The best pets off leash campgrounds near Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington lures campers with its historic urban center and close proximity to nature. With dozens of parks and preserves to visit within a thirty minute drive, plus many miles of coastline, Wilmington is a top-notch spot for campers looking for a natural getaway or RV park that isn’t too far from creature comforts. Rare wildlife, clean beaches, and lush woodlands await you in this mid-sized North Carolina city.

90% (200)

Top-rated campgrounds near Wilmington

Wilmington lures campers with its historic urban center and close proximity to nature. With dozens of parks and preserves to visit within a thirty minute drive, plus many miles of coastline, Wilmington is a top-notch spot for campers looking for a natural getaway or RV park that isn’t too far from creature comforts. Rare wildlife, clean beaches, and lush woodlands await you in this mid-sized North Carolina city.

90% (200)

Top-rated campgrounds near Wilmington

1. The Mill Creek Spread

91%

(51)

13mi from Wilmington · 6 sites · Tents, RVs

Over 15 acres of private forest with birds and wildlife galore. Close to Southport, NC beaches, and the Cape Fear River without the traffic and bustle. Dark skies allow for stargazing. On-site orchard, backyard chickens, and nature trails. Find peace and serenity in a natural setting with country vibes - you may even see the neighbor's horses ride past. Dogs are welcome but must be up-to-date on all vaccinations and must be well-mannered around horses, chickens, and wildlife. * birdwatching * wildflowers * nearby beaches * dark skies * RV or primitive camping [RVs are temporarily unavailable due to a maintenance issue]

2. Canter Lakes Farm

99%

(96)

21mi from Wilmington · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Canter Lakes Farm offers waterfront camping on 47 acres. We are a private horse farm with beautiful swimming lakes and river access on site via “Sand Hill Creek” At canter lakes farm you can explore over 10 acres of water without ever leaving our property, and hike almost 3 miles of manicured trails here! If you’re an early riser you can witness the magnificent steam rolling in over the lakes, creek and cypress swamp while you sip your coffee at sunrise. Bring your paddle boards and cruise, or warm up with sunny yoga on your private dock. Kayak or John boats can explore the river bends from our property, or even make it out to the big wide cape fear. We are very close to two public boat ramps suitable for larger boats and jet skis. Holly Shelter boat ramp is literally 2 minutes away, Shelter Creek boat ramp is 10 minutes away. Both ramps have a fishing area and allow kayaks/paddle boards. Fishing is good on our ponds and the river year round, (bass, catfish, crappie, bowfin, gar, etc) in June hundreds of wild blueberry plants you can pick and eat. We also have prickly pear cacti for harvesting which you can cook the fruit and paddles over the fire and enjoy. If our trails aren’t enough and you want more adventure, just two miles away is the Holly Shelter game lands entrance where you’ll find thousands of acres for hunting, biking, hiking or horseback riding. And if you’re craving a beach day, Wrightsville beach is just a 30 minute drive away as well as is downtown Wilmington where you can enjoy walking the riverfront for shopping or dining. Stargazing galore! Surrounding the property is privately owned country land- this is a phenomenal place to be amazed by the stars. Photography lovers will be in heaven from the sunrises and sunsets golden hour is magical here! And with the diverse landscape there’s always something to capture. Tent camping or dry rv camping only at this time. Hot Shower, sink and full size toilet are provided in the bath house. No feeding of the horses allowed, or entering fencing. campers are welcome to visit or partake in farm experience with permission. If you’re looking for a yummy bite to eat we recommend chilitos, about 10 minutes away, for some authentic Mexican food! •Nearest gas station, grocery store and restaurants are in Rocky Point, just 12 minutes from us. •Wrightsville Beach - 30-40 minutes depending on traffic •Surf City/Topsail - 35 minutes •Hampstead- 15 minutes •Jacksonville - 38 minutes •Downtown Wilmington - 30 minutes (riverfront/live oak bank pavilion) •urgent care address: 7910 US hwy 117, Rocky point. (10 minutes from our farm) “novant health express care”.

3. The Pine Tree Retreat

100%

(97)

42mi from Wilmington · 1 site · Tent, RV

Learn more about this land: 104 acres of private land for your enjoyment. This site would be best suited for tent campers at the moment due to no bath houses or electricity for the time being. Come enjoy your stay bring a kayak or canoe and float around the 6 acres of ponds and catch some of the many bass, bream or crappie that occupy the waters. The property is located 7 miles off highway 74/76 in Whiteville and 10 miles to Lake Waccamaw, 32 miles to Ocean Isle Beach, 45 miles to Wilmington, 36 miles to North Myrtle Beach. The road is gravel all the way to the camping area with signs for directions. When there’s no burn ban in place or lack of rain i do try to keep firewood on-site but I recommend checking with me before your stay. Reserve your spot and experience the peace and quiet of the outdoors and listen to the turkeys and watch the deer feed in early mornings while the sun rises. If you have any questions feel free to message me! There is only one spot if you book you will have the entire property for you and your party.

