How much does camping cost at Oyster Point Campground?

Camping fees at Oyster Point Campground range from $10-$20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Oyster Point Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Oyster Point Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Oyster Point Campground before I book?

Yes! Oyster Point Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Oyster Point Campground?

Oyster Point Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Oyster Point Campground?

Oyster Point Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Oyster Point Campground have?

Oyster Point Campground has 15 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Oyster Point Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Oyster Point Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Oyster Point Campground?

Oyster Point Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Oyster Point Campground?

Popular activities at Oyster Point Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Oyster Point Campground

4.16

204 reviews

Forest Road 181, New Port, NC, 28570

Top 1% in NCWinter

BReport Card

Quick Facts

66 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Forests in North Carolina Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

66 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Forests in North Carolina Official Website

Get Directions

Oyster Point Campground

$10.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $20.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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Provider

252-638-5628

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Campground Map

Forest Road 181, New Port, NC, 28570

Oyster Point Campground

Forest Road 181, New Port, NC, 28570

Nearby places

Newport (approx. 7 miles), Morehead City (approx. 12 miles), Atlantic Beach (approx. 14 miles). Travel times vary based on traffic conditions.

Weather at Oyster Point Campground

Best Time to Camp at Oyster Point Campground

Best season: winter. Winter offers the best mix of mild coastal weather, low humidity, and solitude—expect daytime highs around 45–60°F and chilly nights dipping into the 30s. With mosquitoes and biting flies largely absent, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing (winter waterfowl), and peaceful riverside hikes are at their peak; the 15-site campground feels quiet on weekdays. Crowd levels are low compared with fall and summer, so it's the easiest time to score a riverside site and enjoy clear, crisp skies for birding,星 Peak months: January, February, December, November Avoid: July, August

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 1% in NC

Reviews and overview call winter the best season: mild coastal weather, low humidity, solitude.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Oyster Point Campground

Oyster Point Campground sits on the Newport River in Croatan National Forest, managed by the National Forests in North Carolina. This small, budget-friendly campground offers spacious, private sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers fish, boat, and hike the adjacent Neusiok Trail, with winter bringing the best conditions—mild coastal weather, low humidity, and fewer insects.

Oyster Point Campground offers primitive camping with non-electric sites. It accommodates both tent and RV campers but has no hookups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: winter. Winter offers the best mix of mild coastal weather, low humidity, and solitude—expect daytime highs around 45–60°F and chilly nights dipping into the 30s. With mosquitoes and biting flies largely absent, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing (winter waterfowl), and peaceful riverside hikes are at their peak; the 15-site campground feels quiet on weekdays. Crowd levels are low compared with fall and summer, so it's the easiest time to score a riverside site and enjoy clear, crisp skies for birding,星 Peak months: January, February, December, November Avoid: July, August

Elevation66 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLoblolly pines tower over the campsites, creating shade and a thick needle carpet underfoot. The Newport River flows past the campground, eventually joining Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. Beyond the immediate riverside area, the surrounding Croatan landscape includes cypress swamps with knobby knees rising from tannin-stained water, upland pine savannas, and tidal marshes. At 66 feet elevation, the terrain stays flat and walkable. Recent tree thinning for maintenance has opened up some areas, reducing the forest canopy in spots but improving sightlines to the water.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned in the source material.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 consecutive days with a mandatory 16-day break before returning.

Guests Allowed Per Site

8per single site, 16 per double site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov, both online and via the mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious, large, and well-spaced for privacy. Some sites offer paths to water.

PrivacyMost campsites are private and well-separated by vegetation. However, recent tree thinning due to maintenance has reduced privacy in some areas.

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended SitesSites closer to water (such as 9, 11, and 15) are recommended for views and kayak access. Sites with higher numbers tend to offer more privacy.

Best CampsitesSites 9, 11, and 15 get the most praise for river proximity and privacy. Site 5 works well for hammock setups and tent camping. Several sites include short paths leading directly to the water.

Need help booking Oyster Point Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Oyster Point Campground offers a range of basic amenities suitable for primitive camping. The campground has 15 campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire grill, parking spur, tent pad, and lantern post. It features two vault toilets, potable water spigots, and a small hand-launch area for kayaks or canoes. There is no running water in the restrooms, no showers, and no electric hookups.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides opportunities for a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. It is also the trailhead for the 21-mile Neusiok Trail.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; instead, the campground features vault toilets. Reviews are mixed on the cleanliness and condition of the vault toilets. Some users noted they were clean and well-stocked, while others mentioned issues like flies and unpleasant odors.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Oyster Point Campground

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From Booking Sources

4.2

204 reviews

Satisfactory

Oyster Point Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Oyster Point Campground are mixed, with sentiments ranging from highly positive about the peaceful setting and affordability to complaints about bugs, maintenance, and lack of amenities. Many highlight the friendly campground host as a positive feature.

Review Summaries

Based on 204 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 204 reviews.

Site 15Loved
Site 15 is frequently recommended for its proximity to water and privacy.
Site 01Loved
Site 01 offers a river view and easy kayak access.
Site 05Loved
Site 05 is described as clean but small for trailers.
Site 09Mentioned
Site 09 is noted for having a path to the water.

What Campers Love

Users praised the spacious and private campsites, friendly and helpful campground hosts, and peaceful atmosphere. Access to the Newport River and Neusiok Trail were considered major draws.

Based on 204 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the abundance of bugs, especially mosquitoes and flies, during warmer months. Other issues cited were poor road maintenance leading to the campground, litter, and lack of...

Based on 204 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing bug spray, preparing for primitive camping conditions, and visiting during cooler months to avoid bugs. The Neusiok Trail and kayak access are noted as highlights.

Based on 204 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter and fall are noted as the best seasons for camping, with fewer bugs and cooler temperatures. Summer camping experiences are commonly marred by high heat, humidity, and bug infestations.

Based on 204 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Loved this campground! The sites were nice and large, the fire pit was nice, and the view of the lake was absolutely gorgeous." — Baylee Jennings "The camp is nice but it should be closed during...

Based on 204 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews lack detailed accounts of accessibility features for disabled campers, though some mention the presence of a campground host available for assistance.

Based on 204 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but several reviews stress the importance of keeping dogs on leashes, with some users reporting conflicts with other campers over pet management.

Based on 204 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Oyster Point Campground

$10.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $20.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

252-638-5628

Go if

You want spacious, private sites on the water with hiking and fishing access at a low price.

Skip if

You need flush toilets, hookups, or want to avoid seasonal insects and rough entrance roads.

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Campgrounds

National Forests in North Carolina

Oyster Point Campground

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 66% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 165 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A.Staff & hosts
Grade A-.Crowds & noise
Grade B+.Campsites

Watch-outs

Grade D.Bugs & weather
Grade C-.Booking
Grade C.Facilities

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how North Carolina grades overall