Camping at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Available Camping Facilities
The family campground at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is located in a wooded area near the park office and is open year-round. Occupancy for each site is limited to one family or six people per site, and a limit of one RV and one tent; one pop-up and one tent; or two tents per site.
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available to all campers. There are also potable water spigots and trash and recycling bins around the campground loop for campers to use. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center or the camp store. A dump station is also provided, located between sites 19 and 21.
There are 12 sites with full RV hookups: sites 1 to 6, 8, 10, 12, 28, 30, and 32. Potable drinking water, a dedicated wastewater at each site, and 30- and 50-amp service are available at these sites. There are also 18 standard campsites. All sites have a picnic table and grill or fire ring.
Campsite 6, with full RV hookups, is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Camper cabins are located on sites 7, 9, and 11. These cabins sleep six people in two rooms, one with a queen bed (sleeps two) and the other room with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. Each cabin features electricity, heating and air conditioning. Potable water is available outside. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse. Outside the cabin, there is a picnic table and a fire ring. Cabin 9 has a charcoal grill. There are also Adirondack chairs by the front door.
Cabin 9 is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
All cabins are non-smoking. Pets are prohibited; service animals and authorized search and rescue dogs are permitted. Cooking and open flames are not allowed inside the cabins. Each cabin has parking space for two vehicles.
Cancellation Policy for Cabins
Please note that cabin reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
A portion of the park has been set aside as a primitive camping area for organized groups. There are four sites available that can each accommodate up to 30 people.
These are walk-in campsites, and all camping equipment and supplies must be carried to the sites, which are located a short walk from the parking area.
Each site has picnic tables, a fire pit, and a grill. Drinking water, waterless toilets, and trash and recycling bins are located nearby.
Reservations are required. Group camping is available year-round.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that if you need to cancel your group campsite reservations, you have until 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Important Information
Check-In and Check-Out Times
Check-in at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.
Some parks can accommodate early check-in or late check-out, depending on the reservation schedule and site availability. Please contact the park to make such arrangements: cliffs.neuse@ncparks.gov or 919-778-6234.
Leave No Trace
Camp on designated sites only. Your camping equipment must be on the tent pad or within the designated limits of each site. When leaving, inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Burn all woods and coals to ash. Put out campfires completely before you leave and scatter cool ashes.
Learn About the Seven Principles
Amenities
Not all campsites have identical amenities. Read the campsite information on ReserveAmerica to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathhouses, or pit toilets, or has RV hookups; and learn other important information.
Gate Access
Park gates are closed and locked at posted closing times for your protection. There will be no exiting or entering the gates after the closing time. All visitors who are not spending the night need to be out by closing time. Vehicles left overnight must have a camping tag.
If you leave the park and do not return before closing time, you will not be able to re-enter. Check with the visitor center during business hours for the after-hours emergency phone number. Please notify camp hosts for emergencies only.
Firewood
Firewood can be purchased at the park from the visitor center or the camp store for $7 a bundle. Fires are permitted only in designated areas and must be tended at all times. Gathering firewood is prohibited.
Please don't transport firewood into our state parks because you could unknowingly spread dangerous insects and diseases and harm the forest. Purchase firewood locally or buy heat-treated firewood. For more information on how to have a risk-free campfire experience, please visit the Don't Move Firewood website.
Making Reservations
All North Carolina state park campgrounds are designated for recreation only. A single campsite can be reserved for a maximum of 14 consecutive nights within any 30-day period. Upon reaching that limit, a camper must vacate the park for 16 nights before returning.
There is no long-term camping or monthly RV parking or storage at the park.
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Changes and Cancellations
You can cancel reservations online by logging into your account on ReserveAmerica. Please note that there is a $6 fee per night to cancel your reservation. The fees will be deducted from your refund.
Same-day cancellations will incur an additional charge of one night's camping. You cannot cancel a one-night reservation on the same day. Same-day cancellations can be made only by calling the reservations number at 1-877-722-6762.
Please note that cabin camping and group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may rescheduled and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
If you need to make changes to your reservation, please call ReserveAmerica at 1-877-722-6762. You cannot switch dates, campsites, or parks using your account online — you will be charged the cancellation fees, even if you book a new site.
In the event of a closure for a campsite, campground, or the entire park, you will be contacted automatically by ReserveAmerica to cancel or change your reservation. You will receive a full refund for cancellations due to park closures.
No refunds are issued for "no-shows," early departures, or cancellations made after the arrival date.
Camping Rates per Night
All prices listed on the page include the $3 reservation fee.
| Campsite Type | Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| RV campsite with electric, water, and sewer hookups | $36 |
| Tent/trailer/RV campsite with no hookup | $26 |
| Primitive group campsites — up to 30 people |
$45 |
| Camper cabins | $78 |
Senior Citizen and Military/Veteran Discount
Campers 62 years old or older and any veteran or active military members are eligible for a $6 discount per night on most reservations (except group campsites). When making a reservation online, check the box for the discount program to apply it to your reservation. When you check in at the park, please make sure you have a valid ID with your birthdate or proof of military service or veteran status to confirm the discounted rate.
There are no other discounts or passes for camping.
Volunteer as a Campground Host
Campground hosts "live in" the park and assist park staff in maintaining the campgrounds and in serving campers. They typically answer questions, provide directions to local amenities, and inform campers of the rules and hours of the campground. They may also help register campers when the visitor center or park office is closed for the day, or they may sell firewood.
Campground hosts serve as the point of contact between campers and on-call rangers. They would report incidents, suspicious behavior, and other situations that may need to be addressed by staff.
Campground hosts serve as volunteers, so they do not get paid. A volunteer work schedule will be arranged with the park's host coordinating ranger. Those interested in serving as campground hosts should be willing to work flexible hours and be prepared to work on weekends and holidays.
Hosts will stay on the host campsite free of charge. Campground hosts serve for 1 month.
Hosts need to be willing to learn about the operations and general information about the park and the local area, in order to effectively assist campers. They must follow and comply with all North Carolina State Parks rules and regulations.
Hosts with pets are permitted, but they must follow pet rules at all times: dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and they must be kept in the host's vehicle during quiet hours.