Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Maysville, NC

Great Lake Dispersed Site in Croatan National Forest offers primitive pet-friendly camping with no designated sites or amenities. Dogs must be kept under control at all times while exploring the native long leaf pine forest. The dispersed camping area permits tent and RV camping throughout the forest land, though some access roads remain closed due to hurricane damage. Several pet-friendly established campgrounds provide alternatives with more amenities, including Cedar Point Campground, Hawkins Creek Campground, and White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort. Dogs are welcome at all these locations but must be leashed when outside vehicles or camping units. The forest area contains alligator habitat and swampy terrain with abundant wildlife.

The trail system throughout Croatan National Forest allows dogs on leashes, providing access to natural areas with pitcher plants and Venus fly traps. Many roads remain closed from hurricane damage, requiring careful navigation when planning dispersed camping trips. Visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions, including ticks, mosquitoes, and wildlife encounters. Pet owners need to bring all supplies, including water and waste bags, as no services are available in dispersed areas. For campers seeking more amenities, The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort and White Oak Shores maintain clean facilities while still allowing pets. Haywood Landing Recreation Site offers free camping with pets permitted but requires vigilance with food storage to prevent wildlife encounters. During summer months, bug spray is essential as mosquitoes can be particularly problematic in this coastal forest environment.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Maysville, North Carolina (65)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 65 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Maysville, NC

318 Reviews of 65 Maysville Campgrounds


  • Kasey M.
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Whispering Pines Campground

    Nice Campground

    Nice campground well-kept pool, and laundry facility. The playground closed due to COVID but has a dog park and fishing ponds with bass. The biggest downfall to this facility is that the nice campsites are only reserved for seasonal or year-round campers. Anyone there for days - weeks stay get a full-sun site which some can be pretty small ours was a decent size. It's also overrun by feral cats so if you're allergic, bring meds. They offer cable, and you can pay for WiFi.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    Our first trip in the camper

    Our first trip in our new to us camper and found the campground very nice. The bathhouses were the cleanest and best equipped. Some shade. Nice dog park. Plenty of amenities.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2020

    New Bern KOA Holiday

    Beautiful campground

    This was a very nice, well maintained campground. The staff were extremely polite and helpful. We stayed from Aug 11-14, 2020. The pool was nice on a hot humid day. They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store. The bathhouses are all very new due to a recent hurricane and they were kept clean. The dock/pier was picture perfect as the sunset over the Neuse river. The playground and jump pad looked like they would be a lot of fun but were closed due to Covid 19 restrictions. They had horseshoes and Gaga-ball that were open. They had 2 fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station. We chose this campground for it’s location near historical downtown New Bern and we would definitely recommend it to others. They have RV sites, tent sites and cabins.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Turkey Quarter Campground

    Turkey Quarter

    Large gravel sites with full hookups in the North Carolina woods. 15 miles NW of New Bern NC. Fire wood included.

  • S
    Jul. 30, 2020

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Great and New Campground

    Goose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites. The park is very flat with full hookups and a large patio/picnic area. They also have cabins.

    We stayed at one of the full hook up RV sites with our Riverside Retro 199FKS and it actually looked small in the site. We had more than enough room.

    You are far enough away from Washington, NC that you don't get great cell coverage so, it is almost like going off the grid. I think I had service if I sat outside with my left leg propped up (just kidding). 

    Since this park is so new, there are not many trees or vegetation to provide privacy between sites. I think this park will be great once the plants grow in - don't skip for this reason - still go, just know that you won't have a lot of privacy.

  • Amy J.
    Jun. 27, 2020

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Serene

    This campground is nestled in the tall North Carolina pines. There isn’t much shade though because the branches are mainly at the top. The camp sites are long and have plenty of room between camp sites. The campground has been recently redone and includes some cute cabins. We went on a boardwalk hike there. It said that red wolves and bear live on the area. We only saw deer.

  • P
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Dogwood Family Campground

    Gravel parking lot

    Full timers and long term on business campers beware! This campground has nothing to offer. The owners of this 1 year old campground are very strict with their rules and regulations. They are very nice in person and when checking in but soon you will find yourself receiving passive aggressive emails from them about rule violation they’ve spotted on the 6 or more cameras throughout the park. They have a very strict leash law here but offer no dog run/park area for your K-9 to play. They claim a dog park is on the list of things to come, but the second half of a drain field will come first. There are no amenities here, other than a very small fishing pond and some poorly maintained walking trails at the rear of the campground that have piles of post construction material scattered about. The campground is on well water and very brown in color so I would not drink or cook with it. Over half of the sites have your living side of the RV facing west and there is not a tree in sight, so in the summer be prepared to bake in the sun. The entire campground is gravel parking lot with 10 foot slivers of grass between each site and god forbid don’t let Sean the owner see you put anything(rug, vehicle, etc…) on his beloved grass. I gave this campground 2 stars… 1 for being dark and quiet at night and the other star for the free and decent wifi. So if you don’t want spied on via cameras, harassed, a dusty rig and a place for Fido to play, I would suggest going 8 miles down the road to an awesome campground called Whispering pines you and your dog will be much happier!

  • Kayko S.
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Goose Creek State Park Campground

    Hidden Gem with trails and sound access

    This place is a gem of a state park!!!!

    Since it's not right next to the coast it's relatively quiet and not crowded. I went here on the tail end of a mid September weekend and found the entire campground to myself! That is unheard of on the West Coast! There is a beautiful sound access.

    This is boutique car camping! There are only 14 camping spots all nicely spaced from each other and in a wooded location. Sites 11-14 are around a little peninsula on the sound so all have some water view. There are a handful of water spouts around the campground, and each site has a parking spot, campsite, table and a lamp hanger. The lamp hanger took me a while to figure out since we don't have these on the west coast it is a suspended hook that looks a bit medieval on first glance.

