From the beautifully undisturbed coastal beaches to the cool resort-style accommodations found just an easy trek away from Wilmington, the Cape Fear region is bustling with amazing camping options. As a result, visitors of all tastes will find exactly the type of stay they are looking for – regardless of whether it’s a cool family-friendly environment, or just a stretch of shoreline in the middle of nowhere.

Camping is a popular activity in a number of regions throughout the Cape Fear area, and newcomers will also find plenty of options for finding a spot to call their own. Discover the incredible attractions, stunning natural landscapes, and everything in between by plotting a Cape Fear camping adventure that your family will never forget.

Campgrounds in the Cape Fear Area

Ready for a camping excursion and not sure where to go first? Then check out these popular area camping destinations where the views, amenities, and / or natural settings are all out of this world.

Wilmington KOA
Located in the quiet Ogden region, and close to all of Wilmington’s top attractions, this resort-style campground features approximately 100 sites for tents and RVs with available 50 amp electric, sewer hook-ups, cable TV, and wireless internet access. Additional amenities include a seasonal swimming pool, community kitchen, and available supplies for sale, such as firewood and propane. Summertime family activities and programs may also be available for campground guests.

Winner's RV Park
Situated in Carolina Beach, this RV Park features a modest 21 spaces that include full hook-up facilities with 30/50 amp electrical service, cable and available Wi-Fi, and an on-site boat or RV storage lot. This RV Park is close to a number of area attractions, including shops, restaurants and local beach accesses. 

Carolina Beach Family Campground
This campground features approximately 100 sites for tent and RV campers, with amenities that can include electric, sewer, and water hook-ups, as well as free wireless internet access and cable TV. Community amenities include a seasonally available in-ground pool with sunbathing area, laundry facilities, a large bathhouse, and an on-site general store. Two popular parks and the area beach accesses are also located nearby.  

Freeman Park
Freeman Park is located on the northern outskirts of Carolina Beach, and is a popular destination for beachcombers, fishermen, 4WD beach drivers, and campers. Camping is allowed within the park with a seasonal permit, and visitors can camp virtually anywhere along the beach unless otherwise posted. Fires and pets are allowed, however visitors should note that the sites are very rugged, and they should bring along all supplies (including trash bags.)

Carolina Beach State Park
The Carolina Beach State Park is one of the most popular destinations for campers, thanks to nearly 700 acres of hiking trails, picnic areas, waterfront beaches, and other scenic areas next to the Cape Fear River. The expansive camping area within the park features 83 sites for RVs and tent campers, which includes sites with sewer, water, and 50 amp electric service. Additional amenities within the park include an on-site Visitors Center, an area beach, an on-site boat ramp and marina, and a wealth of seasonal programs and activities that are led by area park rangers.

Masonboro Island
When it comes to rustic camping, Mansonboro Island is hard to beat. This 8.4 mile long barrier island is completely undeveloped and is only accessible via a private vessel – whether it’s a motorized boat, kayak, or a locally run private tour boat or water taxi service. While camping is allowed within the park, visitors should note that the facilities and amenities are extremely limited, and will want to bring along all supplies accordingly – including food, water, and trash bags for any litter.

Woodside RV & Trailer Park
Situated in the pretty northern Cape Fear community of Holly Ridge, this campground is just a few miles away from the Topsail Island Beaches as well as the amenities and attractions of northern New Hanover County, such as the Poplar Grove Plantation. The campground features full hook-ups at every site, as well as community amenities including wireless internet access, a camp store, a laundry room, a seasonal swimming pool, a game room, and playing fields / activities including a volleyball court, basketball court, and a playground.

Oak Island Campground
Situated in the southern North Carolina town of Southport, the Oak Island Campground features a number of sites for both tent and RV campers which can include 30/50 amp power, water and sewer hook-ups, and wireless internet access. Additional amenities for guests include wireless internet access, a picnic area, and a storage facility for boats and campers.

Ocean Breeze Family Campground
This campground that’s located in the southern town of Supply is close to the Holden Beach shoreline, and features a series of tent and RV sites with 20, 30, and 50 amp electricity, high definition cable TV, spigots at each site, and community-wide grounds upkeep. Additional amenities include a bathhouse, a laundry room, and a host of restaurants and shops in the surrounding neighborhood.  

Holden Beach RV & Campground
Also located in the town of Supply, the Holden Beach RV & Campground features RV and tent sites that can include full-hook ups for guests, as well as a premium setting in a scenic section of the coastal terrain. Additional features for guests include available cable television and Wi-Fi, a free dump station, a laundry room, and a community bathhouse with hot showers.

