Best Campgrounds near Cherry Point, NC

Cherry Point, North Carolina has several good campgrounds within easy reach. New Bern KOA works well for campers wanting full facilities, with plenty of room at each site. In Croatan National Forest, Oyster Point Campground sits by the Neuse River with spacious sites that don't feel cramped. Many campers also head to Hammocks Beach State Park Campground for its coastal location and trail system. The local wildlife includes deer and raccoons, so proper food storage is necessary at all these spots. During busy times, you should book ahead since these campgrounds fill up quickly. While camping here, you can take day trips to the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, or even check out sections of the Appalachian Trail. Weather varies throughout the year - summers can get hot and humid while winters cool down considerably. The Cherry Point area supports all kinds of outdoor activities from fishing to hiking, making it worth the trip regardless of which campground you choose.

Best Camping Sites Near Cherry Point, North Carolina (76)

    1. Oyster Point Campground

    23 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    13 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."

    2. Cedar Point Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swansboro, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    $27 - $54 / night

    "Plenty of hiking trails, boat access and woods all right here in this park. The boat access and pier are just a brief walk away from the campground."

    "The one redeeming factor was that it was close to the bath house. The facilities were fairly new. For example, the bath house looked as if it had been built recently, and the concrete looked fresh."

    3. Croatan National Forest Oyster Point Campground

    8 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    "The 24 hour campground park ranger stays on the first site of the right side entrance. There is a oyster fishery nearby."

    "Great location off the beaten path on a dirt road. Campsite 9 backs up to the marsh andhas a great area for watching the sunset. You can also kayak or canoe here."

    4. New Bern KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-2556

    "Bathrooms: 5/5

    Sites: 4/5 upgrades are nice but really expensive for just a concrete pad next to someone else

    Pools: 3/5 they have one but it's pretty meh. Like a 70s motel 8 pool."

    "Gets 4 stars primarily for the staff and the location. Standard sites are crammed together making privacy an issue."

    5. Dogwood Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Newport, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 777-4343

    $66 - $80 / night

    "This spot is close to everything without being on top of it all! Kid friendly, pet friendly, and very clean! All of the lots are level making for an easy setup!"

    6. Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Havelock, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 257-4200

    "This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!"

    "The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there."

    7. Military Park Cherry Point MCCS - Pelican Point RV Park

    1 Review
    Cherry Point, NC
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 466-2762

    "There are several different camping locations available throughout the base, all of which are free but must be reserved ahead of time. Base access required! They are all on the water, very peaceful."

    8. Dixon Landing RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 617-1010

    $60 - $90 / night

    "Just far enough away from the noise but close enough to be convenient to everything. Groceries and restaurants, gas and history all within a short drive."

    "This is a very secluded campground right on the wide Goose Creek/Neuse River, with access to the ocean varying from 25-50 miles. "

    10. Goose Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Emerald Isle, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Great location, can’t wait to come back!"

    "My wife and I spent a few days here while searching the area for potential retirement location. It's also a seasonal campground."

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Recent Reviews near Cherry Point, NC

277 Reviews of 76 Cherry Point Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Hawkins Creek Campground

    Avoid the drama!

    The last reviews of this campground were in 2021. A lot has changed since that time. This is a cheap place to stay. There are no background checks. All sorts of characters stay at this location. I had trouble after six months of staying at this campground. To avoid any trouble, I left halfway through my month of prepaid time. This worked out to approximately $302 or 16 days. They refused to give me a refund or even a pro rate from the owner. Instead, they gave it to a guy staying in a tent on the property. They are thieves!

    In my vicinity that I was staying, there were four known listed Illegal sex act males. Two left the site. One of the remaining males was hired by the management for maintenance.

    The property manager didn’t seem to care about a lot of things around the property. The property appearance was not taken care of. Signs, mailboxes, and other related objects were covered in mold and never cleaned or in need of repair (see pictures). Residence were cutting their own grass. Drainage ditches, and culvert areas had extremely high grass (see pictures). Perfect for snakes.

    The bathhouse was not properly maintained. A male person who lived there only cleaned the floors once or twice a week. That seemed about it. The showers were brown, and the bathrooms were not cleaned properly. I personally cleaned the male bathroom several times during my six months. The sink continually leaked underneath. When I discovered mold, I asked for a mold killer from the bathroom guy. He was having a bad day apparently and flipped out on me. I told him I would clean the mold if he had any chemicals. He cursed at me and walked inside to his residence. Management did nothing about this incident (see pictures).

    There was always trouble with dogs at the campground. Management never did anything about the dog issues. I was told to “shoot the dog if it bites you “. Unbelievable !

    There were no standards for the campsites. Anything went! Make shift structures could be put up with no problem (see pictures). Also a lot of trash and debris around the campground.

    I would not recommend this campground to anyone. Pay the extra money for a better place!

  • 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Magnolia Lane Campground

    Overpriced and bath house heavily molded.

    I contacted the campsite via phone. They said there was two spots available for my rig. The monthly rate quoted was $895. I told the office that I was going to drive up the following morning to check the site and if I liked it, I would go ahead and rent it. The manager said OK. I explained I would come back and get my rig if it was acceptable. She told me to call her once. I looked at the site and we could complete the transaction when she came over to the site from the office.

