Best Glamping near Southport, NC

+ Super friendly and helpful team members - from office check in process to any questions I had about the campground, RV'ing, nearby places to go…these folks were about as kind and thoughtful as it gets!

+ Loved the location so close the beach and nearby grocery, gas, activities

+ The escort folks get 5 stars for being SUPER and patient at assisting new campers back up their rig

+ Trolley service to the beach :)

- The trolley service wasn't operating the day I wanted to go (though it is off-season and good help may be hard to find.) A text feature for the office to notify campers of any unforeseen schedule changes would be welcome.

Overall, I loved this spot, and that was largely due to the people who worked there. Very kind and did a thorough job of orienting me to their campground, amenities, and policies. I liked the rustic dirt roads throughout the campground, and the wifi was solid, so a nice mix of nature and modern amenities. Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because they are actively adding features and sites, including glamping, and maybe even some sort of lazy river, so I want to leave room to do an updated 5* review when I go back!

We were looking for a last minute place, close to the coast. Found this campground by chance. Reasonably priced during peak season. We stayed 2 weeks, had a large campsite (probably hit or miss on site size), and really enjoyed our stay. Quiet site, not a lot on amenities, but nice wooded areas, friendly staff, and 20 minutes to Holden beach, 20 minutes to Southport. Really great location, would definitely stay again.

Carolina beach state park is one of my favorite places to go in North Carolina. Not only does it have an awesome campground, but it's right near one of the best beaches I've ever been to. The sites are nice and secluded, just how I like them. Most of the sites are tent sites, but they have a few full hookup sites for RVs and some cabins to rent too. All of the sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water.

Within the park, there are tons of hiking trails through a really beautiful area. I hear the fishing is also really good within the park, but I've never done it myself. The only downside is you can't swim within the park, because the currents can get dangerous. The beach is only like 5 minutes away though, so not really a big deal.

As for the beach, it's my favorite one to go to in the states. I like it because it's not really touristy like the outer banks or myrtle beach. Not a whole lot of people come to it, so it's always pretty secluded and clean. In July, the water temperature is perfect, the waves are nice, and it's great all around.

Awesome spot in NC.

I have camped with a large group of friends at site #2 a couple of times, but this weekend, I wanted to camp with just my two boys, and site #5 (the yurt site) was available.  This site was new since I had camped here last.  It said it slept 6 and the website showed a pic of two beds; I *assumed* there would be four more, since it slept 6.

Long story short, just 2 beds.  But the worst part was weeds growing up through the floorboards, ripped screens, doors that wouldn't zip completely, and two (purposeful) holes at the top that surely let in mosquitoes!  The boy who slept at ground level is completely bitten up, despite me spraying everyone with bug spray and using my tennis racket-style bug zapper to clear out the yurt before bed.

Our trash can was completely full (I mean, at least there's a trash can, but we could hardly use it). Our fire ring was full of ashes and the grate was jammed down.  The previous campers had left us a few jugs of water but also small pieces of trash scattered about.  What I'm trying to say was that this site was not maintained between the last visitors and us.

The campground, though, is awesome if you like roughing it.  You are allowed, thankfully, to drive to your site, but it's a hike to walk to the running water toilets, and I saw lots of people drive to them.  There is a closer pit toilet but I didn't check that out.

The lake is beautiful, shallow, warm, good fishing, fun for everyone!  Bullfrogs, peepers, and owls called all night.  Dragonflies galore flew about.  It's rustic, but relaxing.  And the visitor's center has a nice exhibit on the Carolina Bays.

We stayed in site 5 for 11 days. The Yurt had been removed but the platform stayed. We were able to get up our large tent on the platform and have enough space for our chairs. The lake is beautifully kept and clean. Very shallow. You can walk out a good 300 meters. We kayaked and fished while we were here. The rangers were helpful and checked in to make sure we didn’t need anything and kept the trash can empty. All the locals we spoke to we friendly! The down side is you are a long walk to the toilets. This is primitive so no power or water at the site. We absolutely loved it and plan to come back again!

Bring mosquito netting or pop up to keep the horse flies away!

The campsites are lovely and the facilities are nice. The rangers are friendly and informative. The trails were gorgeous; winding through other - worldly landscapes, containing carnivorous plants. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because there is no swimming allowed anywhere in the park. Drive for a few miles (like 5 mins), however, and you can swim to your heart's content!

We checked out this park on a visit to Wilmington. Sites are wooded/shaded and seemed quite secluded. Lots of hiking trails available as well as coastline. Fun activities too- paddle boarding, boating, etc. The bathroom appeared to be well kept too. If we return to the Wilmington area we will definitely spend a few days here!

Carolina Beach State Park is a great place to visit! You can drive out on the beach for the day and it is never crowded. The weather is usually nice and the beach is clean. It is great for those who own 4wd vehicles.

This campground is right by the water, inlet of the Cape Fear River. It's about a 5 min drive to Carolina Beach. The area is intertwined with a few short 1-2 mile trails. There's a small marina and it's very popular during the weekend for boaters. Kayaking is also available. One of the trails has a small beach access, great area to take your dog or fish. Swimming is not allowed.

There's a Food Lion grocery store nearby. Amazing place called Wake N Bake donuts. Also, if you enjoy beer, Good Hops Brewery, who also has a disc gold course in the backyard. Kure Beach also has a good size course.

