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Best Campgrounds near Havelock, NC

279 Reviews

Camping options near Havelock, North Carolina range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites across the Croatan National Forest. Several well-maintained facilities cater to various camping styles, including Cedar Point Campground with boat and drive-in access, and the Neuse River Campground offering electrical hookups and shower facilities. Military personnel can access Pelican Point RV Park at Cherry Point MCCS, which provides waterfront sites exclusively for those with base access. The Great Lake Dispersed Site in Croatan National Forest offers free primitive camping for those seeking a more rustic experience.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations should factor into planning, with some forest areas having limited access due to hurricane damage. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal camping seasons. "Lots of roads closed from hurricane damage, so don't trust Google maps. The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars," noted one visitor about the dispersed sites in Croatan National Forest. Many established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during weekends and summer months. Cell service varies throughout the region, with limited coverage in more remote forest areas.

Campers frequently mention the natural surroundings as a highlight, with several campgrounds offering water access. Flanners Beach Campground receives positive reviews for its privacy and amenities. "Nice little campground with trees and bushes between each site that make it feel private," wrote one camper about this location. Wildlife viewing opportunities include alligators and various bird species in the wetland areas of Croatan National Forest. While most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like toilets and picnic tables, dispersed camping areas require complete self-sufficiency. Noise levels vary by location, with sites closer to Cherry Point Marine Base experiencing occasional aircraft noise, while forest sites offer more solitude despite sometimes attracting recreational shooters on weekends.

Map showing campgrounds near Havelock, North CarolinaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Havelock, North Carolina (77)

    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. Cedar Point Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swansboro, NC
    18 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."

    3. 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."

    4. Dogwood Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Newport, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 777-4343

    $66 - $80 / night

    "This spot is close to everything without being on top of it all! Kid friendly, pet friendly, and very clean! All of the lots are level making for an easy setup!"

    5. Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Havelock, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 257-4200

    "This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!"

    "The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there."

    6. New Bern KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-2556

    "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."

    "Gets 4 stars primarily for the staff and the location. Standard sites are crammed together making privacy an issue."

    7. Military Park Cherry Point MCCS - Pelican Point RV Park

    1 Review
    Cherry Point, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 466-2762

    "There are several different camping locations available throughout the base, all of which are free but must be reserved ahead of time. Base access required! They are all on the water, very peaceful."

    8. Goose Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Emerald Isle, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Great location, can’t wait to come back!"

    "My wife and I spent a few days here while searching the area for potential retirement location. It's also a seasonal campground."

    9. Croatan National Forest Neuse River Campground

    1 Review
    Cherry Point, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 638-5628

    10. Dixon Landing RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Bridgeton, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 617-1010

    $60 - $90 / night

    "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."

    "This is a very secluded campground right on the wide Goose Creek/Neuse River, with access to the ocean varying from 25-50 miles. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Havelock, NC

89 Photos of 77 Havelock Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Havelock, NC

279 Reviews of 77 Havelock Campgrounds

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Turkey Quarter Campground

    Turkey Quarter

    Large gravel sites with full hookups in the North Carolina woods. 15 miles NW of New Bern NC. Fire wood included.

  • C
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Black Barn Farm

    A Perfect Getaway

    If you haven't camped at Black Barn Farm in Newport, you are missing out! 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. There were beautiful lights and trails throughout, animals, ziplines and playgrounds , plus the friendliest and most accommodating hosts I've ever camped with.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    A nice find

    We camped on the primitive side. Hardly anyone here. We took spot 4. Across from the clean pit toilet. They do have water. The area for rvs were packed and it wasn’t as appealing as the primitive. Follow the signs to primitive tent camping. Is a loop and the closer you get to the loop the more bugs cause of the water. On our walk with the dogs seen deer and a raccoon visited us during the night. Internet is spotty. Turn your cellular data on.

  • 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.

