19 crowd-free U.S. beaches to escape to this summer

Summertime usually means crowds on America’s most popular beaches. But seek out less-visited shores—of which there are plenty across the country—and you’ll be rewarded with blissful seclusion on your next coastal getaway.

To help you plan an epic (and crowd-free) vacation, we’ve rounded up some of the best U.S. beaches that aren’t too busy or hard to reach. Whether you want that perfect white-sand beach for sunbathing or prefer the dramatic, windswept shorelines of the Pacific Ocean, read on to find your ideal stretch of sand.

About 30 miles from Tampa, Clearwater Beach is a favorite of spring breakers and families on holiday thanks to its crystal-clear water and soft, white sand. But less than three miles to the north, on a barrier island accessible by a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island (keep your eyes peeled for dolphins), Caladesi Island State Park has the same sparkling water and fine sand—without all the people. It’s a prime spot for sunbathing, but should you be after something more active, you can also go saltwater fishing, canoeing on the east side of the island to glimpse stingrays and sharks, or kayaking through mangroves. Book a vacation home rental on the island, or opt for one of the resorts in Clearwater Beach, such as the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, which has 10 acres of private beach.

Located between Destin and Panama City Beach and covering 26 miles of the Gulf Coast, lies South Walton, a group of 16 beach neighborhoods where 40 percent of the land is owned by the state and protected from future development. Think undulating dunes of white sand and green waters clear as glass. For some extra solitude, go to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, located on Santa Rosa Beach. Here, you’ll find three miles of quiet beaches nestled between freshwater lakes and enormous dunes, some of which are 25 feet high.

Ten miles away from Topsail Hill, Grayton Beach State Park has close to 2,000 acres of similarly peaceful white-sand beaches, plus four miles of trails in a coastal forest. There’s also fishing and paddling on Western Lake, which is inhabited by ospreys, gopher tortoises, American alligators, and the endangered Choctawhatchee mouse. Five miles away in Miramar Beach, there are plenty of places to stay, including the 84-room Hyatt Place Sandestin, offering suites with kitchenettes.

The Lone Star State has 350 miles of coastline, much of which still isn’t thronged in the summertime. One such spot is Matagorda Bay Nature Park, which lies about 100 miles south of Houston, at the meeting point of the Colorado River and the Gulf of Mexico. The 1,600-acre wonderland features two miles of beaches (plus the same amount of riverfront) and is great for beachcombing, kayaking, or fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. There’s also outstanding birdwatching, with the chance to spot close to 400 species, including ospreys, pelicans, and sandpipers. Look into Airstream rentals and campsites with RV hookups for now; later in the summer, the park will debut 10 beach bungalow vacation rentals, which will have kitchens, gas grills, and large verandas.

About 150 miles southwest of Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and a 15-minute drive from the city of Corpus Christi, Padre Island National Seashore stretches for close to 70 miles along the coast. According to the National Parks Service, it’s the world’s longest undeveloped barrier island, with tidal flats, dunes, and prairies. In addition to offering sublime bird watching, the area is a hatching site for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the world’s most endangered turtle. Back in Corpus Christi, stay at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, which is set within the Marina District. It’s located just a 10-minute walk from the Texas Surf Museum, which showcases the history of surfing in Texas while also teaching visitors about beach conservation.

With miles and miles of white sand, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island are the go-to sandy getaways in South Carolina, but less-busy spots abound for those who know where to look. About 20 miles north of Charleston is the wild-feeling Bulls Island, the biggest of the four islands within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. It’s inhabited by such wildlife as the orange-beaked American oystercatcher, and even the occasional bobcat. You won’t run into many people on the island’s seven miles of sandy beaches. Coastal Expeditions ferries visitors over for kayaking excursions and hiking tours or, for those who want to linger, three-day weekend expeditions, during which guests stay at Dominick House, a 1920s home in the center of the island.

Get away from the big resort developments on Hilton Head Island with a day trip to Daufuskie Island, a barrier island about a mile away that's only accessible by boat or ferry. You won’t find any grocery stores or commercial businesses here, but there are pristine white-sand beaches inhabited by horseshoe crabs, plus lots of history to explore. Between the Civil War and the 1960s, many formerly enslaved people called the island home, and evidence of their rich Gullah Geechee culture can still be found in the island's architecture, cemeteries, and the Billie Burns Museum. Those who want to stay overnight in this tranquil setting can book a vacation rental home.

When it comes to coastal getaways in Virginia, do as the locals do and head to Sandbridge Beach's 4.5 miles of sandy shores. Check out Little Island Park for swimming, kayaking, and an excellent playground; or venture into the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a 10,000-acre area that’s a crucial habitat for migrating birds. Due south is False Cape State Park, the historic home of the Wash Woods First Nations people. Here, six miles of protected beach sit along the Atlantic Ocean, with opportunities for kayaking, camping, hiking, and a tram tour that contextualizes the area and its history. For more traditional lodging, go back toward Virginia Beach and stay at the boardwalk-facing DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront South, where many guest rooms have ocean views.

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore (a 70-mile-long peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean), Cape Charles is a charming beach town reachable via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Check into the Hotel Cape Charles, where the 22 accommodations range from balcony to garden rooms. The hotel faces its namesake harbor, and is within easy reach of ice cream shops, breweries, restaurants, and a seasonal farmer’s market. Mix adventure with indulgence by kayaking to a nearby winery to pair tastings with oysters harvested from the Chesapeake Bay.