4. Iron Horn Farms

100%

(1)

42mi from Wilmington · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging

Escape to the rolling countryside of Iron Horn Farms, where nature, adventure, and relaxation await! Tucked away on our working farm, Iron Horn Farms offers a peaceful retreat for campers looking to reconnect with the outdoors. Whether you’re seeking a quiet getaway under the stars or a hands-on farm experience, our land welcomes you. What to Expect: • Scenic Views & Open Spaces: Wake up to breathtaking sunrises, spend your day exploring the farm, and end it with stunning sunsets under a starlit sky. • Farm Life & Wildlife: You’ll share the land with our friendly goats, buzzing honeybees, and plenty of deer, wild turkeys, and songbirds. • Friendly Farm Dogs: Our yellow Lab, Irish Setter, English Cocker, two English Setter puppies, and a Black Lab puppy love to meet new friends! If you’re lucky, we may even have a litter of puppies for you to play with. • Outdoor Activities: Take a walk around the farm, enjoy peaceful moments by the pond, or cast a line in one of our stocked fishing ponds. • Campfire-Friendly Evenings: Gather around a crackling fire, toast marshmallows, and soak in the peaceful country air. On-Site Activities: • Fishing: Cast your line in our front or back pond, each stocked with fish. The back pond features a dock and two floating docks for a great fishing or relaxing experience. • Outdoor Games: Challenge your friends and family to a game of cornhole or giant Jenga for some laid-back farm fun. • Skeet Shooting: Looking for a little excitement? Try your hand at skeet shooting for a true country experience. Outdoor Lounge Area: Relax and unwind in our outdoor lounge, designed for comfort and entertainment: • Two outdoor TVs for catching the game or movie night under the stars • Comfortable outdoor furniture • A bar with swings for the perfect place to sip a drink and enjoy the view • A grill area and refrigerator for outdoor cooking and food storage • A bathroom for added convenience What We Offer: • Spacious, Secluded Campsites: Plenty of room to spread out and enjoy nature without the crowds. • Pet-Friendly: Well-behaved dogs are welcome! Please keep them leashed near livestock. • Farm-Fresh Goods

5. Worthams Ferry

75%

(6)

49mi from Wilmington · 1 site · Tent, RV

Empty Lot can accommodate any RV or/and tent right across the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve.. Waccamaw River front 1 Acre of bare land; there is no running water, septic or electricity. For primitive camping, self-contained RV, etc.., Fishing, hunting, kayaking, nice view and private beach on the Waccamaw River. Located 15 minutes from the closest ocean beach in North Myrtle Beach. There are all kinds of stores, bars, restaurants, entreatments and attractions are in the area. The Interstate Canal free boat ramp is located 10 minutes drive from your camping site. The closest Dollar General store is less than 5 minutes away and right behind the store is a free Recycling and Solid Waste Convenience Center. Easy road access to the site and less than 5 minutes walking to the river boat ramp.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

K

Kenny

2 weeks ago

22 ft campervan

5 nights at The Mill Creek Spread

Patricia and Vader have been the best hosts I have come across!! Vader and my dog May, became instant best friends. And to say that Patricia has been extremely kind and accommodating , would be an understatement. I'm seasonally traveling on a very strict budget, and this camp by far has exceeded my expectations! This camp will for sure be part of my yearly seasonal rotation.

K

Kenny

2 weeks ago

22 ft campervan

1 night at The Mill Creek Spread

This is such an amazing spot I decided to extend my stay a little! Secluded wood area, far enough off the beat and path that you don't have to worry about anything. Absolutely love it! And this will be probably end up being one of my go to campsites!

C

Cora

3 weeks ago

20 ft campervan

1 night at The Pine Tree Retreat

The pine tree retreat was a great nights sleep! It was quiet and peaceful right next to the pond! Joseph was very kind and communicative! Would love to return!

P

Patty

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

We had a wonderful time on this beautiful property. Plenty of area to roam and just enjoy nature. Julie and Scott are gracious hosts and will definitely consider another trip here!!! Thank you so much for sharing your slice of heaven with us.

L

Loranda

November 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Canter Lakes Farm

Wow - so peaceful and beautiful- kayak was waiting for us - we went in fall - cool weather so no bugs Host was amazing. Loved ot

M

Melinda

November 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

Good experience! Owners are very kind / flexible. The RV is nice and space to explore outside.

W

Waylon

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

Love this site. Secluded enough to be private. Host was fantastic. We had a great time here. Can't wait to come back in the winter. Definitely would recommend. Just be weary if you are using hammocks. Can be slightly difficult to set up a couple hammocks that would not be in the direct woods. We set ours up perfectly fine by the river but space is slightly limited on hammocks. This site has a lot of space for a tent or camper.

G

Greg

November 2025

22 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Mill Creek Spread

My favorite thing was the privacy and the no leash rule for my dog! Patricia and her dog were very nice!

