Looking to escape the mainland crowds with your tent? Island camping destinations across the US can often provide a more remote experience alongside pristine beaches to stroll, sea caves to kayak into, and various local wildlife (from elephant seals and bald eagles to black bears) to discover.

Read on for some of the best island camping spots across the US—from California’s rugged Channel Islands and Wisconsin’s stunning Apostle Islands to coastal barrier islands home to wild horses you might have missed along the East Coast as well.

Jekyll Island, Georgia: Best for campers who like to bike

Islands and beaches may not be the first thing most people think of when they think of Georgia. However, one of the best places in the US for island-style camping is found on this inimitable barrier island that’s entirely a state park. Jekyll Island lies off the southern reaches of the state’s 110 miles of coastline and can be reached by car. You’ll want to bring your bike or rent one upon arrival, since cycling is the best way to enjoy the roughly 25 miles of paved trails that circle the island. Jekyll’s golden beaches are wide at low tide, allowing biking right atop them for miles as well.

Jekyll Island Campground has tent and RV sites scattered across 18 acres shaded by a dense canopy of oak trees. The island’s most beautiful beach, Driftwood Beach, carpeted with logs and large craggy limbs washed in by the tide, is just a ten-minute stroll away.

Expert tip: Driftwood Beach steals the Instagram spotlight here. But for a less-crowded stretch of sand, make your way to Jekyll Island’s southernmost stretches and the lonelier beaches at St. Andrews Beach Park.

Spoil Islands in Indian River Lagoon, Florida: Best for BYO boat camping

Trying to snag a waterfront campsite at a state or national park in Florida during the cooler months of the year can be challenging. However, boaters know that some of the best islands for camping don’t even require reservations. Located within the Indian River Lagoon, one of North America’s most biodiverse estuaries that runs along 40 percent of Florida’s east coast, the Spoil Islands offer an away-from-it-all camping experience to anyone with a boat.

Surrounded by native palms and mangroves, you can camp on the sandy islands designated for recreational use, many of which are protected. Some of the most beautiful islands among them are just a short cruise from Fort Pierce, where Captain Mike Dedrick of Happy Pineapple Boat Tours leads both day trips and overnight camping adventures to secluded isles.

The Spoil Islands, born from channel dredging in the Intracoastal Waterway, appear natural since they’ve been reclaimed by native grasses and mangroves over the years. On clear nights, look for shooting stars streaking across the inky sky overhead. Frequent manatee and dolphin sightings are standard in these parts.

Expert tip: Stock up on fresh Florida citrus before heading out to camp at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning and considered one of the best in the state.

Cumberland Island, Georgia: Best for campers who love lonely beaches

Reaching this fabulous barrier island for camping along Georgia’s southernmost coast requires hopping a passenger ferry 45 minutes from St. Marys (or arriving by private boat). However, it’s worth the effort for Cumberland Island if you’re looking for beachfront and wilderness campsites with fewer crowds than Jekyll Island, which lies just north.

You’ll need to pack all your food, as there are no restaurants or shops on Cumberland Island. There are also no paved roads, but plenty of sandy trails to ride a fat bike along (remember to bring your own for a small surcharge, as bike rentals are unavailable on the island).

The island’s nearly 10,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness span coastal maritime forests, towering dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. Five island campgrounds include three wilderness ones that require hiking or biking in without amenities, alongside two campgrounds with facilities (flush toilets, fire rings, etc.) that are closer to the ferry dock. Don’t miss visiting the Dungeness Ruins—the incredible remains of a 19th-century mansion that once served as a winter residence for members of the Carnegie family.

Expert tip: Unless you’re staying at Sea Camp Campground, which is closest to the ferry dock, don’t even think about bringing a wheeled cooler, as you won’t be able to drag it to your campsite. Opt for a backpack-style cooler instead.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia: Best for car campers who want to feel remote

While the sublime east coast barrier island of Assateague Island lies in both Maryland and Virginia, camping is only allowed on the Maryland side, where bayside and oceanside campsites (as well as some backcountry wilderness sites) are open year-round.

Assateague Island is renowned for its wild horses that roam in herds on either side of the state line. Moreover, you might spot non-native Sika deer, a species from Asia introduced to the island in the 1920s. Birders flock here during the fall months to scout for around 300 species of migrating waterfowl that pass through on their migratory routes south along the Atlantic Flyway.

To avoid some crowds at popular oceanside campsites, consider booking one of the walk-in options that provide a more solitary atmosphere.

Expert tip: Invest in a few extra-long tent stakes if you’re camping on the oceanside, as they’ll keep your tent firmly in place against the Atlantic breezes.

Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina: Best for low country beachfront camping

South Carolina’s most popular state park, Hunting Island State Park, remains somewhat under the radar for those who aren’t from the area. What are they missing out on? Gorgeous beachfront camping on a semi-tropical barrier island located roughly 15 miles east of the picturesque Lowcountry gem, Beaufort, for starters.

