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Best Campgrounds near Carolina Beach, NC

221 Reviews

Campgrounds near Carolina Beach span diverse options from shaded state park sites to beachfront opportunities. Carolina Beach State Park Campground offers spacious, secluded tent and RV sites in a wooded setting along the Cape Fear River, approximately 5 minutes from ocean beaches. The park features cabin accommodations in addition to traditional campsites. Other options include Freeman Park with primitive beach camping, Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area with oceanfront access, and several private RV parks such as Winners RV Park and Wilmington KOA Holiday, which provide full hookup sites and additional amenities within short driving distance of Carolina Beach.

Access to most developed campgrounds remains consistent year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when beach traffic peaks. Carolina Beach State Park maintains clean facilities with bathhouses and showers, while private campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities from basic to resort-style. Weather conditions remain mild through most seasons, though summer brings heat, humidity and mosquitoes that can impact camping comfort. Hurricane season (June through November) occasionally affects coastal camping availability. Campers should note that Carolina Beach State Park gates close at 9 PM and reopen at 7 AM, requiring careful planning for evening activities. A camper noted, "The weather can be hot and humid during the summer months. Bring a lot of bug spray!"

Many visitors highlight Carolina Beach State Park's proximity to beaches as a major advantage, with several mentioning the convenience of being able to enjoy both forest camping and beach recreation. The park's hiking trails receive positive reviews, particularly the Flytrap Trail which showcases native carnivorous plants including Venus flytraps and pitcher plants. Freeman Park offers a different experience with 4x4 beach camping that receives high marks for its oceanfront setting despite primitive conditions. According to one visitor, "Freeman Park is a beach area located in Carolina Beach. It's the place to take your 4x4 vehicle, your friends, kids, and dogs, and have some fun in the sand, wind, and waves." Wildlife encounters, particularly with raccoons, are commonly mentioned in reviews, with campers advised to secure food properly at night to prevent unwanted visitors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Carolina Beach, North Carolina (47)

    1. Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-7770

    $27 - $75 / night

    "This is a quiet and spacious campground mere miles from Carolina Beach at a price that's hard to beat. We tent camp here around $30 a night for a tent site. Each site is very large and spacious."

    "Carolina beach state park is one of my favorite places to go in North Carolina. Not only does it have an awesome campground, but it's right near one of the best beaches I've ever been to."

    2. Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Kure Beach, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 500-6465

    "It's a somewhat remote feel to this area even though it's not far from Carolina Beach. There is also a aquarium, and museum down the road if you need a history or education fix."

    "No shade in this campground, but the location is everything! Basically a manicured field with cement pads and hookup poles."

    3. Freeman Park

    9 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-4614

    $20 - $90 / night

    "Freeman Park is a beach area located in Carolina Beach. It's the place to take your 4x4 vehicle, your friends, kids, and dogs, and have some fun in the sand, wind, and waves."

    "With no more Beach than that we are allowed to drive on now the longer it happens the more of the beach will diminish. There should be no day passes only yearly."

    4. Wilmington KOA

    21 Reviews
    Wrightsville Beach, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 686-7705

    "The pool was big and warm, easy for swimming while maintaining social distancing."

    "It’s clean, it’s close to downtown Wilmington and there is SO much to do there. There is an RV wash right next door! There are a lot of gray farmer’s stands and fresh seafood stands nearby too!"

    5. Holden Beach RV Campground

    26 Reviews
    Supply, NC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 842-1809

    "Decent size sites, water, 30Amp, sewer, great WiFi (repeaters positioned at every other site, especially in the new section)."

    "Close to the beach and easy to find backside parking. Do not let the drive deter you, it was an easy daily drive. Had a site next to “permanent bathroom” and trash area."

    6. Winners RV Park

    1 Review
    Carolina Beach, NC
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-1098

    $95 - $125 / night

    "With being only a short walk to the beach, shops, and restaurants, this park can’t be beat. No frills here. The park managers are fun and friendly, and the grounds are clean and well-kept."

    7. In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    1 Review
    Winnabow, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 845-5040

    $67 - $106 / night

    "Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful."

