Best Campgrounds near Gloucester, NC

Join the fun near Gloucester. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Gloucester camping trip.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gloucester, North Carolina (57)

    1. Oyster Point Campground

    23 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Fun place to camp, water close by, picnic table and fire ring. Tent pads are pretty big. Host is very nice and cheap."

    "We found a few paths to the river but the river access was very small. There is a Mountain-to-Sea path nearby as well."

    2. South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    8 Reviews
    Marshallberg, NC
    7 miles
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    "They even walked close by our campsite. The last night had the most amazing sunset that lit up the lighthouse and the clouds above with beautiful pinks, purple and blues."

    "Start your adventure on a ferry, cross an inlet watching all the wildlife play right in front of you, then get off and drive immediately to endless stretches of white sandy beaches."

    3. Great Island Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    5 Reviews
    Marshallberg, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    $80 - $180 / night

    "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."

    "There are several boardwalks that meander around the island and numerous sandy paths connecting the sound side to the ocean side."

    4. Croatan National Forest Oyster Point Campground

    8 Reviews
    Morehead City, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    "The 24 hour campground park ranger stays on the first site of the right side entrance. There is a oyster fishery nearby."

    "Great location off the beaten path on a dirt road. Campsite 9 backs up to the marsh andhas a great area for watching the sunset. You can also kayak or canoe here."

    5. Cedar Creek Campground & Marina

    3 Reviews
    Cedar Island, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 646-6084

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Close to the Morris Marina, Davis, and Ocracoke ferry. Easy access to the Outer and Core banks."

    6. Coastal Riverside Campground

    1 Review
    Gloucester, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 723-0505

    7. Cedar Point Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swansboro, NC
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    $27 - $54 / night

    "Plenty of hiking trails, boat access and woods all right here in this park. The boat access and pier are just a brief walk away from the campground."

    "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."

    8. Long Point Cabin Camp — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    3 Reviews
    Cedar Island, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 728-2250

    $112 - $145 / night

    "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."

    "I sailed over while the group brought their 4 wheel drive vehicle on the ferry. Feels like a world away from populated beaches."

    9. Waters Edge RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Newport, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 247-0494

    "Clean bathrooms, friendly staff, small and quiet location that’s close to many activities and restaurants. The water front is very nice as well. I’ll definitely be back."

    "We loved walking to the dock on the property where you could see the sunrise and sunset. We enjoyed visiting Fort Macon, Patsys pond national Forest, Shackleford Banks and the beach."

    10. Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    57 Reviews
    Ocracoke, NC
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 928-6671

    $28 / night

    "Paved, level parking pad on sandy grass sites tucked between the dunes and vegetation in Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the outer banks by of North Carolina."

    "We spontaneously added two days onto our beach camping vacation at Bear Island and took the Cedar Island Ferry to Ocracoke after being away from the island for 7 years.

    Ocracoke in itself is a gem."

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Showing results 1-10 of 57 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Gloucester, NC

280 Reviews of 57 Gloucester Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Hawkins Creek Campground

    Avoid the drama!

    The last reviews of this campground were in 2021. A lot has changed since that time. This is a cheap place to stay. There are no background checks. All sorts of characters stay at this location. I had trouble after six months of staying at this campground. To avoid any trouble, I left halfway through my month of prepaid time. This worked out to approximately $302 or 16 days. They refused to give me a refund or even a pro rate from the owner. Instead, they gave it to a guy staying in a tent on the property. They are thieves!

    In my vicinity that I was staying, there were four known listed Illegal sex act males. Two left the site. One of the remaining males was hired by the management for maintenance.

    The property manager didn’t seem to care about a lot of things around the property. The property appearance was not taken care of. Signs, mailboxes, and other related objects were covered in mold and never cleaned or in need of repair (see pictures). Residence were cutting their own grass. Drainage ditches, and culvert areas had extremely high grass (see pictures). Perfect for snakes.

    The bathhouse was not properly maintained. A male person who lived there only cleaned the floors once or twice a week. That seemed about it. The showers were brown, and the bathrooms were not cleaned properly. I personally cleaned the male bathroom several times during my six months. The sink continually leaked underneath. When I discovered mold, I asked for a mold killer from the bathroom guy. He was having a bad day apparently and flipped out on me. I told him I would clean the mold if he had any chemicals. He cursed at me and walked inside to his residence. Management did nothing about this incident (see pictures).

    There was always trouble with dogs at the campground. Management never did anything about the dog issues. I was told to “shoot the dog if it bites you “. Unbelievable !

    There were no standards for the campsites. Anything went! Make shift structures could be put up with no problem (see pictures). Also a lot of trash and debris around the campground.

    I would not recommend this campground to anyone. Pay the extra money for a better place!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    Our first trip in the camper

    Our first trip in our new to us camper and found the campground very nice. The bathhouses were the cleanest and best equipped. Some shade. Nice dog park. Plenty of amenities.

  • keith C.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    The Sea Monkey Ranchlette

    Amazing Outdoor shower, Sauna and Cold Plunge;)!

    The Sea Monkey is a dream! Bananas, pomegranates, oranges, and Asian pears they are growing everything and it’s an inspiring model for a little permaculture patch😍 A kitesurfer and/or sailors Paradise- and if you’re neither one of those things, but curious about bridling the elements-the professional instructors at The Sea Monkey are amazing at teaching! I highly recommend taking lessons-had so much fun!!!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Magnolia Lane Campground

    Overpriced and bath house heavily molded.

