Best Campgrounds near Pollocksville, NC

Campgrounds near Pollocksville, North Carolina range from developed facilities to dispersed sites on public lands. The region includes New Bern KOA Holiday, which provides cabins, RV sites, and tent camping options with full hookups, while Croatan National Forest offers free dispersed camping for more primitive experiences. Wallace Meadows Farm provides a unique camping experience with just four RV sites on an active farm property. Most campgrounds in the area are situated near water features, with some providing access to the Neuse River, Great Lake, and White Oak River.

Road access varies throughout the region, with several forest service roads requiring caution after storms or heavy rainfall. Croatan National Forest dispersed sites often have challenging access conditions, especially following hurricane damage. One camper noted, "Dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars. There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitos." The camping season runs year-round in many locations, though some forest campgrounds like Neuse River operate seasonally from March to December. Summer brings higher humidity and temperatures, making waterfront sites particularly desirable but also more crowded.

The camping experience near Pollocksville reflects the coastal Carolina environment, with several water-based activities available. Cedar Point Campground and White Oak River Campground provide boat access, while Wallace Meadows Farm offers kayak rentals for exploring the river behind the property. Reviews consistently highlight the region's wildlife viewing opportunities, though mosquitos can be problematic during warmer months. A visitor at Wallace Meadows Farm commented, "The property is surrounded by trees and it was very tranquil." Bathhouse conditions vary significantly between campgrounds, with private establishments generally offering cleaner facilities than public sites. Campers seeking solitude may prefer the dispersed options in Croatan National Forest, while those wanting amenities and activities typically choose the established campgrounds like New Bern KOA, which provides pools, fishing ponds, and organized recreational activities.

Best Camping Sites Near Pollocksville, North Carolina (90)

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Recent Reviews near Pollocksville, NC

326 Reviews of 90 Pollocksville Campgrounds


  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 21, 2025

    Croatan National Forest Neuse River Campground

    Nice Campground but no Beach

    Flanners Beach Campground is a quiet, well-maintained spot that works well as a base camp for visiting New Bern, Beaufort, and the Crystal Coast. Campsites are generally shaded with some privacy, and the campground offers electric hookups, a dump station, clean bathrooms, and a few private showers. While the waterfront setting is appealing, views of the water are mostly blocked by overgrowth and the main beach/river access remains closed due to erosion, which limits on-site activities. There are still nice trails, wildlife, and limited shoreline areas to explore, and occasional jet flyovers from Cherry Point add local character. Overall, it’s a peaceful and decent campground, but knowing about the beach and facility closures ahead of time helps set expectations. 

    Check out our 360° Video of all the sites

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEpVo6MoF3M

  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 18, 2025

    Catfish Lake Site 4 - Croatan National Forest

    Little pulloff with a camping area in the woods

    This is an awesome area in the Croatan National Forest. This is the 4th site on the road around the lake.  We stayed here for a weekend and loved it. A little bit of traffic but not too many people coming through.  This site has a pull off that you can park a couple of vehicles on the side of the road and a little clearing/path that you can put a tent up near your car.

    There are 3 other sites around Catfish Lake on Cat Fish Farm Road.

    Check out our video of all 4 sites on this road

    https://youtu.be/kAGzhmHvaq0

  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 18, 2025

    Catfish Lake - Croatan National Forest

    2nd site on the road

    This is an awesome area in the Croatan National Forest. This is the 2nd site on the road, there are 3 other sites around Catfish Lake on Cat Fish Farm Road. We stayed here for a weekend and loved it. A little bit of traffic but not too many people coming through. 

    Check out our video of all 4 sites on this road

    https://youtu.be/kAGzhmHvaq0

  • Camp With Me
    Dec. 18, 2025

    Croatan Puddle - National Forest Dispersed - Pringle Road

    Free NF Site - Half-hour from the beach

    Not a bad site for a couple of days. Close to the beach in the Pocosin Wilderness and free. We stayed here beginning of April while checking out Emerald Isle and Carteret. The national forest roads in this area have a few other sites that where closer to the road. This one is a little more secluded and the big puddle is from people driving through a small creek. Lots of birds in the area but we didn't see any other wildlife. 

