Best Campgrounds near Jacksonville, NC
The Jacksonville, North Carolina camping landscape features multiple developed campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Cabin Creek Campground, located on Wilmington Highway, provides 95 year-round sites with full hookups for both tent and RV camping. Military personnel have access to Onslow Beach Campsites on the Atlantic coast. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds where RVs and tent campers share facilities, including Cedar Point Campground in the Croatan National Forest and Hammocks Beach State Park's Bear Island primitive camping area. Most campgrounds in the area are established facilities rather than dispersed camping zones, with varying levels of amenities from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with 50-amp electrical service.
Seasonal considerations affect campground selection in the Jacksonville area, with hurricane season (June through November) potentially impacting coastal sites. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with the exception of Emerald Isle RV Resort which operates from March through November. Water and electric hookups are common at most developed campgrounds, though several sites like Haywood Landing Recreation Site offer free primitive camping with vault toilets only. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when beaches and waterfront camping areas reach capacity. Cedar Point Campground, a popular option in the national forest, offers only five first-come, first-served sites with the remainder requiring advance booking. According to one visitor, "Cedar Point is a well-run campground and the area is so convenient! Plenty of hiking trails, boat access and woods all right here in this park."
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations highly, particularly those providing access to beaches, rivers, and sounds. Onslow Beach Campsites and Hammocks Beach State Park offer ocean access, while inland options like Cabin Creek Campground provide more sheltered settings. Several visitors mentioned proximity to water activities as a key benefit, with one noting that Surf City Family Campground is "right next to the beach, literally walk 20 yards to go to the beach." Bathroom facilities vary widely across camping areas, from well-maintained modern facilities at some RV parks to more basic amenities at primitive sites. Noise levels can be an important consideration when selecting a camping area; several reviews mention highway noise at certain campgrounds, while others note the peaceful settings of more remote locations. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Cedar Point Tideland Trail through coastal estuaries provides excellent bird watching and photography opportunities.
