Best Tent Camping near Powells Point, NC
Tent campers near Powells Point, North Carolina have access to False Cape State Park Campground across the state line in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This primitive tent campground offers a unique beach camping experience approximately 35 miles north of Powells Point. The campground features both oceanside and bay side tent sites in a remote setting that requires significant effort to reach.
Access to False Cape State Park requires a 5-7 mile hike or bike ride through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge as no vehicle access is permitted. Campers should prepare for a challenging approach with limited services once at the campsite. The park provides basic amenities including potable drinking water, pit toilets, and picnic tables. No campfires are allowed, though small camping stoves are permitted. Sites are situated either in wooded areas among live oaks or directly on the beach in designated areas, with the oceanside offering unobstructed Atlantic views. Tents must be set up in marked locations only.
False Cape's tent sites provide remarkable seclusion rarely found at coastal campgrounds. The primitive nature and difficult access ensure minimal crowds even during peak summer periods. Most sites remain relatively isolated from neighboring campsites, especially those tucked into the wooded areas. The park offers extensive hiking trails, shoreline exploration, wildlife viewing, and fishing opportunities directly from camp. Many tent campers appreciate the park's location at Virginia's southernmost point, with some sites allowing access to walk to the North Carolina border. According to one visitor, "The park is a serene oasis away from traffic, no RV's, not a lot of people. A great place to get away from it all."
