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Need camping teenager friendly on the east coast

Cla
Explorer
Explorer
I am planning a trip to the beach with a thirteen year old. I am looking for a campground with activities that are age appropriate. The main goal is to be in a place with kids so she will not be stuck with her boring parents ๐Ÿ˜„ I was considering the big ones in myrtle beach, but after reading reviews on golf carts and all night parties I am reconsidering... The outer banks to the opposite does not seem to too offer many attractions... If you know of any campsite/area teen friendly please let me know. Gone are the days were all we needed was a bucket and a shovel :(We are traveling from northern Virginia. Thanks
19 REPLIES 19

mrsarbogast
Explorer
Explorer
We just got back from PirateLand per a recommendation from a friend. We loved it!! Had our 15 year old; 14 year old and 4 year old with us. Def recommend renting a golf cart; the resort is huge. We didn't meet an unfriendly face in our 6 days there; staff was cleaning up areas constantly and sites are cleaned/prepared for next camper by personnel. The older girls walked around and met several other teens; played ball; swam; and did pool and lazy river. Our little one loved the kiddy pool and the ocean. Always activities at the pool. We didn't use bath houses
With exception of bathrooms and they were clean. took showers in our own TT.
we stayed in 1414 by quiet pond/lake and site was fairly big as it was a corner. I could see potential problems with getting into someof the others through because they are
Fairly crowded. However; if you can't get in with your own vehicle; you can drop camper off at main parking lot and they will park it for you with either a truck or tractor. The girls loved the golf cart
Parade and decorating the site; everyone cleaned up after their dogs and were super friendly. Beach was pretty crowded (we usually do OBX) but the water was great and WARM!!! We are already making plans to go back for 10 days next year and possibly even a short weekend trip towards the end of this season so outbid kids can see the place. We know they will love it too!

scarceller
Explorer
Explorer
Strawberry Park in Preston, CT is one of the best for teenagers! I know it's the NorthEast but if you come this way I highly recommend it. It's also very close to the CT Casinos (15 minutes).

mdcamping
Explorer
Explorer
At the time we took our older teen age boys to the Camp Hatteras Rv Resort at the OBX. Expensive but there was lots of other teenagers at the campground. Also there's Jet sking rentals across the street. Wright Brothers museum in town, charter fishing trips at Hatteras Inlet...offers two-4 or 5 hr trips per day. The charter was good fun, caught lots of fish and even had the dolphins chasing the boat. prices were reasonable also.

Mike
2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercrew GCWR 19,500 157WB
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mdcamping
Explorer
Explorer
Cla wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
All night parties??? I was just at PirateLand last week, and there were no overnight parties, and the golf carts were put up at 11:00 PM. They may run all night at Ocean Lakes, but not at PL. Quiet time is 11, and it is strictly enforced.


I am very interested to hear about pirate land. There are some very negative comments on trip advisor. Mostly about being dirty and being cramped like sardines. if we go to MB we would like to stay here. Please share your experience. Thanks!


I would not trust trip advisor, a better source for reviews is Rv Park Reviews. 188,000 campground reviews in their data base written mostly by Rvers/campers

Mike
2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercrew GCWR 19,500 157WB
Payload 2476 Maxtow 13,800 3.73 Equalizer 4 Pt Sway Hitch
2017 Jayco Jay Flight 24RBS
Old TV, 07 Toyota Tacoma, Double Cab, Factory Tow Pkg, retired towing at 229K. (Son now owns truck)

Cla
Explorer
Explorer
skrams wrote:
Any chance she can bring a friend with her?


Everybody is gone...we have a friend for the first week of August for a niagara fall trip but nobody for mid August... Last year we travelled alone and I felt sorry for her. When I was kid I used to spend the summer with a bunch of kids hanging out day and night. It was pure fun ( we were on the beach in Italy). We just hanged out and listened to music. Being away from parents was the best thing at that time. We had Some independence and it was great. I wish she could have the same summer experience I had. When she was younger it took no time to make new friends wherever we went. Now not soo easy anymore. It looks like we will try pirateland. I am confident she will have a group of friends in no time. She is a pretty normal kid, all we need to do is break the ice. Thank you all for the tips. I really appreciated it.

skrams
Explorer
Explorer
Any chance she can bring a friend with her?
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Cla
Explorer
Explorer
Executive wrote:
Our grandkids spend their summer vacation traveling with us. 1 GS/ 1GD..both 13. They've never been bored or looking for something to do. There's usually a basketball hoop, horseshoes, mini golf, pool etc. around. IMHO, if the kid is bored, it's because we have allowed them to be bored...(read, over stimulation) There's tons of free stuff for them to be involved in, especially at the beach..try collecting sea shells, make them into earrings or necklaces. Collect rocks, Harbor Freight has a cheap tumbler. I found out my GS loves State Capitol bldgs so we have taken him to every State Capitol west of the Mississippi...and it didn't cost us a thing! Our only requirement is that they leave their play stations and electronic junk at home. This is their fourth year traveling with us. Get them involved in the planning process..you'll be surprised at what you might learn....:B....Dennis


Thanks! Agreed on everything. It's being alone that makes everything a little less fun when you are thirteen!

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Cla wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
All night parties??? I was just at PirateLand last week, and there were no overnight parties, and the golf carts were put up at 11:00 PM. They may run all night at Ocean Lakes, but not at PL. Quiet time is 11, and it is strictly enforced.