Along with the five stunning miles of undeveloped coastline, the island offers numerous hiking trails weaving through maritime forests, and it is home to a historic lighthouse built during the Civil War, Lowcountry marshlands, and a fishing pier. The beachside campsites can also accommodate RVs.

Expert tip: A single cabin for rent near Hunting Island’s lighthouse is worth reserving well ahead of time. It features a large screened porch to keep away the campground’s summertime mosquitoes and can sleep six people comfortably.

Channel Islands National Park, California: Best for primitive camping in extraordinary surrounds

Camp in the realm of elephant seals, dolphins, and passing humpback whales (whale season runs from mid-May to mid-September, but you might see them anytime) on the remote islands of California’s Channel Islands National Park. The park is accessible by ferry from Ventura in Santa Barbara County. About 24 miles long, Santa Cruz is the largest of the eight-island archipelago and among the quickest to reach, via an hour-long ferry ride from Ventura harbor.

Be sure to bring all the food and possibly water you’ll require, as fresh water is only available on two campgrounds on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. Once out here, exciting hiking along the Pacific Ocean cliffs, birdwatching among colonies of nesting seabirds, sea kayaking in beautiful settings (you’ll have to bring your own), and amazing stargazing await— the skies over the Channel Islands are among the darkest of all national parks.

Expert tip: Wily foxes and ravens will attempt to run off with any of your belongings that aren’t stowed away—gather rocks from around your campsite to keep them atop anything you don’t wish to lose.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin: Best for campers who love kayaking

Pack your tent and paddle off in a sea kayak with all your gear to camp on most of the 21 islands within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a natural paradise in northern Wisconsin that juts into Lake Superior.

Islands lined with red cliffs and sea caves are inhabited by diverse species, including bald eagles and black bears. In fact, one of the largest concentrations of black bears in North America can be found on Stockton Island. Be sure to store all your food properly in a food locker to keep it safe.

Most of the islands can only be reached by sea kayaks and other boats, including shuttle services. If you’re not comfortable planning your own camping adventure, outfitters like Lost Creek Adventures can lead you on guided kayaking and camping trips.

Expert tip: Take a break from your kayak and campsite to hike through hardwood forests along the stunning Lakeshore Trail, winding for over four miles above the sea caves, with breathtaking views of Lake Superior.

Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Florida: Best for campers looking for the real Florida

This trip is best saved for the mostly mosquito-free, cooler months of winter and early spring (December through April), as the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Florida presents outstanding primitive camping on remote sandy islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, in environments that protect North America’s largest mangrove forests, you’re just as likely to stumble upon a midden of shells left by the Calusa Indians as you are to encounter resident manatees and dolphins.

Experienced paddlers can venture out into the Ten Thousand Islands to camp independently. However, Everglades Area Tours can also guide you on multi-night camping adventures from Chokoloskee Island through the mangrove maze to outer islands, providing all food and drinks while you enjoy memorable sunsets.

Expert tip: Celebrate a successful adventure with a feast of sustainable stone crab claws in Everglades City at a local favorite, Camellia Street Grill. Stone crab season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1, aligning perfectly with the best camping season in this area.

Orcas Island, Washington: Best for campers and glampers

With RV and tent campsites as well as glamping available at several locations, Orcas Island – the largest of Washington State’s legendary San Juan Islands—offers an affordable camping vacation surrounded by iconic Pacific Northwest scenery. Just ensure you pack rain gear if you’re camping here outside of the short, dry summer season, as wind and rain can often disrupt tent camping.

You can try glamping at Moran State Park, where an outside vendor offers glamping on raised platforms. If you have your own gear, standard tent and RV campsites are available, offering easy access to five freshwater lakes for swimming, mountain biking trails, and more. Additionally, West Beach Resort has canvas tents set up for campers—complete with private decks that have ocean views, picnic tables, and fire pits.

Expert tip: March through October is prime whale-watching season in the San Juan Islands. Consider taking a day trip from Orcas Island to San Juan Island for a chance to spot orcas and humpbacks right from the shore at Lime Kiln Point State Park.

Madeline Island, Wisconsin: Best for outdoors-loving families who only want to rough it a little

During Wisconsin’s fleeting yet fabulous summers, outdoor time is a must. For a less remote camping experience than the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, set your sights southward and hop the car ferry to Lake Superior’s Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands. Here, you can camp at Big Bay State Park or Big Bay Town Park.

Families who enjoy a bit of roughing it while still having some amenities can experience kayaking, hiking, live music at various island bars and restaurants, gallery hopping, or visiting a summer farmers market—before returning to camp for stargazing at night.

Expert tip: Open just for the summer months, Tom’s Burned Down Cafe in La Pointe (pop. 302) is the local haunt for cold beers and stunning sunsets.