Cedar Island is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Cedar Island is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your North Carolina camping adventure.
Oyster Point Campground is located on the banks of the Newport River, near the town of Newport, NC. The campground is just a short drive to the beaches of Atlantic Beach, NC and other coastal fishing destinations. The campground can get very busy and reservations are reccamended but must be made 3 days in advance. Of the 15 campsites, 1 are considered a first come-first served campsite that cannot be reserved or held, so a person must physically be there with their camping equipment to purchase the campsite. Oyster Point campground has the option to use Scan & Pay system, but by the rules of recreaiton.gov it may only be used for first come-first served sites. Please make sure to contact a campground host to ensure availability before paying for any campsite. Failure to check with the campground host for availability may result in the loss of your camping fee.
Canoeing and fishing are popular options. Power boating is allowed on the Newport River, however, the boat lanch at this location is a small hand launch with no vehicle access that you may use a canoe or kayak cart/dolly for assistance to get your boat to the water if desired. The Croatan Saltwater Trail weaves south between the barrier islands of the Bogue Sound and north on Adams Creek connecting to the Neuse River. This campground is also the trailhead for the Neusiok trail which is a 21-mile hiking trail that meanders through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation.
Canoeing and fishing are popular options. Power boating is allowed on the Newport River, however, the boat lanch at this location is a small hand launch with no vehicle access that you may use a canoe or kayak cart/dolly for assistance to get your boat to the water if desired. The Croatan Saltwater Trail weaves south between the barrier islands of the Bogue Sound and north on Adams Creek connecting to the Neuse River. This campground is also the trailhead for the Neusiok trail which is a 21-mile hiking trail that meanders through cypress swamps, loblolly pines and vast bogs of thick vegetation.
Situated in the coastal pine forest and intercostal waterway of the Croatan National Forest, which encompasses 160,000 acres in eastern North Carolina, the Newport River is 12 miles long and opens into the Bogue sound. It is popular with anglers and flatwater paddlers.
The campground is just a short drive to the towns of Newport, NC and Morehead City, NC. These towns offer full service grocery, retail, and an abundant selection of restaurants.
There is a $10.00 fee to cancel Reservations. Reservations canceled within the 3 days of arrival may result in the loss of the fee for one or more nights stay. Refunds for weather or checking out early will not be considered
$10 / night
Cape Point Campground sites have a shortened reservation window. Due to the ground saturation and potential for flooding we encourage you to check the sites prior to paying. Cape Point Campground is centrally located to all of the attractions on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The campground puts you within walking distance of arguably the best fishing and surfing on the east coast.
A short walk through the dunes leads you to the beach at the infamous Cape Hatteras. Many trophy fish have been landed from the point, and it has been a surfing destination for decades. If you prefer to drive to the beach you can access one of the many off-road vehicle ramps within a short distance of the campground. Exploration of the barrier islands beyond their beaches is possible on a hike through the nearby maritime forest. The Buxton Woods Trail is a 3/4 mile loop that can be accessed just north of the campground at the Buxton Woods Picnic Area on Lighthouse Road.
A short walk through the dunes leads you to the beach at the infamous Cape Hatteras. Many trophy fish have been landed from the point, and it has been a surfing destination for decades. If you prefer to drive to the beach you can access one of the many off-road vehicle ramps within a short distance of the campground. Exploration of the barrier islands beyond their beaches is possible on a hike through the nearby maritime forest. The Buxton Woods Trail is a 3/4 mile loop that can be accessed just north of the campground at the Buxton Woods Picnic Area on Lighthouse Road.
The campground is nestled between rolling dunes to the south and the largest remaining tract of maritime forest on the North Carolina coast to the north. The environment is naturally suited to accommodate many bird and mammal species. A large heard of white tail deer frequent the area.
For facility specific information, please call (252) 475-9054.
