Onslow Beach Campsites and Recreation Area

Our first time here. Work being done on pivot bridge leading into the camp/beach area so, be prepared to wait if the bridge is pivoted or there is construction need. Arrival - Pretty easy but, only one registration lane. I can see where this would be a problem if multiple campers showed up at the same time. Easy check-in process on arrival. Tips - Plan your arrival to arrive during business hours. Favorites - Can't beat the location, ~ a block off the ocean and a mere foot from the intercostal waterway. Covered patios are nice, especially to hang your sandy wet clothes from after a day in the water/sand. Fairly close to the exchange and commissary for shopping. Close to Topsail beaches out of the back gate. People are super friendly. Shark teeth hunting. The water is fantastic and guarded on the weekends by the big center pavilion. Negatives - We had a couple significant current surges which tripped our 50-amp WatchDog so, I'd definitely make sure you have a surge suppressor plugged inline to your rig. The bathhouse was pretty nasty on a couple occasions and the water pressure in there is atrocious. Not a lot of space for the doggies to run but, you can take your fur babies to the beach at the extreme ends.

You definitely can't beat the location. It is between the Atlantic Ocean and Intercoastal Waterway so you can fish or kayak on the IW side or enjoy the beach on the Atlantic side. The covered patios on many of the campsites are a nice feature too. The beaches are handicap accessible and they have beach wheelchairs available too.

We trucked our camper and stayed in the loop. Our sons and their families rented a beach house. It was a short bike ride back and forth to each. Had lots of great beach days and a great fireworks show on base. The little distance between our camper and the sites pavilion kept us from opening our awning and the site was a bit cramped, but that isn't what we were there for.

This is an outstanding Campground/Facility. It is right next to the beach, it has everything that attracts most campers. Full Hookups (including 50 AMP) and the only thing it lacks is a good Mart to purchase food/groceries. There is a MCX Mart but you can thing of it as a high end 7/11. Definitely nice but not the type of place you can get groceries for cooking if you are staying say, a week (hence my four starts on Amenities/Facilities). Having said that, you can find anything your heart desires by driving seven miles Nortwest to the main complex, and by anything I mean ANYTHING! Just as I read in the comments, service at the reservation office appears to find its balance by swinging from one extreme to the other and it is hit or miss. When we checked in on Saturday, the reception could not have been more helpful, pleasant and professional. My immediate thought was, "it seems they likely addressed the customer service "opportunities" here. Overall it was a wonderful and outstanding experience. We've liked it here so much that we went to the office this morning looking to book, with our fingers crossed, another week at a later time next month. The lady at the desk could not possibly have been more unwilling to help. She dismissed us right away by saying "everything is booked through November" which could very well be the true and the one question she is asked every fifteen minutes. Had she faked looking at her system for cancelations (we hadn't even provided dates to her yet), I would have been perfectly cool with it yet she did not. She spent more time dismissing our inquiry than would have taken her to look and see if there was anything available, even after I told her that the very reservation we are currently enjoying was booked a short three weeks ago. Classic Customer Service 101 that seemed unattainable today. We'll go back tomorrow in hopes that the pendulum swings in the other direction and some one at least "fakes" looking for availability. This place is simply Outstanding.

This was our first time at Onslow and we were NOT disappointed. We drove down from Maryland for an extended 2021 Memorial Weekend Vacation. From check in to check out this location was perfect and the grounds were well kept (and this is coming from a retired Air Force family). The services were amazing and the location to ocean was the best. The staff were professional and courteous. We have a 25ft travel trailer, and I booked last minute so we stayed in the circular area campsites. The site was great but a little small (if I had something to critique), but perfect for popups and tents. When we visit next time, and we will visit again, I will try for one of the bigger sites.

