Southport is a small city located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, North Carolina. According to the latest census, the community is home to just over 3,800 people. One of the area's biggest attractions is the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival, an annual celebration that typically attracts thousands of spectators.
Spanish explorers discovered the area now known as Southport in the 1500s. It wasn't until the 18th century that the British became interested in this particular section of the East Coast. In the 1740s, a fort was constructed at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. In 1792, the area was dubbed Smithville, but nearly a century later, it was renamed Southport. During the 1900s, efforts were made to transform the region into a prominent shipping port. However, Southport never evolved to be much more than a coastal vacation destination. Today, the area sees an average of 50,000 visitors each year.
Top attractions in the community include the Southport Pier and Riverwalk, Fort Johnson, and the Southport Museum. The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry is a fun option for those planning to travel to nearby Fort Fisher. This historic Confederate Fort lies in Wilmington, North Carolina and is home to the North Carolina Aquarium. In addition, it is just a short distance from Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The Old Brunswick County Jail Museum is another unique cultural attraction in the Southport area.
No Southport vacation is complete without a trip to a downtown waterside restaurant. The Northrop Antiques Mall and Timeless Treasures Antique Store are just two local spots where visitors can engage in some post-dinner retail therapy. The Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room allows guests to try products from several of the region's top wineries and vineyards. Southport's downtown is also home to several unique art galleries and dozens of locally owned shops.
Winner’s RV Park offers premium overnight accommodations a few miles from downtown Wilmington. This Carolina Beach campground boasts 21 sites with full hookups. Cable, Wi-Fi, and RV/boat storage are available. This impressive campground is within walking distance of the beach and other popular attractions. Campsites rent for $60 to $65 per night.
Wilmington KOA Holiday is a year-round camping facility conveniently located on Market Street in Wilmington. It boasts 95 RV sites with full hookups available. At this campground, popular activities include paddle boarding and fishing. The campground offers Wi-Fi, cable, propane, and firewood. Visitors also get access to an inground pool between April and October.
Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is a federally owned and operated campground and recreation area located in Kure Beach, North Carolina. The facility is open to visitors with proper DOD identification. The park boasts a military museum, meeting rooms, a fishing pier, beach access, and more. There are numerous campsites, cottages, and lodging rooms for guest use. RV campers appreciate full hookups at this campground, and pets are permitted.
Carolina Beach State Park is a stunning coastal space in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Its main attraction is Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot sand dune located along the Cape Fear River. This breathtaking feature is one of the only places in the country where carnivorous Venus flytraps grow. The park's marina offers boaters easy access to Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Carolina Beach State Park does not charge entrance fees. However, there is a small fee for boat launch usage.
Jones Lake State Park is a scenic outdoor area in Bladen County, North Carolina. Jones Lake made history as the first state park to welcome Black Americans. Its shallow lake has mystified geologists and visitors for centuries. The waterfront recreation area is a favorite spot for tent and RV camping. In fact, the park boasts 20 campsites. Visitors enjoy hiking, swimming, and paddling within the park. The four-mile Bay Loop and the 4.3-mile Cedar Loop are two of the area's most popular hiking destinations. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks to use in the 2,208-acre waterway. Park visitors have access to a boat ramp, boat rentals, a concession stand, picnic shelters, and a swimming area.
Myrtle Beach State Park is an impressive stretch of beach and forest that spans the coast of South Carolina. There is an on-site ranger station, a pier store, and a reservation center for your convenience. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. Myrtle Beach Pier is another excellent place for saltwater fishing, crabbing, and wildlife viewing. The park boasts over 300 campsites, including over 100 spots with full hookups. Visitors can rent fishing rods and purchase fishing day passes at the camp gift shop.
Take a boat to North Carolina's Cape Lookout National Seashore's barrier islands. Enjoy a scenic ride to this one-of-a-kind coastal land formation. You'll find plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation at this fun-filled maritime park, including birding, camping, boating, and fishing. Be sure to set aside time to visit the Cape Lookout Light Station. Visitors can climb to the top of this historic light station for a view of the surrounding buildings. Other island attractions include the Harker Island Visitor Center, Shackleford Banks, and Long Point.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park are two well-known attractions situated at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Visitors can tour the historic forts and learn about their role in the Civil War. The Fort Sumter visitor center has interactive exhibits, restrooms, and a water bottle filling station. It is an essential stopping point for anyone looking to grab a ferry to nearby Fort Sumter. The Fort Moultrie visitor center is on Sullivan's Island. Both facilities are open daily.
The Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site is home to one of the most impressive living history museums in South Carolina. At this park, visitors can observe an accurate depiction of what life was like in colonial South Carolina. The park's actors help paint a vivid picture of the culture of the South during the American Revolution. Top attractions include the Revolutionary War Center, several Revolutionary War battlegrounds, and Liberty Trail. Visitors can stop by the park's welcome center to purchase tickets for self-guided and guided tours.
Croatan National Forest is a coastal forest in the heart of North Carolina, encompassing over 160,000 acres of pines, saltwater estuaries, and raised swamps. The park is a haven for wildlife, including black bears, alligators, and ospreys. Camping is permitted in select sections of the forest. The forest also offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, swimming, and picnicking. Top attractions near and within the forest include Hammocks Beach State Park, the New Bern Historical Society Civil War Battlefield Park, and the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Free Ferry.
Francis Marion National Forest is a designated wilderness area just north of Charleston, South Carolina. This 258,864-acre recreation space lies within Charleston and Berkeley Counties and encompasses a scenic stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The forest's landscape consists of marshes, swamps, forests, and rivers, and its towering cypress trees set the stage for shaded river paddles. The forest is a popular spot for hiking, biking, paddling, and other types of outdoor recreation. Yellow Branch Waterfall is one of several impressive waterfalls located along the park's trails. Other area attractions include Buck Hall Recreation Area, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, and the Carolina Bays.
Sumter National Forest covers 370,442 acres in western and central South Carolina. The area is divided into three distinct areas, including the Enoree Ranger District, the Long Cane Ranger District, and the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Sumter National Forest welcomes campers, hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and hunters. Popular local attractions include the Forks Area Trail System, Devil's Fork State Park, the Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel, and the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.
South Carolina's Congaree National Park is a 20,000-acre wilderness encompassing a floodplain forest. Visitors can walk or paddle their way around the park. The 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail is a popular starting point for novice hikers. The wooden walkway is easy to traverse. Plus, it puts visitors in the heart of the Congaree wilderness. South Cedar Creek Landing gives prospective paddlers easy access to the Congaree River. The conveniently located entry point makes it effortless to navigate to the park's shaded waterway.
Shenandoah National Park is a 199,173-acre wilderness that incorporates a large section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park lies just west of Washington, D.C. and is a short distance from Baltimore, Maryland. The Bearfence Mountain Trailhead, the Luray Caverns, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are just a few of the park's most frequented attractions. Skyline Drive is a 105-mile road that presents visitors with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Popular park activities include hiking, biking, and camping.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a stunning wilderness situated between the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina. It boasts 816 square miles between the Pigeon River and the Little Tennessee River. Top attractions include the Sugarlands Visitor Center, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Alum Cave, and Laurel Falls. The closest cities to the Great Smoky Mountains are Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. The park's historic gristmills, log cabins, and farmyards helped to contrast its natural beauty. There are countless opportunities for outdoor recreation inside this remarkable parkland, including bicycling, fishing, and horseback riding.
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 Southport, 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 Southport?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Southport 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 Southport?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
