Coastal North Carolina campgrounds near Swansboro offer various camping experiences within proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. The area maintains moderate year-round temperatures with summer highs in the mid-80s and winter lows rarely falling below freezing. Sites throughout the region frequently accommodate campers during hurricane season (June through November), with some facilities implementing weather-related cancellation policies.
What to do
Fishing options: Dixon Landing RV Resort provides bank fishing access along Goose Creek with access to the wider Neuse River. "Fish jumping, quiet and relaxing. On the water so you can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek," notes a recent visitor.
Beach excursions: Drive approximately 90 minutes from coastal campgrounds to reach Cape Lookout National Park. "It was about 90 minutes (including 2 ferry rides) to reach the Cape Lookout National Park and lighthouse. The ferry dropped us off for 2 hours to walk the beach, hike and view the wild horses on Harker's Island," reports a camper from Dixon Landing.
Water recreation: Most RV parks near Swansboro have water access within short driving distance. Boating opportunities abound, with Seahaven Marine RV Park allowing direct access. "If you have a boat you'd love this place," comments one visitor who appreciated the marina location.
What campers like
Water views: Multiple campgrounds feature waterfront or water view sites. "Every RV site is pull-through with both 'waterfront' and 'water view' sites. We enjoyed the absolute quiet, waking up to sunrise glinting off the wide river in every window," explains a camper about their Dixon Landing experience.
Recreation amenities: The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort offers fishing ponds and swimming options. "We stayed from Fri to Sun and we enjoyed every moment we stayed. Caught fish and enjoyed the pool. And the golf cart rental was awesome too," shares one visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent positive mentions. "The cg is clean and the bathrooms are exceptionally clean and heated. All the amenities were in nice condition," notes a winter visitor to Harbor Point RV Community.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat affects comfort at some locations without shade. One Whispering Pines visitor commented, "No shade trees for short stay guests. This is a deal breaker for us, as it's hot as hell here in the summer time."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for potential site leveling issues at some parks. "Un-level gravel camper parking areas made it hard to get our camper level," reports a camper about their Whispering Pines experience.
Community vs. campground atmosphere: Several RV parks near Swansboro function more as residential communities than traditional campgrounds. "This is an RV community not a campground. It's very strict (which is totally proper for a community) but we found as 'transients' that we were unwelcome," explains a visitor to Harbor Point.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Pools provide reliable water recreation for children. Goose Creek Campground receives praise for its swimming facilities: "The pool is awesome! The slide is so fun! It has 3ft all the way to 6ft roped off sections in the pool!"
Kid-friendly fishing: Some parks maintain stocked ponds specifically for younger anglers. "They offer a fishing pond for kids(C&R)," mentions a Dixon Landing visitor describing catch-and-release opportunities.
Activity planning: Many families recommend morning or evening activities during summer months to avoid midday heat. "I'd say much better in the early spring or fall," advises one Goose Creek visitor regarding timing for comfortable outdoor activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request shaded sites when available, particularly for summer stays. "Many sites have shade or afternoon shade. The road in and the sites are a combination of compacted sand and grass that drained well after a storm," notes a Dixon Landing camper.
Extended stay considerations: Whispering Pines Campground offers different site assignments based on stay duration. "The biggest downfall to this facility is that the nice campsites are only reserved for seasonal or year-round campers. Anyone there for days - weeks stay get a full-sun site."
Connectivity: Cell service reliability varies between providers and locations. "Verizon, ATT and Sprint service are known to be good. We were amazed at how many TV channels we picked up just on antennae," reports a Dixon Landing visitor, while another Goose Creek camper notes "WiFi available for $$ more."
