Are you in need of a campground near Emerald Isle, NC? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Emerald Isle, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"The campground extends to the water with good fishing available. We stayed here in a motorhome."
"Great location, can’t wait to come back!"
$25 - $60 / night
"One of our party needed lodging while we wanted to tent camp, they put us up in a perfect spot so we could be near her in one of their sweet little cabins right on the water."
"We stayed in spot w33 which had a beautiful view of the water and plenty of space to stretch out behind the RV. The staff was always friendly and quick to help out was anything we needed."
$17 - $75 / night
$49 - $99 / night
"And the golf cart rental was awesome too"
"New Bern is a really wonderful little town on the coast of NC and this KOA is close to all the action. I really enjoyed our stay and the local town."
"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."
$30 - $70 / night
"There's a spot for everyone, from the onsite camper, to bring your own tent/RV sites, check them out and share some pics from your stay on the Dyrt!"
$80 - $180 / night
"Cabins are clean but very rustic - bathroom, bunkbeds (with clean and comfy mattresses), gas stove, stink, platic table and chairs, and a porch - just straight up fishing cabins, nothing fancy."
"Took our ORVs on the ferry to the island and stayed in a cabin. The cabins come in different sizes but none have power. They have huts for generators to sit in to help with the noise."
GuideWhat a hidden gem! Cabins are clean but very rustic - bathroom, bunkbeds (with clean and comfy mattresses), gas stove, stink, platic table and chairs, and a porch - just straight up fishing cabins, nothing fancy. But they are situated directly behind the dunes from miles and miles of totally prestine beaches. The only on-island supplies are ice and gasoline, so you must pack in everything. Tap water is potable but tastes very desalinated, so bottled water is recommended. If you crave isolation and wide open spaces - dont miss this gorgeous place! Be sure to bleed your tire PSI all the way down to 18 and drive 10 miles down the dune road to the lighthouse. Totally dreamy and not to be missed!
TravelerIf you are looking for beaches that aren't covered with people, you may have a hard time finding something no matter what state you live in. Luckily, North Carolina has some amazing beaches on the Outer Banks, and Long Point Cabin area should definitely be on your list of spots to check out. Since this area is on a small barrier island, you have to take a ferry to reach the cabins. Because of this you, and the other temporary residents of these cabins, have the island all to yourselves.
Being located far from any truly habited land comes with some benefits and issues. If you are looking for empty beaches, lots of outdoor activities (fishing, hiking, shelling, kayaking, etc.), and clear skies to view the stars at night, this is the campground for you. The downfall to this seclusion, though, is that you have to bring all of your necessities and recreational gear with you on the ferry. With an off-road vehicle, this will be no big deal. But if you don't have that luxury, you will be carrying your stuff back and forth on the back of a cart driven by one of the NPS staff. You also don't have any access to convenient stores for forgotten stuff or drinkable water. So be prepared before you head out to the island.
Although the cabins are a bit older, they are still great for your stay here. They all have a porch with rocking chairs to be able to soak up all of the island sun and breeze you can on your trip. They also each have their own private bathrooms and kitchen, so you don't have to worry about sharing with your neighbors.
I actually decided to set up my tent for the first night since it was so beautiful outside, but that required a lot of clearing an area in the sand for my tent since the send is covered in broken shells. This was a bit of a chore, but was so worth it when I fell asleep under the stars that night. Also be prepared for changing weather. As nice as it was the first day, I had to take down my tent the next day due to the harsh winds and rainstorm. Once that cleared up, though, the weather was back to being as beautiful as before.
Pros
Cons
RangerNew Bern is a really wonderful little town on the coast of NC and this KOA is close to all the action. I really enjoyed our stay and the local town. We stayed in a camping cabin that overlooked the little pond area. The bathrooms were nice and clean and cabins were nicely appointed.
RangerTook our ORVs on the ferry to the island and stayed in a cabin. The cabins come in different sizes but none have power. They have huts for generators to sit in to help with the noise. We brought a window a/c unit and it kept the place cool (highly recommend) had water, shower, toilet and gas kitchen. We rode our 4 wheelers down the 30+ mile beach. On one end of the island there's a historic museum like town and light house.
GuideNot bad this is called a holiday one but I would say this is more like a journey one it doesn't seem very resort-like.
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.