    I drove an hour from my current site to look at that site. The secluded campground only had one bar on Verizon. It was also small. I called two separate numbers and texted. I waited on site for roughly 30 minutes with no callback.
    While I was looking at the campground, I went to the bathhouse. All three bathrooms were covered with suspect, microbial growth and had a strong mold smell. I can’t say for certain without testing it, but if it looks and smells like a duck, it’s probably a duck. People with breathing issues or allergies to this problem would have a bad day in these bathrooms.

    I had to contact the office the following day around 9:50 AM. They acted like they didn’t care about me driving up for nothing. To add insult to injury, the manager openly admitted they had a mold problem in all the bathrooms at the bathhouse. They were going to deal with it this coming winter.

    So let me get this straight. You were charging almost $900 a month to campers with a bad mold, problem admitted by the office. Is there a problem with this picture? This is not slander. This is what transpired. I turned down the site.

    BE CAUTIOUS!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    A nice find

    We camped on the primitive side. Hardly anyone here. We took spot 4. Across from the clean pit toilet. They do have water. The area for rvs were packed and it wasn’t as appealing as the primitive. Follow the signs to primitive tent camping. Is a loop and the closer you get to the loop the more bugs cause of the water. On our walk with the dogs seen deer and a raccoon visited us during the night. Internet is spotty. Turn your cellular data on.

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2025

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Nice forest trails and beach

    Campground is good. Sites are a bit close but generally acceptable for the typical camper. Good showers and toilet, water and garbage available. Forest trail nearby is an intermediate full loop trail (1-1.5 hrs). Beach walking distance. Nice staff. Recommend.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2025

    Oyster Point Campground

    Nice campsite by the river.

    It's a nice little campsite by the river, the campsite was very clean, and there are a few trees providing cover, but still enough sun to get some solar, if you need that. There's like a 20 ft path directly from my campsite to the river, which is nice.

  • Rhonda S.
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Dixon Landing RV Resort

    Great area, quiet and very nice owners and campers

    Just far enough away from the noise but close enough to be convenient to everything. Groceries and restaurants, gas and history all within a short drive. Campground is so nice, fish jumping, quiet and relaxing. On the water so you can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek. Very clean bathrooms with showers ice and propane and firewood available. Sites are a good size and easy to get the trailer level.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 26, 2025

    Cedar Island Ranch

    As close as you can get to the ferry!

    We stayed here six years ago and when I knew we’d be returning to the area, I tried to find it on The Dyrt but it wasn’t there (and I could not remember the name). When we were there in 2018, the campground was in transition and our stay was less than optimal, so I figured maybe it was no longer there. I was surprised when we arrived at the ferry terminal to see it was there, open, and looking quite improved. I stopped in at the office to speak to the owner/manager and she was very surprised to find it was not on the Dyrt’s map so I’m glad that now that I finally had a chance to post my review, it had been added! 

    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. You cannot get any closer to the Cedar Island-Ocracoke ferry terminal from this campground. There is also a motel. The bathrooms are much improved since the last time we were there and there are hot water showers. 

    Activities/Amenities: Playground, dog park, horseback riding, SUP rentals, beach volleyball, community fire pit, boat ramp, dump station, post office. 

    Had we known this campground was still here, we would have stayed!

  • Huggins G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 16, 2025

    White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort

    White Oaks Shore

    The whole place is so very clean: the bathrooms, camping areas, swimming pool area, even the dumpsters area. The grass is very well kept, the roads and signage, well maintained.


Guide to Cherry Point

Camping near Cherry Point, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to enjoy some family activities, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Relaxing: Many campers enjoy casting a line. One visitor at Cedar Point Campground mentioned, "Great place to hangout and it’s near Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast. Nice place to throw a line into the water and relax!"
  • Nature Trails: Hiking is popular, especially at Oyster Point Campground. A local shared, "The nature trail has nice walkways over the marsh. You can walk from the campground to the boat launch, picnic area, and nature trail."
  • Beach Access: If you love the beach, Onslow Beach Campsites is a great choice. One camper said, "Campground was within close walking proximity to the beach. Beach was clean and we had fun hunting for shark teeth."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness. A review for Cedar Point Campground noted, "Showers and bathrooms were exceptionally clean."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many visitors mention the helpful staff. At Oyster Point Campground, one guest said, "Tonia is a delightful host."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Oyster Point Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Great sites. Sites with water view are best."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Hammocks Beach State Park Campground, have few amenities. A visitor shared, "You have to pack out all trash. There are no trash cans on the island."
  • Noise Levels: Expect some noise near military areas. A camper at Onslow Beach Campsites mentioned, "You will need to be able to tolerate the noise of a military base including low-flying aircraft and artillery fire."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A review for Croatan National Forest warned, "There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitoes and a ridiculous amount of shotgun shells."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like New Bern KOA, which has activities for kids. One parent said, "The bathrooms were very clean and each had a shower sink and toilet all to yourself."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Holiday Trav-L-Park Resort enjoyed, "They do fun family activities, too (like outdoor movies and Christmas in July!)."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A visitor at Goose Creek Campground mentioned, "The pool is awesome! Great location, can’t wait to come back!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cedar Point Campground noted, "Some sites are really huge!"
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. New Bern KOA offers these amenities, making it easier for RVers.
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some RV parks can be noisy. A visitor at Goose Creek Campground said, "Some of the neighbors were loud, I know this is not management's fault, just be prepared."

Camping near Cherry Point, North Carolina, has something for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cherry Point, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cherry Point, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 76 campgrounds and RV parks near Cherry Point, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cherry Point, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cherry Point, NC is Oyster Point Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cherry Point, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Cherry Point, NC.