    8. Oak Island Campground

    2 Reviews
    Southport, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 269-6979

    9. Castle Hayne Farm Park

    1 Review
    Wilmington, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 289-6250

    $40 - $85 / night

    10. Wilmington KOA Holiday

    Be the first to review!
    Wrightsville Beach, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 686-7705
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Recent Camping Photos near Carolina Beach, NC

65 Photos of 47 Carolina Beach Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Carolina Beach, NC

221 Reviews of 47 Carolina Beach Campgrounds

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Wilmington KOA

    Family campground near the beach and Wilmington

    Our kids where very happy with the little pool and we found good facilities to do the laundry. There are some nice shady spots and some are a bit crowded. But good full hook ups.

  • J
    Sep. 1, 2025

    CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard

    Lovely campground

    We stayed here on Labor Day weekend 2025. The staff I spoke with were friendly and helpful. The grounds before you enter the campground area are beautiful and well kept. The campground itself has many spacious, full hook up sites with packed gravel foundation. There’s no grass due to the mature pine trees but the community areas have lush lawn and beautiful flowers especially around the pond. The bathhouse and laundry were sufficient. They had a nice pool, playground, volley ball court and horseshoe pits. They have a large dog park. We look forward to inviting some friends to join us for group camping here sometime soon. Their nightly rates were very reasonable.

  • Kristie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    Great place!

    New Park with all the amenities you need, clean well kept facilities and grounds. Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful.

  • Greg T.
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Freeman Park

    Hit-or-miss camping expeirence

    Short takes:

    • Better to camp here during the cooler weather

    • If you don’t have a yearly beach- access pass, it’s expensive

    • Very crowded during warm weather

    • Make sure to air-down.

    • Don’t forget bug spray 

    Camping here can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months. Feb-March, Sept-Nov. That’s about the only time you can hope to avoid a chaotic, party scene. 

    I camped here in March and had a great time. Daytime beachgoers were mainly fishing, walking their dogs, shelling, etc. There were half a dozen other campers, everyone was friendly and quiet. 

    My trip in late April didn’t go as well. The first morning I awoke to the sound of a dozen children from the site next to me playing in the surf, shrieking and screaming at 5:30 am. Saturday the beach was packed with day-trippers with a line of trucks parked at the crest of the beach from one end to the other. Constant vehicle traffic up and down the beach. Lots of young kids running around, not paying attention to their surroundings, people walking on the dunes. Many vehicles got stuck in the sand because they didn’t air down. Lots of competing, loud music. 

    The next night, there was a family of 20+ people in the next site who warned us they were a loud group. At that point, we packed up and left. I wasn’t expecting that kind of scene until Memorial Day. 

    Erosion continues to eat away at the beach and it probably won’t be long before camping is prohibited due to lack of room. The beach used to be much wider.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2025

    Brunswick Beaches RV Resort

    Good, clean, quiet campground

    The campground is well located if you want to visit Ocean Isle, Sunset, or Calabash. It’s clean and reasonably well maintained.

  • Ms P.
    Jan. 26, 2025

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Amazing place to Camp

    I've been here at different times of the year. I really enjoy camping here in December and January. Less people and the park is so nice.

  • VSG T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2024

    Harbor Point RV Community

    Clean Bathrooms, oh yeah!

    We were here in December, the place was quiet. These sites are on top of each other and I don’t know that I’d use this campground during high season … and the doggie area was right behind us.. full summer heat would probably be a bit smelly for me… but … we had a site with no neighbors, and nearly no dogs while here so it was quiet, the cg is clean and the bathrooms are exceptionally clean and heated. All the amenities were in nice condition so if don’t mind tight neighbors during high season… and you’re a dog lover this is a great value and camp ground. If you’re not so keen on tight neighbors or dogs … I’d recommend off season stays. All in all a great campground.