    Check out the video

    https://youtu.be/ODcP9nmWn1o

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 3, 2025

    Great Lake Dispersed Site - Croatan National Forest

    Remote off grid only

    Extremely remote off grade only. No showers, no bathrooms, Extremely wilderness that isolates you in the woods. Not a child friendly area. Much military activities with help flyovers

  • Maurice B.
    Nov. 17, 2025

    Nick’s Nook Family Campground

    Great place, great owners

    This is a great place to camp whether in a tent, a camper, or one one the cabins.

  • o
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Lake Linda

    Very friendly

    If you truly like being on a farm, this is perfect every once in while the pigs and the goats come and visit

  • D
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Emerald Isle RV Resort

    Great Month-Long Stay in the Off-Season

    I stayed at Emerald Isle RV Park for a full month right after Labor Day and really enjoyed the experience. It’s clear this is a busy, touristy spot during the summer, but in the shoulder season it was quiet and relaxing, mostly just the permanent sites around.

    The campground has full hookups and is very well kept. The shower houses, laundry, and common areas were spotless solid 4 out of 5 stars for facilities. The only real downside was the Wi-Fi. it’s pretty slow (under 2 Mbps) and gets worse on weekends. It actually gave me a good excuse to finally buy a Starlink, which worked great here.

    Overall, I’d definitely come back for a summer stay. The location can’t be beat you are minutes from the beach, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Great spot if you want to camp near the coast without being right in the chaos.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    South Core Banks -- Beach Camping — Cape Lookout National Seashore

    Very Special Place

    We spent 3 nights beach camping in our VW Vanagon, and highly recommend this destination if you have the means! The ferry is $135+ for vehicles, plus $20 per person roundtrip. The beach driving permit is $75 unless you buy it by March (I think). We lucked out with our dates just preceding a big fishing competition, and there was a LOT of open beach space. Almost everyone is there to fish. We took bikes and enjoyed cycling around at low tide. Be sure to camp above the high tide zone, which is black sand. There are narrow/impassable points on the beach at high tide, but there are ramps to the back road every mile. Some ramps are very deep sand, others flat and packed. We got by without 4wd, but we didn’t explore beyond finding a spot not too far from the ferry drop off. We befriended our neighbors who took us to the lighthouse at the southern end of the island, which was beautiful! Currently closed for renovations, and the lightkeeper’s house was closed due to the government shutdown. Overall, south core banks is absolutely worth the effort!


Guide to Pollocksville

Camping near Pollocksville, North Carolina occurs predominantly in the coastal plain region, with an average elevation of less than 20 feet above sea level. The area sits at the intersection of several watersheds including the White Oak and Neuse River basins. Summer temperatures typically range between 75-90°F with humidity levels frequently exceeding 80%, while winter camping experiences milder conditions with daytime temperatures averaging 50-60°F.

What to do

Kayaking on the White Oak River: The Wallace Meadows Farm campsite near Pollocksville offers kayak rentals for exploring the adjacent river. "Kayaks available to enjoy the small river behind RV & Tent area. Easy access via wooden dock for boarding or unloading kayaks," notes Richard W. in his review of Wallace Meadows Farm.

Fishing from dedicated piers: Several sites provide fishing opportunities with specialized facilities. The New Bern KOA offers "a really nice pier at the campground beach for fishing, and the KOA here has outdoor boat rentals," according to Myron C. Water access continues at Cedar Point Campground where visitors can "access the White Oak River by way of a boat launch" for additional fishing opportunities.

Hiking the Cedar Point Tideland Trail: Nature trails through coastal wetlands provide wildlife viewing opportunities. "The main attraction here is the Cedar Point Tideland Trail which takes you through the estuaries close to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This area is a photographer's dream, especially if you like photographing the native habitat and creatures," notes Myron C. about Cedar Point.

Farm experiences: For a unique camping activity, Wallace Meadows Farm allows interactions with farm animals. "My grandkids got to feed the cows and the walk around the farm was very nice," reports Faith W., highlighting the agricultural tourism aspect of this property.

What campers like

Clean bathhouse facilities: Campers consistently praise well-maintained bathroom facilities at several sites. At New Bern KOA Holiday, "The bathhouses are all very new due to a recent hurricane and they were kept clean," according to Jen B. Similarly, Richard P. notes "Clean bathrooms and showers. Very nice host" at Cedar Point Campground.

