The city of Wilson began as a small community called Toisnot built around the Toisnot Primitive Baptist Church in the early 1800s. In 1836, the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Company started construction on a Wilmington-Weldon railroad line, which reached Toisnot in mid-1839. The advent of the North and South Railway spurred residential growth in the community as it attracted new settlers.
In 1849, the General Assembly of North Carolina chartered the area of Toisnot and the nearby community of Hickory Grove as the Town of Wilson. The name was chosen in honor of state senator Colonel Louis D. Wilson, a patriotic citizen who advocated for the education of free blacks and who died in 1847 during the Mexican-American War.
In fact, the city of Wilson was a noted center for education, chartering its first academy before it was incorporated as a town. With the establishment of a tobacco warehouse in 1890, Wilson also became known for its tobacco cultivation and was even referred to as "The World’s Greatest Tobacco Market" during the 19th century. The town's cotton mills and its manufacturing of wagons also contributed to Wilson's economic growth.
The modern-day Norfolk Southern Railway construction between 1890 and 1900 positioned Wilson as a strategic commercial town. In 1958, Wilson opened its first public school, Wilson Community College, which offered a range of technical educational programs.
Today, Wilson is home to a community of over 47,000 with a variety of shops, restaurants, and educational institutions. Visitors will find some fantastic and unique places to explore, such as the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, over 10 botanical gardens, and 10 nearby RV parks and campgrounds.
Just 40 miles off Wilson lies the wonder of Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. This spectacular park is located on cliffs that rise 90 feet above the Neuse River. The river flows along the fault line of past geological activities, slowly carving the cliffs through soil erosion and creating a beautiful spectrum of colors on the cliff face. Set up an RV trailer in one of the park's 35 sites and enjoy outdoor dining, hiking trails, swimming, and fishing activities.
Take in the tranquility of nature when you visit Medoc Mountain State Park. Its 10 miles of trails offer visitors a wonderful loop for strolling, jogging, or running. Enjoy horseback riding or try your hand at mountain biking on the trails. Children will have lots of fun exploring the five adventure tracks. The park has 34 campsites with a wide range of recreational activities, such as fishing, paddling, and picnicking.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area boasts a 12,000-acre lake surrounded by 26,000 acres of woodlands. The park includes a wide range of recreational areas, and over 300 campsites offer unique overnight experiences with many surrounding amenities, such as arenas, shelters, and boat houses. Enjoy the 25 miles of hiking trails or bike the exhilarating 14-mile Triangle area. Fun water activities include swimming, paddling, and boating.
Whirligig Festival – This two-day festival in November brings families together to celebrate the most delicate whirligig art, with music and food available as well.
Taste of Wilson – Held in May, this event gathers vendors and restaurants in Wilson to showcase their different cuisines. Visitors can sample various dishes from participating restaurants and vendors.
Rocktoberfest – This annual festival held every October celebrates cideries, breweries, distilleries, wineries, chefs, farmers, musicians, and local restaurants and organizations within the Rocky Mount area.
If you are interested in learning about the history of this area, the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum is a good place to visit. It contains a display of more than 100 whirligigs, which were created by local artist Vollis Simpson. There is also an art gallery on the premises that showcases local artists' work as well as a gift shop offering handcrafted items. Imagination Station Science & History Museum features hands-on exhibits that are designed to spark creativity and curiosity in kids. Among the attractions here is a large collection of historical artifacts, including an extensive display that shows what life was like during the mining era. If you like plants and flowers, head to the Wilson Botanical Gardens. This 7-acre tropical paradise is home to more than 2,000 species of plants, including orchids and bromeliads.
Congaree National Park, located near Columbia, South Carolina, is the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Shenandoah National Park lies just over an hour west of Washington DC and includes Skyline Drive, a scenic highway that winds through the park.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is one of North Carolina’s most popular parks. Located in the town of Seven Springs, it is a favorite destination for visitors who want to enjoy everything from fishing to hiking and horseback riding. The views of the surrounding valley is stunning, there's always a chance to see wildlife.
The Cape Lookout National Seashore is a must-see landmark near Wilson, North Carolina. This seashore offers visitors an up-close view of the beautiful North Carolina coast. The Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial commemorates one of the most important figures in American history. Visitors can learn about Henry and his role in the American Revolution at this site. The Jamestown Island historic area is also worth a visit. This island was once the site of the first permanent English settlement in America and it provides a fascinating glimpse into colonial history. The Green Spring Plantation historic area tells the story of one of America's oldest plantation homes and allows visitors to step back in time to colonial Virginia.
- If you're looking for a campground or RV park near Wilson, NC, some of the popular campgrounds to consider include: Rock Ridge Campground and RVacation Campground. - Many parks offer amenities like Wi-Fi, swimming pools and playgrounds. Some offer a dump station at the campground or on site.
- There are many RV dump stations in Smithfield, North Carolina. - The most popular dump station is located at KOA - Smithfield KOA Campground. - The NC State Fairgrounds and Triangle RV Park also have RV dump stations available.
Wilson, North Carolina, is a small city surrounded by the neighboring cities of Goldsboro, Fayetteville and Greenville. You can make the most of your trip to this beautiful city by riding along with your friends, family and kids in a rented RV. Choose an RV rental for your trip from multiple options such as a class a, class b, or class c motorhome. Filled with wonderful landmarks and tourist spots, Wilson, North Carolina makes an ideal location for RV owners to rent out their units when they are not using them during the summer months. With so many great cities nearby, Wilson is an excellent choice for those who want to explore multiple locations in one trip.
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 Wilson, 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 Wilson?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Wilson 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 Wilson?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
