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Best Campgrounds near Southport, NC

300 Reviews

The coastal area surrounding Southport, North Carolina provides multiple developed campgrounds with varying amenities and proximity to beaches. Carolina Beach State Park Campground offers secluded sites with tent camping, RV hookups and cabins approximately 20 miles northeast of Southport. Oak Island Campground lies within Southport city limits, while additional options include Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area and Holden Beach RV Campground within a 30-minute drive. Accommodations range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, with several facilities offering cabin rentals and glamping options.

Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when beach access is in highest demand. Carolina Beach State Park features wooded sites with picnic tables, fire rings and nearby bathhouses, while waterfront campgrounds like Fort Fisher provide direct beach access across the street from camping areas. Weather conditions remain mild throughout much of the year, though hurricane season (June through November) may affect camping plans with potential evacuations. According to one visitor, "Freeman Park can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months, February-March and September-November, to avoid a chaotic party scene."

Campers consistently highlight proximity to beaches as a primary advantage when staying in the Southport area. Both Carolina Beach State Park and Fort Fisher receive positive reviews for their balance of natural settings and convenience to swimming beaches. Several visitors mentioned that while Carolina Beach State Park doesn't offer swimming within the park itself due to dangerous currents, the beach is "only like 5 minutes away" and provides a less crowded alternative to more touristy destinations. Fort Fisher is particularly popular for its location "across the street from the beach" with "beautiful" coastline and scattered rock formations. For more adventurous campers, Freeman Park offers primitive beach camping with 4x4 vehicle access, though visitors note the beach has narrowed in recent years due to erosion.

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Best Camping Sites Near Southport, North Carolina (43)

    1. Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-7770

    $27 - $75 / night

    "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."

    "Had a great time camping and hiking around with my dog jinx. It was his first camping trip he seems to like it here as much as I did. be aware of the raccoons!!"

    2. Holden Beach RV Campground

    26 Reviews
    Supply, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 842-1809

    "Decent size sites, water, 30Amp, sewer, great WiFi (repeaters positioned at every other site, especially in the new section)."

    "Close to the beach and easy to find backside parking. Do not let the drive deter you, it was an easy daily drive. Had a site next to “permanent bathroom” and trash area."

    3. Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Kure Beach, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 500-6465

    "Down South of it is bald island a access to a ferry that will take you to Southport. Next time we come back to this area we will definitely camp here."

    "No shade in this campground, but the location is everything! Basically a manicured field with cement pads and hookup poles."

    4. Freeman Park

    9 Reviews
    Carolina Beach, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-4614

    $20 - $90 / night

    "First and foremost, make sure you know how to drive in the sand and what to do when your car gets stuck."

    "With no more Beach than that we are allowed to drive on now the longer it happens the more of the beach will diminish. There should be no day passes only yearly."

    5. Oak Island Campground

    2 Reviews
    Southport, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 269-6979

    6. Winners RV Park

    1 Review
    Carolina Beach, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 458-1098

    $95 - $125 / night

    "With being only a short walk to the beach, shops, and restaurants, this park can’t be beat. No frills here. The park managers are fun and friendly, and the grounds are clean and well-kept."

    7. In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    1 Review
    Winnabow, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 845-5040

    $67 - $106 / night

    "Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful."

    8. Wilmington KOA

    21 Reviews
    Wrightsville Beach, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 686-7705

    "The pool was big and warm, easy for swimming while maintaining social distancing."

    "It’s clean, it’s close to downtown Wilmington and there is SO much to do there. There is an RV wash right next door! There are a lot of gray farmer’s stands and fresh seafood stands nearby too!"

    9. Waterway Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sunset Beach, NC
    22 miles
    +1 (910) 754-8652

    "Parked right next to the water, the views are nice, and i can go stick my feet in the channel from the little bank areas."

    10. S & W RV Park

    1 Review
    Supply, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 754-8576

    $45 - $65 / night

    "We were looking for a last minute place, close to the coast. Found this campground by chance. Reasonably priced during peak season."

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Recent Camping Photos near Southport, NC

71 Photos of 43 Southport Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Southport, NC

300 Reviews of 43 Southport Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Willow Tree RV Resort

    Best campground we stayed at this year

    This place is so amazing. Everything here on site is neat clean and in good working order all the recreational facilities are fresh and new. The bathrooms are absolutely cleaned very carefully. There were many surprises here as we enjoyed all the facilities. A local food truck came by to serve hot wings one evening. There will be a pancake breakfast in the morning and that’s a nice treat on a travel day the Pickleball courts are some of the best we’ve seen as is the bocce and shuffleboard the waterfront has anything you would never need to enjoy the lake. We will most definitely come here again and again and recommend it to everyone. My five stars doesn’t come easy, but it was easy to give to this place.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Wilmington KOA

    Family campground near the beach and Wilmington

    Our kids where very happy with the little pool and we found good facilities to do the laundry. There are some nice shady spots and some are a bit crowded. But good full hook ups.

