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Best Campgrounds near Creswell, NC

249 Reviews

North Carolina's coastal plains surrounding Creswell offer a mix of developed campgrounds and lakeside camping experiences. Pettigrew State Park Campground, located on Lake Phelps, provides tent and RV sites with basic amenities and access to the second-largest natural lake in the state. The area features several mixed-use campgrounds including Rocky Hock Campground and Goose Creek State Park, which accommodate a range of camping styles from tent camping to RVs. Many locations provide electrical hookups and water access, with some sites offering full amenities including showers and dump stations.

Camping is available year-round at several properties, though certain areas like Oregon Inlet Campground operate seasonally from March through November. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during warmer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. The relatively flat coastal terrain makes most sites accessible without specialized vehicles, though some areas may become muddy after rain. Visitors should prepare for insects, especially in warmer months near the swampy areas. A review of Pettigrew State Park noted: "The campground was full and spots were close together. We otherwise just hung out, checked the old plantation and took a hike on moccasin trail."

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Creswell area, with Lake Phelps and the surrounding waterways providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Several campgrounds offer direct water access, with boat ramps and fishing opportunities. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing as a highlight, including birds and occasionally bears. The historic elements add another dimension to camping in this region, particularly at Pettigrew State Park where the Somerset plantation is accessible via hiking trails. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The natural beauty is worth the visit. From the campground it is an easy walk to the lake. We were able to see an impressive sunset from the lake shore." Most developed campgrounds provide amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouses, though amenities vary significantly between properties.

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Best Camping Sites Near Creswell, North Carolina (42)

    1. Pettigrew State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Creswell, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 797-4475

    $27 - $47 / night

    "We usually overnight there on the way to the NPS campgrounds on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, though it is nice enough to justify a stay if you find yourself in the area."

    "The access to the Outer Banks was awesome as always. This time we kayaked on the nearby scuppernong River. The swampy trip did not disappoint with wildlife or fishing."

    2. Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    82 Reviews
    Nags Head, NC
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 441-6246

    $28 - $70 / night

    "Though we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby."

    "Oregon Inlet Campground is located on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is the first campground found on the island, very close to Nags Head, on the beach side of route 12."

    3. Goose Creek State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Bath, NC
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 923-2191

    $17 - $75 / night

    "Goose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites."

    "This campground is nestled in the tall North Carolina pines. There isn’t much shade though because the branches are mainly at the top."

    4. Rocky Hock Campground

    5 Reviews
    Windsor, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 221-4695

    $25 - $45 / night

    "This property has many perks: dog friendly and has space to exercise your furbabies, boat ramp to explore the surrounding waterways, golfing, screened gazebo, laundry, David's Red Barn which did not have"

    5. Riverside Campground

    1 Review
    Swan Quarter, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 945-9012

    6. Rose Bay Preserve

    4 Reviews
    Swan Quarter, NC
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 629-1110

    $40 - $50 / night

    "Beside state boat ramp access to anywhere

    Next to ferry to Ocracoke too..."

    "The new owner has been making upgrades around the property. Customers come first here! Thanks."

    7. Osprey Nest Campground

    1 Review
    Swan Quarter, NC
    25 miles

    "Situated on Lake Mattamuskeet, beautiful sunsets. Bath houses on site. There’s even a small boat ramp for small skiffs. Fire pits and wood was provided."

    8. Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    16 Reviews
    Gatesville, NC
    42 miles
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $27 / night

    "I still think it's the best one, it's the largest, right next to the main trail head, & bath house trail right ahead of the site. The bath house was real nice."

    "The campsites are great with ample room for privacy, and easily accessible to the restrooms and trails around the pond."

    9. SLA

    Be the first to review!
    Elizabeth City, NC
    19 miles
    +1 (478) 365-9403

    $10 - $20 / night

    10. Strick's Family Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Elizabeth City, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 426-7920
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Recent Camping Photos near Creswell, NC

75 Photos of 42 Creswell Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Creswell, NC

249 Reviews of 42 Creswell Campgrounds

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Kitty Hawk RV Park

    Kitty Box

    Our 1st interaction was with the rude man that seems to be managing the check-in and management of the pulling in. We were stuck in one of the worst back-in spot locations on the campground. It was surrounded by full-time residents across the street from us. The residents have porches, stairs and several cars all around their ground bound trailers in regular size RV site. The management guy made his attempt to help my husband back in our trailer by berating him, questioning his experience backing our 19 ft trailer. He even had the nerve to ask me to pay him CASH while, my husband continued park the trailer. I said, "NO."  He was extremely unhinged and verbally abusive and now you don't want to ask my husband for cash?????? We asked him for a receipt and he gave us some shady excuse that the woman in the office was very busy and would get back to us in 24 hours with a receipt. BTW, this women in the office doesn't answer her calls for 24hrs.

