Lake Camping Near Kinston, North Carolina, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for all things camping in the United States! If you're looking for a lakeside camping experience near Kinston, North Carolina, you're in luck. We have over 100 options available just for you. Whether you're into fishing, surfing, or whitewater paddling, there's something for everyone. Top campsites like Lakeside Retreats @ Walnut Hill (195 reviews), JCO at Lee Baysden Pond (89 reviews), and Sparkroot Farm (82 reviews) have received rave reviews from fellow campers. And with popular amenities like showers, toilets, and campfires, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, our average price per night is $32, with options as low as $25. So why wait? Start planning your lakeside camping adventure now!

99% (365)

Top-rated campgrounds

Drone shot overlooking tent sites and farmed fields.

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for all things camping in the United States! If you're looking for a lakeside camping experience near Kinston, North Carolina, you're in luck. We have over 100 options available just for you. Whether you're into fishing, surfing, or whitewater paddling, there's something for everyone. Top campsites like Lakeside Retreats @ Walnut Hill (195 reviews), JCO at Lee Baysden Pond (89 reviews), and Sparkroot Farm (82 reviews) have received rave reviews from fellow campers. And with popular amenities like showers, toilets, and campfires, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, our average price per night is $32, with options as low as $25. So why wait? Start planning your lakeside camping adventure now!

99% (365)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

100%

(491)

31mi from Kinston · 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. Big Cypress Farm

100%

(15)

36mi from Kinston · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · New Bern, NC

We are a family farm. Established in the 1970s we have lots of local wildlife and water fowl. We have chickens. A lake that is stocked with catfish,brim and bass /I l The sunsets are incredible. And when the full moon is over the pond it is an amazing sight. You can relax here by the pond or venture out to explore historic down town New Bern ,or head the the beach located in Morehead, Swansboro, and the surrounding areas. Check the local Restaurants and the local shops as well. Throughout the year we are surrounded by many different festivals as well. You can listen to the crickets and the birds chirping, and watch the squirrel as they jump and run from tree to tree.we are close to the beaches and are in close proximity of the national Forrest as well. And there are quite a few golf courses near to us as well. We are a work in progress and would be considered primitive Campground. So if what you are looking for is a place to escape to from every day hustle and daily grind we are you kind of place. So check us out on Facebook and have a blessed day.

3. Old 30 Dirty Family Farm

100%

(8)

39mi from Kinston · 2 sites · Tents · Jacksonville, NC

Small beginning family farm on over 7 acres with chickens, a stocked pond/lake, guest house, and small community garden. Close to NC beaches, restaurants and fun things to do. Plenty of space for RV travelers. Close to local military bases. Beautiful place to view various types of wildlife and natural scenery.

4. Big Mill B&B Extended Stay Farm

47mi from Kinston · 2 sites · RVs · Williamston, NC

Extended Stay RV Lodging in Eastern North Carolina – Big Mill Bed & Breakfast Searching for quiet, private extended stay RV accommodations near Greenville, Washington, Windsor, Plymouth, or Williamston, NC? Big Mill Extended Stay offers peaceful, family-owned lodging on a scenic farm in Eastern North Carolina. We provide long-term RV sites that are all-inclusive. Our 30/50 amp hookups include electric, sewer, water, Wi-Fi, and Cable TV. We also have 2 RV sites, and cozy guest suites ideal for: • Traveling nurses and medical professionals • Contractors and utility crews • Remote workers and digital nomads • 4 RV sites nestled in a fig orchard, overlooking farm lakes, fields, and the original grape arbor • One site features a restored vintage Airstream for a unique stay • Quiet lodging for traveling nurses in Eastern North Carolina • Short and long-term rentals near Greenville, Windsor, Washington, Williamston, & Washington, NC

5. Pasture Creek Farms

94%

(71)

44mi from Kinston · 10 sites · Tents · Hubert, NC

Raw coastal land. Water activities: paddle activities, swimming ,wading, canoe, small boats Stocked ponds, throw back only (extra fee). Dirt roads and game trails for walking or hiking. Close to beach. Firewood available for purchase on site. Water available (ask host) Dry and primitive camping. Lots of wildlife. Convenient to beach, intracoastal water way, and boat ramps.