Another great stay, clean bathhouse, clean campsite. Great people working in the front office. Hope the COVID-19 doesn't close this campground down again, my family and I look forward to returning later this summer. Stay safe and healthy. RLMcDaniel

The camping area at Onslow Beach is still available and in excellent condition.Unfortunately, while we were staying in a Cabana in September of 2018, we were forced to evacuate due to Hurricane Florence, which produced major damage to most of the lodging units. The three-bedroom Ospreys, the ocean front Studio Cabanas, and the units reserved for higher ranking officers and enlisted were all rendered uninhabitable. At this time, the only units that are still available are the lodges. They are $56/night from November 1st through March 31st and $70/night (with a three night minimum)from April 1st through October 31st. Here is the information their web site provides about the lodges: Conveniently located on the second row of the island and just a short walk to the ocean! All lodges include a living room, full kitchen, master bedroom with a queen size bed, 1 bath and a loft area. All lodging units are fully furnished to include kitchenware. Please bring your own air mattress or sleeping bags if you will be using the loft area (extra linen is provided). Lodges can accommodate 2 - 4 if using loft area. Smoking is prohibited in MCCS facilities. Pet friendly units are available at an additional daily charge.

Second time here this year. Although I've heard some complain of the price at $32 per night I'd suggest they go spend a week at pirateland or Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach and then compare the bang for the buck. The beach here is just as nice as a Myrtle Beach and much less crowded. The commissary and BX on base are large and we'll stocked. Some campsites are a little unlevel and it would be nice if they were cement rather than gravel but again, go spend a week at Myrtle Beach and pay their prices before you stay here and I'm sure you'll agree this place is a fantastic value. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who likes the beach at an affordable price. I'm confident you won't be disappointed.

I camp hosted here for three years and enjoyed it. I had not been back very often because I was put off with the $32 per night for an RV spot. While this still bothers me, I have been overwhelmed at the changes that have taken place here. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. And a lot has been done here to improve the facilities. They got rid of the officer, enlisted and staff NCO lodging sections and opened it up so that availability of facilities is more equitable. The beach areas have all been repainted and new colorful signage is everywhere. The office is new as is the MCX right beside it. We had guests who stayed in a lodge on the beach all of the appliances, counters, and furniture have been upgraded. Price is a bit high but the money has definitely been put into the rec area and it shows. Well done.

We stayed here for six nights at $32. a night. Most we have paid for a Fam Camp site but wish we could of stayed longer. Sites are mostly level and gravel. Covered picnic area and being able to walk across the street to the beach was very nice. Intercoastal waterway behind the park so all kinds of fishing can be done. Nice large laundry area but no chair to sit and wait. Will come back.

Stayed in a 40 motor coach pulling a car. The sites are not paved, but were pretty level so we had no problems. No pull thru sites, so you have to take the car off the trailer and move the trailer, but we were allowed to put it next to the RV, so that was fine. The staff was friendly and the sites have covered picnic tables which is nice. Cell phone reception was fine and cable was available. Loved watching the helicopters overhead and watching the draw bridge right next to our site. The beach is easily accessible and has handicapped access. Several people were fishing at the intercostal waterway (probably 100 feet from our site) and catching fish regularly. Only issue we had was the set up for getting a permit for the car we were towing. They did not ask us to get one until we were returning to base after being out shopping and that was a good thing, since we could never have gotten into the area for the pass with our RV. Be prepared to take in your registration and proof of insurance, or you will be making a trip back to your car and loose your place in line. We would stay again.

What a great place to stay! We called about a week before Memorial Day and we were able to get a spot. We stayed in the loop and really liked it there away from the main area, close to the fishing pier and the Intercoastal Waterway. We loved the pet beach, though I do wish, because it's a pet beach that they could be off leash. Seems silly to me to have a place for them and then not to allow them any freedom. Each gravel site had its own covered picnic table usually with a clothesline around it to hang wet towels, etc. I was not impressed with the WiFi. It usually took me about an hour or so to get connected and then it would lose the connectivity and not let me back on. The water hookup is on the opposite side of where the sewer is. If you don't have a long enough water line, well, you won't find any close by. The little MCX is fairly well stocked, and as others have said it is quite a little haul to the main side commissary/MCX. We will definitely stay here again, the cost was outstanding for the location and time of year that we visited!

Very enjoyable everyone was extremely friendly. Nice and quite very clean and easy to find.