Camping options near Apex, North Carolina center around Jordan Lake, a 14,000-acre reservoir with more than 180 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 220 feet elevation with a humid subtropical climate featuring hot summers where temperatures often exceed 90°F from June through August. Most campsites provide partial to full shade from pine forests, creating natural cooling during summer camping trips.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: At Poplar Point Campground, anglers can catch largemouth bass, crappie and several catfish varieties. "I can't get enough of Jordan lake. This place is excellent for walking, hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing and more," reports a camper who visits frequently.
Kayaking access: Paddlers will find multiple launch points at Holly Point where sites "take advantage of the rolling terrain" with some campsites offering direct water access. "We stayed on the cove of Holly point. These are very nice and quiet sites. Good options if you would like some privacy while camping. They also have good spots for fishing and small boat launches (canoe's, and kayaks)."
Hiking trails: The region offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. William B. Umstead State Park features "excellent single track trails for running" with "a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths." Located approximately 20 miles from Apex, the park provides a more forested experience compared to lakefront camping.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between campsites. At Poplar Point, "campsites are roomy. Lots of shade." Another review notes site C-52 was "very spacious, easy to back into, and level. This was a HUGE site, lots of space between neighbors."
Clean facilities: Crosswinds Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "Very clean" and "It has all the emenitys" are common observations. Another camper adds: "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly."
Cellular connectivity: For remote workers, multiple campgrounds offer reliable internet access. A recent visitor to Poplar Point noted, "For those that care about working on laptop or streaming TV while camping, our cellphone hotspots worked great. We got anywhere from 30-55mbps with our Verizon cell coverage."
What You Should Know
Seasonal closures: Most Jordan Lake campgrounds operate from March through October or November, though schedules vary by location. New Hope Overlook Primitive Campground specifies a season from "March 6 to November 27," making it important to check current schedules.
Varied water conditions: Water quality can fluctuate based on rainfall and location. At New Hope Overlook, one camper reported, "When we got to the gate, we were told there was no water, but I had a water filter. When I went to the lake to filter water, the water was still brown."
Campsite terrain: Sites range from level to sloped. At Holly Point, one camper observed a "large park with a hodgepodge of level sites and not so much." Parker's Creek features sites described as "perfectly carved INTO nature," requiring careful selection when booking.
Gate restrictions: Some campgrounds enforce strict access hours. At Crosswinds Campground, a visitor noted "they lock the gate after a certain hour. If you need something or arrive after hours you are out of luck."
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach access: For families with children, Rolling View at Falls Lake offers "nice, big sites and plenty of good areas for swimming, hiking, and fishing." Located about 25 miles northeast of Apex, it features a "nice sand beach on the lake" where families "sat for hours."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer nature observation opportunities. At Crosswinds Campground, "Deer walked right behind our site," creating memorable encounters for children. Parents report this makes for "a very family friendly" camping experience.
Site selection: When camping with children, location matters. At Holly Point, a reviewer advises: "It's best if you can get a site near the beach if you have kids. Otherwise you'll end up driving them back-and-forth." Request waterfront sites when possible for easier supervision during water activities.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility considerations: For larger rigs, the North Carolina State Fairgrounds campground offers "a very large campground that can accommodate any size RV" with "all sites are gravel, but are quite level." Many campers note pulling in without needing adjustments.
Hookup availability: Jordan Lake campgrounds typically offer electric and water hookups but limited sewer connections. A visitor to Crosswinds noted, "there is no septic on your site" with dump stations available at loop entrances. Most loops feature either 30 or 50-amp service.
Weather preparation: During rainy periods, drainage quality varies by campground. At Poplar Point, one RVer reported, "We had a substantial deluge while there, and the water drained just fine," while at Crosswinds, another camper found "the site we had was under water after a light rain and didn't dry."
