Best Campgrounds near Bridgeton, NC

Bridgeton, North Carolina and surrounding areas provide multiple camping options ranging from developed sites to more primitive experiences. The New Bern KOA Holiday offers 91 sites including tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with full amenities like electric hookups, water, and showers approximately 5 miles from Bridgeton. Croatan National Forest lands feature both established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities, with Neuse River Campground offering 30-amp electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities along the Neuse River. Goose Creek State Park Campground, located about 25 miles northeast of Bridgeton, provides RV sites with full hookups and primitive tent camping areas near water access.

Access to most campgrounds requires advance planning during peak seasons. The region experiences humid subtropical weather with hot summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Campgrounds near water bodies like the Neuse River and Goose Creek tend to fill quickly on weekends and holidays. Most developed sites in the area accept reservations, while some forest service locations operate on a first-come basis. Cellular coverage varies significantly, with better service near New Bern and spottier reception in more remote areas of Croatan National Forest. One camper noted, "You are far enough away from Washington, NC that you don't get great cell coverage, so it's almost like going off the grid."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the region. Campers particularly value sites with water views at Goose Creek State Park, where sites 11-14 are situated on a peninsula with partial water views. Several visitors highlighted the kayaking opportunities on the Neuse River as a major attraction. Bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably between locations, with state park facilities generally receiving better reviews than forest service amenities. The proximity to both inland waterways and coastal areas allows campers to experience diverse ecosystems. A reviewer commented on Cedar Point Campground, noting it's "a photographer's dream, especially if you like photographing the native habitat and creatures" with opportunities to capture photos of birds, soft shell crabs, and dragonflies in the nearby estuaries.

Best Camping Sites Near Bridgeton, North Carolina (80)

    1. New Bern KOA Holiday

    13 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-2556

    "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."

    "Gets 4 stars primarily for the staff and the location. Standard sites are crammed together making privacy an issue."

    2. Goose Creek State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Bath, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 923-2191

    $17 - $75 / night

    "Goose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites."

    "This campground is nestled in the tall North Carolina pines. There isn’t much shade though because the branches are mainly at the top."

    3. Dixon Landing RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 617-1010

    $60 - $90 / night

    "Just far enough away from the noise but close enough to be convenient to everything. Groceries and restaurants, gas and history all within a short drive."

    "This is a very secluded campground right on the wide Goose Creek/Neuse River, with access to the ocean varying from 25-50 miles. "

    6. Phoenix Farms Vineyard

    2 Reviews
    Bath, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 267-0659

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Phoenix Farms is now offering camping at this former tobacco farm near the coast. Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!"

    7. Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Havelock, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 257-4200

    "This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!"

    "The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there."

    8. Oyster Point Campground

    24 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Fun place to camp, water close by, picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are pretty big. Host is very nice and cheap."

    "We found a few paths to the river but the river access was very small. There is a Mountain-to-Sea path nearby as well."

    9. Turkey Quarter Campground

    1 Review
    Bridgeton, NC
    13 miles

    "Large gravel sites with full hookups in the North Carolina woods. 15 miles NW of New Bern NC. Fire wood included."

    10. Cedar Point Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swansboro, NC
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    $27 - $54 / night

    "Plenty of hiking trails, boat access and woods all right here in this park. The boat access and pier are just a brief walk away from the campground."

    "The one redeeming factor was that it was close to the bath house. The facilities were fairly new. For example, the bath house looked as if it had been built recently, and the concrete looked fresh."

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Recent Reviews near Bridgeton, NC

316 Reviews of 80 Bridgeton Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Oyster Point Campground

    Primitive, Quite Campground

    Primitive campground with no frills. Dirt road in and gravel on site drives. Water spigots spread out between the campsites. Vaulted toilets were clean. Camp host was nice and liked to talk. We stayed 2 weeks. Others came in for a night or two and then would leave. All types of campers used the campground: 5th wheel, schoolie, tent campers, hammock campers, truck and car campers. 

    We had site 11 which was on the water side with a path to the water. It was shady for the later part of the day (which wasn't great for our solar panels). Most sites had shade for either the early or late part of the day. Site was fairly level. Foliage provided privacy between sites.

    The hiking path was not well maintained so we chose not to use it.

    Not a lot in the immediate area. Town was 25-30 minutes away, but had all the types of stores.

    Verizon service was good.

  • David B.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cedar Creek Campground & Marina

    Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

    Loved this place. Great-sized RV site with plenty of additional parking. The boat launch went smoothly. Miles of pristine coast. Fish were hitting 2 Klicks north of the marina.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    Everything was great!

