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Best Tent Camping near Emerald Isle, NC

194 Reviews

Coastal tent camping options near Emerald Isle, North Carolina include several distinctive beach-oriented sites with varying access requirements. Hammocks Beach State Park offers tent-only campsites on Bear Island, accessible by ferry or kayak, providing a secluded beach camping experience. The island features primitive tent sites positioned behind dunes, with some walk-in sites requiring a mile hike from the ferry landing. Haywood Landing Recreation Site provides free tent camping with basic amenities, while Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers a small number of tent sites in a more inland setting. Onslow Beach Campsites at Camp Lejeune provides tent camping options, though military ID is required for access.

Tent campers at Bear Island should prepare for minimal amenities and pack-in, pack-out requirements. The ferry to Bear Island runs only during daylight hours (approximately 9am-6pm), leaving campers on the island overnight. Sites lack natural shade, making portable sun protection essential during summer months. Potable water is available near the bathhouse, but campers may need to walk up to a mile to access it depending on site location. No campfires are permitted on the island, requiring alternative cooking methods. Cell service varies from none to strong, with no reliable power sources for charging devices. Tent sites at Haywood Landing feature more basic facilities with picnic tables and vault toilets, while experiencing significant mosquito activity during warmer months.

During peak summer season, Bear Island tent sites remain relatively secluded despite day visitors to the beach. According to reviews, the sites are "well spaced and you won't feel on top of one another," though the lack of shade makes midday heat challenging. One camper noted that bringing a cart to transport gear through deep sand was "key to getting to the site alive" for those with heavier equipment. White Oak River Campground provides tent sites with more tree cover, though a visitor mentioned "most tent sites are out in the open" with limited shade options. Tent campers frequently use these coastal sites for beach activities, shell collecting, and fishing, with shark teeth hunting noted as a popular activity at several beaches in the area.

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Best Tent Sites Near Emerald Isle, North Carolina (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Emerald Isle, NC

5 Photos of 7 Emerald Isle Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Emerald Isle, NC

194 Reviews of 7 Emerald Isle Campgrounds

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2019

    Cedar Point Campground

    Heatwave

    Cedar Point RA is a small campground along the White Oak River in the Croatan National Forest. The campground has 40 sites with electric hook up. The sites are level and have a paved parking pad that they are pretty strict on you keeping all wheels on and a gravel area with a picnic table, fire pit, and two lantern poles (that also work good for putting up a clothes line or dog zipline). The sites do not have water hook ups so make sure your RV fresh water tanks are topped off, or there are plenty of potable water points throughout the campground to fill up you jugs. The sites are large and separated by space, not trees, for privacy. The sites on the southeast side seemed to have more shade than those on the northwest side. Campground map is in my pictures. 

    There is no office or signage for check-in, so we just drove in, found our reserved spot that had our name on the tag and set up. The Camp Host came around a little later and apparently we were supposed to know to check-in with him somehow. We stayed on site 24 on this visit. Lots of sun throughout the day until late evening, so a little miserable on this stay as the area had heat advisories every day. 

    The bathhouse could use a little TLC. The bathrooms were functional but not very clean. The showers are separate from the bathroom and half were out of order on this stay. Additionally, in typical National Forest fashion, there is no heat or air or even a fan in the bathroom or showers, so again, pretty miserable on this stay as the area had heat advisories every day. The heat in the bathrooms and showers had to be over 100 degrees. Also, typical National Forest setup, the showers are push button, with no temperature control (you get what you get) and the water only flows for about 15 seconds with each push of the button. 

    Firewood was available at the camp host. There is a full grocery store 5 minutes from the campground. The resort has many amenities like a boat ramp about a ¼ of a mile down the road and a hiking trail that loops for about 2 miles along the marshy shore line. There is a dump station and trash dumpster behind the camp hosts location. 

    We found good cell phone service with Verizon throughout the property. The campground did not have wi-fi. 

    While in the area we enjoyed the public beach on Emerald Isle, which is only 15 minutes from campground. There are lots of water sport rentals nearby and restaurants. Camp Lejeune is less than 30 minutes away and on some nights we could hear the artillery in the distance as the Marines trained. However, as a retired Army guy, the faint sound of freedom did not bother me at all. 

