Best Campgrounds near Hampstead, NC

Hampstead, North Carolina and the surrounding coastal region offer several established campgrounds catering to diverse camping preferences. Campers can choose from developed sites at Wilmington KOA, featuring full hookups, cabins, and tent areas just 10 miles from Hampstead. Carolina Beach State Park provides another established option with waterfront access, RV sites, and cabin rentals approximately 15 miles south. Multiple commercial campgrounds operate in the area, including The Inlet Campground in Surf City and Oceans RV Resort, both offering beach proximity and various accommodation types. Most campgrounds in the region maintain year-round operations, capitalizing on the mild coastal climate.

Reservations are essential during summer months when coastal campgrounds near Hampstead often reach capacity, particularly on weekends and holidays. The region's moderate climate allows for comfortable camping in spring and fall, with humidity and occasional storms being factors in summer planning. Full-hookup sites for RVs are widely available, though tent campers have more limited options at some facilities. Most campgrounds provide amenities including showers, restrooms, and water hookups, with varying levels of site privacy. Visitors should be aware of potential sand issues at beachside campgrounds, as one camper noted: "The playground was nice with many apparatus but the ground was all sand (not my favorite)."

Proximity to water represents a major attraction for campers in the Hampstead area. Waterfront campgrounds provide access to beaches, fishing, and boating opportunities, with several sites offering direct water views. Campers frequently mention the sunsets and water access as highlights of their stay. A recent review described "most incredible views with easy access to beaches, restaurants and groceries. Pier for fishing and water access for canoeing or kayaking!" While coastal campgrounds offer scenic advantages, they typically provide less natural shade than inland alternatives. The campgrounds near Hampstead balance natural settings with convenience, as many are situated within easy driving distance of urban amenities while still maintaining a camping atmosphere. Sites with trees and shade are particularly valued during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly.

Best Camping Sites Near Hampstead, North Carolina (68)

    1. Wilmington KOA

    21 Reviews
    Wrightsville Beach, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 686-7705

    "The pool was big and warm, easy for swimming while maintaining social distancing."

    "It’s clean, it’s close to downtown Wilmington and there is SO much to do there. There is an RV wash right next door! There are a lot of gray farmer’s stands and fresh seafood stands nearby too!"

    2. Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-7770

    $27 - $75 / night

    "Carolina beach state park is one of my favorite places to go in North Carolina. Not only does it have an awesome campground, but it's right near one of the best beaches I've ever been to."

    "Had a great time camping and hiking around with my dog jinx. It was his first camping trip he seems to like it here as much as I did. be aware of the raccoons!!"

    3. The Inlet Campground (Formerly Laniers Campground)

    6 Reviews
    Holly Ridge, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 328-9431

    "Nice pool and walking path around the edge of the sound."

    "Most incredible views with easy access to beaches, restaurants and groceries. Pier for fishing and water access for canoeing or kayaking! Beautiful sunsets!"

    4. Surf City Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Holly Ridge, NC
    15 miles
    +1 (910) 328-4281

    "The owners are very nice and very helpful we campground was well in a good location right next to the beach literally walk 20 yards to go to the beach would definitely recommend"

    "Its quiet and easy access to beach. Owners are very nice and accommodating."

    5. Lake Linda

    1 Review
    Holly Ridge, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 279-3892

    $50 - $60 / night

    "Offering 2 sites that are located on the lake, this property  is a great place to birdwatch. Check them out and leave them some love."

    6. Freeman Park

    9 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-4614

    $20 - $90 / night

    "First and foremost, make sure you know how to drive in the sand and what to do when your car gets stuck."

    "With no more Beach than that we are allowed to drive on now the longer it happens the more of the beach will diminish. There should be no day passes only yearly."

    7. Castle Hayne Farm Park

    1 Review
    Wilmington, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 289-6250

    $40 - $85 / night

    8. Harbor Point RV Community

    4 Reviews
    Holly Ridge, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 327-2700

    $75 - $100 / night

    "These sites are on top of each other and I don’t know that I’d use this campground during high season … and the doggie area was right behind us.. full summer heat would probably be a bit smelly for me…"

    9. Oceans RV Resort

    1 Review
    Holly Ridge, NC
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 778-2839

    $77 - $239 / night

    "We're just a few miles from the beach, walking distance to a restaurant and or convenience store; crawling distance to Dales Pub across the road."

    10. Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Kure Beach, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 500-6465

    "No shade in this campground, but the location is everything! Basically a manicured field with cement pads and hookup poles."

    "Very close to the beach. Great view of the river. Has shop, rental center, and fishing pier within walking distance of the camping area."

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Recent Reviews near Hampstead, NC

299 Reviews of 68 Hampstead Campgrounds


  • D
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Emerald Isle RV Resort

    Great Month-Long Stay in the Off-Season

    I stayed at Emerald Isle RV Park for a full month right after Labor Day and really enjoyed the experience. It’s clear this is a busy, touristy spot during the summer, but in the shoulder season it was quiet and relaxing, mostly just the permanent sites around.

    The campground has full hookups and is very well kept. The shower houses, laundry, and common areas were spotless solid 4 out of 5 stars for facilities. The only real downside was the Wi-Fi. it’s pretty slow (under 2 Mbps) and gets worse on weekends. It actually gave me a good excuse to finally buy a Starlink, which worked great here.

    Overall, I’d definitely come back for a summer stay. The location can’t be beat you are minutes from the beach, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Great spot if you want to camp near the coast without being right in the chaos.

  • Richard P.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Cedar Point Campground

    Cedar Point Campground

    Love this campground. Clean bathrooms and showers. Very nice host.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Wilmington KOA

    Family campground near the beach and Wilmington

    Our kids where very happy with the little pool and we found good facilities to do the laundry. There are some nice shady spots and some are a bit crowded. But good full hook ups.