The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located just north of Cape Point Campground on Lighthouse Road next to the Visitor Center. Standing at 198 feet, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. It has undoubtedly saved the lives of many mariners navigating around the treacherous Diamond Shoals. The Museum of the Sea is also located near the Visitor Center within the shadow of the lighthouse. The museum's operating hours vary with the season.Buxton Beach is a family friendly swimming destination staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is a short walk or bike ride from the campground. Parking is available at the old lighthouse site adjacent to the current location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
$20 / night
Located along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, Goose Creek RV Resort family campground is conveniently located on Bogue Sound along the Intracoastal Waterway. Goose Creek RV Resort is only minutes away from the ocean by land or by water. This Crystal Coast RV resort offers a serene atmosphere in what may be one of only a very few undisturbed beach vacation spots left. Lack of any high density commercialization offers our campers a true family atmosphere. Your trip to Goose Creek RV Resort will occupy you with a large choice of activities offered at Encore's Crystal Coast RV resort throughout the year. Goose Creek RV Resort borders waters that are known for some of the best saltwater fishing anywhere. A Crystal Coast RV resort in a serene and undisturbed beach vacation spot Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
$25 - $38 / night
Great spot and host
Quiet, beautiful, cheap, great cell service. Love this place!
Campground is 1 of the 4 within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore. Cost here is only $20/night (the others are $28). No hookups available, but there is a dump station and potable water fill on your way out. Cell service is good. 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. There were one or two campers per loop, so the campground was nice and open and quiet. I think that during the busy season it would be an unpleasant stay, as the sites are all right next to each other, side by side, just big grassy area. Sites are large though, which was nice.
We didn’t use the showers but I believe they are cold showers. The set up is almost like an outdoor shower, with a short door and a pull rope for the water. Watch out for spiny sand spurs (?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas.
Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. It was easy to pull up with no reservation, pick a site, then reserve and pay online. No service fee through this site.
No wood fires allowed here. Each site has a picnic table and grill, nothing else.
Dumpsters available, but no recycling bins. Not sure if North Carolina segregates recycling after pickup.
Oyster Point: Great sites. Sites w water view are best.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)
Overall Rating: 4
Price 2023: $ 5 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Light
Site Privacy: Underbrush has been trimmed it looks like. So, there is not as much privacy between sites.
Site Spacing: Very wide sites .
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet during our stay.
Road Noise: Secluded. No public roads nearby.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes. One or two spigots.
Generators:Allowed
Bathroom: Pit toilet is clean and well stocked.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: Site 13 is a pull through
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 - 4 bars
Setting: Pine forest with a more of Newport River
Weather: 72 fall day high.
Bugs: No mosquitoes. Must be gone for the year
Solar: Maybe too forested in some spots. In site # 5 at 9:00 AM we had some solar charge happening
Host: Tonia is a delightful host
Rig size: Our site would fit a large rig.
Sites: I took pictures of the sites on the shore side of the campground. They are the best, but all sites here I would be happy with. Sites #9 and #11 have pathways to a very small private beach. Site 1 is close to a pit toilet. Maybe a smell issue now and then.
Teeters in Ocracoke: Folks look to have permanent spots. There are fishing boats and golf carts for access to the nearby ‘city center’ of the cute town of Ocracoke. (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. )
Overall R: Looks to be mostly Permanent Units Here for seasonal visitation. Usage during visit: 90% Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: Close Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Very miniskirt if site is near the road . Through Traffic in campground: No Full Hookup: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars Setting: Crowded sites. Very Clean Weather: 68 degree fall day. Bugs: No
Cape Point. - Hatteras NP: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for at least moderately secluded campsites and a picnic area that is a bit tucked away. ) Overall Rating: 2.5. Too open for me. Less character than Oregon Inlet as far as I am concerned. Price 2023: $ $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Almost empty. Closes soon. Site Privacy: Not very good . Luke’s eight through CO2 open, not broken up. Site Spacing: Decent Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: Outside loop as approach entry will have most campground traffic Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. You will see it just before you enter cg. Potable Water Available: Yes. Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Yes Showers: Cold and open to wind. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Open parklike. As you approach the last loop the loops are more broken up by shrubbery. Sites still are open. Weather: eyes in the 60s and lows in the 50s. Windy Bugs: none Solar: good. Rig size: can accommodate larger rigs. Sites: K26, K21 - about the best it gets here.
Nice overnight stay RV Campground new with no shade Very clean Beautiful river but not walking distance from campground Staff friendly I’d say much better in the early spring or fall
Oyster Point has a ton of charm. It's quiet and serene. Campsites are relatively close but fat enough to feel like there's some privacy. Close to the water and a lovely 21 mile trail. Potable water available along with raised bathrooms and trash receptacles. It's a solid 9/10. Drawbacks are the biting flies and tough ground if you're tenting.
