Best Dispersed Camping near Apex, NC

Several free dispersed camping areas exist within driving distance of Apex, North Carolina. Butner Lake Wildlife Management Area offers primitive camping sites located just off the road in wooded areas. This public land area permits tent and RV camping with basic access. Anderson Creek County Park provides hike-in dispersed camping opportunities, though with limited facilities. Shallow Ford Natural Area in Elon features boat-in and hike-in camping along the Mountains to Sea Trail with designated primitive sites.

Access to these areas varies significantly, with seasonal restrictions being particularly important. Butner Lake WMA is only open during specific hunting seasons: September 1 to February 28 and March 31 to May 14. Most sites are small clearings suitable for a single vehicle and tent. Several reviews indicate that while RVs are technically permitted, the narrow access roads make larger trailers difficult to maneuver. Roads are generally accessible without high-clearance vehicles, though unpaved sections exist. None of these areas provide drinking water, toilets, or electric hookups.

The camping experience at these locations is primarily rustic and self-sufficient. Butner Lake WMA features multiple small sites where "you have a fire ring and a line to hang things from, that's about it," according to one camper who appreciated the free access despite the lack of facilities. Sites are described as close together with limited privacy, particularly during hunting season when most visitors are present. At Shallow Ford Natural Area, campers report a more secluded experience with "lots of shade" where you can "hear the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels." Fire rings are available at most sites, though visitors should verify current fire regulations. Cell phone reception is generally available near Butner, making it suitable for travelers who need to stay connected while enjoying primitive camping.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Apex, North Carolina (3)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Apex, NC

4 Photos of 3 Apex Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Apex, NC

11 Reviews of 3 Apex Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 26, 2022

    Butner lake WMA

    Very Small and not made for trailers.

    This is a small road and if you had a camper of any size it would take you a while to turn around.    Very few places.   Like someone said earlier this is a place to pitch a tent or to Car Camp.

  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Quiet, Discreet and Welcoming

    My fiance and I camped out a little longer than the actually extension period for individuals, but never had a problem. Several others have showed up to camp out a couple days but were gone shortly. For the most part it was just us. And whatever it is running around in the woods. I heard many coyotes elks and a an owl but nothing never stumbled to our campsite close enough to get a look at it other than one young fox which was running away when we pulled in one late night. I think the animals are aware that the campground is human territory so they stay away. It's at 10 different spots to set up with your car parked right next to your tent. Our Boost mobile wi-fi worked perfectly fine. There is a lake 2 mins away one way and another 7 mins away the other way. The city dump is also 2 mins away. And town is 5 mins away. I wish the gates never closed because we would still be there.

  • Max O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Butner lake WMA

    Very rustic dispersed camping

    You have a fire ring and a line to hang things from thats about it here, really nice place to camp if youre comfortable not having a toilet. Saw one other person here come in with a 30 foot trailer, didnt think he would fit but found a spot just fine. And the best part is its FREE CAMPING!!

  • S H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Butner lake WMA

    terrific spot to pull up for a night

    first time doing any type of dispersed camping but it was really easy to find, just off the road in the woods, just follow the coordinates and its a lil past, look for the signs, with lil sites to pull my car up to deeper in the woods, though you can still see the headlights coming from the road.

    I'm not a hunter but no one else was there and I pulled up at 10pm and left 6am on the first day of open season.

  • Linda The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Shallow Ford Natural Area

    Peaceful camping

    This campsite is on the Mountains to Sea Trail for those that are doing that. There’s lots of shade and it is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings. Someone left me a bundle of wood. I hear the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels. I would highly recommend this place.

  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Be Advised!

    All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30

  • Joe F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2023

    Butner lake WMA

    Great small sites

    Right off the road, easy access and perfect sites for 1 car and a tent. Only open during hunting seasons though.

  • B
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Butner lake WMA

    Free during hunting season

    Very primitive, but close to town if you need anything.  Sites are very close together, no privacy.  Most campers are here to hunt so are gone most of the day.  It was not crowded when I was there during the week. I was only there on a Tuesday.

  • Erin B.
    Mar. 18, 2021

    Butner lake WMA

    Warning Seasonally Open!

    Only open Sept 1 to Feb 28th and March 31 to May 14


Guide to Apex

Dispersed camping near Apex, North Carolina offers primitive camping options in the greater Triangle region. The area is characterized by rolling Piedmont terrain with mixed hardwood forests and access to lakes and waterways throughout Wake and surrounding counties. Most free camping locations remain unimproved with seasonal closures or specific permit requirements that vary by site.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Butner Lake WMA provides easy access to multiple fishing spots within minutes of campsites. One camper noted, "There is a lake 2 mins away one way and another 7 mins away the other way," making it convenient for anglers staying overnight near Butner Lake WMA.

Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities around campsites. A visitor to Butner reported, "I heard many coyotes elks and a an owl but nothing never stumbled to our campsite close enough to get a look at it other than one young fox which was running away when we pulled in one late night."

Hiking access: The Mountains to Sea Trail runs through Shallow Ford Natural Area, providing direct trail access for overnight hikers. One hiker mentioned it's ideal "for those that are doing that [Mountains to Sea Trail]," with sites positioned conveniently along the route.

What campers like

Budget-friendly option: Campers consistently mention the free price point at Butner Lake WMA as a major benefit. One reviewer appreciated that "the best part is its FREE CAMPING!!" while another called it a "Good no cost tent site" that "Works perfectly, especially in a pinch."

Proximity to amenities: Despite the rustic setting, Anderson Creek County Park dispersed sites remain close to town services. Campers value this balance, with one noting Butner is "Very primitive, but close to town if you need anything."

Cellular connectivity: Many dispersed sites maintain usable cell service despite their secluded settings. A camper at Butner Lake reported "Our Boost mobile wi-fi worked perfectly fine," while another mentioned "you have a decent signal if you need to park and get work done."

What you should know

Licensing requirements: Hunters/fishing licenses may be required even for camping at wildlife management areas. A camper at Butner Lake WMA warned, "All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30."

Seasonal restrictions: Most WMA camping areas have specific operating dates tied to hunting seasons. One camper specifically noted Butner Lake is "Only open Sept 1 to Feb 28th and March 31 to May 14," which severely limits summer access.

Site limitations: Many dispersed camping areas feature small clearings for minimal setups. A camper described Butner as having "lil sites to pull my car up to deeper in the woods," while another clarified sites are "perfect for 1 car and a tent."

Tips for camping with families

Noise considerations: Some camping areas remain visible from roadways with associated traffic noise. One camper at Butner Lake mentioned "you can still see the headlights coming from the road," which might disturb light-sensitive sleepers.

Privacy factors: Site spacing varies significantly between locations. A camper noted that at Butner Lake "Sites are very close together, no privacy," especially "during hunting season when most visitors are present."

Shade availability: Shallow Ford Natural Area offers well-shaded sites that create a comfortable environment for temperature-sensitive campers. A visitor appreciated that "There's lots of shade and it is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites have significant limitations for larger vehicles. One camper warned about Butner Lake: "This is a small road and if you had a camper of any size it would take you a while to turn around. Very few places. This is a place to pitch a tent or to Car Camp."

Turning radius concerns: Narrow access roads create maneuvering challenges for trailers. Though some have succeeded, as one camper reported, "Saw one other person here come in with a 30 foot trailer, didn't think he would fit but found a spot just fine."

Overnight stopover option: For RVers needing just a quick place to sleep, Butner offers easy interstate access. A camper mentioned it's "Very easy to get too, right off interstate...Great spot to sleep if you are passing through!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Apex, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Apex, NC is Butner lake WMA with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Apex, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Apex, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.