    Bring your paddle boards or canoe to float around the sound. There is a great outline of a 3 mile canoe trail mapped out by the put in. (see my photos)

    Ohhhh and it goes without saying near the North Carolina sound BRING BUG SPRAY. This is serious deet country.

  • T
    Jun. 1, 2024

    Campsite at Wallace Meadows Farm / RV site at Wallace Meadows Farm

    Lovely place to camp!

    We recently stayed overnight at Wallace Meadows and it was one of the most lovely places we've ever been to! Rich was very friendly and welcoming and the hookup & amenities they offered for a fee were excellent. The bath house was spotless and we each enjoyed a nice hot shower! The property is surrounded by trees and it was very tranquil. There's even a guesthouse which could possibly accommodate fellow travelers who may not have an RV. There's also a laundry room but we didn't use it. They have a background in hospitality and it really shows. Before we left, we purchased some fresh eggs from their farm, beautifully packaged and delicious! We will return to North Carolina. There's so much to see here and we'll definitely return to Wallace Meadows Farm.


Guide to Maysville

Dispersed camping near Maysville, North Carolina offers opportunities throughout Croatan National Forest despite ongoing access challenges. The forest spans 160,000 acres of coastal woodland, featuring a mix of pine forests, saltwater estuaries, and bogs at elevations ranging from sea level to 50 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for outdoor exploration.

What to do

Pier fishing opportunities: Cedar Point Campground offers fishing access along the White Oak River. "The campground is located on the shores of the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. Since they join here, you seem as if you are closer to the ocean. It looks more like a bay. There is a really nice pier at the campground beach for fishing," notes camper Myron C.

Explore tidal ecosystems: The Cedar Point Tideland Trail runs through coastal wetlands. "This area is a photographer's dream, especially if you like photographing the native habitat and creatures. I was able to get photos of birds, soft shell crabs, and closeup photos of dragonflies. The estuary itself is worth taking pictures of, especially at sunset," according to Myron C.

Beach access within 15 minutes: Nearby beaches provide day trip options from forest campsites. "While in the area we enjoyed the public beach on Emerald Isle, which is only 15 minutes from campground. There are lots of water sport rentals nearby and restaurants," writes Steve V. at Cedar Point Campground.

What campers like

Primitive settings with wildlife viewing: The natural environment attracts those seeking a rustic experience. "Lots of trails and beautiful pines. Pitcher plants and Venus fly traps, Camp any where you want, Bring everything because it is not a campground as such. Wilderness area," notes Ulrich M. about Great Lake Dispersed Site.

Clean facilities at established sites: For those preferring more amenities, nearby campgrounds maintain good standards. "The whole place is so very clean: the bathrooms, camping areas, swimming pool area, even the dumpsters area. The grass is very well kept, the roads and signage, well maintained," reports Huggins G. about White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort.

Accessibility to historic sites: The region offers cultural attractions beyond natural areas. "When you are this close to New Bern, there are better things to photograph. There's Tryon Palace, Union Point Park, the historic Confederate cemetery, the fireman's museum, the Pepsi Cola museum (New Bern is where Pepsi was born), etc," explains Myron C. about staying at New Bern KOA.

What you should know

Seasonal heat considerations: Summer camping presents specific challenges. "The heat in the bathrooms and showers had to be over 100 degrees. Also, typical National Forest setup, the showers are push button, with no temperature control (you get what you get) and the water only flows for about 15 seconds with each push of the button," warns Steve V.

Variable road conditions: Hurricane damage continues to affect forest access. "The path is blocked at about halfway down by concrete barriers and downed trees. So I pulled my Ford Ranger in the pines beside the path and slept there," reports Austin S. about Great Lake Dispersed Site.

Wildlife precautions: The coastal forest ecosystem hosts numerous animal species. "Good spot for camping. You can be away from people, but be cognitive of the wildlife here. Keep food locked inside. The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray," advises Vegan T. about Haywood Landing Recreation Site.

Tips for camping with families

Consider cabin options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Maysville offer structures for those not tent camping. "This campground was great. Nice spacious site near the water. The bathrooms were very clean and each had a shower sink and toilet all to yourself. Climate controlled also. There were activities and a well stocked store," explains Joe B. about The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort.

Seek shade in summer: The coastal region gets extremely hot. "The sites on the southeast side seemed to have more shade than those on the northwest side. Lots of sun throughout the day until late evening, so a little miserable on this stay as the area had heat advisories every day," notes Steve V.

Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with facilities for children. "The bathhouse was clean with large, individual showers. Hiking trails and boat ramp located 0.5 miles away, within the park. There is a marine airfield nearby, so you will hear planes and 'booms' occasionally," explains Rick S.

Tips from RVers

Electrical reliability varies: Power connections can be inconsistent at some locations. "Furthermore, there are serious issues with the electric connections, which you have no choice but to pay for. We were only able to occasionally have reliable electricity, resulting in even small 5V items not charging," reports Mambo M.

Water access planning: Many sites lack individual water hookups. "All sites are paved; minimal leveling required. Lots of trees and shade -- plenty of room for the hamock and screenhouse. No individual water at sites, but potable water available at the dump station," notes Rick S.

Off-season considerations: Winter camping offers advantages for pet-friendly camping near Maysville. "The campground was fairly quiet. The few campers were very quiet and respectful to the other campers. I camped for 14 days at this location in January," shares Robert D. about Cedar Point Campground, adding, "The water was warm, but not hot. In other words, be prepared to take a warm shower in freezing weather."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Maysville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Maysville, NC is Cedar Point Campground with a 4-star rating from 29 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Maysville, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near Maysville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.