Best Tent Camping near Supply, NC
State parks and riverside tent camping areas surround Supply, North Carolina, offering diverse options for tent campers seeking natural settings. Freeman Park, located on Carolina Beach, provides tent-only camping directly on the beach with designated sites for tents. Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground, about 20 miles northwest of Supply, features walk-in tent sites with significant distance between campsites for privacy. Black River Camping Ventures offers primitive tent camping along the tea-colored waters of the Black River, while Princess Ann at Lumber River State Park provides secluded tent sites along the riverbank. These established campgrounds maintain basic facilities while preserving natural surroundings.
Sites vary considerably in terrain and amenities across these tent campgrounds. Freeman Park requires 4x4 vehicles for access and features sandy tent sites where traditional stakes won't work; campers must secure tents using sand-filled bags. Lake Waccamaw's tent sites require a quarter-mile walk from parking areas to reach campsites, with limited access to restroom facilities. Most primitive tent camping areas provide fire rings and picnic tables, though Freeman Park has restrictions during high tide periods when water can cover camping areas. Portable toilets are available at most locations, with varying levels of maintenance. Insect protection is essential at all sites, particularly at Black River where campers report significant mosquito and horse fly activity.
The tent camping experience varies seasonally across these locations. At Freeman Park, campers report that spring and fall offer the best experience with fewer crowds. According to reviews, "tents are a challenge to secure in loose sand" and understanding tide schedules is "critical" for beach camping safety. Lake Waccamaw campers note the sites are "a far distance from one another so there's no chance of bothering one another at night." The primitive nature of these tent campgrounds appeals to those seeking to disconnect, with one camper describing Black River as "peaceful, quiet and tucked away" with "large oaks and pines that provide massive shade." Wildlife encounters are common, with Lumber River campers reporting barred owls calling throughout the night.