Farm-fresh provisions: Wallace Meadows Farm stands out for providing access to farm products. "Before we left, we purchased some fresh eggs from their farm, beautifully packaged and delicious!" reports Tracy K. Another visitor, Richard W., mentions the "Owner is extremely accommodating and offers fresh eggs and black angus beef at responsible rates."

Dedicated pet amenities: Pet-friendly accommodations include specific facilities for animals. The New Bern KOA features "2 fenced in dog parks and a dog washing station," according to Jen B., making it particularly suitable for campers traveling with pets.

Recreational options beyond hiking: Sites offer various entertainment options. Joey notes that White Oak River Campground has "Multiple ponds and frisbee golf course," while Cori L M. mentions enjoying "the pool" and that "the golf cart rental was awesome too" at The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort.

What you should know

Road conditions after storms: Access to certain areas becomes difficult following weather events. In Croatan National Forest, "Lots of roads closed from hurricane damage, so don't trust Google maps. The dirt roads were not maintained and ridiculously bumpy and unmanageable for smaller cars," warns Carina F.

Seasonal bathroom comfort: Temperature control in facilities varies widely. At Cedar Point Campground, Robert D. reports, "The bathrooms were slightly heated. The showers, on the other hand, were not heated. All the shower glass units were missing. The water was warm, but not hot. In other words, be prepared to take a warm shower in freezing weather."

Wildlife considerations: Various animals inhabit the camping areas, requiring awareness. "There are alligators, bears, way too many ticks, mosquitos," notes Carina F. about Croatan National Forest. Similarly, Vegan T. advises at Haywood Landing that campers should "be cognitive of the wildlife here. Keep food locked inside. The mosquitos are horrible so bring bug spray."

Varied site layouts: Campground designs differ significantly across locations. Steve V. describes Cedar Point: "The sites are level and have a paved parking pad that they are pretty strict on you keeping all wheels on and a gravel area with a picnic table, fire pit, and two lantern poles (that also work good for putting up a clothes line or dog zipline)."

Tips for camping with families

Recreational activities: Some campgrounds offer structured entertainment options for children. Jen B. describes New Bern KOA: "They have gem mining. You buy the bags of dirt in the camp store. The playground and jump pad looked like they would be a lot of fun but were closed due to Covid 19 restrictions."

Campground size considerations: Smaller sites provide different experiences. Mathew G. notes about White Oak River Campground: "Small camping area not a whole lot of acres, however a lot of outdoor exploring area adjacent to the camp ground," making it suitable for weekend family tent trips.

Educational wildlife viewing: Coastal ecosystems offer learning opportunities. At Croatan National Forest Neuse River Campground, families can observe "Pitcher plants and Venus fly traps," according to Ulrich M., providing natural science education during camping trips.

Seasonal timing: School-age families should consider timing their visits. "Summer brings higher humidity and temperatures, making waterfront sites particularly desirable but also more crowded," notes a reviewer. Carol C. mentions Neuse River Campground was "Quiet, despite RV traffic," suggesting shoulder seasons may offer better experiences.

Tips from RVers

Site restrictions: Some locations have specific rules about parking. Steve V. notes at Cedar Point: "The sites are level and have a paved parking pad that they are pretty strict on you keeping all wheels on," indicating enforcement of parking regulations that RVers should observe.

Hookup variations: Utilities differ between campgrounds. At The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort, electric hookups are available but water hookups are not, requiring RVers to arrive with filled tanks or use common water sources.

RV site scarcity: White Oak River Campground has limited availability for short-term RV stays. Mathew G. observes "most RV spots are used by permanent users," suggesting advance planning is essential for securing temporary sites.

Check-in procedures: Arrival protocols vary between campgrounds. Steve V. reports about Cedar Point: "There is no office or signage for check-in, so we just drove in, found our reserved spot that had our name on the tag and set up. The Camp Host came around a little later and apparently we were supposed to know to check-in with him somehow."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pollocksville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pollocksville, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 90 campgrounds and RV parks near Pollocksville, NC and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pollocksville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pollocksville, NC is New Bern KOA Holiday with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pollocksville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Pollocksville, NC.