Best Campgrounds near Cedar Island, NC

Cedar Island in coastal North Carolina serves as a gateway to the Outer Banks with several campground options concentrated along the shoreline and near ferry terminals. Cedar Island Ranch provides 75 sites adjacent to the Ocracoke ferry terminal with RV hookups, tent sites, and beach access. Other nearby options include Cedar Creek Campground & Marina in Sea Level with 67 sites featuring full hookups and boat access, and Long Point Cabin Camp on Cape Lookout National Seashore offering rustic cabin accommodations accessible primarily by boat. The mixed-use campgrounds in this region typically accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering waterfront sites.

Access to camping areas varies significantly in this coastal region, with some locations requiring ferry transportation or boat access. For example, South Core Banks Beach Camping on Cape Lookout National Seashore is only accessible by boat and requires visitors to bring all necessary supplies. "If you are looking for beaches that aren't covered with people, Long Point Cabin area should definitely be on your list. Since this area is on a small barrier island, you have to take a ferry to reach the cabins. Because of this you, and the other temporary residents of these cabins, have the island all to yourselves." The camping season generally runs April through November, particularly for National Seashore campgrounds. Weather can change rapidly, with strong winds and storms common in this coastal environment.

The camping experience in this region centers around coastal environments and marine activities. Waterfront camping opportunities receive consistently high ratings, with several campgrounds providing direct beach access. Cedar Island Ranch campers appreciate its proximity to the ferry terminal and beach access, with one visitor noting it's "a hidden gem on the journey into the outer banks with beautiful views, beach access, horses, ferry to Ocracoke, and very reasonably priced." Cape Lookout National Seashore offers a more primitive experience with opportunities for solitude. A camper described South Core Banks as "nothing short of amazing" with "the prettiest water I've seen in NC, can be compared to the Caribbean." Most camping areas in the region are family-friendly with opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and wildlife viewing, including wild horses on some barrier islands.

Best Camping Sites Near Cedar Island, North Carolina (57)

    1. Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    57 Reviews
    Ocracoke, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 928-6671

    $28 / night

    "We spontaneously added two days onto our beach camping vacation at Bear Island and took the Cedar Island Ferry to Ocracoke after being away from the island for 7 years. Ocracoke in itself is a gem."

    "This ended up being a perfect jumping off point for enjoying the town of Ocracoke in the evening and the following morning, then taking the afternoon ferry to Cedar Island."

    2. Cedar Creek Campground & Marina

    4 Reviews
    Cedar Island, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 646-6084

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Close to the Morris Marina, Davis, and Ocracoke ferry. Easy access to the Outer and Core banks."

    3. Long Point Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    3 Reviews
    Cedar Island, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    $112 - $145 / night

    "Luckily, North Carolina has some amazing beaches on the Outer Banks, and Long Point Cabin area should definitely be on your list of spots to check out."

    "I sailed over while the group brought their 4 wheel drive vehicle on the ferry. Feels like a world away from populated beaches."

    4. South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    9 Reviews
    Marshallberg, NC
    18 miles
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    "They even walked close by our campsite. The last night had the most amazing sunset that lit up the lighthouse and the clouds above with beautiful pinks, purple and blues."

    "Start your adventure on a ferry, cross an inlet watching all the wildlife play right in front of you, then get off and drive immediately to endless stretches of white sandy beaches."

    5. Cedar Island Ranch

    1 Review
    Cedar Island, NC
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (252) 650-8050

    $22 - $102 / night

    "There are 60 sites, including walk-in tent sites, back-in W/E, pull-thru W/E, and FHU pull-thru sites. The prices range from $20-$75."

    6. Great Island Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    5 Reviews
    Marshallberg, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    $80 - $180 / night

    "But they are situated directly behind the dunes from miles and miles of totally prestine beaches. The only on-island supplies are ice and gasoline, so you must pack in everything."

    "There are several boardwalks that meander around the island and numerous sandy paths connecting the sound side to the ocean side."

    7. Teeter's Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ocracoke, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 588-2030

    "The location is fantastic. Everything is walking distance... restaurants, shops and the marina. The owner was very nice and helpful. Be aware the campsites are very close together."

    "Walking distance to the waterfront. Very quiet environment."

    8. Oyster Point Campground

    24 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    30 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. Cape Point — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    13 Reviews
    Ocracoke, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 465-9602

    $20 / night

    "The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so.  We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty."

    "If you can't find a spot in one of the boutique or smaller national seashore locations you won't get skunked."

    10. Frisco Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    46 Reviews
    Frisco, NC
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 995-5101

    $28 / night

    "Campground is nice overall, there are multiple bathhouses and trash bins near the entrance. There are lots of bugs and ticks, tent space vary greatly from space to space."

    "Depending on the spot you pick, the shore is a few steps away. You can drive to a small lot near the beach entrance if your lot is far away. The night sky is breathtaking."

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Recent Reviews near Cedar Island, NC

365 Reviews of 57 Cedar Island Campgrounds


  • D
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Emerald Isle RV Resort

    Great Month-Long Stay in the Off-Season

    I stayed at Emerald Isle RV Park for a full month right after Labor Day and really enjoyed the experience. It’s clear this is a busy, touristy spot during the summer, but in the shoulder season it was quiet and relaxing, mostly just the permanent sites around.

    The campground has full hookups and is very well kept. The shower houses, laundry, and common areas were spotless solid 4 out of 5 stars for facilities. The only real downside was the Wi-Fi. it’s pretty slow (under 2 Mbps) and gets worse on weekends. It actually gave me a good excuse to finally buy a Starlink, which worked great here.