Guide to Carolina Beach

Camping near Carolina Beach, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery, fun activities, and family-friendly environments. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Explore the beach: Carolina Beach State Park Campground is just a short pedal to the ocean beach. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked a trail to see Venus flytraps in the wild. A short pedal to the ocean beach. Very nice sites."
  • Visit local attractions: The area has great shopping and dining options. One camper at Holden Beach RV Campground noted, "We were there during Thanksgiving, so they had a potluck meal for all of the guests in the park."
  • Enjoy water activities: At Myrtle Beach Travel Park, you can easily access the beach and enjoy family activities. A reviewer said, "We loved our stay here, easy beach access, great pool and store."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's remarked, "Very clean bathrooms/showers."
  • Friendly staff: Many campers highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Willow Tree RV Resort said, "Great campground, big even parking spots, very friendly and helpful staff."
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having enough space between sites. A camper at Carolina Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "Very nice sites."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes can be a nuisance: Many campers have noted the presence of bugs. One visitor at Carolina Beach State Park Campground said, "The biggest drawback here is the mosquitoes."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A reviewer at Onslow Beach Campsites mentioned, "The shower/bath house was DISGUSTING!!"
  • Reservations are recommended: Especially during peak seasons, it's wise to book ahead. A camper at Holden Beach RV Campground noted, "We will just make sure to pick a different site number next time."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for activities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly events. One visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's said, "Kids love it every time we visit, but especially during October."
  • Bring bug spray: Given the mosquito situation, it's smart to pack some repellent. A camper at Carolina Beach State Park Campground advised, "Remember to bring your bug spray."
  • Check for kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with pools or playgrounds. A reviewer at Willow Tree RV Resort mentioned, "They have a beautiful bathroom/shower house."

Tips from RVers:

  • Choose your site wisely: Some sites can be tight for larger RVs. A camper at Carolina Pines RV Resort warned, "Be careful in site selection though a few would be very tight for even the smallest pop ups."
  • Utilize the amenities: Many campgrounds offer great facilities. A visitor at Myrtle Beach Travel Park said, "The park is very nice and right on the beach."
  • Be prepared for noise: Some campgrounds may have noise from nearby activities. A reviewer at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area noted, "You will need to be able to tolerate the noise of a military base including low-flying aircraft."

Camping near Carolina Beach, North Carolina, has something for everyone. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds at Carolina Beach, NC?

The standout campground in the area is Carolina Beach State Park Campground, offering spacious, secluded sites with well-maintained hiking trails and proximity to the beach. Another excellent option is Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, located directly across from a beautiful beach with unique rock formations. For those seeking beachfront camping with 4x4 vehicles, Freeman Park provides a fun option for beach camping. All these campgrounds are located near the amenities of Carolina Beach while offering different camping experiences, from wooded seclusion to direct beach access.

Can you camp at Carolina Beach State Park?

Yes, you can camp at Carolina Beach State Park Campground. The park offers numerous campsites that are large, private, and shaded by trees. The campground features well-maintained hiking trails, a marina, and is just a short drive from Carolina Beach. Sites include fire pits and are easy to access. Bathroom facilities provide hot water and decent shower pressure, though they're somewhat dated. The park is located just over the bridge in Carolina Beach, providing a secluded feel while remaining close to restaurants and grocery stores. Camping rates are approximately $30 per night for tent sites, making it an affordable option for enjoying the Carolina Beach area.

Are there RV camping sites available at Carolina Beach?

Yes, RV camping options are available at Carolina Beach. Winners RV Park offers dedicated RV camping near Carolina Beach with full hookup sites. For those who prefer a more natural setting, Wilmington KOA provides big-rig-friendly sites with amenities like water and toilets. While Carolina Beach State Park has some RV sites, they're limited in number and hookups. The RV camping options in the area give you convenient access to Carolina Beach attractions while providing the comforts needed for recreational vehicles. Most RV parks in the region are open year-round, but reservations are strongly recommended during the peak summer season.

Are there cabins for rent at Carolina Beach campgrounds?

Yes, Carolina Beach offers cabin rentals for campers seeking more comfort. Carolina Beach State Park Campground has recently added air-conditioned cabins that are especially popular during hot summer months. These cabins book up quickly due to their popularity and affordable pricing compared to beach rentals. Another option is In The Pines RV & Cabin Village, which offers cabin accommodations in addition to RV sites. These cabins provide a comfortable alternative to tent camping while still allowing visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings and easy access to Carolina Beach attractions, fishing spots, and hiking trails.

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