The beaches of Wells and Ogunquit tend to get busy in the warmer months, but that’s not the case at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, a 2,250-acre area of protected land with trails that wind through grasslands, salt marshes, and freshwater wetlands—and lead to one of Maine’s last undeveloped beaches. Hike your way to the reserve’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline on your own, or let a naturalist guide you through the ecosystem on a kayak or walking tour. Stay at the nearby Haven by the Sea, a locally owned inn next to Wells Beach that’s housed in a former church.

If a freshwater beach appeals, try Peaks-Kenny State Park, an 839-acre wooded area that stretches for about a mile along Sebec Lake in the Central Maine Highlands. The park has a sandy beach with a lifeguard, making it ideal for families who want to swim in calm waters. Fish for landlocked salmon or trout, rent a canoe and paddle around, or hike along the park’s network of tree-shaded trails to get a close-up look at the old growth hardwoods. Stay nearby in the town of Dover-Foxcroft at The Mill, a multi-use complex with a charming inn containing six light-filled guest rooms.

Santa Barbara is a playground for sunbathers, but to get some Vitamin D in solitude, try More Mesa Beach, located beneath the bluffs of More Mesa Park. Get down to this sheltered stretch of sand via a seaside path, then while away hours beachcombing and soaking up some rays in relative privacy. In fact, this area is so isolated that there’s a clothing-optional section (if you’re into that, head right, or west, along the beach; if it’s not your thing, turn left and venture east). Splurge at the nearby Kimpton Canary Hotel Santa Barbara, which has the city’s largest rooftop pool, or go easier on your wallet at the Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara, where you’ll find comfortable guest rooms and an outdoor pool.

For those in search of a coastal respite in Northern California, Manchester Beach lies about 45 minutes by car to the south of Mendocino. Here, four miles of beach and sand dunes extend all the way from the 150-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse in the south to Alder Creek Beach in the north. The beach’s northeast-facing position means it captures a lot of driftwood and other debris, making for excellent beachcombing. When you’ve had enough sun, drive seven miles south for a stay at the eco-conscious Wildfire Boutique Motel, where the 14 guest rooms feature custom-designed furnishings made from fallen cypress trees, and on-site amenities include electric vehicle charging stations.

Cannon Beach, with its cinematic rock stacks and miles of sandy shoreline, may be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture the Oregon coast, but it’s not hard to find alternative destinations with equally dramatic scenery—complete with gray whale sightings for lucky visitors. Along the northern coast, just 60 miles to the south of Portland, there’s the sleepy Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, one of Oregon’s newest state parks. The area is the traditional territory of the Nestucca Tillamook people, and it’s filled with marshlands, tidal flats, riparian forests, and mesmerizing views where the sand meets the ocean. Stay at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, with its ocean-facing guest rooms, some with Jacuzzi tubs.

A half-hour farther south by car, the town of Oceanside is set along a steep hillside on the Pacific Ocean. The beach, which has tidal pools and large stretches of sand ideal for beachcombing, offers views of Three Arch Rocks, a trio of tiny islands nearby. When it’s low tide, explore the tunnel that passes through the Maxwell Point promontory. It was carved out of the cliffs for a resort in the early 20th century, and still leads to secluded Tunnel Beach, which is dotted with empty coves. Check into Oceanside’s Three Arch Inn and watch the shifting tidal system from a Pacific Ocean–facing room.

The more than 70 miles of beach on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula are striking in their diversity, ranging from sparkling, sandy stretches to dramatic cliffs and rock formations. The beaches closest to Kalaloch Lodge tend to fill with people in the summer, but nearby Beach 4, located right off Highway 101, is typically pretty quiet. Spend a few hours searching the tide pools for mollusks and sea stars, or throwing a line in the water for surfperch. Then retreat back to one of the wooden cabins at Kalaloch Lodge and soak in the retreat’s idyllic location between towering evergreen trees and beaches covered with driftwood. The famed Hoh Rainforest, with its countless shades of green, lies just 45 minute away by car.

About 150 miles south on Highway 101, weekenders flock to Long Beach Peninsula for its 28 miles of beaches. But visit during the week and you’ll encounter far fewer people. Even better, head to the northern part of the peninsula, entering through one of the less busy access points, such as the Cranberry Approach, the Klipsan Beach Approach, or the Oysterville Approach. No matter which you choose, a wonderland of windswept beaches, rainforests, and hiking trails awaits. Stay at the Salt Hotel and Pub, with its cozy and colorful guest rooms, or the historic Shelburne Hotel, which was built in 1896.

In recent years, Hawai’i has been working hard to manage crowds and overdevelopment at the state’s most popular beaches, especially in the busy Waikīkī neighborhood on O’ahu. All the more reason to seek out the island’s more secluded beaches, like Kualoa Regional Park. Located on the windward coast, it’s an alternative to crowded Kailua, with great swimming, kayaking, and fishing tours, plus a lifeguard on duty. Just be sure to check ocean conditions before wading in the water. Looking for more crowd-free beaches in O'ahu? Check out our guide to less-touristy O’ahu beaches.

On the island of Maui, off the famous Road to Hana, the 122-acre Waiʻānapanapa State Park is known for its volcanic coastline, black-sand beaches, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The state recently implemented a reservation system to enter the park, which has helped to control visitation numbers. Book tickets well in advance, and explore the park’s Pa’iloa Beach, composed of black, pebbly sand and striking natural formations like a lava arch and an ocean cave. Also on site are close to three dozen known ancient Hawai’ian sites; walk the two-mile trail along the coast to see some of the remains. There aren’t a whole lot of resort options on the eastern side of Maui (though you can splurge at the Hyatt-run Hana-Maui Resort), so consider basing yourself on the western side of the island and making a day trip of it. And for a white-sand beach experience, try Baldwin Beach, a lifeguarded zone on Maui’s north shore that’s popular with resident families.