to make a plan. You’re much less likely to have cellphone service in remote areas of the forest than the beach, so you may want to bring a satellite phone or a weather radio. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Research the area before going to discover the local wildlife. Are bears common there? Bobcats? Deer? In addition to bug spray, you’ll want to bring repellant for big animals and a case in which to store food where animals cannot reach.

You’ll need to be extra careful when starting a fire in the forest, as opposed to starting a fire at the beach. If you are wary of operating a propane stove and have never created a controlled fire before, it’s preferable to use a battery-powered light and eat food cooked at home. Be on the lookout when setting up for natural risks, such as poison ivy or a downward sloping terrain.

Camping can often be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to relaxing. We have an article which outlines the many benefits of spending time outdoors and we recommend you give that a read if you’re hesitant about investing your weekend into a camping trip. We hope you’ll use these tips for your next excursion. Coastal Expeditions offers hikes and tours of many popular camping spots in the Lowcountry. Therefore, if you’re looking to scope out your next location, come along with us! Check out our various offerings on our website to find which one suits your adventurous spirit! Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! As always, you can read up on new experiences being offered by Coastal Expeditions on this blog. Until next time, readers—get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!