    The heatwave during our stay really hindered us. Not sure we’d revisit in the middle of the summer again, but during the cooler month I’m sure it would be much more comfortable.

  • Kelsey K.
    Mar. 19, 2023

    Oyster Point Campground

    Not very private

    I chose this site in hopes of being in a private wooded area. Very dissapointed. Original pics and videos i saw were showing lots of coverage. But now everything is so open, you can see every persons camp site. Theres no real privacy. They are also sticklers about dogs on leashes. Even though mine was trained and playing with us in our area. We were still forced to leash him. There are toilets at each end, but it's a pit. No flushing. No sink. No showers. There are fire pits with grates and also a picnic table. There is also a lot of rocks around the tent pad area and picnic table.

    There's a wooded trail that leads up to the main gravel road you come in on. Very narrow. Also water but only half the campsites are looking onto it. I believe it's only odd numbered spots. Overall it was an okay time for the price. Wouldn't come here again.

    Couldn't even attempt fishing because the wind was bad. There was only a small area to even try, but there was an oyster contamination sign. Dirty Foam all around the edge of the water.

  • Martha S.
    Dec. 24, 2020

    Cedar Point Campground

    Amazing Little Campground

    We camped here in October 2020 and stayed in site 17. It is a great site with lots of room between you and the next camper.

    The bath facility is in a very nice building, is heated and has individual locking shower rooms so you have total privacy and security. The roads are paved and the paved pads accommodate up to a 70 ft camper/vehicle. Each site has a smooth, flat, gravel area equipped with 2 lantern poles, one large picnic table, and a fire ring with swing away cooking grate. Beyond the gravel areas are flat level areas of grass. The campsites are shaded by large, tall pines and other assorted trees.

    The bath facility was very clean and well kept. The host was very friendly and helpful. The grounds throughout the park are extremely well kept.

    Upon arrival, you check in with the host, drive to water fill area and fill up your fresh water tank. There are additional water fill faucets throughout the park. Your site is equipped for both 30 or 50 amp campers.

    We really like this little campground and plan to come back again soon.

  • Joe B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 2, 2022

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Grandson’s first camping trip

    I’ve been riding my bicycles on the the trails around Flanner’s for years. This was my first camping experience here.
    We brought our T@G Boondock XL for my wife and I, and a side tent for my grandson. Decent sized spot for our camper and 10x10 tent, and it included a fire pit (very tall sides) and a picnic table. We spent the first day setting up, preparing food and enjoying the fire. Ended the day in the tent playing guitar and singing, while my grandson played the Djembe. Day 2, was fresh ground Death Wish coffee in the Chemex and breakfast. Then we went for a 3 mile hike. Ate lunch and played ladder ball. Another 2 mile hike in the afternoon, some card games, dinner over the fire and pudgie pies. Played music around the fire until bedtime.
    Day 3 was Coffee, breakfast and tear down/pack up. The grounds were clean, saw the hosts throughout the park, and they were very friendly. Showers/bathrooms were good. Water was plenty hot in the shower. It was cold at night and in the morning, and the facilities have screens for ventilation, so it can get quite cold (or hot) in there. The beach is closed indefinitely. The trails are great.
    Great first camping experience for our grandson. I will be back. The sign at the gate says NO ALCOHOL. Not sure why this is an issue, but it’s their rule.

  • Laura F.
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Oyster Point Campground

    Clean and Small Campground

    We really enjoyed our night at Oyster Point.  The host was friendly and helped me find another campsite when my was taken by an unregistered guest.  We were able to launch kayaks almost directly from campsite #11.  Tent pads are big enough for 1 large tent or 2 small tents.  The campground is small so fairly quiet.

    **Pro's: **

    Metal Fire Ring/Grill 

    Picnic tables 

    Lots of lantern hooks

     Port a Johns were very clean

    Some cons:

    The bugs are bad in June and bug spray didn't really help.

    The sites aren't in order by number. 

