Camp store opens at Cliffs of the Neuse
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on July 13, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BECKY BARCLAY
Picnic items like paper plates and cups and plastic ware, along with bug control products and other camping necessities, can be purchased at the new camp store at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Campers at Cliffs of the Neuse don't have to fret if they forgot their toothbrush or shampoo. The park has a new camp store, located in the old park office by the family campground.
"It has things like shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, things people might forget and not realize it until they're here," said park ranger Crystal Lloyd. "You can also get your firewood and ice from the camp store, too.
"And we'll have matches. A lot of people forget matches. And we'll also have the little firestarters to help you start a fire."
Stanley Noel, who runs the camp store, said currently there is a variety of camping supplies, things like paper plates and plastic ware, along with bug control products and picnic supplies.
"We also have items for children for entertainment," he said. "Like blow bubbles and foam sticks. As time goes on, we hope to get a lot more supplies like this in."
He said since the store opened a couple of weeks ago, campers have already stopped in to buy items.
The camp store will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. If the camp store is closed and you need something, go to the camp post at site 34 in the family campgrounds. Payment can be either cash or check. Proceeds from the camp store will go to Friends of the Neuse.
"It's a really neat thing," Ms. Lloyd said. "We'd been talking about having one for a while."
"Hopefully the camp store will add to the convenience of our campers," said park ranger Autumn Kahl. "We get a bunch of people who ask for things that they forget to bring."
Some of the camp store's supplies were purchased by Friends of the Cliffs and some were donated by individuals and businesses.
"We gladly accept any donations for the store," park ranger Candace Rose said. "You can go by the visitor center and use the donation box for money and stipulate it's for the camp store."
Or you can donate supplies, anything a camper might use in the campground, she said.
"We don't want to compete with local businesses because there is a little store in Seven Springs," Ms. Rose said. "It's just a small thing we do to help raise money for the park and help campers.
"Whenever you're camping, convenience is always important. When you go camping in the woods, you don't want to have to leave the park to go get something. It's a convenience to be able to walk up here to the camp store and buy something you need."
The park's campground is open year-round for anyone who wants to get away for a while.
"We've leaf blown all the sites off so they're ready to go," Ms. Lloyd said. "Each site has a picnic table and a grill on it. We don't have electric or water hookups yet. They are in the process of getting here within the next couple of years."
Ms. Lloyd said the campground is RV-friendly.
The campground has five shared water spigots throughout the area. And there's a dump station.
Sites are $20 a night and $15 a night for seniors 62 and older and military.
"You're welcome to bring a generator as long as it is not running during quiet hours, which are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.," Ms. Kahl said.
There is also group camping right outside the park down a long dirt road that's primitive camping.
"There are four large sites with picnic tables, a fire pit and a ground grill," Ms. Lloyd said. "Anywhere from six to 30 people can camp at one site. It's for groups like scouts and churches."
The group camping sites don't have a bathroom, just a pit toilet. But there are water spigots.
Cost for group camping is $13 a night for up to five people and $2 a person if more than that.
"You don't have to make reservations for the campsites ahead of time," Ms. Kahl said.