As a beach lover who loves getting “vitamin sea,” I’m always on the lookout for beaches to visit around the country. There’s nothing better than sitting quietly by myself, hearing the sound of the waves crash against the shore, and feeling the wind on my face.
Going to the beach is one of my go-to retreats, especially when I need to recharge after a hectic week. Certainly, many people think the same, too - so most often than not, the beaches get pretty crowded, leaving no room for true relaxation.
As a solution, I’ve made it a commitment to search for the hidden gems the States has to offer where I can enjoy nature in solitude. Read on to find out what I’ve discovered as the best “unknown” and well-kept secrets of the USA regarding beaches and paradise!
- Boneyard Beach, Florida
- Getting To Boneyard Beach, Florida
- Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin
- Getting To Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin
- Secret Beach, Oregon
- Getting To Secret Beach, Oregon
- Carova Beach, North Carolina
- Getting To Carova Beach, North Carolina
- Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
- Getting To Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Boneyard Beach, Florida
Boneyard Beach in Florida is not your typical beach. I’ve heard about this spectacular place from a classmate living in Florida who happened to be visiting the town.
When I asked her about uncrowded and unknown beaches at her place, Boneyard Beach was on top of her list. Months later, I decided to visit her and suggested that we go to Boneyard Beach one afternoon.
The first thing I noticed about the beach is its serene and calm vibes. There were only a handful of people, despite it being the weekend.
I learned that the beach is within the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve bounds, which is a federally protected area. Because of this, developments and constructions of skyscrapers are prohibited.
Picturesque Driftwood
The result of this is a wonderfully conserved area with massive driftwood trees that will greet you along the coast. The driftwood trees that pepper the beach recall images of an elephant graveyard - thus, its name Boneyard Beach.
We stuck around until sunset, and boy, was it a treat! I climbed the driftwood and enjoyed the view of the purple and pink skies as the sun set.
The scene looked like something that came straight off of a vintage movie, so you could imagine the number of lovely photos I’ve snapped that’s Instagram feed-worthy.
Getting To Boneyard Beach, Florida
The Boneyard Beach is within the Big Talbot Island State Park, on an Atlantic Coast barrier between Fort George Island and Amelia Island.
A 30-minute drive from Jacksonville, the beach is a well-kept secret and favorite retreat for the locals.
Unique Rocks
The coastline stretches three miles along the Nassau Sound at the extreme northeast corner of the city limits, which is truly a magnificent and gorgeous visual and ecological wonder.
The geological foundations found in the beach are unique - only 3.5 percent of the land in the country has the type of black rock Boneyard Beach has!
Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin
The Rock Island State Park is one of my favorite recent discoveries! Although it would require some effort to get to the place, the entire trip is worth it.
For people keen on escaping the crowds, Rock Island State Park should be on their bucket list!
What I first noticed about the island, aside from its gorgeous sand and landscape, is the absence of wheeled vehicles.
It turns out that wheeled vehicles are not allowed within the island, aside from the few vehicles used by staff to get around.
Fun Activities
My stay on the island was a blast. While kayaking and canoeing were not allowed at that time of the year due to dangerous winds and waves, I had a lot of fun camping and hiking.
All trails (about 10 miles) on the island are open to hiking.
Getting To Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin
We took two ferry trips before finally arriving at the island. To get there, take Wisconsin Highway 42 to its end at Northport, which is the tip of the Door County Peninsula.
Take the first ferry ride at the Washington Island Ferry to Washington Island Ferry Landing. There were many people on board, as well as many other heavy-duty items such as vehicles, bicycles, and some freight and cargo.
Once you’ve landed at the Washington Island Ferry Landing, you’ll have to travel to the northeast side to the Rock Island Ferry Landing.
The Second Ferry Trip
From there, we took the Rock Island Ferry to Rock Island.
There were fewer people on the ferry this time, and no other items or cargo were with us as we rode the only passenger-servicing ferry, Kerfi, to the island.
I was told that visitors might ride their boats to Rock Island, but some people caution against doing this since Lake Michigan can be hazardous due to storms and reefs.
