Rose Bay Preserve connects directly to a state boat ramp and provides easy access to the Swan Quarter Ferry terminal to Ocracoke Island. The campground welcomes pets throughout its RV sites with full hookups including electric, water and sewer. Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds, including Ocracoke Campground, Cape Point Campground, and Frisco Campground, all maintain pet-friendly policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times. The sites at Rose Bay Preserve have been gradually upgraded by new ownership, with tenants noting the increased visibility and improvements around the property. Pettigrew State Park Campground offers pet-friendly camping with electric hookups, showers and toilet facilities. Osprey Nest Campground in Fairfield accommodates both tent and RV campers with their pets, featuring full hookups, picnic tables and shower facilities.
Lake Mattamuskeet provides excellent opportunities for dog owners at Osprey Nest Campground, with campers reporting beautiful sunsets and small boat access for fishing excursions with four-legged companions. Boardwalks through swampy forests at Pettigrew State Park offer unique walking paths for leashed pets. The Cape Hatteras KOA Resort allows pets at tent sites, RV sites, cabins and glamping accommodations, providing a convenient base for beach exploration with dogs. Watch for thorny sand spurs in grassy areas and dunes when walking dogs at Cape Point and other outer banks campgrounds, as reviews indicate these can be painful for pet paws. Many campgrounds become busy during summer months, so securing reservations well in advance ensures pet-friendly site availability. Riverside Campground in Belhaven offers wooded sites where pets can enjoy the natural surroundings in a quieter setting.
$40 - $50 / night
"Beside state boat ramp access to anywhere
Next to ferry to Ocracoke too..."
"The new owner has been making upgrades around the property. Customers come first here! Thanks."
$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."
"Here is the breakdown: 28/night
• Showers are cold water only, but they do have great pressure
• No matter where your site is located, there is easy, easy, so much easy access to the beach
• Park"
"Situated on Lake Mattamuskeet, beautiful sunsets. Bath houses on site. There’s even a small boat ramp for small skiffs. Fire pits and wood was provided."
$17 - $75 / night
"Goose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites."
"This campground is nestled in the tall North Carolina pines. There isn’t much shade though because the branches are mainly at the top."
$20 / night
"The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so. We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty."
"This campground is right next to several beach access where you can drive your car onto the beach and fishing is good near the point."
$27 - $47 / night
"We usually overnight there on the way to the NPS campgrounds on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, though it is nice enough to justify a stay if you find yourself in the area."
"The access to the Outer Banks was awesome as always. This time we kayaked on the nearby scuppernong River. The swampy trip did not disappoint with wildlife or fishing."
$28 / night
"Pet friendly, Fire ring and picnic table at each site. We return here often."
"Campground is nice overall, there are multiple bathhouses and trash bins near the entrance. There are lots of bugs and ticks, tent space vary greatly from space to space."
"I camped here for almost a week with a friend and our dogs. The location is fantastic. Everything is walking distance... restaurants, shops and the marina. The owner was very nice and helpful."
"Walking distance to the waterfront. Very quiet environment."
"Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out."
"The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!!"
GuideWent in November which is off season. Very quiet. People were super friendly. Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out. I wouldn't book an end site.....very small and too close to the road.
TravelerOur 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.
ScoutWe loved this no-frills campground. Upon arrival, we were greates by the camp host, Glenn who was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. We stayed at Beechland for 6 days and really enjoyed our stay. The hook ups all looked new and this may have been the cleanest camp ground I've ever stayed at. The bathrooms, showers and pool were pristine. We saw a staff member cleaning them every day at 9am. We brought our dogs with us. There was plenty of grass for them, a dog park, and several bag stations. Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10- 15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach.
Beechland doesn't have a laundry room or campstore but there is a grocery store, laundromat and coffee shop just down the road.
LegendPaved, 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. No hookups, but water and dump are across the street, and generators are allowed.
TravelerBest campground on highway 12. Concrete pad for rev and nice grassy area to relax. Short walk over the dune to beautiful beach. Dog area to let you pets run. All the amenities that you could want. Can’t wait to go back next year.
GuideWe spent 2 separate weeks here. The 1st one was planned, the second was because we loved it so much there.
The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!! The bridges, beach views, sand dunes, inland water views, it is something so pretty it’s hard to describe and be able to capture all the beauty! It truly is something you have to see and experience.
The campground is cute and has a beach vibe. There is a pirate ship playground, a huge pool and hot tub, jumping pillow, basket ball court, your kids will defiantly keep busy! They have my dogs favorite dog parks of all dog parks. They love running free in the sand! The store is cute and. If and has anything and everything you would ever need for an epic beach day.
Speaking of beach…this beach is captivating. The big waves are dreamy. On sunny days you’ll watch surfers and pelicans. Windy days you’ll see kite boarders and pelicans.
We went during the winter and the sea was so amazing. Everyday was a new beach. One day there was a 3’ drop off, the next day it vanished without a trace. The sea birds are adorable. And there are always fishermen being in something exciting be it a fish, shark, or sting ray.
One down side of winter was most of the stores and attractions are closed, but the upside is a quiet campground for beachy dreams and soul filling peace.
GuideThis was a very nice, well maintained campground. The staff were extremely polite and helpful. We stayed from Aug 11-14, 2020. The pool was nice on a hot humid day. They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store. The bathhouses are all very new due to a recent hurricane and they were kept clean. The dock/pier was picture perfect as the sunset over the Neuse river. The playground and jump pad looked like they would be a lot of fun but were closed due to Covid 19 restrictions. They had horseshoes and Gaga-ball that were open. They had 2 fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station. We chose this campground for it’s location near historical downtown New Bern and we would definitely recommend it to others. They have RV sites, tent sites and cabins.
