Best Tent Camping near Grifton, NC

Tent camping options near Grifton, North Carolina include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and environments. Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers five tent sites on a former tobacco farm with private camping areas. Haywood Landing Recreation Site provides free camping with access by boat, vehicle, or on foot, while White Oak River Campground offers tent sites with more developed facilities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Grifton area feature basic amenities that vary significantly between locations. Phoenix Farms Vineyard provides picnic tables and allows campfires with firewood available on site, though drinking water is not provided. Haywood Landing offers primitive camping with vault toilets but no drinking water, making it essential for campers to bring their own supplies. White Oak River has more amenities including showers, toilets, and electric hookups, though most tent sites are situated in open areas with limited shade.

The tent camping experience near Grifton offers diverse environments for outdoor enthusiasts. Haywood Landing provides a more secluded experience with opportunities for wildlife viewing, though campers should be prepared for insects. According to one visitor, "The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray." Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers a unique camping setting with views of historic fields and farm animals on the property. The sites provide privacy and ample space for setting up tents. White Oak River Campground features multiple ponds and a frisbee golf course adjacent to the camping area, creating additional recreational opportunities for tent campers. While most tent sites are in open areas, some sites with tree cover are available.

Best Tent Sites Near Grifton, North Carolina (3)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Grifton, NC

170 Reviews of 3 Grifton Campgrounds


  • L
    Jul. 21, 2018

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    State Park with primitive camping

    Great primitive camping, tent only. There are water spigots, no electricity, and very clean , non smelly vault toilets. There are several short hiking trails that I would rate easy. There is also a swimming area that is free. We did have a run in with fire ants at our campsite. Overall, clean and quiet.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 2, 2022

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Grandson’s first camping trip

    I’ve been riding my bicycles on the the trails around Flanner’s for years. This was my first camping experience here.
    We brought our T@G Boondock XL for my wife and I, and a side tent for my grandson. Decent sized spot for our camper and 10x10 tent, and it included a fire pit (very tall sides) and a picnic table. We spent the first day setting up, preparing food and enjoying the fire. Ended the day in the tent playing guitar and singing, while my grandson played the Djembe. Day 2, was fresh ground Death Wish coffee in the Chemex and breakfast. Then we went for a 3 mile hike. Ate lunch and played ladder ball. Another 2 mile hike in the afternoon, some card games, dinner over the fire and pudgie pies. Played music around the fire until bedtime.
    Day 3 was Coffee, breakfast and tear down/pack up. The grounds were clean, saw the hosts throughout the park, and they were very friendly. Showers/bathrooms were good. Water was plenty hot in the shower. It was cold at night and in the morning, and the facilities have screens for ventilation, so it can get quite cold (or hot) in there. The beach is closed indefinitely. The trails are great.
    Great first camping experience for our grandson. I will be back. The sign at the gate says NO ALCOHOL. Not sure why this is an issue, but it’s their rule.

  • L
    Jul. 21, 2018

    Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground

    State Park

    Very nice state park with rv and tent sites. They have electric and water hookups. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Firewood is available from the ranger. There are showers and toilets also. Many hiking trails with cliff overlook of the Nuese River. There is a swimming area and Connor rental also.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2023

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Great Private Sites

    Neuse River Flanners Beach Campground: Most sites have visual privacy (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)

    Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2023: $ $10 + $5 per night for electricity w interagency pass Usage during visit: Pretty full. Unable to obtain a reservation for an extended period.
    Site Privacy: Almost all sites has a nice degree of privacy with trailer in site.
    Site Spacing: Very good Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes. You better. Campground Noise: Quiet. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Available Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. At entrance. Potable Water Available: Scattered spigots Generators:
    Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Pull Throughs: Not that I saw.
    Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Deciduous forest. Weather: 70 degrees today. Bugs: Not noticeable. Solar: Too much tree cover Host: Yes Rig size: Some sites will fit large rigs. A careful drive in Campground will surely be required. Sites: Almost all sites are good. Some of the least private sites are: 13,20,27,29

  • M. B.
    Oct. 20, 2021

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    On inlet not ocean

    Not bad this is called a holiday one but I would say this is more like a journey one it doesn't seem very resort-like.

    Bathrooms: 5/5

    Sites: 4/5 upgrades are nice but really expensive for just a concrete pad next to someone else

    Pools: 3/5 they have one but it's pretty meh. Like a 70s motel 8 pool.

    Beach: 2/5 there is an inlet beach and a pier but it's like marshy Mudd not sandy beach

    Waterfrontness: 0/5

    Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks

    Dog rating: 4/5 plenty of poop bags

    Internet: 2/5 no wifi and no hookups but our AT&T router worked

    Cell service: Google fi and ATnT worked

    Water quality: 1/5 potable but tastes gross

    Extra amenities: they have a shuttle some seasons. It was not here during October so who knows. Bike rentals Kayak rental Laundry Host station

  • L
    Oct. 24, 2021

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Back to my roots

    I have a personal pull to Goose Creek State Park as it was once my family’s land going back generations and generations. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father carved out the trails used for hiking today and the road to the campground its self was made by my dad and his friends. The state bought the land in the 70’s and it became our state park. It makes me proud to share a part of my family history with the rest of the world.

