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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Carolina Beach, NC

222 Reviews

Carolina Beach State Park Campground welcomes dogs throughout its spacious sites located about a mile from the beach. Pets must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in the park's cabins. The campground features clean facilities with hot showers and restrooms near most sites, making it convenient for pet owners. Winners RV Park, located at 601 N. Lake Park Blvd, also accommodates pets with its full-hookup sites and proximity to dog-friendly areas. Both campgrounds provide trash disposal, essential for managing pet waste during stays. Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area permits pets on its grounds with standard leash requirements, while Wilmington KOA Holiday offers 97 sites where pets can stay alongside their owners. Raccoons are active at night in Carolina Beach State Park, so secure pet food when camping with dogs.

The park's trails provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with the Flytrap Trail being particularly notable for viewing carnivorous plants with leashed pets. Carolina Beach State Park becomes extremely buggy during summer months, requiring extra precautions for pets - bringing appropriate insect repellent is essential. The gate closes at 10pm, creating a secure environment but requiring careful planning for evening outings with pets. Freeman Park allows pets and provides beach access for dogs, though proper waste management is strictly enforced. Multiple visitors note the campground's proximity to Carolina Beach makes it ideal for morning or evening beach walks with pets, all within a short bike ride. November camping offers fewer insects and crowds while still allowing comfortable exploration with pets throughout the maritime forest and surrounding trails.

Map showing campgrounds near Carolina Beach, North CarolinaExplore the Map

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Carolina Beach, North Carolina (36)

    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 location is near just about everything. The main road turning into the place can be jammed with traffic at times."

    "Convient to Wilmington Downtown, Wilmington Beaches, Highway & Airport. Clean well maintained. Friendly Accomodating Staff. Love the Palm Trees throughout. Pet and Kid Friendly...."

    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)."

    "It’s in a perfect location too. Upon check in we were escorted to our site, and they even helped us back in. The bathrooms and laundry were clean and kept up well during our stay."

    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 Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Carolina Beach, NC

26 Photos of 36 Carolina Beach Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Carolina Beach, NC

222 Reviews of 36 Carolina Beach Campgrounds

  • Kevin M.
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Love Carolina Beach State Park!

    Our family has tent camped here twice and recently reserved a camp cabin for a week this summer. 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. It could could comfortably fit 2 tents and a car.

    This Campground offers bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings. Dogs allowed, but not in the cabins. Plenty of walking trails.

    Campground is flat and shaded, although there are some primative group sites away from the main campground but they don't have as much shade. Grocery store is maybe 6 miles away.

  • Tony B.
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

    Fantastic area and vibe

    We visited this area last summer, but didn't camp there. However we did spend a lot of time in area. This campground is directly across the street from the beach. The beach is beautiful and the landscaping has rock formations scattered through it. 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. Down South of it is bald island a access to a ferry that will take you to Southport. Next time we come back to this area we will definitely camp here.

  • Sam M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    beach + camping = awesome

    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. The sites are nice and secluded, just how I like them. Most of the sites are tent sites, but they have a few full hookup sites for RVs and some cabins to rent too. All of the sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water.

    Within the park, there are tons of hiking trails through a really beautiful area. I hear the fishing is also really good within the park, but I've never done it myself. The only downside is you can't swim within the park, because the currents can get dangerous. The beach is only like 5 minutes away though, so not really a big deal.

    As for the beach, it's my favorite one to go to in the states. I like it because it's not really touristy like the outer banks or myrtle beach. Not a whole lot of people come to it, so it's always pretty secluded and clean. In July, the water temperature is perfect, the waves are nice, and it's great all around.

    Awesome spot in NC.

  • Katy S.
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Freeman Park

    4x4 Camping Heaven

    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.

    First and foremost, make sure you know how to drive in the sand and what to do when your car gets stuck. It happened to us, as well as to many vehicles on the beach.

    Also, be aware of the tides, it's dangerous to be driving near the water when the high tide comes in.

    The camping is allowed on the beach Labor Day through memorial Day, but might require a permit, check the rules before you go. In the past, the permit was required only after April 1, so we always tried to come in February or March, when the weather is nice but not too hot.

