Fall Camping in Wilmington NC

Fall is fast approaching, even though it may not feel like it yet.  With the onset of cooler temps comes more opportunities for outdoor activities that are just too hot for the summer. Summertime in Wilmington is all about finding the water – at the beach, at a pool, or on a boat.  It’s just too hot for almost anything else.  So fall brings some relief in terms of the temperatures as well as some relief in terms of new things we can do outside.

Fall camping is a favorite activity for some people.  OK – for many people.  I’m not much of a camper myself but I appreciate why people like it, especially in the fall.  Humidity is lower, temps are cooler, burning bans have hopefully been lifted so campfires are OK, there are fewer bugs, and getting some sleep in a tent is more of a possibility than it is in the summer.  There are a few popular options for fall camping in Wilmington NC:

Carolina Beach State Park

This site has 83 drive-to / walk-in campsites for up to 6 people each and with a picnic table and grill at each.  The state park has 6 hiking trails and is located along the intersection of the Intracoastal and the Cape Fear River so there are also fishing and boating activities.  This is a beautiful park to explore – and it’s even a Venus Flytrap habitat!

Website

Freeman Park:

Beach camping is like no other kind of camping.  Wake up at the beach, go for a swim, go for a long walk, and then watch as the crowds roll in.  Talk about relaxing!  Freeman Park is located at the northernmost end of Pleasure Island NC and is accessible only via 4WD vehicle (or walking).  Day passes and season passes are available for your car.  It’s possible to find a quiet corner to yourself.  Just be aware of the tides and make sure that you or your car are not going to float away in the night.

Website

Boat Camping on Masonboro Island:

I haven’t tried boat camping since I was a kid but for some reason, I really want to try this.  Masonboro Island is a beautiful, totally undeveloped nature preserve just across the Intracoastal from the Wilmington shoreline.  I really love day trips in the boat and think that a night spent camping on a secluded beach could be really fun.

These are just a few ideas for fall camping in and around Wilmington.  Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite fall camping.  I understand you might not want to give away your secrets, but you can just give us some general ideas!  Enjoy!