Top Tent Camping near Creswell, NC

Searching for a tent campsite near Creswell? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Creswell, North Carolina's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Creswell, NC (1)

    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard

    1. Phoenix Farms Vineyard

    2 Reviews
    20 Photos
    5 Saves

    Originally a tobacco farm that was converted into a muscadine vineyard. Such a magical spot with so much history. Plenty of space to wonder. Wildlife is abundant.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Picnic Table
    • Firewood Available

    $25 - $50 / night


Recent Tent Reviews In Creswell

209 Reviews of 1 Creswell Campgrounds


  • Michelle L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Phoenix Farms Vineyard

    Beautiful

    The hosts are friendly, and the fire is warm. It's so fun to see all of the animals. The property is beautiful, and the camp spot is private. We have plenty of space for our RV. Feeling thankful!

  • Stephen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA

    Nice site by the water

    We stayed here for two nights during our trip along the Outer Banks. We had a great time and enjoyed our stop here. Our site had a great view of the water and we could see the Currituck lighthouse at night. Our boys enjoyed kayaking around the sound and riding their bikes to the playground. It seemed like they are working to add more amenities and upgrades so I’d stay again next time we make it that way. Also, Diggers Dungeon is only a few miles away so if you have kids make sure to stop and let them see the monster trucks.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    **Terrible Experience with Rude and Unhelpful Hosts

    We stayed here for four days, and while the location is decent, the sites are terrible—no shade at all. The only good part about this place is the clean bathrooms and hot showers. The campground hosts are a nightmare. They've invented their own rules outside the official ones, and while some people get away with breaking rules, we were singled out. They became angry, rude, and defensive when we questioned them, even threatening to call the police on us because our son was flying a kite! As we waited for the police, we reread the rules for the fourth time and found no issue. The police never showed up, and now the campground host refuses to assist us or provide any information, ice, or anything else we need. They even spoke directly to our child instead of us, being incredibly rude to him. These hosts should be removed immediately—they've made our stay absolutely miserable. We will never return. This campground is not child-friendly, and the hosts clearly do not like children. Ocracoke Campground is way better—the hosts there are nice, informative, and genuinely helpful.

  • Bjoern The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carova sands
    May. 28, 2024

    Carova sands

    Fantastic adventure

    That was a great experience! Go there only if Greg says it's ok. He knows how demanding it can be to get to his ground if you're not used to driving off-road. You need a 4x4 car. Wonderful five star primitive campground. No water, no toilet. Bring your own. Explore the property, the sound and the sea. We saw deer, wild horses, coyotes, eagles, turtles, dolphins but also mosquitos and ticks. Bring repellent. I will never forget the two days camping. Greg is a great host! Thank you for this incredible experience!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carova sands
    Apr. 24, 2024

    Carova sands

    Incredible beautiful place

    I am so thankful to Greg and Mary for humbly allowing me to stay on their beautiful property. What a unique and incredible place. The wild horses came to visit me daily, bald eagles, osprey...kayaked on the calm waters of the sound..hiked the beach and biked the trails up through false cape state park. Just an incredible opportunity I am so thankful that I was given, and by the nicest of people you can find. And I'll be back one day for those tires Dave! Haha, thanks to everyone that showed me around, a memory to be cherished.

  • Taylor P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Carova sands
    Mar. 17, 2024

    Carova sands

    The best and most unique camping spot!

    I had the privilege of getting to stay on this property for a week while camping and exploring the outdoors in the obx. It was not only beautiful, but felt very safe as well! Greg and his wife Mary were extremely kind! They made an effort to help familiarize myself with the area while checking in and giving tips! I was also lucky enough to see the wild horses at camp & at the beach 3 out of 4 days i was there. This was truly one of the best camping experiences i’ve ever had. If you are ever in the area and craving a unique experience, I recommend reaching out to Greg and considering staying here.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carova sands
    Feb. 25, 2024

    Carova sands

    Perfect Getaway

    First, Greg is an amazing communicator. He gave great instructions for finding the camp site. Plus, checked in to make sure everything was going ok and gave tips.

    It was such a peaceful location and I even had the privilege of seeing a horse on the grounds on 2 different nights.

    I’m so glad I had a chance to stay here and hope to have the opportunity to visit in warmer weather.

  • Charli R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Merchants Millpond State Park
    Feb. 21, 2024

    Merchants Millpond State Park

    Peaceful and quiet

    We went for Valentine's Day weekend. Only a couple of other people were there, and we hardly saw them. We used site 11. 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. They had heaters running and they were so toasty, also very clean. Trails were nice too, we used our ebikes on the bike trail.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    Jan. 5, 2024

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Cool Beachy Vibe

     Cool campground within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore, beachy vibe, sites are open and no privacy whatsoever, and you’re pretty close to your neighbor, but it is what we expect from most beach campgrounds. 

