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Established Camping

Pettigrew State Park Campground

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As of August 28, 2025, we are no longer accepting checks as a form of payment. Online transactions can utilize a credit card or a gift card only. Transactions at the park can utilize cash, credit card, gift card, certified check, or money orders only. We appreciate your understanding.

Holiday booking date rules are as follows: 2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday) 2 nights Minimum Stay still apply to cabin rentals at Hanging Rock and Morrow Mountain State Parks 1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 14 Days before Arrival Date Rule applies to the following holiday weekends: Memorial Day July 4th Labor Day

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Pettigrew State Park Campground, near Creswell, North Carolina, is a unique spot that combines history with outdoor adventure. This campground offers a rustic experience with basic sites, making it ideal for those who appreciate nature without the frills.

The campground features picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings and storytelling around the fire. Visitors have noted the availability of firewood for a small fee, which is handy for those looking to enjoy a cozy campfire. Clean shower facilities and restrooms are also available, ensuring you can freshen up after a day of exploring.

For those eager to stretch their legs, there are several hiking trails nearby, including a scenic route that leads to the historic Somerset Place plantation. Campers have enjoyed the beautiful views along the trails, with some mentioning encounters with local wildlife, including deer and even bears. The clear waters of Lake Phelps are just a short hike away, offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

While the campground can get busy, especially during hunting season, the friendly atmosphere and rich history make it a memorable destination. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Pettigrew State Park Campground provides a great mix of relaxation and adventure in a beautiful natural setting.

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Location

Pettigrew State Park Campground is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

Pettigrew State Park is located in Washington and Tyrrel counties, seven miles south of Creswell, off of US 64. From US 64 East or US 64 West, take exit 558 to Creswell. Turn left onto Alligood Road and drive approximately one mile. Turn left onto Main Street and drive two miles (the road name changes to Spruill's Bridge Road). Turn right onto Thirty Foot Canal Road and drive for five miles. Turn left onto Lake Shore Road and the park office entrance is immediately on the right.

Address

2252 Lake Shore Rd
Creswell, NC 27928

Coordinates

35.79194234 N
76.40943774 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2023

Cute campgrounds in middle of nowhere

Stopped here as we were doing the NC state park challenge. Spent the night. The campground was full and spots were close together. A lot of people stay here to hunt locally. They stay here as it was convenient. We did have neighbors that had a huge spotlight and brought a deer back to skin. I found out from my other neighbor the next day that it isn't allowed here. We didn't know so I guess they got away with it but they kept to themselves...

we otherwise just hung out, checked the old plantation and took a hike on moccasin trail. Be careful!!! It was brisk and damp and we of course, came across what appeared to be a moccasin on the trail. My dog jumped over it...startled it and I saw its head pop up. We had a standoff and some how came out of it unscathed. Phew!

Also, along the same trail that is parallel to the trail there are local houses with two pitbulls that came flying out to greet us on the trail..not neutered and owners nowhere to be found. We, my female pit mix ignored them and they thankfully ended up going home.....otherwise the trail was a nice walk along the lake, but sure wasn't dull for us!

The plantation is a neat part of history and I learned a ton about this area and park though the slave history is pretty sad.

Site10
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Kristi D., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Kristi D., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Kristi D., July 5, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2022

Little spooky, mostly magical

I pulled in here for a night and got the chance to see bears running around on the way in.  Hiked the water loop and was happy to see a nice swim area.  If you continue on the loop you'll come across a plantation historic site.  It's not on the campground map so I got a little spooked thinking I was in a A24 film.  I visited in June and this place was loaded with fireflies; my personal favorite.  All of the shady spots look like they'd be prime time for laying back and watching the fireflies bump around.  One even snuck in my car and I didn't realize until the next night.

This campsite is pretty barebones.  I went for an open site to be close to the bathroom and give my solar panel a chance to soak in the sun.  Firewood is available for sale and it's cheap, $5 for 10 pieces.  Unfortunately it was a little wet and hard to start.

BEWARE OF THE DEER coming and going out of this park.  I had the misfortune of hitting one on my way out.