    No complaints! Nice & quiet after dark, clean showers & laundry room, nice view of the Nuese River, with a peir for fishing & a fish cleaning station as well! Nice pool & playground with a bouncy blowup trampoline for kids.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Turkey Quarter Campground

    Turkey Quarter

    Large gravel sites with full hookups in the North Carolina woods. 15 miles NW of New Bern NC. Fire wood included.

  • C
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Black Barn Farm

    A Perfect Getaway

    If you haven't camped at Black Barn Farm in Newport, you are missing out! One of our party needed lodging while we wanted to tent camp, they put us up in a perfect spot so we could be near her in one of their sweet little cabins right on the water. There were beautiful lights and trails throughout, animals, ziplines and playgrounds , plus the friendliest and most accommodating hosts I've ever camped with.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Hawkins Creek Campground

    Avoid the drama!

    The last reviews of this campground were in 2021. A lot has changed since that time. This is a cheap place to stay. There are no background checks. All sorts of characters stay at this location. I had trouble after six months of staying at this campground. To avoid any trouble, I left halfway through my month of prepaid time. This worked out to approximately $302 or 16 days. They refused to give me a refund or even a pro rate from the owner. Instead, they gave it to a guy staying in a tent on the property. They are thieves!

    In my vicinity that I was staying, there were four known listed Illegal sex act males. Two left the site. One of the remaining males was hired by the management for maintenance.

    The property manager didn’t seem to care about a lot of things around the property. The property appearance was not taken care of. Signs, mailboxes, and other related objects were covered in mold and never cleaned or in need of repair (see pictures). Residence were cutting their own grass. Drainage ditches, and culvert areas had extremely high grass (see pictures). Perfect for snakes.

    The bathhouse was not properly maintained. A male person who lived there only cleaned the floors once or twice a week. That seemed about it. The showers were brown, and the bathrooms were not cleaned properly. I personally cleaned the male bathroom several times during my six months. The sink continually leaked underneath. When I discovered mold, I asked for a mold killer from the bathroom guy. He was having a bad day apparently and flipped out on me. I told him I would clean the mold if he had any chemicals. He cursed at me and walked inside to his residence. Management did nothing about this incident (see pictures).

    There was always trouble with dogs at the campground. Management never did anything about the dog issues. I was told to “shoot the dog if it bites you “. Unbelievable !

    There were no standards for the campsites. Anything went! Make shift structures could be put up with no problem (see pictures). Also a lot of trash and debris around the campground.

    I would not recommend this campground to anyone. Pay the extra money for a better place!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    Our first trip in the camper

    Our first trip in our new to us camper and found the campground very nice. The bathhouses were the cleanest and best equipped. Some shade. Nice dog park. Plenty of amenities.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Magnolia Lane Campground

    Overpriced and bath house heavily molded.

    I contacted the campsite via phone. They said there was two spots available for my rig. The monthly rate quoted was $895. I told the office that I was going to drive up the following morning to check the site and if I liked it, I would go ahead and rent it. The manager said OK. I explained I would come back and get my rig if it was acceptable. She told me to call her once. I looked at the site and we could complete the transaction when she came over to the site from the office.

    I drove an hour from my current site to look at that site. The secluded campground only had one bar on Verizon. It was also small. I called two separate numbers and texted. I waited on site for roughly 30 minutes with no callback.
    While I was looking at the campground, I went to the bathhouse. All three bathrooms were covered with suspect, microbial growth and had a strong mold smell. I can’t say for certain without testing it, but if it looks and smells like a duck, it’s probably a duck. People with breathing issues or allergies to this problem would have a bad day in these bathrooms.

    I had to contact the office the following day around 9:50 AM. They acted like they didn’t care about me driving up for nothing. To add insult to injury, the manager openly admitted they had a mold problem in all the bathrooms at the bathhouse. They were going to deal with it this coming winter.

    So let me get this straight. You were charging almost $900 a month to campers with a bad mold, problem admitted by the office. Is there a problem with this picture? This is not slander. This is what transpired. I turned down the site.

    BE CAUTIOUS!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    A nice find

    We camped on the primitive side. Hardly anyone here. We took spot 4. Across from the clean pit toilet. They do have water. The area for rvs were packed and it wasn’t as appealing as the primitive. Follow the signs to primitive tent camping. Is a loop and the closer you get to the loop the more bugs cause of the water. On our walk with the dogs seen deer and a raccoon visited us during the night. Internet is spotty. Turn your cellular data on.


Guide to Bridgeton

Camping spots near Bridgeton, North Carolina sit at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, creating a unique lowland ecosystem for outdoor recreation. The region's sandy soil drains quickly after rain, making tent sites usable even after typical afternoon summer showers. Most camping areas maintain moderate tree coverage, providing partial shade during the humid summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.

