Camping near Richlands, North Carolina centers around coastal waterways with direct access to creeks, rivers, and marshlands. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations under 50 feet, creating level terrain for camping setups while providing protection from coastal storms. Winter camping remains viable with average January temperatures ranging from 35°F to 57°F.
What to do
Kayaking access: At Dixon Landing RV Resort, campers can launch directly from the property. "You can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek," notes one reviewer who appreciated the waterfront location.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer shoreline fishing without needing a boat. "Fish jumping, quiet and relaxing. On the water so you can put your kayaks in and paddle the creek," reports a camper about the fishing conditions at Dixon Landing.
Beach exploration: Cape Lookout National Park sits about 90 minutes from some inland campgrounds. A reviewer at Dixon Landing mentioned, "It was about 90 minutes (including 2 ferry rides) to reach the Cape Lookout National Park and lighthouse. The ferry dropped us off for 2 hours to walk the beach, hike and view the wild horses on Harker's Island."
Swimming pools: Many parks maintain pools for campers when ocean swimming isn't convenient. At Goose Creek Campground, "The pool is amazing! The slide is so fun! It has 3ft all the way to 6ft roped off sections in the pool!" according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Campsites overlooking water rank highest in reviews. At White Oak Shores, one camper noted, "We stayed in spot w33 which had a beautiful view of the water and plenty of space to stretch out behind the RV."
Spacious sites: Dixon Landing provides notably large sites. "Site layout is long, very wide(you have to actually walk over to talk to neighbors) and mostly level side-to-side," shared a reviewer who appreciated the privacy.
Marina proximity: Some RV parks connect directly to working marinas. "This is a nice, small RV park located beside a marina just outside the gates of Camp Lejeune. There are some permanent sites, tiny homes, and everyone is very friendly. You can fish off the dock," notes a visitor to Seahaven Marine RV Park.
Recreation facilities: Beyond natural features, campgrounds offer organized activities. "Pickleball! And there's the bar/lounge, swimming pool, gym, laundry but most of all, space," enthused one camper at Oceans RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Summer brings significantly higher occupancy and activity levels. "This place is always busy and I would avoid it on holidays or weekends if you can," advises a visitor to Waterway RV Park.
Heat considerations: Shade availability varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Very nice overnight stay RV Campground new with no shade. I'd say much better in the early spring or fall," warns a Goose Creek Campground reviewer about summer heat.
Permanent residents: Many campgrounds house long-term residents. "This is one of the closest campgrounds for civilians to visit the Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, NC areas. The facilities are nice with numerous things to do, primarily focused towards the fact that the majority of this campground is permanent residents," explains one reviewer about Goose Creek.
Site assignment challenges: First-come arrivals may encounter confusion. A camper at Whispering Pines Campground noted, "The assigned lot we were give was occupied by someone else so we set up on a random spot until morning to figure out what to do as we had drove a hour and half."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for parks with dedicated children's activities. "We enjoyed our stay from Fri to Sun and we enjoyed every moment we stayed. Caught fish and enjoyed the pool. And the golf cart rental was awesome too," shares a visitor to The Lakes RV & Cabin Resort.
Seasonal timing: School holiday periods see the highest child populations. "We were here in December, the place was quiet. These sites are on top of each other and I don't know that I'd use this campground during high season," advises a winter visitor to Harbor Point RV Community.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks offer nature observation opportunities. One camper noted, "Today you will go to enjoy the absolute quiet, waking up to sunrise glinting off the wide river in every window, fishing from the banks, land and sea wildlife, gorgeous sunsets over the river, and hearing whip-or-wills serenade after sunset" at Dixon Landing.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Check reviews for specifics about grading. "Site layout is long, very wide and mostly level side-to-side. Front-to-back was easily compensated with blocks," shares a Dixon Landing reviewer.
Access challenges: Some parks have low-hanging tree issues. "We have a 38ft rig and some of the trees are very low and scrape the top," warns a visitor to Harbor Point RV Community.
Surface conditions: Site surfaces vary by campground. A Dixon Landing reviewer noted, "The road in and the sites are a combination of compacted sand and grass that drained well after a storm," providing useful information about all-weather viability.
Electrical connections: Power delivery systems vary in quality and position. According to a recent visitor, "The electric pedestal was new and tall, making it easy to connect the surge protector, and topped with a solar light," at Dixon Landing.
