Carolina Beach State Park spans 761 acres of coastal forest with proximity to both the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal region maintains moderate temperatures year-round with summer highs around 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 30°F. The campground area sits on mostly flat terrain with sandy soil typical of the Carolina coast, requiring tent stakes designed for loose ground conditions.
What to do
Nature exploration: Carolina Beach State Park Campground offers multiple hiking opportunities beyond the Flytrap Trail. "I have camped at Carolina Beach State Park 1-2 times a year for the past five years... There lots of short trails to hike on where you can enjoy bird watching and viewing the Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants native to the area," notes Caroline G.
Beach access: Reaching the ocean requires a short drive from most campgrounds. "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," shares Sam M. from Carolina Beach State Park.
Water activities: Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area provides equipment for water sports. "The marina also offers kayaks and SUP tours and rentals ranging from 2hrs to a full-day," according to Caroline G. Military ID is required for this campground, as Lacey B. mentions: "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."
What campers like
Off-season camping: Winter camping offers a quieter experience at several campgrounds. "I've been here at different times of the year. I really enjoy camping here in December and January. Less people and the park is so nice," shares Ms P. about Carolina Beach State Park Campground.
Beach driving access: Freeman Park allows vehicles on the beach with proper preparation. "Freeman Park is a beach area located in Carolina Beach. It's the place to take your 4x4 vehicle, your friends, kids, and dogs, and have some fun in the sand, wind, and waves," explains Katy S. She adds important advice: "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."
Clean facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Wilmington maintain high cleanliness standards. At Holden Beach RV Campground, "the bath house has a private toilet, sink and shower- beautifully tiled and maintained," according to Taissa K. Similarly, Amanda S. praises Carolina Beach State Park: "Great showers and clean campgrounds."
What you should know
Limited availability: Popular times fill up quickly at pet-friendly campsites near Wilmington. "This campground is packed on holiday weekends. There were only 2 campsites available when we visited for memorial day weekend," warns Caroline G. about Carolina Beach State Park.
Tidal awareness: Beach camping requires understanding ocean patterns. At Freeman Park, Wanderer cautions: "Be educated about beach weather and TIDES!!!! Super high tides were present during my visit. A high Queen tide came near the camp spots at night while a super high king tide COMPLETELY COVERED the camp sites in the morning!!"
Site selection considerations: The Inlet Campground (formerly Lanier's) has varying site quality. "Great location on the water but the spots are close together…Our spot ended up being an abandoned houses driveway," reports Darian D. Eric W. adds: "There is only one bathhouse and most sites are close together. Many permanent sites, but are extremely friendly."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Wilmington KOA offers extensive play areas for children. "The playground was awesome and included a cool wooden pirate ship. The grandkids loved it!" shares Bridget H. The campground provides multiple recreational options despite its urban setting.
Educational opportunities: Fort Fisher area combines camping with learning experiences. "There is also a aquarium, and museum down the road if you need a history or education fix," mentions Tony B. This makes it ideal for families wanting to mix outdoor recreation with educational activities.
Swimming options: Pool access provides alternatives when ocean conditions aren't suitable. "The kids where very happy with the little pool and we found good facilities to do the laundry," notes Werner S. about Wilmington KOA. For beach swimming, Sam M. recommends Carolina Beach: "In July, the water temperature is perfect, the waves are nice, and it's great all around."
Tips from RVers
Site layout challenges: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup placements. At Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, Erin S. explains: "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."
Urban campground considerations: For RVers wanting proximity to Wilmington's attractions, Wilmington KOA offers convenient access despite its location. "A campground that you quickly feel at home. Level spacious sites, most with a good shade tree, allows for a quick set up," reports Robert T., adding, "The campground is convenient to downtown Wilmington and a short drive to Wrightsville Beach."
Arrival logistics: Plan your approach carefully at certain campgrounds. For Fort Fisher, E G. recommends: "Recommend parking at your site, then going to check in. Not much space to turn around at the office."