Public campgrounds near Kinston

100%

(1)

Cliffs of the Neuse Campground

17mi from Kinston · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

Catfish Lake Boat Launch

36mi from Kinston · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Croatan National Forest

Catfish Waterfowl Impoundment

37mi from Kinston · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Croatan National Forest

100%

(1)

Fishers Landing

40mi from Kinston · 1 site · in Croatan National Forest

100%

(2)

Flanners Beach Campground

42mi from Kinston · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Croatan National Forest

Great Lake Boat Launch

43mi from Kinston · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Croatan National Forest

60%

(5)

Cedar Point Campground

50mi from Kinston · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Croatan National Forest

Stories from the community

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!!

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.

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.

R

Robert

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Contessa was awesome. The camp site was great, right near the water with plenty of space and great sunset views. We will be coming back !

T

Tampa

September 2025

32 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Great communication, extremely rapid response to text messages.

D

Demetrius

September 2025

30 ft travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Wasn't in the usual spot, but still enjoyed ourselves. Mr. Tyler and Ms. Contessa always make sure guests are comfortable and welcome.

M

Maxine

September 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

This campsite was so quiet and quaint. A family oriented spot near a decent sized pond with campfires and other amenities available (i.e. kayaks). Owners are wonderful, kind folks. Would definitely recommend for a quiet weekend getaway. Especially for those new to RV-ing.

J

John

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

It was nice and peaceful. Our son loved the fishing.

S

Sherri

September 2025

33 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

We loved staying at JCO & our already looking to book again. Such a beautiful, peaceful place with wonderful hosts! Tessa & her husband are so sweet and helpful plus pumped tanks on checkout. So accommodating for our Girl Scout Family camping trip. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing available plus small swing set area for little ones. Camp in the rough or glamping with water & electric hookups both are available. Small store with bail, firewood & accessories on site. Note there is no bath house with showers available & only portable toilets at this time.

S

Shannon

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

We loved tent camping here! Beautiful piece of property! Everything was perfect and Contessa was very welcoming. We will definitely be back!

C

Charlie

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Beautiful place with a nice area to fish. Nice family atmosphere and great hosts!!

J

Jonathan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Very social lake, well kept camp site! Entry into camp site #2 is narrow but made it with my truck.

G

Gillian

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Love camping here so much! Such a chill and private site

Nancy

August 2025

15 ft pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

My hound and I had a very pleasant, quiet visit to JCO Campground! I would definitely like to go back again. The site was clean with a trash can at the entrance and port-a-johns located nearby between sites. The firewood was well-seasoned, which has not been the case with other wood I've bought at sites lately. Contessa (Tessa) was a great host! I had contacted her asking about a private site and she gave several recommendations. I could not see other campers from my spot except across the lake. I enjoyed the birds and bullfrogs!

Taya

August 2025

With kids

1 night at JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

Beautiful location and setting, fantastic host, gorgeous cabin. Peaceful and perfect. Went for stargazing, but it rained so sat under an umbrella in front of the open fire place, serenaded by singing frogs. It was surreal and perfect.

P

Parke

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

This was such a good getaway for myself and my partner and our two dogs. We camped pretty far back and it STORMED when we were checking in (our fault for arriving during a storm), but the ground dried up SO fast at our site. No puddles by morning. It was perfect. Contessa was so kind and helpful the entire time we were there. It was great fishing, very private camping, and great kayaking. I have to make sure when we camp with our dogs that we have a lot of privacy because one of my dogs is terrified of strangers and having strangers everywhere can cause some chaos, so we try to just stick to ourselves and are careful about where we camp. We couldn't have asked for more privacy. Even the spots that are closer together are separated by brush and trees. There were trees to hang a hammock, and a tarp over our tent. There's a Walmart 20 mins from site. We WILL be back!! Thank you for everything. Sorry we came when it was storming.

Will

July 2025

Weekend Trip to JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

We usually tent camp at JCO Campground but chose the A frame for this trip. It was well worth it. The AC was blowing cold and the outdoor shower was amazing. Perfect for a couples getaway. We would highly recommend. And the the host were great as always.

J

Jeremiah

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Pasture Creek Farms

My experiences are very enjoyable here. I would recommend it to everybody and anybody prices do vary though through summer and winter 19 in the winter time and 29 in the summer spring I don’t know about fall yet, but let me tell you it is the most amazing spot.