Site13
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed May. 3, 2022

Lots of History

Nice park.  Very basic sites.  No hookups or dump sites.  Water and wash house available and OK. Site #1 can be tricky and may be best for off-road types or tenters.  #2-9 very private with full shade (bring plenty of bug spray)10-13 full sun pretty much. Great lake for swimming boating and fishing. Good hiking too. Nearby Somerset house very educational. Downside to us was that our site (#8) was overrun with houseflies to the point that we were excited about leaving and we were fastidious about clean up and sealing garbage. Do not know what the problem could have been

Reviewed Oct. 24, 2021

Camping, History, and Geography all in one!

The coolest part of camping at Petigrew was that there is an old plantation right through a path near the campground. My kids loved it and I actually used it as the backdrop for some amazing family photos. Lake Phelps is a small hike away as well and the kids loved swimming there. As someone who had grown up on the river, it was unique swimming in a lake. The camp was a little disappointing. There was not much shade at our site, but other sites seemed have shade pretty good. The side opposite of the shower house was the side with all of the trees and shade. I would def go back, but I would have to make sure we got a better site this time.

Site008 I think
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2021

Didn't get to swim.

I went here in the summer of 2020, so unfortunately the lake was closed. However, the showers were well kept. I saw the episode of These Woods Are Haunted after the trip so I wasn't on the lookout for anything spooky, although the little town nearby did give off semi spooky vibes, but nothing crazy. Other than that it was a cute area. The forest is really pretty and the plantation is well kept and kinda cool if that's your thing.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Mar. 29, 2021

Third Consecutive Year

This was our third year staying at this campground which is about three hours from our home. The access to the Outer Banks was awesome as always. This time we kayaked on the nearby scuppernong River. The swampy trip did not disappoint with wildlife or fishing. The swimming area is still closed on Phelps lake, But we were able to swim everywhere because the lake is so shallow. The bugs were not bad At this time of year. The campground and the surrounding area is really amazing and we are glad we stayed for four days this time.

  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., March 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., March 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., March 29, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Mar. 24, 2021

Beautiful campground with some short distance trails along Phelps Lake

We camped in the State campground at Pettigrew State Park. It is a small campground with just a few camp sites. We usually overnight there on the way to the NPS campgrounds on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, though it is nice enough to justify a stay if you find yourself in the area. We visited in March, so insects were not a problem, though your experience may be different if you visit during the warmer months, as much of the area surrounding Lake Phelps is cypress swamp.

I little about the campground amenities: it is modest and good for tent camping. Though there is room for RVs, there aren't electrical and water hookups, though most who were there were in RVs. Each site has a fire ring with a grill and firewood is available for a nominal fee. There is a bathhouse with toilet and shower facilities.

The natural beauty is worth the visit. From the campground it is an easy walk to the lake. We were able to see an impressive sunset from the lake shore. There is an out and back 1.5 mile trail, for a total of 3 miles, that follows the lake, taking you through the Somerset Place State Historic Site. The walk passes through the swamp with many large cypress and sycamore trees. At the end of the trail is a walkway to the lake along an irrigation canal.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Stirling C., March 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Stirling C., March 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Stirling C., March 24, 2021
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2020

Wouldn't Come Back

Wet wood. Really wet. Most sites were not in great condition. Either wide open with mushy pull- ins or un-even. There were a few that were great. #3 #1 and #6 were our favs. Was not communicated that you would need exact change for wood since the facilities were closed and there is no camp host. You have to drive 20 mins to any gas station or grocery in order to do that so letting campers know would be great.

The trails were super easy, wide and flat. PERFECT for young families or those looking for a stroll rather than a hike. The lake was beautiful. We make a point of just checking trail lengths and camp sites before we come out (pictures can be deceiving on the latter lol) so we had no idea we were going to be staying at a park named after a confederate general. Felt gross about that. None of the buildings at the plantation were open while we were there so I don't know if the education was as super glossy as the outside plaques..... his grave even had a confederate flag placed on it. If you walk out to the graveyard there is only one small paragragh that will make you smile and feel a little bit better about where you are. Brought our 12 year old so it opened up some really great conversations that we could lead but it would have been nice to have a bit of the full history actually mentioned in any of the plaques!

