Campgrounds and RV parks near Arrowhead Beach, NC

Water is the main draw. Kayaking and canoeing on the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie rivers, plus flatwater ponds and Lake Phelps, suits families and beginners. Merchants Millpond is well known for paddling through bald cypress and Spanish moss along Lassiter Swamp, and Lake Phelps at Pettigrew State Park is one of North Carolina's largest natural lakes. Fishing is productive for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. On land, historic Edenton offers a walkable waterfront and colonial-era buildings. Rocky Hock Campground has a fishing pond, a par-3 nine-hole golf course, and Chowan River boat ramp access. Cyclists find flat, lightly trafficked country roads throughout Chowan and Bertie counties, and the Outer Banks are within reach for a day trip.

Spring and fall are the strongest windows for RV travel in northeastern North Carolina. From late March through May, temperatures are mild and insect pressure is lower than in summer. Songbird migration peaks in April and May. October and early November bring cool nights, drier weather, and hardwood color along the swamp edges. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy, particularly around cypress swamps like Merchants Millpond. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, with the highest risk from mid-August through October. Travelers should monitor National Hurricane Center advisories and be prepared to reroute. Winter is mild by North American standards but damp, with occasional light snow. Some private parks stay open year-round, while state park facilities may reduce services. Rocky Hock Campground operates all year, which makes it a reliable off-season option. Pettigrew State Park's campground is closed for renovations through 2026, so travelers headed to Lake Phelps should confirm status before departure.

Sites in this region tend to be level and grassy or gravel, with mature shade at the state parks and more open, sunny layouts at private RV parks. Rocky Hock offers full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service, water, sewer, and Wi-Fi on large gravel sites, most of which are pull-through. State park sites are typically smaller, do not have sewer, and rely on a central dump station where available. Cell coverage is generally good near Edenton and along US-17, but drops in the swamps around Merchants Millpond and on the south side of Albemarle Sound. Expect mosquitoes and biting flies from late spring into early fall. Wildlife includes deer, turkeys, wading birds, and, at the millponds, American alligators at the northern limit of their range.