What to do

Kayaking on Newport River: Launch directly from Oyster Point Campground where campers can access the water from several sites. "We were able to launch kayaks almost directly from campsite #11," notes one visitor, highlighting the convenience of waterfront camping without needing to transport equipment.

Fishing from private beaches: Some waterfront sites offer exclusive river access for anglers. At Oyster Point Campground, "Sites #9 and #11 have pathways to a very small private beach," where you can fish without crowds during early morning hours when fish are most active.

Wildlife photography: The diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife photography opportunities. "The area is a photographer's dream, especially if you like photographing the native habitat and creatures," with chances to capture images of wading birds, soft shell crabs, and dragonflies in the estuaries near Cedar Point.

Gem mining: A unique activity available at New Bern KOA Holiday for families. "They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store," mentions a reviewer who visited in August 2020, offering a fun activity option during hot afternoons when outdoor hiking might be uncomfortable.

What campers like

Private waterfront access: Campsites with direct water views receive the highest praise from visitors. At Dixon Landing RV Resort, campers appreciate "waking up to sunrise glinting off the wide river in every window" and the "gorgeous sunsets over the river" that create memorable camping experiences.

Individual bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds offer upgraded bathroom amenities. The New Bern KOA Holiday features "bathrooms that were very clean and each had a shower sink and toilet all to yourself. Climate controlled also," providing comfort beyond typical campground facilities.

Wildlife encounters: The region's diverse ecosystems support frequent wildlife sightings. "On our walk with the dogs seen deer and a raccoon visited us during the night," reports a camper at Goose Creek State Park Campground, where encounters with native wildlife enhance the camping experience.

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area feature larger-than-average sites. Oyster Point Campground offers "very wide sites" with "tent pads big enough for 1 large tent or 2 small tents," providing comfortable spacing between camping neighbors.

What you should know

Seasonal insect conditions: Bug activity varies dramatically by season. At Oyster Point Campground, "The bugs are bad in June and bug spray didn't really help," while another camper noted, "No mosquitoes. Must be gone for the year" during a fall visit, suggesting late September through early November offers the most comfortable camping conditions.

Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging water quality issues. One camper rated the "Water quality: 1/5 potable but tastes gross" at the New Bern KOA, recommending visitors bring drinking water rather than rely on campground sources.

Electrical reliability: Power connections can be inconsistent at certain locations. At Cedar Point Campground, "there are serious issues with the electric connections" according to one camper who experienced problems charging small devices and wheelchair batteries, suggesting bringing backup power sources when visiting.

Dispersed camping challenges: For those seeking backcountry experiences in Croatan National Forest, road conditions can be problematic. "The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars," reports one camper, with many forest roads still closed from hurricane damage, requiring high-clearance vehicles for access.

Tips for camping with families

Jump pad activities: Some campgrounds offer specialized play equipment. New Bern KOA Holiday features "a jump pad" that children particularly enjoy, though one visitor noted it was "closed due to Covid-19 restrictions" during their visit, suggesting calling ahead to confirm availability.

Educational trails: Families can combine recreation with learning on interpretive trails. "The Tideland Trail takes you through the estuaries close to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway," providing opportunities for children to observe coastal ecosystems up close while hiking manageable distances.

Gaga ball courts: This increasingly popular playground game is available at certain campgrounds. "They had horseshoes and Gaga-ball that were open," notes a visitor to New Bern KOA, providing an active game option for school-age children that requires minimal equipment.

Fenced dog areas: Families camping with pets will find dedicated spaces at select campgrounds. Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers opportunities to "see all of the animals" on property, while another campground provides "two fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station," making pet management easier during family camping trips.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling requirements: RV sites vary in their preparation needs. At Cedar Point Campground, "the sites are level and have a paved parking pad" with campground staff being "pretty strict on you keeping all wheels on" the pad, while other campgrounds may require more extensive leveling.

Fresh water planning: Several campgrounds lack individual water hookups at sites. Cedar Point Campground "does not have water hook ups so make sure your RV fresh water tanks are topped off, or there are plenty of potable water points throughout the campground to fill up your jugs" before setting up camp.

Site selection for privacy: RVers seeking more personal space should research specific site numbers. At New Bern KOA, "Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks," while a different camper recommended "a deluxe site for the breathing room," highlighting the importance of selecting premium sites for longer stays.

Check-in procedures: Some campgrounds have unique arrival processes. At Cedar Point, "There is no office or signage for check-in, so we just drove in, found our reserved spot that had our name on the tag and set up. The Camp Host came around a little later and apparently we were supposed to know to check-in with him somehow," suggesting RVers clarify arrival procedures when making reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bridgeton, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bridgeton, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 80 campgrounds and RV parks near Bridgeton, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bridgeton, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bridgeton, NC is New Bern KOA Holiday with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bridgeton, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Bridgeton, NC.