    The gravel road had a lot of ruts in it so getting my trailer with kayaks in and out was a lot of trouble.

    No showers

    Port a johns were noticeably tilted down hill

  • T
    Jun. 15, 2021

    Oyster Point Campground

    Best out of season

    We tent camped at this small (16 sites) campground in late May. The location is pretty and on the water. Not a swimming place, but there is a launch for canoes and kayaks. The location is a perfect staring point for hiking in Croatan National Forest. Fierce biting bugs and ticks during certain seasons, so bug spray is a must! Campsites are large and clean with some shade and old (need repair) picnic tables and fire pits. Some sites have electric hook ups. Toilet facilities are there but I do not recommend. Sites feel relatively private, but you do sometimes hear your neighbors. Most sites had RV campers when we stayed there. Also small youth groups frequent this location. Good for tent camping and not far to Carteret County beaches.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2023

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Great Private Sites

    Neuse River Flanners Beach Campground: Most sites have visual privacy (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer with a desire for a campsite that has at least some visual privacy offered - after the trailer is in the spot.)

    Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2023: $ $10 + $5 per night for electricity w interagency pass Usage during visit: Pretty full. Unable to obtain a reservation for an extended period.
    Site Privacy: Almost all sites has a nice degree of privacy with trailer in site.
    Site Spacing: Very good Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes. You better. Campground Noise: Quiet. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Available Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes. At entrance. Potable Water Available: Scattered spigots Generators:
    Bathroom: Yes Showers: Yes Pull Throughs: Not that I saw.
    Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: Deciduous forest. Weather: 70 degrees today. Bugs: Not noticeable. Solar: Too much tree cover Host: Yes Rig size: Some sites will fit large rigs. A careful drive in Campground will surely be required. Sites: Almost all sites are good. Some of the least private sites are: 13,20,27,29

  • M. B.
    Oct. 20, 2021

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    On inlet not ocean

    Not 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

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2021

    Cedar Point Campground

    Campground near Estuaries and the Beach--a Photographer's Dream

    My wife and I stayed at this campground many years ago, and when I came this time, the changes were mind blowing. The first time, it was rustic with high grass, a dirt entry road, and most campers were in tents. This time, the landscaping was well manicured, there were paved roads throughout, and most campers were in RVs. Wow!!!! What an upgrade! However, I had a tent and I felt out of place. I guess I was expecting a campground more like federal campgrounds I have been to in the past where there is more privacy and space between the campsites. With that said, the tent was on grass and there were no hookups. Essentially, it was a grassy, level place to pitch a tent. The one redeeming factor was that it was close to the bath house. The facilities were fairly new. For example, the bath house looked as if it had been built recently, and the concrete looked fresh. Inside, there are individual showers separate from the toilets. Both are modern and something I am not used to seeing except at privately owned campgrounds. The main attraction here is the Cedar Point Tideland Trail which takes you through the estuaries close to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This area is a photographer’s dream, especially if you like photographing the native habitat and creatures. I was able to get photos of birds, soft shell crabs, and closeup photos of dragonflies. The estuary itself is worth taking pictures of, especially at sunset. Another attraction is its proximity to Emerald Isle and the ocean, which is about two to three miles away. If you are a kayaker like I am, or a boater, there is access to the White Oak River by way of a boat launch. Personally, I had rather be in a more remote wilderness type area, but I understand that some people love this type of closeness to their neighbors and the modern facilities. Don’t get me wrong. All you have to do is drive a few hundred yards, and you will be in a wilderness type area(the Tideland Trail). Overall, this is a great little campground for RVs(and tents if you spend most of your time exploring the Tideland Trail and surrounding areas), and I highly recommend it… IF you can get a spot. All of the sites are by reservation only except for five first come/first serve spots.

Guide to Emerald Isle

Coastal camping near Emerald Isle, North Carolina offers distinctive opportunities to experience Atlantic shores and maritime forests. The region features a mix of barrier island settings and mainland waterfront access points. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, creating challenging conditions for tent campers without adequate shade protection.