    Watch out for spiny sand spurs(?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas. 

    Bathrooms are nice, flush toilets. Showers are available for free, but they are a bit exposed, like an outhouse type set up and the doors are short. We didn’t take showers here but another camper told us the water is warm. 

    Beach is right behind the campground, easy access with several trails leading right from the campsites. Wifi is available per sign on office door, but you probably need to be at the office to use it, as we didn’t see it pop us as an available wifi source. Good cell reception for Verizon and ATT. 

    All reservations must be made via recreation.gov. We came in without reservations, drove through the loops, picked an open site, and made our reservation. Recreation.gov is nice in that there are no processing fees. 

    Campground was about 1/2 full on a Sunday in early November. We paid $28 for a no-hookup site, water/power sites are available for a bit more. There’s a dump station available across the street but we didn’t use it since we were just heading south to the next campground with a dump and fill station there as well.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Location Is A Five

    Oregon Inlet in Hatteras NSS, NC.: Great beach and Kitty Hawk nearby. We like this campground even though sites are pretty tight. We have been here later in November in the past. The weather was much cooler, but this campground is pretty empty then.
    (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy. Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2023: $ 14 w interagency pass for non electric sites Usage during visit: 95% full. Site Privacy: Not good Site Spacing: Sites along the dunes are pretty close. Site surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required Campground Noise: Quiet Road Noise: Noticeable throughout B and C loops. I’ll leave Loop A to be evaluated by tent campers. Homey, I will say to choose a site away from Hwy 12.
    Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Some sites. See my map in pictures Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. It is across the highway to the south of the campground. Potable Water Available: At the dump station and near the restrooms. Generators: Allowed.
    Bathroom: Clean flush toilets. Showers: Yes, but a gap between the roof and walls makes for a cold experience this time of year with the wind. Pull Throughs: No Cell Service (AT&T): 2 to 3 bars. Setting: A pretty area between Highway 12 and the dunes. Weather: Highs in upper 60s. Lows are in mid 50s Bugs: A couple mosquitoes. Wind has probably kept them at bay. Solar: Great when not too cloudy.
    Host: They are super.
    Rig size: Large rigs can fit in many spots. Sites: See my map in my attached pictures: Circled sites B2 - 20 back right up to the dunes. C1 -21 have a broader view of the beautiful dunes with 5 - 21 in this group a bit larger sites. B 22 and24 are getting closer to the dunes. I like all these sites in comparison to the others. However, I appreciate being backed right up to the dunes. Site B4 is the best site, in my opinion. Rig size is limited for this site. It’s not deep, Punic table is near campground road, but isolated from B2 on the picnic side by a dune . B2 is a good site. Picnic area is private from adjacent site, but not from vehicles driving by.

  • Connor D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carova sands
    Nov. 5, 2023

    Carova sands

    First camper

    This is a must see spot. It is located right on the sound and the beach. It is located on private property that requires 4 wheel drive capable vehicle to access. You have to drive down the beach to reach this spot. Greg and his wife were extremely friendly and wanted to share the amazing property that they own. They have a dock with access to the sound which I used to explore the sound on my kayak. I recommend giving Greg a call if you want to experience a very unique and amazing camping experience.

  • Tyler C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Merchants Millpond State Park
    Oct. 10, 2023

    Merchants Millpond State Park

    Ok campground, needs hosts

    Stayed on Friday and Sat nights at family campground. Bathrooms ok but in need of maintenance. Park clean and well maintained. Biggest issue is the noise. Neighbors played music and were loud until well after midnight. Other neighbor had dog barking all night. Not a great campground for people with young kids like we have. We will be looking for campgrounds with onsite hosts in the future.

  • Kathleen
    Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Hock Campground
    Oct. 8, 2023

    Rocky Hock Campground

    Beautiful campground with many amenities

    We loved staying here for the weekend! We were the only ones in the tent area underneath beautiful trees. We kayaked in their creek that goes out directly to the Chowan River. Large fishing pond, firewood available, clean shower house, game room and tidy clean sites. Will return!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    Sep. 15, 2023

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Great location with basic amenities

    Camped at Oregon Inlet for its location near Alligator River NWR, and Bodies Lighthouse.

