Best Campgrounds near Columbia, NC

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Columbia, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Columbia is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Columbia and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Columbia, North Carolina (41)

    1. Pettigrew State Park Campground

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

    $23 - $42 / 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 deepest part of the lake is 9’ so you are able to walk around most of the lake. My kids loved this."

    2. Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    82 Reviews
    Nags Head, NC
    40 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. Camp Hatteras

    30 Reviews
    Rodanthe, NC
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 987-2307

    $32 - $130 / night

    "Location, location, location! Wow! Right on the ocean, so if you want to be near a wonderful beach.....this is your place. Sites are right next to one another but you expect that."

    "Very beautiful campground,indoor pool and hot tube, golf carts allowed or rent from local place, Access to the beach or you can stay on the sound side."

    4. OBX Campground

    10 Reviews
    Kill Devil Hills, NC
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 564-4741

    $50 - $90 / night

    "OBX is very close driving to public beach accesses (2 miles), close to so much, around the corner from the Wright Memorial."

    "The grounds are flat, many sites are private / back up to preserve type landscape however sites 51-53 are close to a guy across the creek that plays his radio super loud all night and sometimes all day"

    5. Goose Creek State Park Campground

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

    "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."

    6. Elizabeth City Lodging

    2 Reviews
    Elizabeth City, NC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 335-6482

    "There is a little tiny beach nearby & it provides a beautiful view in during sunrise/sunset. There is not much else to do in the area but it is about an hour drive to the OBX so not too bad."

    7. SLA

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

    $10 - $20 / night

    8. North River Campground

    4 Reviews
    Corolla, NC
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 336-4414

    "Well cared for landscaping, nice lake, level parking spot with concrete patio. WiFi is fast and cable tv is available. I would recommend this camp ground."

    "we stayed here to get closer to friends on Thanksgiving, my son enjoyed biking in the campground, it has 5acre lake that allowed for fishing, small playground and pool (closed due to weather) clean laundry"

    9. Merchants Millpond State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Sunbury, NC
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $12 - $62 / 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."

    10. Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort

    28 Reviews
    Rodanthe, NC
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 987-2307

    "Off season and quiet, but very easy access in and out and a dune away from the Atlantic. The kids had plenty of room to ride their bikes and enjoyed the jump pillow."

    "Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out."

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Showing results 1-10 of 41 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Columbia, NC

358 Reviews of 41 Columbia Campgrounds



Guide to Columbia

Camping near Columbia, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Oregon Inlet Campground, provide easy access to the beach. Campers appreciate the convenience, with one reviewer noting, "The beach is right behind the campground, easy access with several trails leading right from the campsites."
  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the trails at Merchants Millpond State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "The trail system was magical. We hiked early in the am and it was such a therapeutic hike through the forest and swamp."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Goose Creek State Park Campground enjoy spotting local wildlife. A reviewer mentioned, "Taking a canoe or kayak out to explore the pond and swamps is a must and total unique experience."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers often highlight the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One visitor at Frisco Campground said, "The bathrooms were clean, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our stay was enjoyable."
  • Secluded Spots: Many appreciate the privacy offered at campgrounds like Ocracoke Campground. A camper noted, "We liked it here so much we added a second day. Really easy access to the beach."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds such as North Landing Beach are great for families. One reviewer shared, "They are always hosting activities, there's a beach and a pool, playground, movie nights, pizza and ice cream shop."

What you should know

  • Bugs Can Be a Problem: Campers at Oregon Inlet Campground warn about the bugs. One camper advised, "Just make sure you take the amount of bugs seriously... We used 40% deet, bug zappers, and I even took a powerful fogger."
  • Reservations Are Required: Many campgrounds, including Frisco Campground, require reservations. A visitor mentioned, "All reservations must be made via recreation.gov."
  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds, like Camp Hatteras, can have noticeable road noise. A reviewer noted, "The campground is a bit off Hwy 12, so there is road noise."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly activities. One camper at North Landing Beach said, "They are always hosting activities, there's a beach and a pool, playground, movie nights."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Given the bug situation, especially at places like Ocracoke Campground, it's wise to bring bug spray. A visitor mentioned, "We were worried about mosquitoes, but not an issue with the breeze."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Some campgrounds may have noise issues, so it's good to plan for quiet hours. A family at Merchants Millpond State Park Campground noted, "Neighbors played music and were loud until well after midnight."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites, especially for larger rigs. A reviewer at Frisco Campground mentioned, "Large rigs can fit in many spots."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you prefer full hookups, campgrounds like Cape Hatteras KOA offer them. A camper noted, "Sites are level with full hookups including cable that worked well."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have tight spots, so be ready for that. A visitor at Hatteras Sands Campground said, "The sites along the waterway would be nicest... Very close sites, Clean grounds, No privacy."

Camping around Columbia, NC, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time exploring the outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Columbia, NC?

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

What parks are near Columbia, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks near Columbia, NC that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.