Beach: 2/5 there is an inlet beach and a pier but it's like marshy Mudd not sandy beach
Waterfrontness: 0/5
Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks
Dog rating: 4/5 plenty of poop bags
Internet: 2/5 no wifi and no hookups but our AT&T router worked
Cell service: Google fi and ATnT worked
Water quality: 1/5 potable but tastes gross
Extra amenities: they have a shuttle some seasons. It was not here during October so who knows. Bike rentals Kayak rental Laundry Host station
LegendI think this is only the third time I have stayed at a cabin at a campground, and it was all right but I like tent camping better. Because of the intense heat and health concerns, we chose to stay in a cabin here. I wish I had taken more pictures of the campground, but my buddy(seen in the photos) and I are photographers who look for scenes of beauty. It’s not that the campground was not“pretty,” but when you are this close to New Bern, there are better things to photograph. There’s Tryon Palace, Union Point Park, the historic Confederate cemetery, the fireman’s museum, the Pepsi Cola museum(New Bern is where Pepsi was born), etc. The New Bern KOA is perfect in every way. The sites are large with full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, etc. It has all the amenities of a top notch campground that you would expect from KOA. I have stayed at several KOA campgrounds, and they all seem to have the oversized chess; and I have never seen anyone playing it with seriousness. They have two pools, a pavilion, a bouncer… and I could go on and on. IF you want to spend your time at the campground, there is so much to do that you don’t need to go anywhere else… HOWEVER… Did I mention New Bern and Tryon Palace? You can’t come this close to New Bern and not go to Tryon Palace. The campground is located on the shores of the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. Since they join here, you seem as if you are closer to the ocean. It looks more like a bay. There is a really nice pier at the campground beach for fishing, and the KOA here has outdoor boat rentals. There is also horseshoes, pedal bike rentals… Did I mention there is also New Bern and Tryon Palace? Seriously, the New Bern KOA is about the best campground at which I have stayed, but my buddy had never been to New Bern. There was more to see. If you go, make sure to make reservations. New Bern is a historic town with lots of vacationers during the summer. Looking for something to eat? My favorite place to eat in New Bern was Captain Ratty’s, which has great clam chowder. However, New Bern has lots of other great places to eat as well. The downtown area is also a great area for shopping. Back to the campground… the first time I stayed at the New Bern KOA was over thirty years ago, but it has grown in size and amenities. Now, it is more like a resort than a simple campground.
ScoutCabins are rustic, but fully accommodating with kitchen conveniences. Get there by ferry or boat! I sailed over while the group brought their 4 wheel drive vehicle on the ferry. Feels like a world away from populated beaches. Built a fire on the beach at night, sailed and fished the Core Sound by day. We called it the "down-east hilton" cabin and loved every minute!
GuideThis was a very nice, well maintained campground. The staff were extremely polite and helpful. We stayed from Aug 11-14, 2020. The pool was nice on a hot humid day. They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store. The bathhouses are all very new due to a recent hurricane and they were kept clean. The dock/pier was picture perfect as the sunset over the Neuse river. The playground and jump pad looked like they would be a lot of fun but were closed due to Covid 19 restrictions. They had horseshoes and Gaga-ball that were open. They had 2 fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station. We chose this campground for it’s location near historical downtown New Bern and we would definitely recommend it to others. They have RV sites, tent sites and cabins.
LegendBut we did camp along the beach on the island.
I've stayed here on two separate occasions both with larger groups of people. There's plenty of real estate and no need to worry about being on top of one another. There are limited facilities (a few vault toilets and a covered pavilion). You can seek shelter indoors at the Light Keepers quarters during the high season (regular business hours) if needed. There are several boardwalks that meander around the island and numerous sandy paths connecting the sound side to the ocean side.
There is a large raccoon population on the island so store your food and water accordingly. We did experience a raccoon running off with a dry bag full go food that wasn't secured to a permanent structure. It can be buggy if there's not much wind, but generally there is a breeze blowing across the island.
If you don't have your own personal water craft to get to the island, you can take a private ferry to the island. There are several companies that offer reasonably priced tickets to and from the island.
Again, this isn't a review for the cabins here per se, but relevant in that there is more camping available.
Cabin camping near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rent a cabin in Emerald Isle for a week?
Cabin rental prices in the Emerald Isle area vary significantly based on location, amenities, and season. Long Point Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore offers more affordable rustic cabins, with weekly rates starting around $400-600 during peak season. These provide a budget-friendly option with basic amenities. For more upscale accommodations with additional amenities, expect weekly rates ranging from $1,000-2,500 during summer months. Off-season rentals (late fall through early spring) typically offer discounts of 20-40% compared to peak rates.
What amenities are included in Emerald Isle cabin rentals?
Amenities vary widely between cabin rentals in the Emerald Isle area. New Bern KOA Holiday cabins feature comfortable accommodations overlooking scenic ponds, with access to clean bathrooms and a swimming pool. Many higher-end rentals include fully-equipped kitchens, air conditioning, WiFi, TVs, and outdoor grills. Some properties offer premium amenities like private pools, hot tubs, and beach access. The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort provides fishing opportunities, pool access, and golf cart rentals for an enhanced vacation experience.
Are there cabins available for rent in Emerald Isle, NC?
Yes, there are several cabin rental options in and around Emerald Isle. Great Island Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore offers rustic cabins accessible by ferry, perfect for those seeking a more secluded beach experience. The cabins are clean but basic, with amenities like bunk beds, gas stoves, and sinks. For those who prefer to stay closer to town, several RV resorts and campgrounds in the Emerald Isle area offer cabin accommodations with varying levels of luxury.
When is the best time to visit Emerald Isle for a cabin vacation?
The ideal time to visit Emerald Isle depends on your priorities. Late spring (May-early June) offers warm temperatures (70s-80s°F) with fewer crowds and lower rates than peak summer. Summer (June-August) provides the warmest water temperatures and full seasonal activities but comes with higher prices and crowds. Fall (September-October) is excellent for those seeking tranquility with temperatures still pleasant in the 70s and hurricane season being the only significant concern. Goose Creek Campground and other nearby facilities are well-maintained year-round, but offer the best experience in these prime seasons.
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