Lake Waccamaw camping offers access to North Carolina's largest Carolina Bay lake, spanning 8,938 acres with an average depth of only 7.5 feet. The shallow water warms quickly, creating favorable conditions for swimming well into fall. Campsites near Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina range from primitive sites requiring quarter-mile walks to fully-developed facilities with amenities for extended stays.
What to do
Water activities: The shallow lake at Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground provides excellent swimming and kayaking opportunities. "The lake is beautifully kept and clean. Very shallow. You can walk out a good 300 meters. We kayaked and fished while we were here," notes Sara H. who stayed for 11 days.
Bird watching: Forested campsites provide habitat for diverse bird species. At Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground, campers report hearing "bullfrogs, peepers, and owls called all night. Dragonflies galore flew about. It's rustic, but relaxing."
Wine tasting: For those seeking adult activities, CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard uniquely combines camping with vineyard access. "The grounds are very spacious. Lots of room to walk with a few short paths that go into the woods," and "the two women who own it are helpful and lively. If you visit, you must get one of their wine floats."
Fishing: Multiple lakes in the area support fishing, though success varies. At The Pine Tree Retreat, visitors can fish right next to their campsite. "Bring your fishing poles, you'll be right next to the water."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Lake Waccamaw State Park gets high marks for site separation. "The sites are all a far distance from one another so there's no chance of bothering one another at night. We had two neighbors during our stay but never heard or saw them," reports Kristin T.
Dog-friendly options: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated spaces. At CarrollWoods RV Park, "It has one of the best dog parks that I have ever been to. It is very spacious, fully shaded by lots of trees and even has a few man-made hills for the pooches to climb."
Clean facilities: Brunswick Beaches RV Resort maintains high standards. One camper noted it's a "Well-kept and quiet" campground with "sites are level and not too close to one another." Another added, "The pool was clean" and "staff and other campers were very friendly."
Natural environment: Many campers appreciate the natural surroundings and wildlife. At Brunswick Beaches RV Resort, one visitor described "Many bird songs at sunrise and Whip poor will calls at sunset every night" and noted the "relaxing, natural campground."
What you should know
Walk-in camping distances: Sites at Lake Waccamaw State Park require significant walking from parking. "Sites 2-5 are a quarter mile plus from the parking area. I didn't read the key on the map, so that's my fault for not knowing. But just a heads up, especially sites 4 and 5 are very far from the bathroom. Don't forget anything in the car."
Bug protection needed: Biting insects are prevalent, particularly during warm months. A visitor to Lake Waccamaw State Park advises, "Bring mosquito netting or pop up to keep the horse flies away!"
Limited fishing success: Despite numerous fishing opportunities, catches may be limited. At Camp Clearwater, one camper noted, "If you fish, the area is not very fish friendly. If you have a boat, bring it. You might have a better chance of success. Most of the lakes in the area are very acidic and it is challenging to catch limited fish."
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies between campgrounds. Brunswick Beaches RV Resort offers "great cell phone service and free wifi," while other sites have more limited connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's specializes in family entertainment with diverse water features. "Great place for family entertainment. Kids of 10, 8, and 5 and all had a blast. We stayed during a storm and the camp staff adjusted their events to focus on indoor entertainment for the families."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several campgrounds offer safe cycling environments. A visitor to Daddy Joe's mentioned, "We had a great time at Daddy Joe's, it was our first trip in our travel trailer our site was perfect and had plenty of space. We have two younger kids and they had a blast riding bikes around the camp ground."
Off-season advantages: Visiting in cooler months provides quieter experiences with fewer crowds. At Holden Beach RV Campground, a camper noted, "It would be a nice, private place to camp in colder months, but not much to do."
Beach access options: Multiple beaches are within driving distance. "We are only a few miles from the beach," notes a camper at Holden Beach RV Campground, while another visitor to Brunswick Beaches mentioned, "It's clean and reasonably well maintained" and "well located if you want to visit Ocean Isle, Sunset, or Calabash."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Campgrounds vary significantly in site size. At Willow Tree RV Resort, "The sites are huge and along the lake where I camped, they are angled so that you don't really see much of your neighbors."
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer complete services. CarrollWoods provides "electricity, water and dump at each site," while Willow Tree RV Resort features "concrete, pull through, fire pit, and picnic table" at every site.
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry points. At Brunswick Beaches, "Road into camp is incredibly narrow. 2 vehicles can't fit; one has to pull over to the side to let another pass by."
Storage and extended stay options: Several facilities accommodate longer visits. Willow Tree offers "storage for RV available" for those who wish to leave their unit between visits.
