Overview
Cedar Point Campground and Recreation Area is located in eastern North Carolina at the junction of the White Oak River and the Bogue Sound, immediately adjacent to the Swansboro Inlet. It is within 1 mile of full service shopping, and within 2 miles of NC's Crystal Coast and the barrier island beach community of Bogue Banks. The campground is extremely busy and reservations are recommended but must be made 3 days in advance. Of the 36 campsites, 4 are considered first-come, first served campsites that cannot be reserved or held, so a person must physically be there with their camping equipment to purchase the campsite. Cedar Point campground has the option to use Scan & Pay system, but by the rules of recreation.gov it may only be used for first-come, first served sites. Please make sure to contact a campground host to ensure availability before paying for any campsite. Failure to check with the campground host for availability may result in the loss of your camping fee.
Recreation
Canoeing and fishing are popular options. Power boating is allowed on the White Oak River.
Visitors can hike the Tidelands National Trail, a 1.9-mile path divided in two loops that lend themselves to wildlife viewing. Ospreys and the occasional dolphin can be viewed along the loops.
The recreation area is also home to a picnic area and shallow draft boat launch.
Facilities
The campground has 36 accessible sites with full electrical service (20/30/50 amps). A modern, state-of-the-art bath house is available, with private, hot showers. Accessible flush toilets, and a dump station with potable water connection is also provided. 32 of the 36 sites may be reserved using the recreation.gov website, app, or call center and 4 sites are first com-first served campsites that cannot be held or reserved.
Natural Features
Cedar Point, at the mouth of the White Oak River, is bordered by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable habitat for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters.
The recreation area is part of the Croatan National Forest, a 160,000-acre tract on North Carolina's coast, bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and Bogue Sound.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is a short drive from the developed barrier island town of Bogue Banks.
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area