Guide to Havelock

Camping near Havelock, North Carolina offers access to unique wetland ecosystems where longleaf pine forests meet coastal waterways. The Croatan National Forest surrounds Havelock with over 160,000 acres of diverse terrain including pitcher plants and Venus flytraps in its pocosins (raised swamp areas). Spring and fall camping provides comfortable temperatures between 60-75°F while avoiding summer's intense humidity.

What to do

Kayaking from waterfront sites: At Oyster Point Campground, some campsites have direct water access. "There's like a 20 ft path directly from my campsite to the river, which is nice," notes Jenna L. The campground provides excellent water access for paddlers looking to explore the Pamlico Sound.

Wildlife viewing: The wetland ecosystems support diverse species including alligators. "This is a large area of national forest where dispersed camping is allowed. This is about as close to nature as it gets! All primitive camping, no amenities at all. Beautiful natural surroundings. Watch out for snakes and alligators!" advises Virginia W. about exploring the Great Lake Dispersed Site.

Historical exploration: New Bern KOA Holiday serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby historic sites. "New Bern is a really wonderful little town on the coast of NC and this KOA is close to all the action," writes Julie L. The campground is approximately 30 minutes from Havelock and offers convenient access to Tryon Palace, the Pepsi Cola museum, and the fireman's museum.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a major benefit at Cedar Point Campground. "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," reports Steve V. The campground provides level sites with paved parking pads.

Clean facilities: The bathroom facilities at several campgrounds receive positive reviews. "Bathhouse was clean with large, individual showers," notes Rick S. about Cedar Point Campground. At New Bern KOA, campers appreciate the individual bathroom units: "The bathrooms were very clean and each had a shower sink and toilet all to yourself. Climate controlled also," writes Joe B.

Fishing opportunities: Many waterfront campgrounds offer fishing access. At Dixon Landing RV Resort, campers appreciate the fishing potential: "Great area, quiet and very nice owners and campers... fish jumping, quiet and relaxing. On the water so you can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek," according to Rhonda S.

What you should know

Road conditions can be challenging: Forest service roads may be difficult to navigate, particularly after storms. One camper noted about Great Lake Dispersed Site: "The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there," reports Austin S.

Insects can be intense: Bug protection is essential, particularly in warmer months. "We loved this campground! It was so easy to access, the roads were well maintained and it was right on the coast... Only complaint is nature related and that's the bugs! The flys are insane but you'll quickly learn to ignore them," advises Hannah F. about Oyster Point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Havelock, NC?

Several quality campgrounds surround Havelock. Flanners Beach Campground is conveniently located between Havelock and New Bern with clean facilities, updated picnic tables, and fire pits. Military families can access Military Park Cherry Point MCCS - Pelican Point RV Park right in Havelock. For those willing to travel a short distance, Croatan National Forest Neuse River Campground offers beautiful riverside sites. Other options include Wallace Meadows Farm for RV camping and the New Bern area provides additional choices like New Bern KOA Holiday and the Rest Area for overnight parking.

What amenities are offered at camping sites around Havelock?

Camping sites around Havelock offer a range of amenities to suit different preferences. Campsite at Wallace Meadows Farm provides excellent 50-amp RV sites with water service, a convenient dump station, and spotless bath houses with hot showers. The farm features both pull-through and back-in sites with easy highway access. Goose Creek State Park Campground offers spacious RV sites with full hookups, large patio/picnic areas, and rental cabins. The park also features beautiful boardwalks and sound access. Most campgrounds in the area provide clean restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits, while some include additional amenities like showers, dump stations, and water/electric hookups.

What is the best time of year to camp in the Havelock area?

The best time to camp in the Havelock area is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are mild and humidity is lower. These shoulder seasons offer comfortable camping conditions without summer's intense heat and crowds. Long Point Cabin Camp at Cape Lookout National Seashore is particularly pleasant during these periods, offering uncrowded beaches and comfortable weather. Mid-September can be especially ideal, as noted by campers at Camp Ocean Forest who enjoy the coastal views with fewer visitors. Summer camping is possible but prepare for heat, humidity, and more crowds. Winter camping is available year-round at most sites but expect cooler temperatures requiring appropriate gear.

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