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Best Campgrounds near Lake Waccamaw, NC

402 Reviews

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina provides several camping options surrounding the shallow, warm lake within Lake Waccamaw State Park. The park features primitive camping with fire rings and picnic tables at spacious, well-separated sites. Beyond the state park, nearby accommodations include Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's and CarrollWoods RV Park, both offering full hookup sites for RVs along with tent camping areas. The Pine Tree Retreat offers a more secluded camping experience with fishing access. Camping styles range from basic tent sites to RV parks with full hookups, and several locations offer cabin rentals or glamping options for those seeking more comfort.

Reservations are recommended for most campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when water recreation becomes popular. Lake Waccamaw State Park features primitive sites that require campers to park and walk a considerable distance to their sites—with some locations nearly a quarter-mile from parking. Most developed RV parks provide full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections. The shallow, warm waters of Lake Waccamaw make it popular for swimming and fishing, though visitors should be prepared for insects, especially during warmer months. According to one camper, "We stayed in site 5 for 11 days. 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."

Many campgrounds in the region feature amenities beyond basic camping. Jellystone Park includes family-friendly activities with water parks, splash pads, mini-golf, and scheduled events with the Yogi Bear characters. CarrollWoods RV Park uniquely combines camping with an on-site vineyard offering wine tasting. One visitor noted, "Beautiful, family owned campground. Large spacious and clean well organized sites. Picnic tables and BBQ grills on sites." Wildlife observations are common throughout the area's campgrounds, with several reviewers mentioning bullfrogs, dragonflies, and owls as part of the experience. Sites at Lake Waccamaw State Park provide a more rustic experience with opportunities for solitude, while the commercial campgrounds offer more amenities and organized activities for families.

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Best Camping Sites Near Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina (61)

    1. Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Lake Waccamaw, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 646-4915

    $17 / night

    "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."

    "The sites are all a far distance from one another so there’s no chance of bothering one another at night."

    2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's

    18 Reviews
    Nichols, SC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 653-2155

    "It’s dog friendly with two dog parks and plenty of places to walk and run!"

    "We booked a quad site with two other families and the location was perfect for all the children to run around and be kids without worrying about disturbing others. Cannot wait to come back."

    3. The Pine Tree Retreat

    1 Review
    Lake Waccamaw, NC
    8 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "Bring your fishing poles, you'll be right next to the water. Have a dog? This is a great place to let them run. Enjoy your experience with them, take some photos, and don't forget to leave a review!"

    4. Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-7770

    $27 - $75 / night

    "Carolina beach state park is one of my favorite places to go in North Carolina. Not only does it have an awesome campground, but it's right near one of the best beaches I've ever been to."

    "Had a great time camping and hiking around with my dog jinx. It was his first camping trip he seems to like it here as much as I did. be aware of the raccoons!!"

    5. Holden Beach RV Campground

    26 Reviews
    Supply, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 842-1809

    "Decent size sites, water, 30Amp, sewer, great WiFi (repeaters positioned at every other site, especially in the new section)."

    "Close to the beach and easy to find backside parking. Do not let the drive deter you, it was an easy daily drive. Had a site next to “permanent bathroom” and trash area."

    6. CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard

    6 Reviews
    Little River, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 653-5538

    $41 - $49 / night

    "Lots of room to walk with a few short paths that go into the woods. It has one of the best dog parks that I have ever been to."

    "The pool, the winery, a couple of trips to the beach and surrounding area. We were well received. We are new to camping and a family of color. We highly recommend."

    7. Willow Tree RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Little River, SC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (843) 756-4334

    "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."

    "The lake beach was closed for the season when we went but the inflatables looked like they would have been fun! Mile long paved path around the lake was great for walking or biking."

    8. Camp Clearwater

    8 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 862-3365

    "Food venders and places to eat in walking distance. Gospel music on Saturday nights at chapel and church service at chapel by the water front !! Nice new laundry !"

    "Often see you kids driving carts which is concerning. Wifi service within the campground is good. Great areas for kids to play."

    9. Brunswick Beaches RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Sunset Beach, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 579-7562

    $20 - $103 / night

    "I came to this campground because of its location about 5 miles from Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island. The campground was quiet. All the guests were quiet, but friendly."

    "You have to drive to the beaches but that was not an issue for us; means the campground is less crowded. Staff and other campers were very friendly. Pool was clean."

    10. Cypress Ranch Glamping

    1 Review
    Sunset Beach, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 880-2256
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Recent Camping Photos near Lake Waccamaw, NC

100 Photos of 61 Lake Waccamaw Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lake Waccamaw, NC

402 Reviews of 61 Lake Waccamaw Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Willow Tree RV Resort

    Best campground we stayed at this year

    This place is so amazing. Everything here on site is neat clean and in good working order all the recreational facilities are fresh and new. The bathrooms are absolutely cleaned very carefully. There were many surprises here as we enjoyed all the facilities. A local food truck came by to serve hot wings one evening. There will be a pancake breakfast in the morning and that’s a nice treat on a travel day the Pickleball courts are some of the best we’ve seen as is the bocce and shuffleboard the waterfront has anything you would never need to enjoy the lake. We will most definitely come here again and again and recommend it to everyone. My five stars doesn’t come easy, but it was easy to give to this place.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Wilmington KOA

    Family campground near the beach and Wilmington

    Our kids where very happy with the little pool and we found good facilities to do the laundry. There are some nice shady spots and some are a bit crowded. But good full hook ups.