I chose this site in hopes of being in a private wooded area. Very dissapointed. Original pics and videos i saw were showing lots of coverage. But now everything is so open, you can see every persons camp site. Theres no real privacy. They are also sticklers about dogs on leashes. Even though mine was trained and playing with us in our area. We were still forced to leash him. There are toilets at each end, but it's a pit. No flushing. No sink. No showers. There are fire pits with grates and also a picnic table. There is also a lot of rocks around the tent pad area and picnic table.
There's a wooded trail that leads up to the main gravel road you come in on. Very narrow. Also water but only half the campsites are looking onto it. I believe it's only odd numbered spots. Overall it was an okay time for the price. Wouldn't come here again.
Couldn't even attempt fishing because the wind was bad. There was only a small area to even try, but there was an oyster contamination sign. Dirty Foam all around the edge of the water.
We drove up to check the park out to see if it would be worth a trip to camp. We will definitely be making a trip there. The camp ground was nice and very clean. The sights are all gravel with full hook ups. But loop around the sight is paved. There are some cabins as well with a bath house. The tent sights are completely secluded drive in with some on the water. All the roads are paved and nice. Except the road back to the tents is dirt but very well kept. If navigating the tent spot the road may be tight for larger trucks. I have a F-150 that was fine but anything larger than a half ton truck it may get tight.
Activities: There is a nature center at the entrance of the park. A ton of trails with trail heads everywhere. A swim beach (we didn’t walk to). A place to launch Kayaks as well.
Careful There is four foot tall vegetation between the sites and they are spread out. When I was there a random fire started where myself and another camper fought it for 30 mins and my wife drove around getting campers to evacuate until the fire department came. Just be mindful if your smoker and any fires you may have while camping. If you were camping there March 5th, 2023 and came back to your house unhooked from your trailer, I’m sorry but I used it to contain the fire instead of burning your 5th wheel down. I didn’t hook it up because I was dragging it through fire and didn’t know if you would want it hooked up.
Ms tonya was friendly and helpful and really welcomed us into the community.
Besides the creepy homeless guy they couldn't get rid of, this place is great! For $10 a night you really can't complain. Comes with a bench and a fire pit, and they just cleared all the underbrush and chopped a few trees down and left all the wood cut up nice and neat for the fire pits! Right by the water, although I didn't catch any fish. 15 minute drive from the city just in case you forgot anything. Also, if you happen to stop by, say hi to Mrs. Tonya, the campground host. Real sweet lady who loves to chit chat
This campground is right next to several beach access where you can drive your car onto the beach and fishing is good near the point. If you are walking it is a little far so I’d recommend bringing a vehicle to drive on the beach-or you can park in the lot with closer beach access but it does fill up quickly. Simple camping with restrooms and water. Bring a camp stove because campfires are rarely allowed and sand gets everywhere anyway. Watch out for thorns in the dunes if you have dogs! And also watch the weather because this campground is flat grass for the most part and if heavy rain it tends to flood. I’d choose a site on the perimeter if you like privacy since it’s so open. This campground is mostly rated for the location and again pretty simple otherwise!
Have been several times the last being 2 nights last weekend. I sleep in the primitive site in a hammock and there were plenty of trees to hang from. Firewood is $8.00 a bundle. Although it was a busy weekend the sites are far enough apart that noise is not an issue. The primitive sites are well maintained and the staff is great. There is a dock that you can launch a kayak from and racks to store them. Nice touch. Water is from various spigots but no electricity. There are some bathrooms
I’ll be back
Oyster Point is small. Only 15 or so sites. It’s also simple, with few amenities. It was very peaceful when we stayed. Lots of birds to hear. We identified 8, but there were more. The Neusiok Trail on this end was not well maintained. Lots of high weeds. The river was pleasant to look out at. They did some work recently and cleared a lot of the trees and brush from the riverside sites. You can now see the river from most sites and you get more breeze (some relief from the bugs!) I recommend if you want to get away from louder, busy campgrounds and also want to save some money! $10/night, +$8 if you reserve online.
Very small campground. We had an issue with the 50amp service. But they fixed it. The water pressure is low. Plenty of space between camp sites. Very very quiet!!!