Virginia Creek Campground
Situated in the town of Hampstead, which is just north of the heart of Wilmington, this modestly sized campground features 20 sites with full hook-ups, (including electric, water, and sewer), which can accommodate both tent and RV guests. Wilmington attractions are easily accessible nearby, and the campground is also nicely close to a popular hiking destination, the Crooked Creek Trail.

Snow's Cut RV Resort

Snow’s Cut RV Retreat is a new multi-acre boutique park, opened in 2020 and conveniently located in Wilmington, NC. It is situated directly across from the Intracoastal Waterway and Carolina Beach. Phases 1 and 2 of the park opened in 2020 with 35 lots serving RVs up to 42’ in length. Most of our lots are set up for monthly rentals, however, we do have a handful of transient lots. Phase 2 includes 15 larger pull-through lots. Phase 3 opened in 2022 and contains 28 large lots. These new lots are all laser-leveled, engineered gravel lots which include a fire pit and picnic table.

Seasonal Information for Cape Fear Camping

Depending on the region where a visitor lands, the climate in this section of coastal North Carolina is generally conducive for camping year-round. The Cape Fear area traditionally has an average wintertime temperature of 40-50 degrees, as well as average summer temps of 80-90 degrees, which means that it’s generally comfortable enough for camping regardless of the time of year.

With that being said, the Cape Fear area can experience cold snaps with freezing temperatures in the wintertime – especially in the months of December, January and February – so campers, (and especially tent campers), will want to come prepared with extra items such as portable heaters.

Bugs and mosquitos can present an issue in the Cape Fear area as well – especially in the summer months, and especially in isolated areas like Carolina Beach State Park and Masonboro Island. As such, tent campers will want to have mosquito netting, and campers of all varieties will want to have plenty of bug spray on hand.

While the majority of campgrounds are open to visitors all year, a number have seasonal amenities that are only available in the prime summer months, which can include swimming pools, and activities / programs for campground guests. Call ahead to see what the seasonal dates of availability may be for these features and / or activities.

Otherwise, enjoy the stunning whether regardless of your dates of stay! The spring and fall are arguably the best times of year for a camping trip, as the temperatures are at their moderate best, the local landscapes are in bloom or showing fall foliage, and the area attractions and beaches are devoid of the summertime crowds.

Tips and Tricks for Camping in the Cape Fear Area

  • Advanced reservations are strongly recommended, especially in popular campgrounds and vacation destinations, such as Carolina Beach. Many campgrounds allow guests to book online in advance, well before their stay, so a little advanced planning will ensure guests can acquire a spot.
  • Watch out for busy festival weekends, such as Riverfest in the fall, and the Azalea Festival in the spring. During these times of year, area campgrounds can be packed with visitors.
  • Long-term options may be available for RV visitors as well! There are several RV / mobile home parks that can accommodate monthly or annual guests, which are perfect for visitors who get hooked and who want to stay a while.
  • Many campgrounds are pet friendly, although guests will want to call ahead to see if any restrictions apply, such as keeping a pet leashed at all times, etc.
  • Large groups can often be accommodated, although be sure and note when making your reservation if your party size is larger than normal (i.e., 8-10 people or more.)
  • Need more room to move? Check out the local vacation rentals. Vacation rentals are everywhere in the Cape Fear area, and can range from studio apartments to 8 bedroom or more oceanfront sandcastles.
  • Special restrictions on fires, litter, and pets may apply to isolated park or nature reserve camping destinations, like Freeman Park and Masonboro Island. Consult the park or reserve site directly for any special rules in these rustic destinations.

Camping is a popular form of accommodations for many Cape Fear area visitors, simply because it’s so diverse and inherently wild. With a collection of campgrounds scattered throughout the area, it’s easy to find a spot that’s close to everything a visitor wants to do, see, and explore.

Plan a weekend getaway, or even an extended week-long adventure to uncover all the reasons why the Cape Fear area remains on the top of the list of vacation destinations. With everything from isolated beaches to resort-worthy destinations, camping is a dream in this stretch of North Carolina coastline.

Victory Beach Vacations

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni

Cape Fear Museum

Cape Fear Museum

The Cape Fear Museum, (shorthand for the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science), has been educating and entertaining visitors for well over 100 years. Founded in 1898, the museum is the oldest operating museum in North Carolina, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Distinguished for its modern structure and Market Street location in the middle of Downtown Wilmington, the museum has a wealth of information on the history, wildlife and culture of the 50-square mile Cape Fear region. More than 50 thousand exhibits can be found within its brick and concrete walls, and patrons of all ages will surely find an exhibit or two that is engrossing, educational, and sheds new light on this essential coastal Carolina region.