  • J
    Sep. 1, 2025

    CarrollWoods RV Park at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard

    Lovely campground

    We stayed here on Labor Day weekend 2025. The staff I spoke with were friendly and helpful. The grounds before you enter the campground area are beautiful and well kept. The campground itself has many spacious, full hook up sites with packed gravel foundation. There’s no grass due to the mature pine trees but the community areas have lush lawn and beautiful flowers especially around the pond. The bathhouse and laundry were sufficient. They had a nice pool, playground, volley ball court and horseshoe pits. They have a large dog park. We look forward to inviting some friends to join us for group camping here sometime soon. Their nightly rates were very reasonable.

  • Kristie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    In The Pines RV & Cabin Village

    Great place!

    New Park with all the amenities you need, clean well kept facilities and grounds. Dog Park and nice mowed lanes for walks. Owner super nice and helpful.

  • Greg T.
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Freeman Park

    Hit-or-miss camping expeirence

    Short takes:

    • Better to camp here during the cooler weather

    • If you don’t have a yearly beach- access pass, it’s expensive

    • Very crowded during warm weather

    • Make sure to air-down.

    • Don’t forget bug spray 

    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. 

    I camped here in March and had a great time. Daytime beachgoers were mainly fishing, walking their dogs, shelling, etc. There were half a dozen other campers, everyone was friendly and quiet. 

    My trip in late April didn’t go as well. The first morning I awoke to the sound of a dozen children from the site next to me playing in the surf, shrieking and screaming at 5:30 am. Saturday the beach was packed with day-trippers with a line of trucks parked at the crest of the beach from one end to the other. Constant vehicle traffic up and down the beach. Lots of young kids running around, not paying attention to their surroundings, people walking on the dunes. Many vehicles got stuck in the sand because they didn’t air down. Lots of competing, loud music. 

    The next night, there was a family of 20+ people in the next site who warned us they were a loud group. At that point, we packed up and left. I wasn’t expecting that kind of scene until Memorial Day. 

    Erosion continues to eat away at the beach and it probably won’t be long before camping is prohibited due to lack of room. The beach used to be much wider.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2025

    Brunswick Beaches RV Resort

    Good, clean, quiet campground

    The campground is well located if you want to visit Ocean Isle, Sunset, or Calabash. It’s clean and reasonably well maintained.

  • Ms P.
    Jan. 26, 2025

    Carolina Beach State Park Campground

    Amazing place to Camp

    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.

Guide to Southport

Camping near Southport, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like Myrtle Beach State Park Campground, provide easy access to the beach. One visitor mentioned, "The water was really warm and enjoyable to swim in," making it a great spot for beach lovers.
  • Fishing and Trails: At Carolina Beach State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and hiking. A reviewer noted, "There are nice walking trails, a great fishing pier," perfect for those who love the outdoors.
  • Family Activities: Campgrounds like Ocean Lakes Family Campground offer a waterpark and mini-golf. One family shared, "Love all the daily activities and amenities," highlighting the fun for kids.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lakewood Camping Resort said, "Grounds and facilities exceptional. Well-maintained ground, all staff friendly."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Holden Beach RV Campground mentioned, "The staff is so friendly, and the campground is beautifully maintained."
  • Proximity to Attractions: Campgrounds like Myrtle Beach Travel Park are close to local attractions. A camper noted, "The park is very nice and right on the beach," making it easy to explore the area.

What you should know:

  • Site Spacing: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Pirateland Family Camping Resort remarked, "The sites are pretty nice for the most part, with a good amount of room," but noted that larger rigs might find it tight.
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Carolina Beach State Park Campground warned, "The bugs were vicious! Couldn't walk away from our Thermacell Mosquito Repeller without getting attacked."
  • Reservations: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Myrtle Beach KOA mentioned, "Check out is 10 am, so you don’t have much time to enjoy any of the amenities that morning."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One family at Ocean Lakes Family Campground said, "There’s a pool and a lazy river for when you want to switch it up from the beach."
  • Choose the Right Site: Some sites offer more privacy than others. A camper at Myrtle Beach State Park Campground suggested, "The best chance of a good site is the perimeter sites."
  • Bring Bug Spray: With the presence of mosquitoes, it's wise to pack bug spray. A visitor at Holden Beach RV Campground noted, "Remember to bring your bug spray."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Myrtle Beach KOA mentioned, "The site was large but horrible cable connection."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially with RVs running generators. A camper at Carolina Pines RV Resort said, "The place had an unpleasant odor throughout," indicating that noise and smells can be an issue.
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Many campgrounds are close to local attractions. A visitor at Myrtle Beach Travel Park shared, "The campground and beach have a lot of rules, so make sure you are prepared," suggesting that planning ahead is key.

Camping near Southport, North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful getaway, there's something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Southport, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Southport, NC is Carolina Beach State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 73 reviews.

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