Camping options near Gloucester, North Carolina include several waterfront properties along the Intracoastal Waterway and nearby rivers. The coastal location provides access to both mainland forest areas and Atlantic beaches, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F between June and September. Most campgrounds experience strong southeastern breezes during afternoon hours.
What to do
Kayaking and water activities: Dixon Landing RV Resort offers direct access to Goose Creek and the Neuse River. "We found Dixon Landing in their initial opening phase... This is a very secluded campground right on the wide Goose Creek/Neuse River, with access to the ocean varying from 25-50 miles," notes one visitor.
Beach exploration: Cape Pointe RV Park on Harkers Island serves as a convenient base for exploring Cape Lookout National Park. Reaching the lighthouse and viewing wild horses requires approximately 90 minutes including two ferry rides.
Fishing opportunities: The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort provides freshwater fishing. As one camper reports, "We stayed from Fri to Sun and we enjoyed every moment we stayed. Caught fish and enjoyed the pool. And the golf cart rental was awesome too."
What campers like
Waterfront views: White Oak Shores offers premium waterfront spots. "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," shares one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance standards at RV sites near Gloucester, North Carolina. At Waters Edge RV Park, visitors note "Clean bathrooms, friendly staff, small and quiet location that's close to many activities and restaurants. The water front is very nice as well."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer wider-than-average RV sites. Dixon Landing provides "long, very wide (you have to actually walk over to talk to neighbors) and mostly level side-to-side" sites according to one camper, who adds that "the road in and the sites are a combination of compacted sand and grass that drained well after a storm."
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Summer conditions significantly impact camping comfort. At Goose Creek Campground, one visitor observed it's a "Nice river HOT campground... Beautiful river but not walking distance from campground... I'd say much better in the early spring or fall."
Site allocation systems: Some campgrounds experience organizational challenges. At Whispering Pines, one reviewer noted: "We enjoyed our stay... The biggest downfall to this facility is that the nice campsites are only reserved for seasonal or year-round campers. Anyone there for days - weeks stay get a full-sun site."
Weekend crowds: Popular waterfront RV parks fill quickly, especially during peak season. At Waterway RV Park, a camper advises: "This place is clean, with a park, game room, laundry, pool, fish cleaning station, and boat ramp. Great fishing as well! This place is always busy and I would avoid it on holidays or weekends if you can."
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to beach trips. Goose Creek Campground features "an amazing pool! The slide is so fun! It has 3ft all the way to 6ft roped off sections in the pool," according to one family visitor.
Kid-friendly fishing: Dixon Landing RV Resort maintains a dedicated children's fishing pond with catch-and-release rules, making it suitable for beginners without requiring advanced equipment or licenses.
Insect preparation: Whispering Pines Campground and other area campgrounds require attention to ant control. One reviewer warned about "Ant piles everywhere and ants all over our chairs and outdoor rugs. Dogs couldn't get a spot without ants," suggesting families pack appropriate repellents.
Tips from RVers
Satellite considerations: Television reception varies significantly between campgrounds. Some visitors report surprisingly good antenna reception, while others note cable service is inconsistent. At Goose Creek, one RVer rated the cable service as poor despite other amenities being excellent.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds feature uneven terrain. One camper at Whispering Pines noted "Un-level gravel camper parking areas made it hard to get our camper level," suggesting RVers bring additional leveling blocks.
After-hours arrival procedures: Multiple RV sites near Gloucester require entry codes after the office closes, typically around 4pm. At Goose Creek Campground, "the gate closes at 4 and you must have a pass to open it," meaning late arrivals should call ahead to arrange access.