D

DAVID

November 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

Love this place! Very quiet and peaceful, the views are beautiful, huge pond to go fishing on, kayaks you can take out, just an all around great place to came, highly recommend to anyone

From campsite looking up road towards a pond

Robert

November 2025

10 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Canter Lakes Farm

Had a wonderful time staying at the site by the creek. Huge site. Big sky views. Good star gazing. Nice and quiet while there. Went for a quick paddle on the creek a few times when the tide was up. Woke up early to catch beautiful sunrises over the nearby pond. Took a few walks around the property. Want to come again.

R

Ryan

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Pine Tree Retreat

My 4th time visiting Joseph’s camp and hopefully not the last. This space could easily be a dozen campsites but you get the entire site to yourself! This time we got to enjoy s’mores by the campfire and test our new tent. If you visit on a clear night and the moon is full you don’t even need a flashlight to see outside. Perfect area for letting the dog run also!

T

Timothy

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

We had a great time! We used the kayaks caught a few fish and made some great memories..

B

Barbora

October 2025

With pets

2 nights at Canter Lakes Farm

This spot was something me and my dog Mia needed. She is big swimmer and the fact there was no other campers makes me very comfortable. We enjoyed very much. I would love if this spot have plugs for other campers, because I am planning to buy my own camper and spend more time outside. I am person who will not go out once gets dark,so bathroom would be nice to have inside the camper. The owners were very responsive and they immediately fixed one issue I had there. WiFi worked perfectly. I would turn the camper to have the door faced to the pond and maybe also put closer to the pond :-) Other than that we have good time and would love to come back with my own camper or using the owners one.

S

Stacy

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

My husband and I loved our stay at canter lakes! We loved waking up and drinking coffee overlooking the water and taking walks to go look at the horses. The property was clean and well maintained. The bathroom and shower were also very clean and a great feature to have while camping. We would definitely recommend this property to anyone looking to have a cute camping getaway.

P

Phillip

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Pine Tree Retreat

We had a great time here! Joseph was easy to communicate with and answered all of our questions. This was our first trip using hipcamp and was an overall great experience! We will definitely be back!

S

Sara

October 2025

12 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to The Mill Creek Spread

Trees are tight but our truck/pop up tent on the bed fit well. Lots of wildlife. Great eggs and inexpensive.

A

Andrew

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Mill Creek Spread

Had a great time here! The place was amazing, and I really enjoyed my stay. When we arrived, we were greeted and guided in by Vader — an awesome, playful, and friendly dog! There were signs leading to the campsite, but he ran ahead the whole way like our personal guide. The property was beautiful, and Patricia was kind and very helpful. The bathrooms were clean and well-maintained. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I’d highly recommend this place to anyone. I’m definitely coming back!

Mackenzie

October 2025

17 ft travel trailer

1 night at Canter Lakes Farm

My boyfriend and I brought our NuCamp Barefoot travel trailer out camping for the first time here and it was absolutely beautiful! It was super peaceful and a nice large area with everything you need! We’re definitely going to come back with friends very soon!

A

April

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Mill Creek Spread

Had a great time camping here! The site was beautiful with lots of flat areas to set up. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for a nice place to stay near Wilmington. Thank you Patricia and Vader!

T

Tracy

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Canter Lakes Farm

Julie and Scott super communicative and the place was just as described! Beautiful grounds comfy camper would love to come back!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best pets off leash camping near Wilmington guide

Where to go

Masonboro Island Reserve

Just five miles from downtown Wimington, Masonboro Island Reserve is an 8.4-mile long barrier island. This preserve is federally protected and features a wide array of wildlife and beach access, thanks to its pristine marshes, tidal flats, and other ecosystems. This is a nesting ground for both Loggerhead and green sea turtles. Camping is allowed, but it’s best to camp where people have already camped to reduce impact on the environment.

Carolina Beach State Park

This family-friendly state park offers shaded campsites in the woods along with hot showers and bathrooms. This tent and RV campground has both tent sites and full hookups. Camping here will allow you unfettered access to one of the State’s most popular state parks, which has hiking trails and biking paths, two public boat ramps, and fishing—all just 20 minutes from Wilmington.

Freeman Park

Freeman Park is a great place to enjoy old-school beach vibes and camp in seclusion year-round without getting too far away from civilization. Note that there are a limited number of tent camping campsites here, all of which need to be booked in advance. Freeman Park allows dogs and four wheel drive vehicles, and fires are only allowed from October 1 to March 31. Otherwise this is a great spot to watch the sunset and sunrise while enjoying the ocean waves.

When to go

The best times to camp on the Carolina coast are spring and fall, which avoids hot summer months and out-of-school crowds. However, hurricane season is also a factor between June and November, so be sure to stay updated with current weather reports and stick to a camping trip that occurs earlier in the spring if you’d rather play it safe.

Know before you go

Since most of these destinations are quite near to Wilmington, be sure to take note of rush hour traffic and plan accordingly ahead of holidays.
Swimming isn’t allowed at Carolina Beach State Park due to the hazardous coastline.
Most campsites must be reserved in advance, so book well in advance of your trip.