Camping Near Greenville, NC, Is a Great Way to Explore the Region

Courtesy of Whispering Oaks RV Resort

Camping near Greenville is a great way for visitors and locals alike to get to know this neck of the woods.

This section of eastern North Carolina offers several beautiful campgrounds as well as plenty of activities to take part in when not dreaming beneath the stars — think exploring, fishing, biking, dining and so much more. 

Campgrounds Near Greenville, NC

The region’s campgrounds and RV parks offer an ideal nature retreat that you are sure to love. 

Spend a relaxing weekend at Contentnea Creekside RV & Trail Park in Grifton, where you can enjoy this serene creek, which offers prime opportunities for paddling and fishing. 

River Park North in Greenville allows you to experience nature and be close to urban amenities. The Tar River runs through this peaceful 324-acre tract, which is equipped with campsites, hiking trails, picnic tables and a fossil pit where kids can dig for ancient souvenirs. 

Manning RV Campsite and Whispering Oaks RV Resort, both in Greenville, offer a balance of pristine nature and modern conveniences. 

Aaron Hines

Outdoor Activities Nearby

The area is packed with activities, including several found outdoors, that you can enjoy during your outdoorsy adventure. The region’s greenways connect outdoor hubs across the city, with the South Tar River Greenway spanning the Town Common, a dog park, River Park North and Wildwood Park. 

Choose to bike, rather than walk, the greenway and make your way to Wildwood Park, where you can enjoy the Chris Smith Mountain Biking Trails — 6 miles of single-track trails that loop around the park.

“The greenways are really popular and a really great opportunity to explore Greenville from a perspective that maybe you hadn’t considered before. The greenways offer a totally different idea of Greenville and maybe even Pitt County than what you’re picturing,” says Katie Winslow, garden coordinator for the Making Pitt Fit Community Garden.

The organization works to build a community of gardeners who share resources that make gardening a fun, inexpensive and successful experience. 

Make sure to check out the Making Pitt Fit Community Garden, as it is a great way to spend time outdoors while contributing to a cause. A portion of the food produced is donated to the nearby Council on Aging nonprofit, which works to improve quality of life for Greenville’s elderly residents. 

Winslow is happy to host tours of the Pitt Fit Community Garden and welcomes volunteers of all skill and mobility levels.

Aaron Hines

Where to Eat and Shop 

To stock up on local produce and other goods during your stay — and to keep with the outdoor theme of your adventure — be sure to stop by the Leroy James Farmers Market, which is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from March through December.

As the largest county-run market between Raleigh and New Bern, it has become a popular shopping destination for all of eastern North Carolina. Offering local produce as well as unique artisan items, like handmade linens and natural cleaning products, the market has become a gathering place for the community.

“We wanted to sustain a farmers market that could be a hub for locally grown produce, not just to nourish people physically, but being a hub for the community, as well,” says Noel Smith, market manager.

For a farm-to-table experience, venture into Greenville for some delicious cuisine. Native Fine Diner offers an upscale twist on Southern diner fare, while Ford + Shep brings an eclectic rotating menu inspired by world cuisines. The newly revitalized Dickinson Avenue area is burgeoning with restaurants as well as its own Farmers and Makers Market, which features goods made or grown within 50 miles of the city.

There’s no shortage of outdoor spaces in Greenville-Pitt County, and locals and visitors alike are invited to partake in the myriad experiences available.

“There are great ways for you to utilize that space, to get outside and walk and move,” Smith says. “Visit the Town Common and take a walk on the greenway or along the Tar River and be outdoors with the community that you’re building.”