Best Tent Camping near Jacksonville, NC
Tent camping near Jacksonville, North Carolina centers around coastal experiences with several notable options for beachside and waterfront sites. Hammocks Beach State Park offers tent-only camping on Bear Island, accessible only by ferry or personal watercraft, providing a secluded beach camping experience about 15 miles southeast of Jacksonville. Onslow Beach Campsites, located on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, provides tent camping with beach access, though military ID is required. Haywood Landing Recreation Site offers primitive tent camping with boat access to the White Oak River, approximately 20 miles north of Jacksonville.
Access logistics vary significantly between campgrounds. Bear Island campsites require planning for ferry transportation or kayaking, with campers needing to pack all supplies for a walk of up to a mile to reach their sites. According to reviews, "You have to hike with all your camping gear less than a mile to the beach." No campfires are permitted on Bear Island, requiring alternative cooking methods. Potable water and restrooms with showers are available near the ferry dock, but campers must pack out all trash. Haywood Landing offers more basic amenities with vault toilets and fire rings, but limited facilities. Summer heat is a significant consideration at all sites, with minimal natural shade available at beach locations.
The backcountry tent camping experience in this region is defined by coastal environments and wildlife encounters. Bear Island offers walk-in tent sites positioned behind dunes with ocean views and excellent shelling opportunities. One camper noted, "The beach camping spots are right in front of the dunes. We went on Labor Day weekend and there was no one there!" Tent campers should prepare for wind, blowing sand, and temperature fluctuations. Sites at Haywood Landing provide more wooded surroundings but require vigilance regarding wildlife and insects. Visitors report, "The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray." Phoenix Farms Vineyard offers a different tent camping experience on a former tobacco farm with five walk-in tent sites in a more agricultural setting.