Primitive and established campgrounds near Supply, North Carolina offer access to coastal environments, riverfront locations, and lake activities. Located in Brunswick County, Supply sits approximately 30 miles southwest of Wilmington at an elevation of 25 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons.
What to do
River kayaking and paddling: At Black River Camping Ventures, campers can explore the tea-colored waters by kayak or paddleboard. "The river itself is and should be the center of your attention while you enjoy your stay. The tea-colored water provides excellent fishing, exploration by kayak or paddleboard, or it can be your next favorite swimming hole," according to one visitor who particularly enjoyed the water activities.
Hiking coastal trails: Lake Waccamaw State Park Campground offers several hiking trails through sandy pine forest. "There are some hiking trails that meander through the sandy pine forest. They range from a .75 mile self-guided nature trail to a 4 mile hike along the lake," notes a camper who explored the area.
Night sky viewing: Princess Ann at Lumber River State Park provides excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "You can see tons of stars here at night, it is amazing! It's lovely to sit by the water and look at the night sky," reports one camper who appreciated the dark skies.
What campers like
Waterfront camping locations: Freeman Park allows direct beach camping. "Very nice to fall asleep to the sound of the crashing ocean waves and to wake up to the same. The sites were actually a bit larger than they sound online," writes one camper who enjoyed the oceanfront experience.
Wildlife encounters: River Island Adventures offers nature connections with optional water activities. "This is a water adventure company that also has camping on the property. You can reserve a camp spot without signing up for any river activities, but camping does give you a little discount on activities if you do decide to rent a kayak or anything," explains a visitor who enjoyed this flexible arrangement.
Privacy between sites: The best tent camping near Supply, North Carolina often features good site separation. At Lake Waccamaw, "The sites are all a far distance from one another so there's no chance of bothering one another at night. We had two neighbors during our stay but never heard or saw them," writes a camper who valued the solitude.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Beach camping at Freeman Park requires proper preparation. "First and foremost, make sure you know how to drive in the sand and what to do when your car gets stuck. It happened to us, as well as to many vehicles on the beach," warns one experienced camper.
Insect protection essentials: Beyond mosquitoes, various biting insects can be problematic. "And so many bugs. Not just mosquitoes, but knats, horse flies, flies, etc. They were terrible," reports a camper at Black River Camping Ventures.
Walking distances at campgrounds: Some of the most private tent sites require significant walking. At Lake Waccamaw, "sites 2-5 are a quarter mile plus from the parking area. I didn't read the key on the map, so that's my fault for not knowing. But just a heads up, especially sites 4 and 5 (we were in 4) are very far from the bathroom."
Tips for camping with families
Beach camping timing: For family tent camping near Supply, North Carolina, consider off-season visits. "Camping here can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months. Feb-March, Sept-Nov. That's about the only time you can hope to avoid a chaotic, party scene," advises a Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area visitor.
Swimming options: The shallow waters at Lake Waccamaw are family-friendly. "The lake is super shallow for at least a hundred yards in all directions from the dock. Where shoes when walking on the dock, lots of nail heads and splinters," notes a visitor who enjoyed swimming there.
Bathroom facilities: Restroom accessibility varies widely between campgrounds. At Princess Ann, one camper notes "There is a vault toilet near the parking lot but an actual restroom facility across the parking lot," providing options for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: At Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, RV site layout can be challenging. "The sites themselves are extremely long, but for some reason the hook-ups are all near the front of the site, so you can't take advantage of the length," shares one RVer who navigated this limitation.
Check-in logistics: Arrival procedures can be complex at some campgrounds. "The check-in office is further down towards the river with no real place to turn-around, so I recommend calling ahead to know your site, unhook, then drive to check-in," advises an RVer from Fort Fisher who learned this through experience.
Military ID requirements: Some of the best camping options near Supply, North Carolina have access restrictions. "You need a DOD ID card to stay here. It is affordable if you qualify to stay. They will check and make you leave if you are not a card holder," cautions a Fort Fisher camper about this military recreation area.
