Camping opportunities near Oak Island, North Carolina include both primitive beach sites and developed campgrounds within a 50-mile radius. The region features sandy coastal terrain with maritime forests of live oak and longleaf pine. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while winter camping sees milder 50-60°F days with occasional cold fronts.
What to do
Beach driving access: At Freeman Park in Carolina Beach, 4x4 vehicles can drive directly onto the beach for camping and day use. "You can drive onto the beach - it makes it SO easy!!!" notes Kimberly S. about Carolina Beach State Park Campground, which is located nearby.
Winter camping options: The coastal area offers year-round camping with fewer crowds in cooler months. According to Ms P., "I've been here at different times of the year. I really enjoy camping here in December and January. Less people and the park is so nice."
Marine wildlife observation: The region includes protected areas for coastal species and nesting grounds. "Bird Island that is a nature preserve and reachable from Sunset beach, this is a day trip we are looking forward to taking the dogs on," shares Maya C. about staying at Brunswick Beaches RV Resort.
What campers like
Access to multiple beaches: Campsites provide bases for exploring various beach towns. "It's a great spot. You're about a five minute drive to the beach which is very convenient," says Ryan C. about Holden Beach RV Campground.
Quiet camping seasons: Off-peak camping offers a different experience than summer crowds. "If you go in spring, fall or warm winter days it's absolutely amazing," recommends Kelley E. about Freeman Park, noting it gets "very busy" during summer.
Ocean proximity: The sound of waves provides a natural backdrop at waterfront sites. Greg T. reports, "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."
What you should know
Beach camping logistics: Beach sites require specific preparation and awareness. "Be educated about beach weather and TIDES!!!! Super high tides were present during my visit. A high Queen tide came near the camp spots at night while a super high king tide COMPLETELY COVERED the camp sites in the morning!" warns a camper at Freeman Park.
Military facilities access: Some camping options have restricted access. "You need a DOD ID card to stay here. It is affordable if you qualify to stay. They will check and make you leave if you are not a card holder," explains Lacey B. about Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: The region offers both freshwater and saltwater fishing. "This is a great one to stay at if you are with a boat, or if you like to fish. Parked right next to the water, the views are nice, and i can go stick my feet in the channel from the little bank areas," shares Marie G. about Waterway Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access planning: Schedule around tide cycles for safe beach activities. "The beach is only like 5 minutes away though, so not really a big deal," notes Sam M. about Carolina Beach State Park, who adds "it's my favorite one to go to in the states... Not a whole lot of people come to it, so it's always pretty secluded and clean."
Shower facilities: Not all campgrounds offer shower access. "The bathhouse is always clean and stocked even in the winter. The bathhouse is also heated during the winter months and there are quit a few outlets available which we used to charge our phones," reports Caroline G.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. A camper at Wilmington KOA shares, "The playground was awesome and included a cool wooden pirate ship. The grandkids loved it!" They add that "it is in a high trafficked area so don't look for peace and quiet."
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size and layout. Josh L. reports about Oak Island Campground: "This is literally a grass lot across the bridge from oak island. While they met our needs (water, electric, sewer) the space they put us in was very tight. We were traveling with an f350 and a 36 ft bumper pull. You can't fit both in the space allotted."
Utilities placement: Check the location of hookups when booking. "The RV sites do not have hook ups in the right places but they are fixing it," notes Beth M. about Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer laundry services. "The facilities are great with a store, laundry, and clean restrooms and showers," shares Maya C. about Brunswick Beaches RV Resort, adding that "many bird songs at sunrise and Whip poor will calls at sunset every night" enhance the experience.
