Vacationing. . . Camping style

Everyone has a different idea of what defines a good vacation. For some it is luxury hotels, fine dining and spa time. For others, it may be a weekend at a theme park filled with thrill rides and fast food. Great way to have a family vacation, lots of fun, social distancing and time spent outdoors.

According to the 2018 North American Camping Report, “77 million U.S. households have someone who camps at least occasionally.” The majority are camping as often as three times per year.
Not only does camping offer some of the most affordable options, it is proven to reduce stress and have a positive impact on emotional and physical health. According to the President of KOA, Toby O’Rourke, “with reduced barriers and the desire of campers to connect with nature and each other, it is no surprise that camping is fast becoming a fundamental component of an outdoor lifestyle.”

For your next camping trip consider New Bern and Craven County- offering a variety of options designed to accommodate every camping style. Add in the scenic waterfront and area attractions and you may just have the perfect vacation.

New Bern KOA
Located on the eastern banks of the Neuse River, New Bern KOA was awarded 2019 Campground of the year by Kampgrounds of America. Just minutes from historic downtown New Bern, this quiet campground is a peaceful retreat. Enjoy a day of fishing or watch a beautiful sunset from the 100-foot pier. It features boat slips, ramp, kayaks, a seasonal pool, and paddleboats. Grounds include a catch-and-release fish pond, group-outings pavilion and mini golf.

1565 B Street, Bridgeton off of U.S. Highway 17
Reservations: 800-562-3341
Information: 252-638-2556
Email: info@newbernkoa.com
On the web:  https://koa.com/campgrounds/new-bern/

Croatan National Forest
The forest is suitable for hiking, camping, hunting, trail biking, and all-terrain vehicles. The surrounding rivers, inland lakes, and creeks are good for swimming, fishing, boating, and canoeing.
The forest is close to the North Carolina cities of New Bern and Morehead City. It also surrounds Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
Pitch your tent at one of the several designated campgrounds at Croatan National Forest:

  • Cedar Point Recreation Area, located near the mouth of the White Marsh River.
  • Flanners Beach/Neuse River Campground provides a lot of amenities. Picnic tables, showers, and restrooms are all accessible. Twenty-four of the 40 camp sites even offer electrical hookups.
  • Oyster Point Campground is ideal for boaters with a shallow water ramp.

If you’d rather bring your RV, many campgrounds provide hookups for your recreational vehicle. For a more rustic experience, Croatan National Forest allows dispersed camping as well. There are four officially designated wilderness areas lying within Croatan National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System:

  • Catfish Lake South Wilderness
  • Pocosin Wilderness
  • Pond Pine Wilderness
  • Sheep Ridge Wilderness


The Croatan’s district office is about 10 miles south of New Bern off US 70.
District office is open Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campsite Reservations: 877-444-6777
Campsite Reservations: http://recreation.gov
On the web:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48466

Chips Campground
Located west of New Bern near Vanceboro, Chips offers monthly, weekly and daily rates. Their roomy lots include electric, sewer and water. The area is raised and well lit for safety and convenience.

3902 River Road, Vanceboro, NC
252-412-3581
http://www.chipscampground.com/