Outdoor camping options near Columbia, North Carolina range from soundfront sites to wooded state park experiences. The area sits at the confluence of several waterways including the Scuppernong River and Albemarle Sound, creating diverse camping environments within short driving distances. Winter temperatures typically remain mild, with January lows rarely dropping below 35°F, making year-round camping viable for prepared visitors.
What to do
Fishing from campground docks: At Goose Creek State Park Campground, campers can borrow fishing equipment at no cost. "The park ranger told us about a neat program at the park, where they will loan out fishing poles for free, they are great poles and we ended up catching over 20 fish!" notes Maureen C.
Kayaking directly from camp: Primitive campsites at Rodanthe Watersports & Campground offer direct sound access for paddling. "Site: mixture of grass and sand. Has fire pit and wooden picnic table. Gorgeous view of sunsets and water sports. Water is a leg high walk to the hammock," shares Amber.
Swimming in designated beach areas: Many local campgrounds maintain swimming areas for families. Goose Creek State Park offers "hiking, swimming, lake" options according to Benjamin C., who adds the site was "private, large, wooded" with clean facilities but no showers.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Northwest River Park & Campground. "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," notes Joseph H.
Waterfront sunsets: Direct water access for optimal sunset viewing ranks highly in reviews. At Sandy Point Resort Campground, Warner S. reports: "It was a great view of the sunset and the whole area was pretty quiet. Staff at the store were friendly and were pretty lenient to letting me use the fire pits since there was no one else at my site."
Boat launch access: Water access for small watercraft remains important for visitors. Charles G. describes Goose Creek: "Took kayaks and paddle boards with us and put right in at the dock. Good places to explore around on the water. I had several 13 year olds for a birthday trip and they had fun."
What you should know
Site conditions vary seasonally: During wet periods, some sites may experience flooding. At Northwest River Park, Nicole L. advises: "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site."
Wind affects tent camping: Strong coastal breezes impact camping setups, especially for tent campers. "The wind was really strong and it made setting up our tent a challenge! Thanks to our friendly neighbors, they were able to get it grounded for us. Bring rope/canopy weight in case this happens," warns Amber about Rodanthe Watersports & Campground.
Bathroom facilities differ widely: Campground restroom quality varies significantly across locations. At North Landing Beach, Rachael H. notes: "The bathhouse was nice and clean. The shower area is co-Ed."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Family-friendly activities extend beyond water sports. Emma shares about Green Acres Family Campground: "Lots of activities! Pool, Mini Golf, Game room, Amphitheater, Picnic area, Common Hall."
Wildlife viewing: Kids often enjoy watching local animals in natural settings. At Goose Creek, Charles G. observed: "Wildlife walks right by, several deer on our trip."
Specialized campsites: Some parks offer sites designed for specific camping styles. William P. notes about Rocky Hock Campground: "Wanted to try out a new tent in the snow, was the only camper, and had a huge plot to myself. All RVers were polite and kept to themselves and were quiet."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal camping considerations: Off-season camping offers different advantages. Sandy G. shares about Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort: "Went in November which is off season. Very quiet. People were super friendly. Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park."
Site selection advice: Picking the right site matters, particularly at waterfront locations. Tom P. advises about Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA: "Paid for a water view spot, got a spot obscured by trees."
Leveling requirements: Site preparation needs vary by location. Sheri K. reports about Northwest River Park: "The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers."