  • J
    Sep. 1, 2025

    CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard

    Lovely campground

    We stayed here on Labor Day weekend 2025. The staff I spoke with were friendly and helpful. The grounds before you enter the campground area are beautiful and well kept. The campground itself has many spacious, full hook up sites with packed gravel foundation. There’s no grass due to the mature pine trees but the community areas have lush lawn and beautiful flowers especially around the pond. The bathhouse and laundry were sufficient. They had a nice pool, playground, volley ball court and horseshoe pits. They have a large dog park. We look forward to inviting some friends to join us for group camping here sometime soon. Their nightly rates were very reasonable.

  • Kristie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    Great place!

    New Park with all the amenities you need, clean well kept facilities and grounds. Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful.

  • McKenna M.
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Myrtle Beach KOA

    Walking distance to beach

    We were able to walk safely to the beach in q5-20 minutes while the rest of our party stayed at the RV.

  • Greg T.
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Freeman Park

    Hit-or-miss camping expeirence

    Short takes:

    • Better to camp here during the cooler weather

    • If you don’t have a yearly beach- access pass, it’s expensive

    • Very crowded during warm weather

    • Make sure to air-down.

    • Don’t forget bug spray 

    Camping here can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months. Feb-March, Sept-Nov. That’s about the only time you can hope to avoid a chaotic, party scene. 

    I camped here in March and had a great time. Daytime beachgoers were mainly fishing, walking their dogs, shelling, etc. There were half a dozen other campers, everyone was friendly and quiet. 

    My trip in late April didn’t go as well. The first morning I awoke to the sound of a dozen children from the site next to me playing in the surf, shrieking and screaming at 5:30 am. Saturday the beach was packed with day-trippers with a line of trucks parked at the crest of the beach from one end to the other. Constant vehicle traffic up and down the beach. Lots of young kids running around, not paying attention to their surroundings, people walking on the dunes. Many vehicles got stuck in the sand because they didn’t air down. Lots of competing, loud music. 

    The next night, there was a family of 20+ people in the next site who warned us they were a loud group. At that point, we packed up and left. I wasn’t expecting that kind of scene until Memorial Day. 

    Erosion continues to eat away at the beach and it probably won’t be long before camping is prohibited due to lack of room. The beach used to be much wider.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2025

    Brunswick Beaches RV Resort

    Good, clean, quiet campground

    The campground is well located if you want to visit Ocean Isle, Sunset, or Calabash. It’s clean and reasonably well maintained.

Guide to Lake Waccamaw

Camping near Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, offers a mix of natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Explore the Beach: Lake Waccamaw has beautiful sandy areas perfect for swimming and sunbathing. One camper mentioned, "The beach was beautiful, shallows for a couple hundred yards when the tide was out, and relatively clean for a busy beach."
  • Fishing: The lake is great for fishing, with many campers enjoying the peaceful experience. A reviewer noted, "There are nice walking trails, a great fishing pier, and a nice store in the campground."
  • Hiking: There are trails around the lake that provide scenic views and a chance to connect with nature. A visitor shared, "We hiked a trail to see Venus flytraps in the wild. A short pedal to the ocean beach."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One review stated, "The campground was nice, but was pretty close to one another. The showers were really nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor remarked, "The staff was super helpful and friendly. Even helped us back up into our site."
  • Family Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. A family shared, "Love all the daily activities and amenities. Bathhouse is always clean and staff is helpful."

What you should know:

  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together, which can feel crowded. A camper noted, "The sites were SUPER close together which kinda ruined the 'camping vibes'."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper warned, "The bugs were vicious! Couldn't walk away from our Thermacell Mosquito Repeller without getting attacked."
  • Reservations: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A visitor mentioned, "Reservations are a must during busy times."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that offer some privacy. A camper advised, "The best chance of a good site is the perimeter sites."
  • Pack Bug Spray: Given the mosquito situation, it's wise to bring bug spray. One family suggested, "During the summer it is very humid and hot with lots of mosquitoes so remember to bring your bug spray."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor shared, "There are nice walking trails, a great fishing pier, and a nice store in the campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper mentioned, "We had one of the ancient spots with shared power pole that we had to use a converter."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some sites can be tight for larger rigs. A reviewer cautioned, "The roads however are pretty tight and a bigger rig could be tough to back in."
  • Consider Amenities: Look for campgrounds with amenities that suit your needs. One RV owner said, "The pool, lazy river, and splash pad were all very nice and well kept."

Camping near Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences for families and RVers alike. With clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to enjoy the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lake Waccamaw, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lake Waccamaw, NC is Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

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