LegendCampground is 1 of the 4 within the Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore. Cost here is only $20/night (the others are $28). No hookups available, but there is a dump station and potable water fill on your way out. Cell service is good. The walk to the beach is a bit long, maybe about 1/2 mile or so.
We stayed here for a night in early November and the place was nearly empty. There were one or two campers per loop, so the campground was nice and open and quiet. I think that during the busy season it would be an unpleasant stay, as the sites are all right next to each other, side by side, just big grassy area. Sites are large though, which was nice.
We didn’t use the showers but I believe they are cold showers. The set up is almost like an outdoor shower, with a short door and a pull rope for the water. Watch out for spiny sand spurs (?) that stick in your dog’s paws and your socks- very painful and they’re all over the grassy areas.
Sites must be reserved through recreation.gov. It was easy to pull up with no reservation, pick a site, then reserve and pay online. No service fee through this site.
No wood fires allowed here. Each site has a picnic table and grill, nothing else.
Dumpsters available, but no recycling bins. Not sure if North Carolina segregates recycling after pickup.
TravelerGoose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites. The park is very flat with full hookups and a large patio/picnic area. They also have cabins.
We stayed at one of the full hook up RV sites with our Riverside Retro 199FKS and it actually looked small in the site. We had more than enough room.
You are far enough away from Washington, NC that you don't get great cell coverage so, it is almost like going off the grid. I think I had service if I sat outside with my left leg propped up (just kidding).
Since this park is so new, there are not many trees or vegetation to provide privacy between sites. I think this park will be great once the plants grow in - don't skip for this reason - still go, just know that you won't have a lot of privacy.
Campgrounds near Swan Quarter provide access to both the Pamlico Sound and open Atlantic waters. Sites range from basic facilities with composting toilets to full-service parks with modern amenities. Winter months offer fewer crowds and mild temperatures, while summer brings higher humidity and more visitors to the area's campsites.
Beach exploration and swimming: At Ocracoke Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, visitors can enjoy direct beach access. "We woke up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise over the ocean which was just a hop, skip and jump away from our tent. It was paradise," reports Rachel M. This park offers primitive camping within a short walk to shorelines.
Fishing and boating: Waterfront locations provide excellent fishing opportunities. "Situated on Lake Mattamuskeet, beautiful sunsets. Bath houses on site. There's even a small boat ramp for small skiffs," notes Amanda E. about Osprey Nest Campground. The area supports both freshwater and saltwater fishing depending on location.
Historic site visits: Pettigrew State Park Campground offers camping near Somerset Place State Historic Site. "There is a trail to the lake along an irrigation canal," explains Stirling C. Park visitors can explore the historical plantation grounds while camping nearby.
Direct beach access: Many campers appreciate the proximity to shorelines. "The sites at the top are up the hill and have a nice view of the water," notes The School for Y. about Frisco Campground — Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The site's elevation provides views across the dunes to the ocean.
Wildlife viewing: Natural areas around Swan Quarter support diverse wildlife. "We had a run in with fire ants at our campsite," warns Laura B. about primitive camping at Goose Creek. More positively, Justin C. reports, "We traveled through there on the way back from a grocery run and saw a lot of wildlife including a baby black bear."
Island experiences: Access to Ocracoke Island provides unique camping opportunities. "I loved every bit of camping here. It's a true adventure coming into this island on a ferry and then camping in sand," shares Sarah F. about Teeter's Campground. The ferry ride adds to the adventure when accessing these island campsites.
Seasonal challenges: Hot weather affects comfort levels at exposed sites. "This is a park with no power or shade. Sand flees and bugs are plentiful. Cooler seasons are perfect," advises Cathy L. about Ocracoke Campground. Most reviewers recommend spring and fall visits for better conditions.
Water and drainage: Some campgrounds experience water management issues during storms. At Teeter's Campground, campers note "serious water and drainage issues," according to charlie. Sites located on higher ground generally fare better during rainfall.
Terrain hazards: Multiple reviews mention plant hazards at certain sites. "There are small cacti and sand spurs everywhere. We could not walk our 3 dogs at all! When they did go potty we spent several minutes picking out sands spurs and cacti from their paws and fur," reports Leslie F. about Frisco Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. At Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort, "The kids had plenty of room to ride their bikes and enjoyed the jump pillow. While too cold, the pool looks great," reports Joe R. The resort includes multiple recreational options for children.
Swimming areas: Freshwater swimming provides alternatives to ocean beaches. "A separate beach area if you like for swimming," mentions Charles G. about Goose Creek State Park. These designated swimming spots often have gentler conditions than ocean beaches.
Educational opportunities: Historic sites offer learning experiences. Justin C. notes that Pettigrew State Park is "a very old site that surrounds an amazing lake. The history being preserved is spectacular." These locations combine outdoor recreation with educational content.
Site selection: Choose sites based on seasonal exposure needs. "Sites are on the larger side for the most part and many have some sense of privacy," notes Melissa W. about Frisco. For RVs needing more space, Cape Hatteras KOA offers "sites definitely wide and deep enough for the biggest and baddest of rigs," according to Eric R.
Utility access: Full hookup availability varies significantly between parks. "The sites at the top are up the hill and have a nice view of the water," suggests The School for Y. regarding site selection at Frisco. For those requiring sewer connections, Rose Bay Preserve offers complete hookups with sites near water access points.
Access challenges: Ferry schedules affect arrival planning for island campgrounds. "The location is fantastic. Everything is walking distance... restaurants, shops and the marina," reports Katrin M. about Teeter's Campground, noting its convenient position once you've arrived on Ocracoke Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Swan Quarter, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Swan Quarter, NC is Rose Bay Preserve with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Swan Quarter, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 49 dog-friendly camping locations near Swan Quarter, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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