    Even without the personal connection I feel when I visit GCSP, it’s such a beautiful place to be during anytime of the year. Hiking trails equipped with boardwalks lead through the marsh and swampy areas while sporadic signs display pictures and information about the wildlife you are likely to see. The primitive campground has more than 10 sites, with the farthest sights sitting on the edge of the Pamlico River. It truly is an awesome sight to take in at sunset and sunrise. Bath houses with showers, hot water, and toilets are available. There are two group sites and, recently added, several rv sites and about 5-6 small cabins. I have not stayed in the cabins yet. They seem to be fairly popular so reservations should be made at least a couple of weeks in advanced. There heat and AC but no bathrooms or kitchen area inside the cabin. I believe there are two sets of twin beds and a full bed but you have to bring your own linens. There is also a very nice bathhouse available for cabin renters. The only downside to the cabins and RV sites is there is no shade. The sites are toward the front of the park, and, perhaps because of the recent construction, there is are no trees, woods, or shade around. As a personal preference, I want to be IN THE WOODS when I camp so the aspect of being out in the open is not as exciting as tent camping. That being said, the cabins are adorable and have a fire ring, picnic table, and everything you need to enjoy a night of camping.

  • A
    May. 30, 2020

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Nice spot in eastern NC

    Booked a tent site and later a cabin as well since we were unsure about the weather. The tent sites were nicely situated and far apart from each other. The vault toilet was very clean. The site is peaceful and since the weather was pretty bad, it was quiet and only a few sites were occupied. 

    The cabins are new and clean, with AC/heat and electricity and a nice outdoor setup with a grill and fire pit aside each one. They are located in the cleared RV park, not the woods, so don't expect to feel like you are staying in nature if you book a cabin. The shower facilities are very nice too. Overall, cabins are a great option if the weather is bad or you don't want to stay in a tent. 

    Plan for bugs - ticks and mosquitoes are a given in the summer. Also, the swimming beach is closed as of May 2020.

  • M
    Feb. 25, 2021

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Nature and Privacy

    This campground was opened in 2019 so everything is very new. The sites are spread very far apart. There are no trees for shade and this campground may become hot in the summertime. Each site is separated by waist heigh field grass. The sites have course gravel for the RV pad and finer gravel for the “tent pad” / picnic table area. We were in a tent that connects to the back of our Honda Odyssey and I used two tarps to protect the tent flooring even on the finer gravel. Cell signal is almost nonexistent except for possibly AT&T which a neighboring camper told me.

    I would recommend this campground except maybe not so much in the summer months

  • jeff B.
    Oct. 21, 2022

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    My go to site for tent camping

    Have been several times the last being 2 nights last weekend. I sleep in the primitive site in a hammock and there were plenty of trees to hang from. Firewood is $8.00 a bundle. Although it was a busy weekend the sites are far enough apart that noise is not an issue. The primitive sites are well maintained and the staff is great. There is a dock that you can launch a kayak from and racks to store them. Nice touch. Water is from various spigots but no electricity. There are some bathrooms

    I’ll be back


Guide to Grifton

Tent campsites near Grifton, North Carolina are situated in the low-lying coastal plains region, where elevations rarely exceed 20 feet above sea level. This topography creates camping conditions characterized by sandy soil and periodic high humidity. The camping season typically extends from March through November, with July and August temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At White Oak River Campground, campers access multiple ponds stocked with fish. According to Mathew G., there's "a lot of outdoor exploring area adjacent to the camp ground. Multiple ponds and frisbee golf course."

Wildlife observation: Camping areas near Grifton provide habitat for coastal wildlife viewing. When staying at Haywood Landing Recreation Site, visitors should "be cognitive of the wildlife here. Keep food locked inside," advises Vegan T., highlighting the importance of proper food storage.

Farm animal interaction: Some camping locations offer unique agricultural experiences. As Michelle L. notes about her stay at Phoenix Farms Vineyard, "It's so fun to see all of the animals. The property is beautiful, and the camp spot is private."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Tent campers appreciate the separation between camping areas. Michelle L. mentions that at Phoenix Farms Vineyard, "the camp spot is private. We have plenty of space for our RV."

Historical setting: The agricultural heritage of the region enhances the camping experience. Jake C. notes Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers "Historic fields with great views" on what was once a "former tobacco farm near the coast."

Affordability: Budget-conscious campers can find reasonably priced options. Mathew G. specifically mentioned White Oak River Campground has "Great prices though as well," making it accessible for weekend trips.

What you should know

Bug protection essential: Insect activity can be significant in this coastal region. Vegan T. warns about Haywood Landing: "The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray."

Site selection considerations: Tree cover varies significantly between locations. At White Oak River, "Most of the tent sites are out in the open," according to Mathew G., who adds "MY PERSONAL OPINION, may not affect others but I like to camp under trees or close to. We got lucky and got one."

Water supply planning: Several camping areas near Grifton lack drinking water. Visitors should check specific campground amenities before arrival and pack accordingly, bringing sufficient water for their stay duration.

Tips for camping with families

Animal encounters: Children often enjoy farm settings available at certain campgrounds. Michelle L. reports her family appreciated that at Phoenix Farms Vineyard, "the hosts are friendly, and the fire is warm. It's so fun to see all of the animals."

Recreation options: Families should look for campgrounds with built-in activities. White Oak River Campground features a "frisbee golf course," notes Mathew G., providing entertainment options without leaving the property.

Weekend timing: For shorter family trips with children, consider the campground size and trip duration. Mathew G. describes White Oak River as "Great for a weekend tent trip" and "Small but Adventurous," indicating it works well for briefer family outings.

Tips from RVers

Space availability: RV campers should research site dimensions before booking. At Phoenix Farms Vineyard, Michelle L. appreciated, "We have plenty of space for our RV. Feeling thankful!"

Long-term options limited: Many RV sites at certain campgrounds are occupied by seasonal or permanent residents. Mathew G. observed at White Oak River Campground, "most RV spots are used by permanent users."

Hookup variations: RV campers will find different utility options across Grifton area campgrounds. Check specific campground listings for electric, water and sewer availability as these vary significantly between properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grifton, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grifton, NC is Phoenix Farms Vineyard with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Grifton, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Grifton, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.