    The PROS:

    • Great location - plenty of beach access
    • Warm water in the showers. However, I did wish they had an attached dressing area that was dry. 
    • Quiet and respectful 'neighbors'

    The CONS:

    • Mid-September was hot, muggy and buggy. Also afternoon heavy rain showers.
    • Hard to enjoy the campground during the day due to the heat, and at night due to the bugs. I took a Tent with bug screens that covered the picnic table, so that helped but bugs still got in. Used Thermocells to help create a bug free zone relatively. Next time I will waterproof the tent cover for rain showers and it dripped a bit.
    • Bathroom doors left wide open and poorly ventilated, so they were hot and buggy, even at night. I discovered air conditioned bathrooms at Bodie's lighthouse and at the visitors center at the beginning of Route 12.
    • Yes, there are sand spurs at the campsites. I wore shoes so didn't have a problem.
    • It is true that you hear road noise through out the night. I found that week nights were notably quieter than weekend nights, including Sunday night.
    • The campsites are small and closely together with no sun protection.
    • Beach access involves walking over two high sand dunes on soft sand. Not terribly difficult, but hard for me with bad knees.
    • No area for washing dishes. I take a portable wash bucket. Took my dishes up and showered and washed them in the shower room.
    • One water spigot near the shower areas. I wasn't sure which was potable. Red and blue water spigots unmarked.
  • Alan R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    Jul. 12, 2023

    Oregon Inlet Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Good management, decent tent site

    It was a great visit on a hot and tad rainy day. The management around Oregon Inlet is fantastic and overall people are very friendly. Feels quite safe. Bathrooms are relatively clean and accessible. Ocean can be reached via slightly difficult to navigate sand dune trails. Only negative I encountered is the tent sites (both A stand-alone and B & C RV/tent combos) are quite small and are tough to break ground. The site I stayed at was not overly difficult as it had a somewhat grassy-sand hybrid area to the side that housed a Wawoona 6 tent with vestibule. Had to be pretty compact with the neighbor but no issue. OBX sand is also a bit easier to clean!

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pettigrew State Park
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Pettigrew State Park

    Cute campgrounds in middle of nowhere

    Stopped here as we were doing the NC state park challenge. Spent the night. The campground was full and spots were close together. A lot of people stay here to hunt locally. They stay here as it was convenient. We did have neighbors that had a huge spotlight and brought a deer back to skin. I found out from my other neighbor the next day that it isn't allowed here. We didn't know so I guess they got away with it but they kept to themselves...

    we otherwise just hung out, checked the old plantation and took a hike on moccasin trail. Be careful!!! It was brisk and damp and we of course, came across what appeared to be a moccasin on the trail. My dog jumped over it...startled it and I saw its head pop up. We had a standoff and some how came out of it unscathed. Phew!

    Also, along the same trail that is parallel to the trail there are local houses with two pitbulls that came flying out to greet us on the trail..not neutered and owners nowhere to be found. We, my female pit mix ignored them and they thankfully ended up going home.....otherwise the trail was a nice walk along the lake, but sure wasn't dull for us!

    The plantation is a neat part of history and I learned a ton about this area and park though the slave history is pretty sad.

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Merchants Millpond State Park
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Merchants Millpond State Park

    Quiet beautiful campgrounds

    In the middle of nowhere, but it was peaceful and everyone was friendly. The trail system was magical. We hiked early in the am and it was such a therapeutic hike through the forest and swamp. Stayed in our Tepui tent and had a great time.

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Phoenix Farms Vineyard
    Jun. 12, 2023

    Phoenix Farms Vineyard

    Historic fields with great views

    Jake from the Dyrt here!  Phoenix Farms is now offering camping at this former tobacco farm near the coast. Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!

  • r
    Camper-submitted photo from Tranter's Creek Resort
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Tranter's Creek Resort

    It’s a trailer park…mostly

    Just being honest- I’ve been over-landing/camping all around NC and this did not feel like nature. It feels like a parking lot with a pool. Please Understand you will be parked in between huge trailers/RVs that rent that space permanently and are slightly territorial. Considering not spending night. AND Don’t go over 7.5 mph the golf cart police will scold you. Pros- It’s clean and quiet and hookups work.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Farm Country Campground
    May. 28, 2023

    Farm Country Campground

    Friendly Campground

    Owner on site, propane available, showers & restrooms are newer and very clean. We reserved late so had one of the spots right next to the restroom. Owner explained that the wrong kind of sand had been delivered so it would not compact, it was a challenge pulling our trailer thru the sand. This seems to be an issue in only a few of the spots.

  • Kaylee G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Merchants Millpond State Park
    May. 27, 2023

    Merchants Millpond State Park

    Wonderfully Shaded

    Stayed a few nights leading up to Memorial day. Our site was a good size, and tent pad was nice. Lovely shaded site, and large picnic table. Did not have to use our popup shade. Downside were the large gravel throughout the site - tough for small dogs and crawlers. Nice 0.7 walk from the campsite to the visitor center to rent canoes! Just a short drive to some other trails. Enjoyed the Cyprus Point trail which you access at the boat ramp section of the park. If you canoe long enough, you'll come across two alligators who live in the pond.



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 tent campsite near Creswell, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Creswell, NC is Phoenix Farms Vineyard with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.