    I contacted the campsite via phone. They said there was two spots available for my rig. The monthly rate quoted was $895. I told the office that I was going to drive up the following morning to check the site and if I liked it, I would go ahead and rent it. The manager said OK. I explained I would come back and get my rig if it was acceptable. She told me to call her once. I looked at the site and we could complete the transaction when she came over to the site from the office.

    I drove an hour from my current site to look at that site. The secluded campground only had one bar on Verizon. It was also small. I called two separate numbers and texted. I waited on site for roughly 30 minutes with no callback.
    While I was looking at the campground, I went to the bathhouse. All three bathrooms were covered with suspect, microbial growth and had a strong mold smell. I can’t say for certain without testing it, but if it looks and smells like a duck, it’s probably a duck. People with breathing issues or allergies to this problem would have a bad day in these bathrooms.

    I had to contact the office the following day around 9:50 AM. They acted like they didn’t care about me driving up for nothing. To add insult to injury, the manager openly admitted they had a mold problem in all the bathrooms at the bathhouse. They were going to deal with it this coming winter.

    So let me get this straight. You were charging almost $900 a month to campers with a bad mold, problem admitted by the office. Is there a problem with this picture? This is not slander. This is what transpired. I turned down the site.

    BE CAUTIOUS!

  • Chip G.
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    4th of July on Ocracoke

    This is a nice campground. The price is good, it is clean and the spaces are large enough and not too close. It is a bit rustic with no hookups. The ocean is just over the dune. But man, I sure wish they at least had electricity.

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2025

    Flanners Beach Campground

    Nice forest trails and beach

    Campground is good. Sites are a bit close but generally acceptable for the typical camper. Good showers and toilet, water and garbage available. Forest trail nearby is an intermediate full loop trail (1-1.5 hrs). Beach walking distance. Nice staff. Recommend.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 14, 2025

    Oyster Point Campground

    Nice campsite by the river.

    It's a nice little campsite by the river, the campsite was very clean, and there are a few trees providing cover, but still enough sun to get some solar, if you need that. There's like a 20 ft path directly from my campsite to the river, which is nice.

  • Rhonda S.
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Dixon Landing RV Resort

    Great area, quiet and very nice owners and campers

    Just far enough away from the noise but close enough to be convenient to everything. Groceries and restaurants, gas and history all within a short drive. Campground is so nice, fish jumping, quiet and relaxing. On the water so you can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek. Very clean bathrooms with showers ice and propane and firewood available. Sites are a good size and easy to get the trailer level.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2025

    Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    Basic NPS campground with ocean beach access

    General: One of four Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds, in four joined loops. 

    Site Quality: Sites are all level, and there is a varying amount of physical separation/privacy between sites. Each site has a paved camper pad, picnic table, and BBQ grill. 

    Bath/Shower house: The bathrooms were basic but clean. The showers appeared to be beach showers. Didn’t test them, but I doubt there would be hot water as they were more outdoor showers. Although the bathrooms were in the middle of the loops, there was no designated pathway to them, so it felt like you were walking through someone’s site to get to them. 

    Activities/Amenities: Beach walking! I walked two miles south from our site and could have walked much further if I wanted. Fishing and there is a fish-cleaning station. There is also a dump station and a water fill just outside of the campground. You can drive on the beach here, but that’s not our thing. There is also a nature trail but I did not explore it, favoring the beach instead.

    The best sites are on the outside of the loops on the dune side, and these were mostly all occupied on a weekend in early April. The sites on the Highway 12 side have little separation between them, and I was not surprised that not many of these were occupied. See the map in my photos. 

    With a lifetime senior pass, $14 was a bargain for this campground. I love the ocean, especially walking on the beach, and wish we could have stayed longer!


Guide to Gloucester

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

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, provide easy access to stunning beaches. One camper mentioned, "We liked it here so much we added a second day. Really easy access to the beach."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Goose Creek State Park Campground, you can launch kayaks and enjoy fishing. A reviewer noted, "There is a nature center at the entrance of the park... A place to launch Kayaks as well."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails at Cedar Point Campground. One visitor shared, "The nature trail has nice walkways over the marsh."

What campers like:

  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment at places like Oyster Point Campground. A review stated, "Oyster Point has a ton of charm. It's quiet and serene."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as New Bern KOA, are praised for their cleanliness. One camper remarked, "The bathrooms were very clean and each had a shower sink and toilet all to yourself."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. At Hatteras Sands Campground, a visitor said, "The staff went above and beyond to ensure our stay was enjoyable."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Pack Essentials: Bring everything you need, especially food and water, as some campgrounds like South Core Banks — Beach Camping have no stores nearby. A camper advised, "Prepare everything in advance - food, water, essentials."
  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. At Goose Creek State Park Campground, one reviewer said, "The primitive sites are well maintained and the staff is great."
  • Plan for Weather: Be ready for hot days and pack shade options. A camper at Hammocks Beach State Park Campground noted, "Bring shade with you. It’s hot between 12-3 and there’s no natural shade."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Cedar Point Campground mentioned, "Some sites are really huge!"
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. New Bern KOA offers these amenities, as one camper highlighted, "Electric and good clean drinking water on site."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A reviewer at New Bern KOA said, "Some of the neighbors were loud, I know this is not management's fault."

Camping around Gloucester, NC, offers a variety of experiences, from serene beaches to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gloucester, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gloucester, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 57 campgrounds and RV parks near Gloucester, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gloucester, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gloucester, NC is Oyster Point Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gloucester, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Gloucester, NC.