Hidden Orchard Campground

🍎 Introduction / Overview: Discovering the Quiet Beauty of Hidden Orchard

For North Carolina residents seeking an authentic, peaceful retreat near the state's picturesque Inner Banks, Hidden Orchard Campground in Merritt, NC, offers a truly unique destination. This is not your typical crowded commercial park; instead, it provides a quiet, farm-like setting nestled within a working orchard environment. The campground offers a refreshing escape, blending the quiet simplicity of nature with the essential amenities demanded by modern RV and tent campers.

Situated conveniently near the sailing capital of Oriental and the vast expanse of the Neuse River, Hidden Orchard Campground serves as an excellent, well-maintained base camp for exploring the entire Pamlico County peninsula. The atmosphere is specifically cultivated to be low-key and friendly, attracting travelers who appreciate self-sufficiency and a deeper connection to the local, agricultural landscape. The charm of camping among fruit trees, combined with the availability of key utilities, makes this a standout choice for those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of larger coastal campgrounds.

The focus here is on clean, spacious sites and high utility. Campers consistently note the quality of the electric service—including 50A options for the largest rigs—and the inclusion of free, fast WiFi, which is a significant bonus for anyone needing to stay connected or work remotely while enjoying the rural quietude. Hidden Orchard is a fantastic option for North Carolinians looking for an accessible, tranquil, and pet-friendly spot to launch their next fishing, sailing, or hiking adventure near the beautiful coastal waters.

📍 Location and Accessibility: Gateway to the Inner Banks

Hidden Orchard Campground is ideally located in the heart of Pamlico County, providing excellent access to the Neuse River and surrounding coastal communities.

The address is:

3927 Whortonsville Rd, Merritt, NC 28556, USA

This location places the campground centrally on the peninsula, just a short drive—approximately 6 minutes—from both the quaint sailing town of Oriental and the local hub of Bayboro. For North Carolina campers, this means easy access to marinas, local restaurants, and groceries, all while being secluded enough to enjoy a quiet night's sleep. The campground is also well-positioned for exploring major regional attractions:

• Croatan National Forest: Located approximately 27 miles away.
• Cape Lookout National Seashore: Accessible via nearby ferries or a scenic drive.
• Neuse River Access: Close proximity to the river and numerous creeks, making it a great base for boaters.

Accessibility for RVs is a key strength. The campground is big-rig friendly, offering pull-through sites that accommodate large units (up to 55 feet including the tow vehicle) with spacious maneuvering room. Dedicated back-in sites are also available for smaller mini-campers, vans, and trucks. Sites are easily reached via well-maintained gravel roads off Whortonsville Road, ensuring a smooth arrival for travelers from across the state.

🧺 Services Offered

Hidden Orchard Campground provides a thoughtful selection of services that cater heavily to the needs of modern, self-contained RV travelers while keeping a low-key, simple environment.

• Premium RV Hookups: Features full-size RV sites with 50 Amp electrical service and Water hookups in a pull-through configuration, ideal for big rigs.
• Smaller RV Hookups: Offers dedicated back-in sites for mini-campers (25 feet and less), vans, and trucks with 30 Amp electrical service and Water hookups.
• Restrooms (No Showers): Provides clean, on-site bathrooms/toilets for guest use. Note: The campground explicitly does not offer shower facilities.
• Connectivity: Offers Free, fast WiFi access, making it remote work friendly.
• Sanitary Dump Station: An on-site dump station is available for registered guests (and possibly others for a small fee per gallon), offering a crucial utility for RVers.
• Site Amenities: Each RV and tent site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring for outdoor enjoyment and cooking.
• Pet Friendly: The campground is welcoming to pets, allowing North Carolina families to bring their animal companions.

🌟 Features / Highlights

The campground’s most attractive features revolve around its unique setting, the quality of its utilities, and its strategic location near prime North Carolina waterways.

• Orchard Camping Experience: The defining feature is the beautiful, tranquil setting within an active orchard, offering a truly unique, scenic, and shaded environment that feels far removed from commercial tourism.
• Big-Rig Utility: The provision of reliable 50A, pull-through sites ensures that even the largest modern RVs can camp comfortably and power all their onboard systems.
• Waterside Access: The general area is waterside, with some sites accessible by watercraft (boat-in), providing excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing in the nearby creeks and the Neuse River.
• Exceptional Value WiFi: Offering free, fast WiFi is a significant advantage, particularly in a rural coastal setting where cell service can be spotty, appealing to all guests needing connectivity.
• Proximity to Oriental: Being just minutes from the charming town of Oriental, NC, provides easy access to sailing lessons, quaint shops, and excellent seafood dining.
• Tent Camping Options: The campground dedicates space to primitive tent camping, ensuring the area caters to all types of outdoor enthusiasts, from full-timers to weekend backpackers.

📞 Contact Information

Hidden Orchard Campground utilizes modern, direct communication methods for reservations and inquiries.

• Address: 3927 Whortonsville Rd, Merritt, NC 28556, USA
• Phone (for reservations/inquiries): (305) 431-6562
• Email: jlpease26@gmail.com

North Carolina residents are encouraged to contact the campground directly via phone or email for current pricing, availability, and to secure reservations, especially since the number of premium pull-through sites is limited. Given the lack of showers, direct communication can also help confirm if portable shower options are acceptable on-site.

🥇 What is Worth Choosing Hidden Orchard Campground

For North Carolina RVers, choosing Hidden Orchard Campground is the smart decision when seeking high-utility electric service and unrivaled tranquility in the heart of the Inner Banks.

The most compelling reason to choose Hidden Orchard is the exceptional combination of reliable 50A hookups and fast, free WiFi within a genuinely unique and peaceful orchard setting. It successfully avoids the noise, congestion, and generic atmosphere of larger commercial parks. For self-contained RVs (those with their own onboard shower/facilities), the lack of a public shower house becomes a non-issue, allowing campers to fully benefit from the quiet environment, the affordability, and the proximity to the Neuse River and charming Oriental. This campground is a must-visit for anyone who loves the coastal landscape but prefers a private, shaded, big-rig-friendly haven with excellent electrical and connectivity—the perfect base for exploring the rich maritime culture of Pamlico County.