We enjoyed our stay at Goose Creek! Beautiful area, great family atmosphere and clean facilities. The pool is awesome! Great location, can’t wait to come back!
They have a cabin that is fully handicapped! It has a paved sidewalk to the bathrooms and they will allow you to drive your “person” down the access path to the water way!! My daughter loved it and we will be back! Even the picnic table has a cut out for a wheelchair!
Really beautiful location on river with very nice peer and green space. Extremely nice and helpful owners. Full hookups and a cement pad for picnic table. Site was fairly level. But campsites are very tight with no landscaping for aesthetics. Just a big gravel lot.
Fun place to camp, water close by, picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are pretty big. Host is very nice and cheap.
New clean RV area in older state park. Bathrooms and showers were new and excellent for RV campers. Verizon 1-2 bars. Spanish moss in trees over the Pamlico. Can get buggy and humid when hot. Bring bug spray. Gravel RV pad.
Thanks to my Access pass camping here is just $5/night. Gorgeous wooded sites, well-maintained. Waterside! Literally a 60-second walk to water from campsite. Great hiking & kayaking. Very quiet & private. Nice and flat but if you tent I would advise sand stakes. No bug problems whatsoever in mid to late October. Forest Service road in is newly graded and graveled. Zero potholes. About 15 min drive to civilization with gas/groceries/food. Host is wonderful!! So sweet and helpful.
Stayed for 2 nights. Very quiet. Price for campgrounds you can’t beat.
Heads up there are a lot of mosquitoes. So make sure you pack the good stuff and not anything for light coverage.
Firewood is 5 a bundle which was easily found in shacks.
Park does close at night so no going in and out or returning too late.
We loved our 2 night visit to Oyster Point Campground. Large campsite with shade and privacy, next to the Newport river, and very quiet. Insects were not bad at all (mid October). Campground host was very friendly. Fire pits and picnic tables are showing age and could be replaced. Other than that, a perfect stay.
I have a personal pull to Goose Creek State Park as it was once my family’s land going back generations and generations. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father carved out the trails used for hiking today and the road to the campground its self was made by my dad and his friends. The state bought the land in the 70’s and it became our state park. It makes me proud to share a part of my family history with the rest of the world.
Even without the personal connection I feel when I visit GCSP, it’s such a beautiful place to be during anytime of the year. Hiking trails equipped with boardwalks lead through the marsh and swampy areas while sporadic signs display pictures and information about the wildlife you are likely to see. The primitive campground has more than 10 sites, with the farthest sights sitting on the edge of the Pamlico River. It truly is an awesome sight to take in at sunset and sunrise. Bath houses with showers, hot water, and toilets are available. There are two group sites and, recently added, several rv sites and about 5-6 small cabins. I have not stayed in the cabins yet. They seem to be fairly popular so reservations should be made at least a couple of weeks in advanced. There heat and AC but no bathrooms or kitchen area inside the cabin. I believe there are two sets of twin beds and a full bed but you have to bring your own linens. There is also a very nice bathhouse available for cabin renters. The only downside to the cabins and RV sites is there is no shade. The sites are toward the front of the park, and, perhaps because of the recent construction, there is are no trees, woods, or shade around. As a personal preference, I want to be IN THE WOODS when I camp so the aspect of being out in the open is not as exciting as tent camping. That being said, the cabins are adorable and have a fire ring, picnic table, and everything you need to enjoy a night of camping.
Serious water and drainage issues, sewer dump station was a joke. Do yourself a favor and stay at nps campground up the road if u don’t need full hook ups.
I took the two hour Ferry ride over to stay at the campground. It was late September of 2021 so the camping wasn’t extremely crowded but busy. They have bathrooms with only outside showers . The beach is glorious with Dan dunes up to 20 feet high. I could sit on the beach all day and not have anyone near me for at least 100 feet. The town is like going back 50 years. One small store to buy your items and one place to get gas. It was a wonderful island to stay at to bring calmness and serenity back to my life! You have the option of driving on the beach. However, you do have to purchase a pass which I think is expensive is there for only a few days .
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Cedar Island, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Cedar Island, NC is Oyster Point Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Cedar Island, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 glamping camping locations near Cedar Island, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