    Our experience staying here felt like we were staying in a homeless camp with societies most delusional elitist drop outs.  

    The site pads at dirt/sand and partial grass. The bench tables are in the way of backing in because, the sites are too small and Avery shallow. Beware: the bench tables are old and heavy to move and the management guy offered no assistance to move the bench table. There was so much dirt & sandy in our trailer I was so happy to get leave just so I could mop and clean all Kitty Sand out of my trailer.

    I do not recommend this camp site. We noticed on the night before we left there are other camp grounds near by that look better maintained.

  • Jeffrey L P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2025

    The Refuge on Roanoke Island

    Beautiful Location

    Fantastic lot backing up to the water. Only negative is customer service is slow.

  • Rebecca A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    The area is great

    I like this campground. Very quiet and basic. Clean and easy to get to. But do your due diligence when reserving - the sites look bigger in the photos. We boondock a lot and didn’t even bother trying to compete for one of the few sites with hookups. Our 22k trailer fit in our spit but there was barely room for the truck - she’s parked at an angle. I got a little nervous getting backed in because the sites on this loop (B12) are a little tight. But if you like walking, and love to hear the waves outside your window when you sleep this is the place. Went across the street to the marina and had lunch at the Sea Chef. Sat out on the deck with our small 12lb dog and just had a wonderful time x the even brought her a doggy bowl with water. We will stay here again!

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Good camping in the sand dunes of the OBX

    Sites are basic and close together (no wood fires allowed), you’re basically camping in the sand dunes. Short walk across the dunes to the beach. Showers and toilets are clean and good. I came in April and not sure if it’s like this all year round but my site was like a wind tunnel so be prepared for that. Location is good - close to the lighthouse and maybe 15 min south of busy commercialized Nags Head. Requires advance reservation through recreation dot gov. Only thing I didn’t like was how close the sites were to each other but other than that all was good.

  • 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.

  • D
    Apr. 7, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Fun Family OBX Weekend

    We just got back from a weekend at Oregon Inlet Campground, and it was such a memorable family experience! If you’re looking for a place to truly enjoy the beauty of the Outer Banks while keeping things simple and family-friendly, this campground is a great option.

    From the moment we arrived, the kids were thrilled. The dunes are right next to the campsites and provided hours of fun—running, climbing, sliding, and just being wild and free. It’s not every day your campsite is just steps away from natural sand playgrounds! Plus, the beach is a short walk over the dunes, which made it super easy to head over for sunrise walks, midday swims, and evening shell hunts.

    The campsites themselves are fairly basic but clean and well-maintained. They are a little tight, so don’t expect a ton of privacy or room to spread out—but it worked fine for our camper and small family setup. You can definitely tell this campground is designed for folks who want to enjoy the natural surroundings rather than fancy amenities, which we appreciated.

    One of the biggest wins for us was how quiet it was at night. Even with kids and families around, there was a calm and peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to relax. We slept great with the sounds of the ocean in the background and woke up refreshed each morning. It didn’t feel like a packed, noisy campground at all—which we were a little worried about at first.

    The bathhouse was a pleasant surprise. It was very clean during our stay, and the showers were consistently warm (which felt amazing after sandy beach adventures). Having a warm, clean shower available really made a difference, especially with little kids who don’t exactly love cold rinse-offs.

    Another plus was how close we were to other parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We took a short drive to Bodie Island Lighthouse and also spent some time exploring the nearby marina and visitor center. There’s a lot to do in the area, especially if you enjoy fishing, boating, or just soaking in the natural beauty of the OBX.

    Overall, Oregon Inlet Campground gave us everything we wanted for a low-key, nature-filled family getaway. It’s not luxurious, but if you’re coming for the dunes, the beach, and some quality time outdoors, it checks all the boxes. Our kids are already asking when we can go back, and honestly—we’re asking ourselves the same thing!

