The best family-friendly campgrounds near Goldsboro, North Carolina

Looking to go camping near Goldsboro, North Carolina? Hipcamp has over 105 family-friendly options in the area. With an average price per night of $35 and options as low as $20, there's something for every budget. Check out the top campsites with rave reviews: Black River Camping Ventures (217 reviews), Lakeside Retreats @ Walnut Hill (195 reviews), and Double L Farms (122 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like campfires, potable water, and toilets, and partake in activities such as hiking, wind sports, and fishing.

99% (656)

Top-rated campgrounds

Drone shot overlooking tent sites and farmed fields.

Looking to go camping near Goldsboro, North Carolina? Hipcamp has over 105 family-friendly options in the area. With an average price per night of $35 and options as low as $20, there's something for every budget. Check out the top campsites with rave reviews: Black River Camping Ventures (217 reviews), Lakeside Retreats @ Walnut Hill (195 reviews), and Double L Farms (122 reviews). Enjoy popular amenities like campfires, potable water, and toilets, and partake in activities such as hiking, wind sports, and fishing.

99% (656)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

100%

(491)

42mi from Goldsboro · 27 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Chinquapin, NC

Finalist for Top Hipcamp in 2023 and 2024! This is a Family Venue! No Parties and/or drunknesses allowed. We strive to create an environment for nature viewing, stargazing, fishing, and unwinding in nature as camping should be. Quiet time enforced 10pm-6am. Check in strictly 2-8pm. We do not allow late check ins. We meet and greet all guests.the historic pond was originally much smaller. We have records that date back to our 6th Great-Grandfather, Joab Fountain, who received a royal grant from the crown in 1773 for the property and then just a grist mill, blacksmith shop and old general store. The property was passed down through the Fountain family until the late 1910's. Originally a creek dammed up for the purpose of the mill it was later dug out in the late 1940's by Lee Baysden. The property also features 2 smaller ponds and surrounded by woods, swamp, and farmed fields, a total of 84 acres. Divided by Duplin and Onslow County line making it very unique! Chinquapin, NC The store/office is the original detached kitchen from his homeplace, which is the white house just up the street. We still use this today and it has Mr. Lee Baysden's handwriting in the store that states opened June 1956. The pond was owned and fished until the late 1990's. A hurricane damaged the dam and land was sold sometime after. The next owner dug the pond into the lake it is today and fixed the dam. In 2020 My husband Tyler, and I decided to buy the Pond Our camp office/store is opened most weekends or by check-in requests and fishing passes available 7 days a week online from sunrise-dark. Our lake features fishing for Bass, Crappie, Bream, Catfish, Bowfin, varieties of Panfish, and more. Check out our Facebook page (JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond) for all the latest news and catches! We have tagged bass that have been released back into the lake. Let us know if you catch one so we can record it! We are continually trying to make JCO and Lee Baysden Pond a great place in our community for friends and families! Enjoy the great outdoors unplugging from all the daily devices of reality. Enjoy bird watching for ducks, geese, heron, osprey or occasional eagle, owls, turkey, deer, and more. We now have a lake Kitty that adopted us and is now part of the team. Her name is "Tail".

2. Tar River Life

98%

(178)

41mi from Goldsboro · 15 sites · Tents, Lodging · Lake Royale, NC

Back to the basics, come and experience Tar River Life’s primitive camping on the Tar River. Enjoy being on the river and listening to slow running sound of the Tar River. Bring your own tent or rent one of ours. You can drive your vehicle to all of our campsites. The drive to camp is about 1/2 miles. Each site includes a fire pit, wood and trash bin. Cook your own meals or try and catch your own fish from the river. Campsites can be secluded or grouped. Each site comes with a picnic table, 1 bundle of wood and trash can. Stay for a night or longer period of time, come and enjoy the outdoors with us. We have lots of walking trails, fishing access, wildlife, kayaking and tubing (must be purchased through us). 2WD vehicles are ok except during wet conditions. There is also the Vollmer Farm, with seasonal produce a Full Coffee Shop with breakfast goodies and baked goods and not to mention their fabulous ice cream. They have goods from around NC including, eggs, honey, meats, beers, wine and more. There is a grocery store (Food Lion) about 15 minutes away. So you can stock up on supplies on your way to your next adventure. We are pet friendly!

3. Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

97%

(416)

38mi from Goldsboro · 6 sites · Tents · Coats, NC

Calling all hippies, treehuggers, Earth worshipers, and others who enjoy immersing themselves in nature! At Animal Ed.ventures Sanctuary, we are all about engendering a respectful, compassionate, and harmonic relationship with each other as well as the Natural World and her amazing creatures. We have high hopes for the long-term preservation of our remarkable planet, her breathtaking habitats, stunning species, and awe-inspiring ability to support the Natural Order of all of it. For almost 2 decades, we’ve been driven by the dream of creating a place of peace and respite for all who cross our threshold. From our USDA licensed educational program to our ongoing rescue efforts, we have the ability to provide an enriching and enlightening experience for people of all ages. While camping with us, visit Betsy, the Two-toed Sloth, and Teddy, the Capuchin Monkey, plus many other ambassadors at our sanctuary who are sure to inspire you and remind us of our interconnectedness!

4. Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

99%

(54)

49mi from Goldsboro · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Linden, NC

50+ acres of woods, water and walking/Rolling trails with two small lakes and a STOL runway for experienced ultralight and short takeoff and landing aircraft pilots only! Room for RV’s but no power or sewer service. Room for mountain bikes, hiking, drone racing and flying, R/C float planes and RC boat racing, Flying, fishing, boating and aswimming at your own risk. Primitive camping, Trackchair and all terrain handicap accessible trail around lake. Access to potable drinking water

Stories from the community

J

Jamison

5 days ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Really great camping spot! Good host and plenty of room

W

Wayne

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

It felt secluded from others at the camp itself. The site was clean and very close to the water. The host were extremely gracious.

R

Rachael

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Contessa and her husband were very friendly and helpful. The area was very peaceful and an otter and a nutria came swimming by our site! The bathroom was very clean and well stocked.

J

Jake

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Another great stay at JCO! Can’t wait to come back again!!

K

Kat

2 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

Cory is awesome and it was lovely camping among all the various animals. The camp itself was rustic and not fancy, and that suits me just fine! Had a lovely time. Will definitely go back if I'm in the area again.

B

Brenden

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Was a great stay! Very nice to have the lake all to ourselves. Would recommend to anyone wanting to get away.

A

Ashly

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Tar River Life

Great spot by the river- easy to access. This was our second time camping with Nikki

A

Andrew

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Quiet and beautiful. Would definitely visit again.

T

Trevor

October 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Excellent spot away from the city but not to far out of the way. Right on the water side made for excellent mornings sitting around the fire enjoying coffee and enjoying the view. The host was exceptional with everything from first meet and great to departure. If you want a quite relaxing weekend away I would highly recommend this spot.

R

Robin

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Peace and quiet place to relax and fish for shiners. Plenty of firewood if you have a chainsaw. Plenty of flat ground for 10x10 tent. Shaded by the lake and sunny by the field.

J

Jake

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

Cory's place is such a unique and fun spot. I took my 3 young kids here to enjoy the animals (second time) and it doesn't disappoint. They saw animals they've never seen in each life, and the campsite is set back just far enough that it feels private, but is close to the animals and restroom. We had a great time!

J

Joe

October 2025

15 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park

Nice little pond with some fish. Tossed my line in and caught something in 5 minutes. Great for little kids. Pond was glass in the morning, it felt like I was hours away in the middle of nowhere.

J

Jonathan

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

Friendly staff and an enjoyable experience that I would recommend to anyone. It’s primitive camping with animals around!!

A

Andersen

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

10/10. Great Lake view and boat launch point. Had everything I needed and easy to get to.

B

Brittany

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Tar River Life

Great campground and the owners are wonderful. Would return again in the future.

Chaeli

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Second time here!! Love this site so much! Will definitely be coming back for another stay in the future.

Georgia

October 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Tar River Life

Loved staying at Nikki's campsite for a short girls weekend. Our site was private and right on the river, which was soothing to watch all day. Highly recommend living the Tar River Life!