Best Camping Spots in Cape Carteret NC | Crystal Coast Guide

Trails, RV Parks & Tips

Best Camping Spots in Cape Carteret, NC

Tucked along the Crystal Coast where the White Oak River meets Bogue Sound, Cape Carteret offers a mix of forest trails, marsh views, and easy access to Emerald Isle’s beaches. Whether you’re looking for a family camping trip, RV hookups, or a quiet nature escape, here are the best places to camp around Cape Carteret.

Camping at Cedar Point Campground

 If you’re looking for a peaceful coastal camping experience on the Crystal Coast, Cedar Point Campground is a must-visit. This is a National Forest Service campground within the Croatan National Forest.

This area is located near the mouth of the White Oak River and surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh serves as a vital nursery for fish, shrimp, crabs, and oysters. It’s an incredible spot for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and anyone who wants to slow down and enjoy the rhythms of the tides.

This campground in Cedar Point is just a mile from full-service shopping and less than two miles from North Carolina’s beautiful beaches of Bogue Banks.

Because this campground is so popular, reservations are highly recommended and must be made at least three days in advance. Of the 36 sites, 4 are first-come, first-served, which means you’ll need to show up in person with your camping gear to claim them.

The campground also offers a convenient Scan & Pay option — but it’s only available for those walk-up sites. To avoid losing your payment, always check in with a campground host before paying to confirm the site is open and available.

Amenities At Cedar Point Campground

  • Accessible Flush Toilets

  • Showers 

  • Dump Station 

  • Self Pay Station

  • Picnic & BBQ Areas 

  • Tent Pad

  • Grills/Fire Ring

  • Nature & Hiking Trails 

  • Accessibility 

  • Fire Pit

  • Electric Hookup

  • Privacy 

  • Paved Roads

  • Paved Parking

Hurricane season runs June through mid-November, and the campground may close in advance of storms. If that happens, reservations are automatically canceled and refunded, making planning easy and stress-free.

You can reserve sites online at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. 

With its peaceful setting, nearby coastal views, and laid-back atmosphere, Cedar Point Campground invites you to relax, recharge, and create memories you’ll cherish for years.

Camping At Waterway RV Park

Waterway RV Park is another great choice for campers who love being near the water. Located along the Intracoastal Waterway, it offers boat slips, a fishing pier, and easy access for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Waterway RV Resort is a favorite spot for RV lovers who want to stay right on the Intracoastal Waterway in Cedar Point. This resort-style campground offers full hookups (30 & 50 amp service), water, cable, sewer, trash pickup, and even lawn care — so you can relax and enjoy your stay.

While Waterway is primarily an annual campground, there are a limited number of transient sites available for short-term stays. Guests can enjoy nearby fishing piers, boating access, and plenty of local attractions, including the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and area historical sites.

Open 350 days a year, this RV park is the perfect basecamp for exploring Cedar Point, Emerald Isle beaches, and the rest of the Crystal Coast.

Amenities At Waterway RV Resort

  • Swimming Pool

  • Fishing Access

  • Near the Beach

  • Waterfront Sites

  • Pet-Friendly 

  • On-Site Store

  • Game Room with Billiards 

  • Nature & Hiking Trails 

  • Restrooms & Showers 

  • Laundry Facilities 

  • Boat Docks & Marina 

  • Picnic & BBQ Areas 

  • Playground 

  • Basketball Court

Waterway RV Resort offers annual sites only. Please call (252) 393-8715 to inquire about site availability.

 

850 Cedar Point Blvd, Cedar Point, NC 28584 | GPS: 34.6795, -77.0900 | Get Directions
Download Resort Map  |  Ranger Station/Front Desk: 252-393-8715

This combination of waterfront views, outdoor recreation, and family-friendly amenities makes Waterway RV Resort one of the most popular places to stay on the Crystal Coast.

Trails & Walking Paths around Cape Carteret, NC

  1. Cedar Point Tideland Trail

    • Located in the Cedar Point Recreation Area off Hwy 58. 

    • Two loop options: a short ~0.6 mile loop and a longer ~1.3 mile loop. 

    • Trails have gravel and boardwalk sections through forest and salt marsh; interpretive signage and benches. 

    • Very easy, family-friendly hike with nature views including wetlands, river edges, and marsh wildlife. Cedar Point Trail Map

  2. Boathouse Creek Walking Trails (Boathouse Creek Park)

    • A 56-acre waterfront park in Town of Cedar Point.

    • Trails are designed to preserve natural beauty and provide scenic walks along the creek and river edges. 

    • Great for casual walks, birdwatching, and enjoying the water views. 

Whether you’re exploring the Cedar Point Tideland Trail, strolling the scenic Boathouse Creek Park trails, or camping at one of the local campgrounds, Cape Carteret is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. If you fall in love with this quiet coastal town while exploring, check out the latest Cape Carteret NC homes for sale and see why so many visitors decide to make it their home base for outdoor adventure year-round.

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