Located on the Pacific Coast in southern North Carolina, Hampstead is a census-designated place with a population of just less than 7,000 people. The area is a popular one for tourists, as the gorgeous landscape and pleasant weather make it an excellent vacation destination. The area is known for its laid-back, charming small-town feel. Hampstead is also known for its beautiful buildings, including the Belvidere Plantation House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Aside from visiting the plantation house, visitors can also head to other historic locations, such as the Battleship North Carolina, which is a WWII battleship that has been turned into a museum. The Poplar Grove Plantation is another beautiful historic building where visitors can learn more about the history of the area. For more outdoor activities, Airlie Gardens offer a lovely place to stroll, view native plants, and enjoy the weather. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is another great stop where visitors can learn more about sea turtles, how they’re threatened, and what people can do to help. For more indoor cultural experiences, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington offers many hands-on learning activities for kids, while the Wild Child Art Studio offers galleries and classes.
In general, spring and fall are considered the best times of year to visit Hampstead. During these months, temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s. Summers are warmer and more humid, and rain is frequent. Winters are short, but December, January, and February can be quite cold.
Winner’s RV Park in Carolina Beach is an excellent option for camping near Hampstead. The park offers 25 sites, creating a small, quiet, and cozy setting. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates are all available, with daily rates starting at $45. The park provides full hookups, showers, a laundry area, and picnic tables. Pets are welcome.
The Wilmington KOA Holiday is another great choice for camping. Visitors to the campground can use the communal cooking area or visit the camp store. There are 95 sites, and back-in or pull-through sites with full hookups are available. There is also a pool and showers. Anyone looking to camp can make reservations for a spot online.
For a spot tucked into the woods, campers can head to the Carrollwoods RV Campground & Vineyard. Peaceful and picturesque, the campground offers full hookups and a pool. Pets are allowed, and showers are available. Visitors can also purchase a delicious picnic basket from the campground store.
Carolina Beach State Park is less than 45 minutes from Hampstead and offers beautiful views of the ocean. Visitors can simply enjoy the beach and the waves, but the area around the beach offers many hiking trails that wind through shady forest areas. A marina in the park allows people to easily launch a boat, and there are some excellent fishing options right off the coast. The area also provides many camping opportunities, and RV travelers can camp right in the park.
The Cliffs of The Neuse State Park offers a unique nature experience. The park, which spans about 1,100 acres, is situated along the Neuse River and includes the amazing cliffs that stretch along the river’s edge. Travelers have used the cliffs as a landmark for generations, and visitors can now take in their beauty and the ecosystems they and the river support. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in the park, and the river provides many opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. A nearby lake is also excellent for swimming. The visitor center also offers more information about the history of the area.
Only about an hour and 10 minutes from Hampstead, Jones Lake State Park covers about 2,200 acres and is actually home to two lakes. The lakes both offer excellent fishing opportunities, and anglers can often catch catfish, yellow perch, sunfish, and chub. There are also several areas for swimming and picnicking, and non-water activities include hiking or simply relaxing on the beaches of Jones Lake.
As it is located on the coast, it makes sense that some of the most popular national sites and landmarks near Hampstead would be beaches. These landmarks include Cape Lookout National Seashore, which includes barrier islands. Three main barrier islands, called Shackleton Bank, North Core Bank, and South Core Bank, make up the seashore, but the seashore includes several smaller islands and 56 miles of beach. Anyone looking to enjoy the seashore’s beautiful, peaceful setting will need to take a ferry from one of the nearby coastal towns.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is another gorgeous landmark that displays the best beaches the area has to offer. Although the area is prone to violent storms, clear days offer beautiful views and fantastic stargazing opportunities during the night. Visitors often come to enjoy the beach, swim, or spot some of the area’s migratory bird species. Some areas are also protected spots where sea turtles return year after year to lay their eggs. Visitors can also spot an array of other wild animal and bird species in the nearby salt marshes.
For a more historical spot, visitors can head to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The site marks the location where, in 1903, the Wright brothers made their famous first flight. Visitors can walk along the same route the original flight took, and restored buildings and displays recreate the camp at which the brothers and their friends worked to make the flight happen. Visitors can also learn more about the history of flight, the Wright brothers, and the wider history of the area.
Named for a collective group of Native American peoples, the Croatan National Forest spreads over about 160,000 acres along the coast of North Carolina. The forest features, as one would expect, heavily wooded areas, but it’s also home to bogs, streams, meadows, and swamps. Visitors will find many areas to explore, take in the views, or spot wild animals such as bears, alligators, deer, mink, river otters, and a range of birds. Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the forest, but there are also several areas for hiking, boating, and camping.
Located in South Carolina, the Francis Marion National Forest is a subtropical forest that is home to hundreds of plant and animal species. Visitors can spot a variety of trees, orchids, and even carnivorous pitcher plants. Hiking is popular, but thanks to the damp environment and many streams and ponds, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular activity options. Multi-use trails also allow for off-roading, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The forest is located about three hours from Hampstead.
The Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina spans about 530,000 acres and offers more than 600 miles of hiking trails. This gorgeous forest is also excellent for camping and fishing. Rafting enthusiasts can enjoy some challenging white-water rafting experiences, and there are also several places where visitors can drive through the forest to take in the sights or spot wildlife from the road. Because the forest is so large and remote, nights are ideal for stargazing. Many people also enjoy geocaching in the forest. Make sure you get permission from the local ranger district office before leaving a cache, though.
Located in South Carolina, Congaree National Park is about three and a half hours from Hampstead. The park offers three distinct landscapes for adventurers to explore, including a swampy area that’s actually a floodplain, the Congaree River, which causes the floodplain, and dense forests, which are home to the tallest trees on the east coast. Visitors to the park can take in the gorgeous scenery and abundant wildlife or enjoy a hike. There are also many opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The park is warm throughout the year, and summer temperatures can be hot with added humidity. During the winter, sections of the park flood, so be sure to plan your trip carefully.
Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is one of the most scenic in the country. Visitors can explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, travel through the park by car on Skyline Drive, or stop to view the many wild animals in the area. There are dozens of hiking trails available, including a section of the famous Appalachian Trail, plus spaces for mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Some areas are at a high elevation, and storms, including snowstorms, can happen suddenly, so check the forecast before you head out. The park is about five hours from Hampstead.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just under six hours from Hampstead. Like Shenandoah National Park, this park offers stunning scenery and an abundance of wildlife, making it an ideal location for photography enthusiasts. Visitors can explore on their own by utilizing one of the park’s many hiking trails or head out on a guided tour. Hiking tours are common, but Jeep and helicopter tours are also available. The park is also home to several historic areas, such as Cades Cove, which features churches and cabins from long ago.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Hampstead, NC, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Hampstead?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Hampstead from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Hampstead?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