Any truth in this review?

My kids lured me into this place because of the "Pirate" theme. Note, this place has nothing to do with pirates. Dirty, crowded, golf carts running wild everywhere. I chose the most expensive site on the ocean, that was a mistake. They have a golf cart parade every night up and down the beach with loud music and lots of alcohol fueling the frenzy. Forget about going to bed early or watching tv. In the morning people use the ocean front area to walk their dogs to do their thing all over the place. Disgusting! The beach is ok, but very crowded. The swimming pool also ok but crowded, the bathrooms by the pool have no locks! So much for privacy. I had to use the bathroom in the convenience store which was filthy. The best selling item in the cstore is Mikes frozen margaritas in a pouch, they have cases and cases of them. I paid for two days and they do not issue refunds so I was stuck in this sandpit among the pooping dogs and golf cart madness. At $67 a night there are 100's of campgrounds you can stay for less and much better. This place is permanently flagged in my NEVER AGAIN LIST. If you want a Pirate experience, rent the movie or go to Disney World, it will be cheaper and better; take my word for it


Only truth there is that there is no Pirate experience, other than the office has a ship theme. It is mostly called PirateLand, because in it's former life it was in fact a theme park, With a steam train, and Pirates fighting and such. It is now a CG, and NOT a theme park.

In fact the "beach" sites are huge, with picnic shelters. The bath houses are cleaned every day, and yes sometimes they get dirty overnite. But that is the visitors fault.
There is a golf cart crusing every night, You will see kids on bikes, and kids walking as well. they ride by each other, and slap hands. There is also a security guard on every corner. It's just good clean fun. Didn't we all cruise, and try to meet girls? However. It is over at 11:00, and carts are parked. Remember, It is a beach CG, and will not be as quiet as a secluded mountain river. But after the carts are parked, You can sit outside, and the only sound is the waves breaking on the beach.

That guy didn't go to the same CG we did. He went to a resort beach with a several thousand other people, and expected seclusion. and lights out at 9. Not going to happen.

But there is a ice cream shop, and a arcade, A restaurant of sorts, a pool, and a Lazy river. Also a indoor pool, minigolf, paddle boats, and canoes. Plus over the 4th, there are fireworks on the beach. :B IF a teenager does not have fun. It's their own fault.

Now back off the beach, across the bridge, the sites are smaller. A beach site is a must.

As to the sand pit part. Yes there is sand. It's the beach
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
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Lazy Campers

wildtoad
Explorer II
Explorer II
I'm always amazed (and pleased) at how many teenagers there are at our local state park riding bicycles, playing bean bag toss, just walking around talking to other kids, swimming and yes spending time with mom & dad.

Huntington Beach State Park near Pawleys Island is a great state park with a great beach, nature trails, marsh walk, nature exhibits and learning center, close to great restaurants, and not far from places spend money. Brookgreen Gardens is just across the street and offers opportunities to learn some stuff.

MB State Perk is also a nice place, a bit closer to the "spend your money here" places.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT

TomHaycraft
Explorer
Explorer
Cla, speaking from the experience of having raised my two boys, now 20 and 26, get your daughter to help with the search! Make her part of the discussion, by 13, she likely knows how to use Google. If she is part of the solution, less likely there will be unwelcome outcomes.
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yrusoslo
Explorer
Explorer
Hello, Check out Savannah, GA. or their Emerald Islands a little further south, near Brunswick. I live in Myrtle Beach, I would pick Lakewood Camp Grounds. If it doesn't have to be a beach, but like, swimming,boating,hiking,etc. I would go to the Mountains in New York. The Catskills Or Adirondacks. Enjoy!

Executive45
Explorer III
Explorer III
Our grandkids spend their summer vacation traveling with us. 1 GS/ 1GD..both 13. They've never been bored or looking for something to do. There's usually a basketball hoop, horseshoes, mini golf, pool etc. around. IMHO, if the kid is bored, it's because we have allowed them to be bored...(read, over stimulation) There's tons of free stuff for them to be involved in, especially at the beach..try collecting sea shells, make them into earrings or necklaces. Collect rocks, Harbor Freight has a cheap tumbler. I found out my GS loves State Capitol bldgs so we have taken him to every State Capitol west of the Mississippi...and it didn't cost us a thing! Our only requirement is that they leave their play stations and electronic junk at home. This is their fourth year traveling with us. Get them involved in the planning process..you'll be surprised at what you might learn....:B....Dennis
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Cla
Explorer
Explorer
hmknightnc wrote:
Pirateland is awesome. Been going there for years. Yes, lots of golf carts and kids but quite time is enforced at 1100PM as well as reasonable control over underage drivers of golf carts. Never notice anything negative about the facility being dirty, always clean when I am there. We do the Sept Holiday there every year and never felt crowded


Thanks, good to know ! We really liked the idea of camping here and the fact that they have a shuttle to MB

hmknightnc
Explorer
Explorer
Pirateland is awesome. Been going there for years. Yes, lots of golf carts and kids but quite time is enforced at 1100PM as well as reasonable control over underage drivers of golf carts. Never notice anything negative about the facility being dirty, always clean when I am there. We do the Sept Holiday there every year and never felt crowded