Highly recommended!

Great place to get close to nature. See great wildlife, and get out and see new things

You can drive onto the beach - it makes it SO easy!!!

Excellent facilities and only a drive to the beach. Cool marina near check-in area too

Loved camping near the sound, my beagle chased raccoons all night. Very clean lots of deer to see as well.

I love the Carolina state beach park, one of my favorite places to go. It's relaxing and inviting and have wonderful memories from my childhood. I can't wait to bring my children so they can cherish the same memories. Campgrounds were so nice, and I we always found green tree frogs every where, even in the showers. I love how close it is to the beach.

We camped here Wed through Sat for my son's fall break. We arrived on Wed afternoon around 4pm. I was wearing leggings and the mosquitos literally landed on my leggings and bit me through them. I didn't even know that could happen. I should have left the campsite then and gone to Walmart, 17 min away, and bought enough bug spray and candles for the weekend but we set up the campsite instead. We just got back so camped the first week in October, site 17. For the four days, I had two citronella candles, one on the picnic table and one near our camping chairs, a thermocell fogger in the tent (ran for about an hour before we went in to go to sleep)  and then two bottles of 40% deet spray...one for our car when we came back to the campsite and one on the picnic table. We brought our kayaks and launched from both the Carolina Beach State Park marina and also Trails End public access (intercoastal waterway). Both were great with plenty of parking while we were there. There are VERY large yachts in the trails end area which are cool to see, just be careful when paddling that area. We fished at both places and also at Carolina beach from the surf. I caught a HUGE drum there. Lots of dogs off of leashes (rules change Oct 1st) so that was cool to see. We mostly cooked at the campsite but ate dinner at Sea Witch Cafe one night. The place is dog friendly, which we needed, and the food was reasonably priced and so good. The park rangers lock the gates at 9pm and they don't open until 7am so you have to plan accordingly. This wasn't an issue for us, we just watched the clock and made sure we were back. Beach is about 6 min away, Walmart is about 17 min or so, several grocery stores nearby (Food Lion, Publix). Overall, it was a great trip, I just wasn't prepared initially for the mosquitos. I got 90 bites that first day. I even had to constantly spray down my dog to keep the mosquitos off of her. It was a bit much. Definitely put all of your food in your car or at a minimum in your tent. Raccoons come nightly. :) We lost a quesadilla, some dog food, etc.

This campground is located between the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean. Nice primitive type of feel to this place. There is tent camping, RV sites, and even about 4 cabins (with more under construction) available at this site. Electrical hookups available for most of the RV sites. There are water pumps throughout the grounds and the bathroom facilities are new and clean with private showers. There are plenty of trash/recycling containers which the staff empty a few times a day, and a dump site for RV's.

There is a supermarket just a few miles away, and a brewery right outside of the campsite. 

The staff is excellent and always available, and do a great job.

We only stayed here for one night but from what we saw it was a great location to town and had its own marina. We hadn’t made a reservation ahead of time but the very friendly park ranger just had us make a reservation on the website as we found a spot close to the bath house that was available. Clean and friendly, would recommend!

We camped here in February, so only certain sites were open - those for Rvs which had water and electricity and to our surprise sewer hookups, Which is a good thing because the bathhouse in our section was under renovation and only a port-a-potty available (this was not mentioned on the website or in any of our reservation emails). Despite that, it’s a very nice, wooded area with very spacious sites. Lots of hiking options and trails in the area, and a small marina to put in. We were there in February so didn’t avail ourselves to the beach area. Level gravel/stone pad with a nice picnic table and fire ring. We bought firewood from the store at the marina when we checked in, but were greatly disappointed to find out it was too wet or unseasoned to burn. We tried, even used lighter fluid, and no go. A waste of $8.00. Buyer beware! Buy your wood someplace else before you arrive.

Went tent camping and absolutely loved the spaciousness and privacy of the sites. Has excellent proximity to the boardwalk and beach which is a plus. The bathrooms and showers are a bit outdated, but definitely well-maintained and clean. We’re going to come back to this place with the camper next.

Loved this campground. Easy to drive to and navigate and each campsite has their own path to the restrooms. There was plenty of space between other campsites, but there were no rowdy groups so wouldn’t have mattered. The sugar loaf trail is our favorite! Dog friendly too!!

Great space between sites.....we can not see our neighbors! Bathrooms are semi modern....and plenty of hot water! And level.....we have been on the road for a couple weeks and this wins the level site award.

Easy bike ride to get to the beach!

Absolutely stunning nature, nice trails, well maintained bathrooms

You have to enjoy campgrounds - meaning neighbors, bathhouses, and lots of rules. But it is very well maintained, lots of trees and shade, and decent enough space that you feel some sense of privacy. Not many options in this area so I’m pleased with what we got.

On the inlet not the beach.

Good shaded spots but nothing close to the water. You need a bike or scooter to get around walking isn't enough.

Bathrooms; 4/5 clean but not AC

Waterfront : 0/5

Food delivery: 5/5

Here you will find alot to do. A marina if you want to boat, places for your campee/motor home, primitive camping sites, and beautiful nature trails. The park rangers were very nice and informative too 😎

This is a really nice campground but it's definitely Woods camping you're not necessarily close to the beach and any of the RV campsites are really really far from the beach like you need a bike or a scooter or a car to get to the beach from there.