    The camping is allowed in the designated spaces. There's enough room for one tent. Remember, when camping on sand, you don't need stakes. Instead you bring 4 plastic bags, fill them with sand, tie the tent corners to the bags and bury them in the sand. This will prevent your tent from flying away,

    There are several pit toilets on the beach, some trash cans are provided too. There's a store next to the fishing pier a short distance from the beach where we usually go to brush our teeth in the morning. 

    I love Freeman park and give it 4 stars only because it's a primitive camping spot and people should be aware what to expect. It doesn't have fancy amenities, but the proximity to the ocean is priceless. 

    Our favorite dining spot: The Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Carolina Beach.

  • D
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    So Great I Stayed For 2 Years

    Carolina Beach State Park is an amazing campground that has awesome hiking trails, very nice, affordable camp sites, a marina, fishing and swimming in the ocean and tons of fun. I loved it so much I rented a house nearby and actually lived there two years and got married at Carolina Beach Town Hall. I want to tell the whole world what a great campground Carolina Beach State Park is.

  • Stephanie B.
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Great Location, Lots of shade

    I love staying at Carolina Beach State Park! Very close to the beach, you can drive it ride a bike there.

    The hiking trails are well maintained and way to follow.

  • E
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Amazing and Fun Campground

    This campground is well worth the visit!  Nicely wooded campsites that are very large and private!  The park has numerous hiking trails, a marina and a beach nearby!  Carolina Beach area has many things to offer; they have a boardwalk that in the summertime has bands playing free of charge, amazing restaurants, fun carnival type activities for the kids, and fireworks every Friday!  Weather you want to relax in seclusion in the forest atmosphere of the park or go to the beach and party the night away, Carolina Beach has it all!  From the state park the beach is only a 5 min drive, less than 7 miles!  You could almost walk there if you didn't have all that beach gear!  But you could certainly ride your bike!

  • T
    May. 22, 2019

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Beautiful, peaceful, outdated

    Carolina Beach is a beautiful and peaceful campground, with spacious and private campsites. Sites are easy to locate, easy to access. Plenty of shade and nice fire pits.

    Bathrooms haven't been updated in decades. Showers don't offer much privacy, but do offer decent pressure and hot water.

    Grocery store is half a mile away.

    Loved the small town of Carolina Beach.

    Highly recommend, and will return in the future.

  • Ricci T.
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Beachtrips made affordable

    Great location close to Wilmington and Carolina Beach. The recent addition of air-conditioned cabins are a welcome alternative during the hot summer months even though they book up quickly. We enjoyed fishing and exploring the campground.

Guide to Carolina Beach

If you're looking for a great getaway with your furry friends, there are several pet-friendly camping options near Carolina Beach, North Carolina, that cater to both you and your pets.

Pet owners like the variety of amenities available

  • The Carolina Beach State Park Campground offers drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for pet owners.
  • At the Holden Beach RV Campground, pets are welcome, and the campground features a playground and a dog park for your furry companions to enjoy.
  • The Wilmington KOA provides a family-friendly atmosphere with clean facilities and plenty of activities, ensuring a fun stay for both pets and their owners.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great outdoor activities

  • The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is just a short walk from the beach, perfect for long walks with your dog.
  • Enjoy the unique experience of beach camping at Freeman Park, where you can set up your tent right on the sand and let your pet enjoy the ocean breeze.
  • The Oak Island Campground is close to beautiful beaches and offers a scenic environment for outdoor adventures with your pet.

Tips for camping with dogs near Carolina Beach

  • Always bring plenty of water and a portable bowl for your pet, especially during hot summer months at places like Carolina Beach State Park Campground.
  • Make sure to keep your pet leashed and clean up after them to maintain the natural beauty of campgrounds like Holden Beach RV Campground.
  • Check for any specific pet policies at your chosen campground, such as those at the Wilmington KOA, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Carolina Beach, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carolina Beach, NC is Carolina Beach State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 73 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Carolina Beach, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 36 dog-friendly camping locations near Carolina Beach, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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