  • Kristie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    Great place!

    New Park with all the amenities you need, clean well kept facilities and grounds. Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful.

  • 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!

  • Greg T.
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Freeman Park

    Hit-or-miss camping expeirence

    Short takes:

    • Better to camp here during the cooler weather

    • If you don’t have a yearly beach- access pass, it’s expensive

    • Very crowded during warm weather

    • Make sure to air-down.

    • Don’t forget bug spray 

    Camping here can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months. Feb-March, Sept-Nov. That’s about the only time you can hope to avoid a chaotic, party scene. 

    I camped here in March and had a great time. Daytime beachgoers were mainly fishing, walking their dogs, shelling, etc. There were half a dozen other campers, everyone was friendly and quiet. 

    My trip in late April didn’t go as well. The first morning I awoke to the sound of a dozen children from the site next to me playing in the surf, shrieking and screaming at 5:30 am. Saturday the beach was packed with day-trippers with a line of trucks parked at the crest of the beach from one end to the other. Constant vehicle traffic up and down the beach. Lots of young kids running around, not paying attention to their surroundings, people walking on the dunes. Many vehicles got stuck in the sand because they didn’t air down. Lots of competing, loud music. 

    The next night, there was a family of 20+ people in the next site who warned us they were a loud group. At that point, we packed up and left. I wasn’t expecting that kind of scene until Memorial Day. 

    Erosion continues to eat away at the beach and it probably won’t be long before camping is prohibited due to lack of room. The beach used to be much wider.

  • R C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2025

    Cabin Lake County Park

    Nice campground but …

    The campground is perfect for a family or if you’re older and in an RV. Lots to do. It’s a lake based CG so you can swim, kayak, hike around the lake, but especially fishing - that’s the main draw. Good shower/toilet facilities, water electric and all that RV stuff. If you’re an adventurous typically primitive camper (like me), it’s not for you. You’ll be near lots of other campers (mostly families from my brief experience) so not great on privacy. Location is good, 15 min fr Beulaville. Nice staff. I recommend if you want an easy camping experience. $25-40 night depending on how you camp.

  • Ms P.
    Jan. 26, 2025

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Amazing place to Camp

    I've been here at different times of the year. I really enjoy camping here in December and January. Less people and the park is so nice.


Guide to Hampstead

Camping near Hampstead, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Carolina Beach State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We hiked a trail to see Venus flytraps in the wild," making it a unique experience.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Holden Beach RV Campground. A camper shared, "The campground is beautifully maintained and in a perfect location," highlighting its proximity to the beach.
  • Fishing and Paddling: At Cedar Point Campground, you can throw a line into the water or paddle along the Cape Fear River. One reviewer noted, "Great place to hang out and it’s near Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms were also very clean. Cleanest I might have ever seen at a camp."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A reviewer at Wilmington KOA mentioned, "Easy check-in and level spots," which made their stay enjoyable.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Willow Tree RV Resort. One guest said, "Have plenty of space between you and your neighbors," making it a comfortable experience.

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially during warmer months. A camper at Carolina Beach State Park Campground warned, "The biggest drawback here is the mosquitoes."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Hammocks Beach State Park Campground, have minimal amenities. A visitor noted, "There are NO trash cans or trash collecting points," so plan to pack out your trash.
  • Noise Levels: If you're sensitive to noise, consider your site choice. A reviewer at Wilmington KOA mentioned, "Too much light, noise, construction, activity for a quiet night's rest."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. At Holden Beach RV Campground, they hosted a potluck meal for guests during Thanksgiving, which families enjoyed.
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier to bring the whole family. A visitor at Cedar Point Campground mentioned, "Dog friendly, electric and good clean drinking water on site."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan beach days. A long-time camper at Carolina Beach State Park Campground suggested, "You can ride your bike or walk to the boardwalk."

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Selection: Choose your site wisely. A reviewer at Cedar Point Campground advised, "Be careful in site selection though a few would be very tight for even the smallest pop-ups."
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure your campground has the hookups you need. A visitor at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area noted, "Full hook-ups. Bath house. MWR/famcamp store with everything you need."
  • Noise Considerations: Be aware of potential noise from nearby activities. A camper at Onslow Beach Campsites mentioned, "The bridge that is right behind camp about 60 feet was under a full rebuild," which could be disruptive.

Camping near Hampstead, North Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Hampstead, NC?

Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Hampstead, NC. Carolina Beach State Park Campground offers secluded sites with both tent and RV options, hiking trails, and marina access for boating and kayaking. It's particularly popular for its proximity to Carolina Beach. For RV travelers, The Inlet Campground (Formerly Laniers Campground) features waterfront views, a pool, and walking paths around the sound. Other nearby options include Cabin Creek Campground, Camp Ocean Forest, and Wilmington KOA, all providing convenient access to coastal attractions while serving as comfortable base camps for exploring the Hampstead area.

Are there any camping facilities at Umstead Park near Hampstead?

There are no camping facilities specifically at Umstead Park near Hampstead, NC. Instead, consider nearby alternatives like Cedar Point Campground, which offers well-maintained grounds with paved roads, hiking trails, and boat access. Another good option is Cabin Lake County Park, which provides electric RV sites and tent camping with multiple fishing docks and a 2.5-mile hiking trail around the lake. Both campgrounds offer more amenities and established camping facilities than what would be available at Umstead Park.

What camping is available near Hampstead, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hampstead, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 68 campgrounds and RV parks near Hampstead, NC and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hampstead, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hampstead, NC is Wilmington KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Hampstead, NC.