Wouldn't come back, but the area it self was really pretty and the trails were super easy. 4.5 miles felt like nothing to complete!

  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Jennifer R., November 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Jennifer R., November 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Jennifer R., November 29, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2020

Better the second time

We camped here in the winter a few years ago and finally got back out there this last weekend. We brought a kayak and fishing gear this time and stayed 3 days.

The water is amazing! The deepest part of the lake is 9’ so you are able to walk around most of the lake. My kids loved this. The lake is the second largest in NC, so we spent about 6 hours just swimming, fishing and kayaking within eyesight of the dock. If you want to explore more, you need a boat.

I caught 7 large mouth bass and saw a lot of perch. 2 of them were keepers so I want to come back out again just to fish.

The campsite was pretty empty probably because of the heat, but site number 3 was large and had plenty of shade the whole day. The bath house was decent. Very clean and warm showers. The have a sink outside to wash dishes. Fires were allowed and the have cheap firewood on site. The office isn’t far and I had the kids take a wagon to grab ice twice.

Columbia is the closest town that has groceries or anything to eat. There is a back route to the campground from there along the refuge called Newlands Road. We traveled through there on the way back from a grocery run and saw a lot of wildlife including a baby black bear.

There are lots of trails and a boardwalk that is fun. Bring bikes and boats for the real experience. Also, bring bug spray. We had some citronella and mosquito coils but we still had to spray some off.

  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., July 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., July 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., July 17, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2020

Haunted strip of forest

My kids and I had a blast here for three days. It is a very old site that surrounds an amazing lake.

The history being preserved is spectacular. Lots of hiking biking and only about 12 sites. There are boardwalks that meander through the swampy forest.

The water in Lake Phelps is perfectly clear. We didn’t get to explore it much without a boat but there are fish. Also, this lake is close to the outer banks so you can plan to go there as well.

We will definitely go here again and bring kayaks next time.

  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., June 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., June 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Pettigrew State Park Campground by Justin C., June 20, 2020
  • (9) View All
Reviewed May. 19, 2018

Stars

Nice lake. Good sites. Has a nice trail and boardwalk.

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2016

checking it out

site: average site. few sites. quiet. amenities: not busy. clean. attractions: Sumerset plantation. lake. hiking. wildlife. boardwalk. Visited the park, checked out the campsites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Pettigrew State Park Campground?

Pettigrew State Park Campground offers basic camping facilities with no hookups or dump stations. The campground provides water access and clean washhouses with showers. Sites #2-9 feature full shade, while sites #10-13 are mostly in full sun. Firewood is available for purchase, though you'll need exact change when facilities are closed. The park itself offers hiking trails, a boardwalk through swampy areas, access to Lake Phelps for swimming, fishing and boating, and proximity to the historic Somerset Plantation. Remember to bring bug spray, especially for the shaded sites.

What do visitors say about Pettigrew State Park Campground in their reviews?

Pettigrew State Park Campground receives mostly positive feedback for its quiet, peaceful setting. Campers appreciate the small, intimate campground with only about 12 sites, making it less crowded than larger parks. The beautiful Lake Phelps is frequently mentioned as a highlight, with its clear water perfect for swimming and kayaking. Many visitors return year after year, using it either as a destination or as a convenient stopover when traveling to the Outer Banks. While most enjoy the natural setting, some note that certain campsites can be uneven or muddy after rain, with sites #1, #3, and #6 being particular favorites among regular visitors.

Are there scenic photo opportunities around Pettigrew State Park Campground?

Pettigrew State Park offers abundant photo opportunities for nature and history enthusiasts. The scenic Lake Phelps provides beautiful water vistas, particularly at sunset. Wooden boardwalks winding through swampy forests create atmospheric shots, while wildlife sightings, including bears, add excitement for photographers. The historic Somerset Plantation near the campground serves as a unique backdrop for family photos. Hiking trails through diverse landscapes offer changing scenery throughout the seasons. For the most striking images, explore the water loop trail which showcases both the lake's swimming area and the plantation's historic structures.