Coastal Wilmington, North Carolina RV camping offers diverse options within 20-30 minutes of beaches and local attractions. Most campgrounds near Wilmington remain open year-round with full hookup sites, though summer requires advance reservations due to high demand. The region's moderate coastal climate allows comfortable camping even during winter months when rates typically decrease.
What to do
Beach access options: Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area provides direct beach access across the street, though military ID is required. "The beach is beautiful and the landscaping has rock formations scattered through it. It's a somewhat remote feel to this area even though it's not far from Carolina Beach," explains one visitor to Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area.
Aquarium visits: Located less than a mile from Fort Fisher campground, the NC Aquarium offers educational opportunities. "There is also an aquarium, and museum down the road if you need a history or education fix," notes a camper who explored the area.
Vineyard experiences: Try wine tasting at CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard where camping and wine sampling combine. "If you visit, you must get one of their wine floats," recommends a guest who enjoyed the onsite vineyard.
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer fishing opportunities, with Seahaven Marine RV Park providing dock access. "You can fish off the dock. No fancy amenities but a great place to stay for a few days," shares a visitor to Seahaven Marine RV Park.
What campers like
Convenient beach shuttles: Some campgrounds provide transportation to nearby beaches. "A free trolly takes you to the beach and some restaurants," mentions a camper at Holden Beach RV Campground.
Spacious, private sites: Many RV parks near Wilmington offer good site separation. "Our sites are far enough apart you don't get interrupted by the neighboring campsites but the campground isn't so big you have to drive everywhere," notes a camper at Holden Beach.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms rank high with campers. "Bath house has a private toilet, sink and shower- beautifully tiled and maintained," reports a guest at Holden Beach RV Campground.
Onsite recreation: Some parks feature pools, dog parks, and activities. "There were a variety of things to do. The pool, the winery, a couple of trips to the beach and surrounding area," explains a camper at CarrollWoods RV Park.
What you should know
Military-only access: Fort Fisher requires Department of Defense ID. "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," warns one visitor.
Limited shade at beachside parks: Coastal campgrounds often lack tree cover. "No shade in this campground, but the location is everything! Basically a manicured field with cement pads and hookup poles," reports a camper at Fort Fisher.
Wi-Fi reliability varies: Internet access fluctuates between parks and seasons. "I probably could access their WiFi no more than for 3 times in all the time I was there and would last no more than 10 minutes," notes a visitor to CarrollWoods.
Beach proximity trade-offs: Campgrounds close to beaches often feature tighter spacing. "The sites are close together but have full-hookups and free WiFi," explains a camper at Winners RV Park in Carolina Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Many Wilmington area campgrounds welcome pets with dedicated facilities. "It has one of the best dog parks that I have ever been to. It is very spacious, fully shaded by lots of trees and even has a few man-made hills for the pooches to climb," shares a visitor to CarrollWoods RV Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and recreation areas. "They have a nice pool, playground, volley ball court and horseshoe pits," notes a camper at CarrollWoods.
Educational opportunities: Combine camping with learning experiences. "Great view of the river. Has shop, rental center, and fishing pier within walking distance of the camping area. Also has a nice pool and rec center, as well as ongoing outdoor classes (kayaking, ghost turtle hunting, etc)," explains a visitor to Fort Fisher.
Consider less crowded times: Peak summer season brings higher rates and crowds. "We spent 9 days and really didn't want to leave. We were well received. We are new to camping and a family of color. We highly recommend," shares a family that stayed at Sandy Ridge Campground & RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Watch for low clearance: Tree branches can pose challenges for taller vehicles. "We have a 38ft rig and some of the trees are very low and scrape the top," cautions a camper at Harbor Point RV Community.
Site hookup positions: Some parks have inconveniently placed connections. "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," explains an RVer at Fort Fisher.
Check-in logistics: Plan arrival procedures carefully. "Recommend parking at your site, then going to check in. Not much space to turn around at the office," advises a visitor at Fort Fisher.
Year-round availability: Unlike northern campgrounds, many Wilmington NC RV parks operate throughout winter. "This campground was okay. The main draw is the beach, which is just across the road from the facility. The sites are back-in only and arranged on either side of a road that ends in a cul-de-sac," notes an RVer describing the layout at Fort Fisher.