    Overall, I’d definitely come back for a summer stay. The location can’t be beat you are minutes from the beach, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Great spot if you want to camp near the coast without being right in the chaos.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Very Special Place

    We spent 3 nights beach camping in our VW Vanagon, and highly recommend this destination if you have the means! The ferry is $135+ for vehicles, plus $20 per person roundtrip. The beach driving permit is $75 unless you buy it by March (I think). We lucked out with our dates just preceding a big fishing competition, and there was a LOT of open beach space. Almost everyone is there to fish. We took bikes and enjoyed cycling around at low tide. Be sure to camp above the high tide zone, which is black sand. There are narrow/impassable points on the beach at high tide, but there are ramps to the back road every mile. Some ramps are very deep sand, others flat and packed. We got by without 4wd, but we didn’t explore beyond finding a spot not too far from the ferry drop off. We befriended our neighbors who took us to the lighthouse at the southern end of the island, which was beautiful! Currently closed for renovations, and the lightkeeper’s house was closed due to the government shutdown. Overall, south core banks is absolutely worth the effort!

  • Richard P.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Cedar Point Campground

    Cedar Point Campground

    Love this campground. Clean bathrooms and showers. Very nice host.

  • 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.

  • 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. 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.


Guide to Cedar Island

Cedar Island's coastal region offers primitive to full-service camping options across barrier islands and mainland locations. Access requirements vary significantly, with some sites requiring a 4WD vehicle or boat transportation to reach remote beach camping areas. The camping season typically spans April through November with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 85°F depending on the time of year.

What to do

Beach driving access points: Cape Lookout National Seashore has designated ramps for 4WD vehicles. "Short ferry ride from Harker's Island. Prettiest water I've seen in NC, can be compared to the Caribbean! Fresh water and restrooms on island. Camp anywhere 100ft from buildings," notes a South Core Banks Beach Camping visitor.

Kayaking and boating: Launch directly from some campsites for water access. A camper at Oyster Point Campground reports, "We were able to launch kayaks almost directly from campsite #11. Tent pads are big enough for 1 large tent or 2 small tents."

Fishing opportunities: Cedar Creek Campground & Marina provides convenient fishing access with trailer parking. "Great fishing at Ophelia Inlet," reports a visitor, while another mentioned, "There is a marina with gas on site. The ramp is small but there is plenty of trailer parking."

What campers like

Seclusion and privacy: Several island campgrounds offer remarkable solitude. At Great Island Cabin Camp, a reviewer observed, "Cabins are clean but very rustic - bathroom, bunkbeds (with clean and comfy mattresses), gas stove, stink, platic table and chairs, and a porch - just straight up fishing cabins, nothing fancy."

Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing. "We woke up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise over the ocean which was just a hop, skip and jump away from our tent. It was paradise," shared a visitor to Ocracoke Campground.

Wildlife viewing: Multiple locations offer opportunities to see local fauna. "We had three young male horses that were always roaming within sight. They even walked close by our campsite," explained a South Core Banks camper.

What you should know

Weather preparedness: Conditions change rapidly on the barrier islands. "As nice as it was the first day, I had to take down my tent the next day due to the harsh winds and rainstorm," noted a Long Point visitor.

Vehicle requirements: Many island locations require appropriate vehicles. "Prepare everything in advance - food, water, essentials. There ain't no corner market here. That includes 4x4 AND recovery equipment. Tow service ain't nowhere to be found," warns a South Core Banks camper.

Bug protection: Insects can be intense during warmer months. "Make sure you bring good bug spray!!! The mosquitos are bad in June and bug spray didn't really help," reported an Oyster Point visitor.

Supply planning: Limited services mean bringing all necessities. "The downfall to this seclusion, though, is that you have to bring all of your necessities and recreational gear with you on the ferry," explains a reviewer at Long Point Cabin Camp.

Tips for camping with families

Consider cabin options: Rustic cabins provide family-friendly accommodations. "Cabins all have a porch with rocking chairs to be able to soak up all of the island sun and breeze. They also each have their own private bathrooms and kitchen," notes a Long Point Cabin Camp reviewer.

Pack extra water: Limited drinking water sources require preparation. "Must bring all drinking water," warns a Long Point camper, while another noted, "Tap water is potable but tastes very desalinated, so bottled water is recommended."

Beach exploration activities: Shell collecting and nature walks engage children. "I loved sleeping on the soft sand. The campground was great and had showers and bathrooms. There is just a short walk to one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States," shares an Ocracoke camper.

Tips from RVers

Ferry planning: Reserve ferry space well in advance for RVs. "We spent 3 nights beach camping in our VW Vanagon. The ferry is $135+ for vehicles, plus $20 per person roundtrip," advises a South Core Banks visitor.

Site selection strategy: Choose sites with adequate space and good drainage. "Sites are a little small but we had more than enough room for our 18 TT and truck. The roads on the property are a little rough and could use some grading," notes a Cedar Creek camper.

Weather precautions: Prepare for wind and storms. "Watersouts are extremely common here, so use sandbags with your tent and make sure the tent can handle heavy winds if the storms blow in over night," recommends a South Core Banks visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cedar Island, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Island, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 57 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Island, NC and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Island, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Island, NC is Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore with a 4.6-star rating from 57 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedar Island, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Cedar Island, NC.