  • L
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Treeside RV Park

    Best RV Park in Williamston NC

    Clean, safe, affordable rv park that offers long term options. The pond is beautiful and serene with the fountains. Best campground around the Williamston area

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2025

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Ocean access but not very walkable; a lot of road noise

    General: One of four Cape Hatteras National Seashore Campgrounds. Campsites in three loops, A-C. A is for tents only, but with paved camper pads; there were several vans in these sites. No generators are allowed in this loop. There are no defined tent pads, and a few erected their tents directly on the camper pad. The B and C loops have a combination of W/E sites and sites with no hookups. The utility sites cost $7 more, which is very reasonable. There is one ADA-accessible site in the B loop next to a ramp to the restroom. You will hear road noise from nearly every site, but it is worse in the mornings. 

    Site Quality: Some camper pads are very short, while others are more generous in size; all are paved and mostly level. We had reserved B4 but switched to B16 upon arrival (this had to be done online with Recreation.gov). B16 was a little longer and closer to the restrooms, but neither had hookups. There is little to no privacy/separation between sites. 

    Bath/Shower House: As with the other Cape Hatteras National Seashore NPS campgrounds, the restrooms are basic but clean. This one had a weird red light inside. More than enough hooks for toiletries. Although the website says the showers have hot water, they are not indoor showers, and it was cold and windy when we were there, so I did not use them. 

    Activities/Amenities: Several trails have good signage, but access is not well defined (you have to cut between campsites to access them). Although it had not rained in several days, there must have been recent rains as several of these trails were flooded. I did take the trail between Sites C13 and 15, which led to the road that accesses the beach. This beach is not as walkable as Ocracoke and is more suited for vehicles, and I saw several as I walked. The tire tracks made deep ruts, making walking a bit challenging. I am more a fan of kayaks and SUPS, so motorboats and driving on the beach are not my thing, but if it is yours, you will need a permit to do so. There is a dump station and a potable water fill station, but they are outside the campground and easy to miss as there is no signage at the entrance. If you go over the bridge heading south, you have missed it. 

    This was an overnight stop as we traveled north through the Outer Banks, but I liked the more walkable beach at Ocracoke better than this one.

Guide to Creswell

Camping near Creswell, North Carolina, offers a mix of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy the scenic trails at Pettigrew State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We checked the old plantation and took a hike on Moccasin Trail. It was a nice walk along the lake."
  • Fishing and Boating: At North River Campground, you can fish in the nearby lake. A camper shared, "It has a 5-acre lake that allowed for fishing, small playground, and pool."
  • Exploring History: The area is rich in history. A reviewer at Pettigrew State Park Campground noted, "The plantation is a neat part of history, and I learned a ton about this area."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One visitor at North River Campground said, "I was pleasantly surprised how nice and clean the facility was."
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews highlight the helpfulness of the campground staff. A camper at Rose Bay Preserve mentioned, "The owners and the tenants are all nice people."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers enjoy the serene environment. A reviewer at Merchants Millpond State Park Campground stated, "The trail system was magical. We hiked early in the am, and it was such a therapeutic hike through the forest and swamp."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Pettigrew State Park Campground, have basic facilities. A visitor noted, "Very basic sites. No hookups or dump sites."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at Pettigrew State Park Campground shared, "We came across what appeared to be a moccasin on the trail."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Oregon Inlet Campground advised, "All reservations must be made via recreation.gov."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites with shade and space. A family at Goose Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The primitive sites are well maintained, and the staff is great."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. A reviewer at Rocky Hock Campground said, "We kayaked in their creek that goes out directly to the Chowan River."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. One camper at North River Campground noted, "My son enjoyed biking in the campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Big Rig Friendly: Many campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. A visitor at North River Campground mentioned, "Campground is clean and well maintained."
  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Twin Lakes Resort said, "Hook ups were easy and accessible."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of the local attractions. A reviewer at Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA noted, "Diggers Dungeon is only a few miles away, so if you have kids, make sure to stop."

Camping near Creswell, North Carolina, offers a unique blend of outdoor fun and relaxation. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Creswell, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Creswell, NC is Pettigrew State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.

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