What to do

Shark tooth hunting: Onslow Beach Campsites provides excellent opportunities for finding shark teeth along the shoreline. "We have found many shark teeth on the beach and made great memories wake boarding and relaxing," notes Paul R.

Disc golf access: White Oak River Campground offers more than just camping spots. "Multiple ponds and frisbee golf course," shares Mathew G., highlighting recreational options beyond beach activities.

Wildlife viewing: Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers unique animal encounters close to camping areas. "It's so fun to see all of the animals. The property is beautiful, and the camp spot is private," according to Michelle L.

Paddling to remote sites: Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park has paddle-in sites for experienced kayakers. "We kayaked from the park office and boat launch... The site itself was perfect, much better than the rest as much as we could see as we looked around. It's located in the woods with a nice shady clearing, its own very private little beach," reports Katy S.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Bear Island campsites offer good separation from other campers. "The sites are reasonably priced and include one ferry round trip per day as part of your camping fee. The sites are well spaced and you won't feel on top of one another," writes Sarah C.

Convenience store access: At Onslow Beach Campsites, the proximity to supplies is appreciated. "Right on the beach and a C store right there. Nice showers and bathrooms," notes Howard B., while another camper adds, "There's a mini mart next to the campground for all you may need."

Beachfront seclusion: Bear Island offers a peaceful setting even during busy periods. "We went on Labor Day weekend and there was no one there! So peaceful and serene. Lots of shells to find! And what a beautiful beach," Katie M. shares about her experience.

Free camping option: Haywood Landing Recreation Site provides no-cost tent camping. "Great spot for camping. You can be away from people," notes Vegan T., though they caution about mosquitoes.

What you should know

Military ID requirements: Access to certain campgrounds is restricted. "You must have a DOD ID for access," explains Howard B. about Onslow Beach Campsites, while another reviewer notes, "You have to have been in the Military to get on base!"

Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "No service for AT&T or WiFi. Nice and quiet," reports Howard B. about Onslow Beach, while Kent F. notes about Bear Island: "Cell service (Verizon) varied from none to 5G UW! Came and went inexplicably, but mostly there."

Gear transportation challenges: Getting equipment to Bear Island campsites requires planning. "A cart ($100 from Harbor Freight) was a key to getting to the site alive (we are older)!" explains Kent F., adding "There is a paved path from the dock to the beachfront, but then deep sand bogged the cart down."

Ferry schedules: Bear Island camping requires understanding boat transportation limits. "You do have to be comfortable being left on the island between 6pm-9am every night unless you kayak in. The ferry only runs during the day between 9ish-6pm," advises Lauren.

Tips for camping with families

Bring portable shade: Beach camping areas lack natural cover. "Bring shade with you. It's hot between 12-3 and there's no natural shade," recommends Lauren about camping with children at Bear Island.

Pack out all trash: No disposal facilities exist on some sites. "You also must pack out all trash. There are no trash cans on the island," notes Lauren, who camped with a 2-year-old and 9-year-old.

Consider distance to facilities: At White Oak River Campground, tent site locations vary in convenience. "I like to camp under trees or close to. Most of the tent sites are out in the open. We got lucky and got one," explains Mathew G.

Insect protection: The best tent camping near Emerald Isle requires bug preparation. "The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray," warns Vegan T. about Haywood Landing.

Tips from RVers

Limited permanent sites: Most dedicated RV campgrounds have limited turnover. "Most RV spots are used by permanent users. Small camping area not a whole lot of acres," notes Mathew G. about White Oak River Campground.

Heat considerations: The lack of shade affects RV campers too. "We were in the center section, no tree coverage, so it was really hot and there was no breeze. Our tarp and awning really helped," shares Joe B. about his experience at Onslow Beach Campsites.

Site placement concerns: At Onslow Beach, smaller RVs may feel overwhelmed. "I'm not a fan of the spot we received because we are a pop up camper surrounded by very bright and very large RV's but if next time we get the back circle area where our camper belongs it will be wonderful," advises Dusty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Emerald Isle, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Emerald Isle, NC is Hammocks Beach Bear Island Campsites — Hammocks Beach State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Emerald Isle, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Emerald Isle, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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