Secret Beach, Oregon
If you’re looking for a secluded area, well, here’s one that’s named Secret Beach!
Located in the State of Oregon, this seaside gem can be found along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in the Pacific Northwest. I discovered this beach during one of my road trips about two years ago, and I’ve kept coming back ever since.
Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by a pristine strip of fine-grained sand all over ocean-chiseled cliffs.
These rocks shelter the beach from the harsh winds and waves, which gives visitors the chance to enjoy the spot.
Best At Low-Tide
The beach is often uncrowded because timing is critical, and it takes some planning to enjoy the scenic coast.
To get there, we had to check the tide tables and ensure that it was low-tide. Luckily for us, we got there right in time and enjoyed the beach at low peak tide.
For me, the best part of Secret Beach was when we went kayaking. However, my group and I had to be cautious and careful as the waters of Oregon can be dangerous.
Getting To Secret Beach, Oregon
Because the beach is not an official beach, it doesn’t show up on most maps, except for Google Maps.
There’s no official signage on the beach, too, so getting there can be quite tricky.
Natural Bridges
Secret Beach is one kilometer north of Natural Bridges. Fortunately, Natural Bridges has a sign for it, so you can easily spot it.
There are two trails that you can take, but I’d recommend taking the first trail. The second trail is a bit bushy and steep, so this can be perfect for expert hikers.
The parking area is 200 yards from the actual beach, which is a feasible distance to walk if you’d like to bring your kayak down to the waters.
Carova Beach, North Carolina
Carova Beach in North Carolina is famed for its privacy, seclusion, clean white beaches, not to mention the wild mustangs that roam freely from time to time!
There are no paved roads leading to this gorgeous beach area aside from the miles of sand tracks that border the Atlantic Ocean.
Accommodation in Carova Beach is one-of-a-kind - there are no hotels to be found, just vacation homes and some rental homes owned by the community.
We stayed in a lovely home, which we were able to reserve despite the high demand. Vacation homes usually get reserved fast as the beach can only accommodate a limited number of people.
Wild Mustangs
I was able to enjoy 11 miles of secluded shoreline during my stay here. Aside from surfing, throwing frisbees, and playing under the sun, I could say that the highlight of my experience was seeing wild mustangs wandering along the oceanfront.
However, we were advised to keep our distance as humans can spook these horses. I took plenty of photos to remember them, though!
Getting To Carova Beach, North Carolina
One would need access to a four-wheeled vehicle to reach the beach. There are no taxi services to help travelers get by.
The road stops in North Carolina, so you’d need to drive on the beach to move forward.
Luckily, one of our travel buddies wasn’t new to the place, so driving became a breeze. For beginners, though, it takes some getting used to.
Some Tips
We found that bringing a shovel would help if the vehicle got stuck (which happened!). We also stock up on food as there were no grocery stores that were readily accessible. However, we heard of some grocery stores that made deliveries, too.
Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Hidden under the radar and often overshadowed by Virginia Beach, Sandbridge is a great place to be if you want to enjoy the beach without resorts and other gimmicks.
The five-mile coastline is all sand and sea, so nature lovers are in for a treat in this special place.
It is also a great springboard to explore the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where one can immerse in over 8,000 acres of scenic trails.
Great For Fishing
The place is an excellent spot for fishing due to its secluded location in the Atlantic waters. We had such a fun time fishing at the Little Island Park Fishing Pier, where we caught our dinner for the night.
Getting To Sandbridge Beach, Virginia
Only 20 minutes away from the famous Virginia Beach, the beach is easily accessible and easy to spot.
The beach is on the right of the Siebert Realty office located at 602 Sandbridge Road.
Directions
When traveling from the west, the easiest routes are Interstate 64, U.S. 460, or U.S. 58.
Interstates 85 or 95, U.S. 17, and U.S. 13 are convenient for those approaching from north and south.
Conclusion
Nothing beats a day at the beach, but enjoying the beach without the crowd truly makes it the ultimate beach experience.
These are just some of the best hidden and relatively unknown beaches I’ve been to that are surely worth any trip with your family, friends, or even by yourself! Head on to these spots while they are still under the public’s radar.
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