Best Tent Camping near Castle Hayne, NC

Coastal areas surrounding Castle Hayne, North Carolina offer tent campers diverse options ranging from oceanfront primitive sites to secluded riverside campgrounds. Freeman Park in Carolina Beach provides designated tent-only camping spaces directly on the beach, allowing campers to fall asleep to ocean waves. About 30 minutes east, Hammocks Beach State Park offers remote tent camping on Bear Island, accessible only by ferry or kayak. For freshwater environments, Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground, located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Castle Hayne, features walk-in tent sites with significant privacy between campsites.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require advance preparation and awareness of local conditions. At Freeman Park, campers should secure tents in sand using bags filled with sand rather than traditional stakes, as one visitor noted, "Winds can be high and tents are a challenge to secure in loose sand." Tide awareness is critical for beach camping, with some campers reporting high tides occasionally reaching or covering campsites. Lake Waccamaw's tent sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, but sites 2-5 require a quarter-mile walk from parking areas to reach facilities. Black River Camping Ventures offers primitive tent camping with portable toilets and non-potable water pumps, though insects can be problematic during warmer months.

The tent camping experience varies significantly by season. According to reviews, Freeman Park is most enjoyable during cooler months (February-March, September-November) when crowds are minimal and temperatures moderate. One camper observed, "The sites were actually larger than they sound online with plenty of room for tents and a canopy." At Hammocks Beach State Park, campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, with sites spaced far apart for privacy. A visitor mentioned, "We went on Labor Day weekend and there was no one there! So peaceful and serene." Lake Waccamaw campers report excellent wildlife viewing with "bullfrogs, peepers, and owls calling all night" and spectacular lake sunsets from tent sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Castle Hayne, North Carolina (9)

    1. Freeman Park

    9 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    20 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."

    "Winds can be high and tents are a challenge to secure in loose sand. Also CRITICAL to be educated about beach weather and TIDES!!!! Super high tides were present during my visit."

    2. Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

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

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

    "Nice tent sites. Very close to the beach. Great view of the river. Has shop, rental center, and fishing pier within walking distance of the camping area."

    3. Black River Camping Ventures

    2 Reviews
    Ivanhoe, NC
    24 miles
    +1 (910) 669-2392

    $45 / night

    "This campground is situated right along the Black River in Bladen County NC. Approximately 1 hour from Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Jacksonville."

    4. Onslow Beach Campsites

    15 Reviews
    Hubert, NC
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 440-7502

    "We set up, after about an hour a guy came by on a riding mower and mowed around the area. Leaving a lot of grass near our area."

    "Full hook ups, very clean, friendly staff, and many sites have a shelter area for the picnic table (all sites have a table). WiFi isn’t great but that doesn’t bother us; cell signal is decent."

    5. Virginia Creek Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Holly Ridge, NC
    19 miles
    +1 (910) 329-4648

    6. Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Lake Waccamaw, NC
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 646-4915

    $17 / night

    "This campground is very beautiful - clean amenities, and only a few well-kept campsites with fire rings, grills and several picnic benches."

    "The Yurt had been removed but the platform stayed. We were able to get up our large tent on the platform and have enough space for our chairs. The lake is beautifully kept and clean. Very shallow."

    7. Hammocks Beach Bear Island Campsites — Hammocks Beach State Park

    9 Reviews
    Swansboro, NC
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 326-4881

    $17 - $72 / night

    "It’s a long walk! We took a private ferry (Pogie’s in Swansboro 5/5 stars) so we could bring what we wanted. We took a lot!"

    "Also, be prepared to backpack in all your supplies a minimum of a mile from the ferry drop to your campsite. Other campsites are a farther trek. Lightweight gear is a must.

    Bring shade with you."

    8. Whispering Pines Nudist Resort

    1 Review
    Sunset Beach, NC
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 287-6404

    9. Cypress Ranch Glamping

    1 Review
    Sunset Beach, NC
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 880-2256
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Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Castle Hayne, NC

257 Reviews of 9 Castle Hayne Campgrounds



Guide to Castle Hayne

Discover the beauty of tent camping near Castle Hayne, North Carolina, where you can immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities.

Tips for tent camping near Castle Hayne

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers should check out Freeman Park

  • Revel in the unique experience of camping right on the beach at Freeman Park, where you can wake up to stunning ocean sunrises.
  • Engage in fun beach activities like fishing and swimming, making it a perfect spot for families and friends.
  • Explore the nearby attractions and enjoy the local dining options, enhancing your camping adventure at this well-reviewed location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Castle Hayne, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Castle Hayne, NC is Freeman Park with a 4-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Castle Hayne, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.