2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Owl Creek Horse Camp permits equestrians to camp alongside their horses at B. Everett Jordan Lake, offering primitive tent sites with basic amenities for riders. The campground features vault toilets, drinking water for horses, and allows tent camping only. Access is available via drive-in or walk-in options, with spaces designed to accommodate horse trailers near the camping areas. The primitive setting caters specifically to equestrians seeking direct trail access rather than luxury accommodations. Campground facilities remain clean and functional throughout the riding season.
Trail access from Owl Creek connects directly to the riding paths that wind through the Jordan Lake area, providing horse owners with varied terrain for day rides from their campsites. Trails range from heavily wooded sections to shoreline routes with water access points where horses can drink. Most equestrian campers bring their own containment systems as dedicated corrals are not provided at the sites. Riders appreciate the proximity to riding trails without needing to trailer horses between rides. The campground provides a functional base camp for equestrians exploring the area's natural features. Crosswinds Campground, while not specifically designed for horses, offers larger campsites that some equestrians have used when traveling through the region, though dedicated equestrian facilities are limited compared to Owl Creek's horse-focused setup.
"This area is such a short drive from the triangle area of North Carolina, yet this park feels quite remote. Like many state parks, this one excels in the services department. "
"Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "
Available this weekend
from $27 - $77 / night
"This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites."
"Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover."
from $45 / night
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Lots of great paths to walk."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $75 / night
"Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access and right across from the annual spots so we never really had too much privacy but most of the neighbors were very curteous and friendly."
"Located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night. During the day, it’s beautiful. It’s got showers with hot water and accessible facilities. Great camping!"
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $72 / night
"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
from $10 / night
from $5 / night
from $30 - $60 / night
GuideThe sites are very large, long and wider at the back, plenty of room for a big group or family. The bathrooms look new and they are clean. Here during the week so it's very empty and quiet.
TravelerWe visited Crosswinds campground at Jordan Lake State Park on the worst heatwave of the year. The great thing about this area is that the sites a well shaded. We were about 50 yards from the lake, with the wind blowing we still were comfortable all day. We stayed on Loop A, which is my favorite loop at the park. There’s no electricity or water at the sites. There are water spickets throughout the loop with potable water. The site is awesome! There’s a small pond beside it. The neighboring sites are close, but regular conversations can not be heard.this loop is always quiet even when there are a lot of people, but it’s never been full when I’m there. I didn’t do good with photos except for the food.
ScoutDecent campground in a beautiful location along Lake Jordan. Crosswinds Campground is one of several sites on the lake. We chose this location since the gates stay open all the time, while other sites have a curfew that can lock you out for the night.
The staff are super friendly and helpful. There’s apparently a camp host whom we never met and they’re on the site next to ours (not sure if they’re supposed to greet us or help us get acquainted with the site, but the staff member at check in was great and did all that when we arrived).
Loop C is quiet, very few children, and less road noise compared to the other loops, but doesn’t have the same access to the lake.
Site C50 is conveniently located close to the bath house, has a large fire pit with adjustable grill, picnic table, and hookups for water and electricity. We’re in a tent, so really just use the electricity. The picnic table here should be replaced, as the wood seems to be rotting, but still does the job. There are a few sites in loop C that do have direct access to the lake, but those tend to be booked all of the time. We explored one last night and couldn’t believe it was vacant and how much nicer it seemed.
Bathrooms are not as clean as I would like, but I bring disinfectant wipes to wipe the toilet before use. Showers are fine, but use an annoying motion sensor to turn the water on/off. Showering at night is annoying with the bugs because the bathhouse is lit like a beacon (probably for safety). Waiting for the daytime is a better experience. Also, there isn’t a washing station for dishes, and we do that at our site.
Firewood can be purchased by the staff at the campground entrance; however, the exact same firewood is almost $4 fewer at a Refuel station down the street. Definitely stop into that gas station store for things you might need.
Overall, really good experience staying here, some annoying things, but won’t ruin your stay.
ScoutReally fantastic spot to camp! Great sites and hook ups (no sewer, but EASY dump station)! Go for Loop B - it has the beach.
LegendB.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.
ScoutThe staff are all very friendly and helpful
GuideThis is an excellent place to stay. It’s very clean, lots to do, beautiful view of lake. Great hiking trails.
GuideThis is a very large campground that can accommodate any size RV. They do not allow tents. All sites are gravel, but are quite level. I pulled in, and didn't have to adjust anything. Pets are welcome, but as everywhere, dogs must be on a leash (not more than 6' long). If you put the address into your GPS, it will take you to the main fairgrounds. You need to put NC state fairgrounds CAMPGROUND. It is about a quarter mile from the main fairgrounds.
ScoutNo amenities, but the price reflects that. Conveniently located to everything this area offers. Fun to check out whatever is happening at the fairgrounds and the horse complex is across the street. Big rig friendly but you might need to park your your truck/road a ver short walk away if you have a very large rig. The issue here is lack of oversight. There are security folks, but only if you call and request them. There is trash pickup, but no other staff anywhere. So people break the various rules often. Mainly they stay longer than 14 days. There were squatters when we were here one time - about 5 rigs and they wouldn’t leave and had no reservations. They were gone two weeks later when we came back (state troopers and Raleigh PD had to get involved).
Equestrian camping near B. Everett Jordan Lake offers access to over 1,200 acres of mixed hardwood forest and shoreline trails. The region maintains moderate temperatures year-round, with average summer highs around 87°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 30°F. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring bringing occasional muddy sections while fall delivers packed dirt paths ideal for horseback riding.
Trail riding on shoreline routes: Jordan Lake's equestrian trails feature several water access points that aren't mentioned in the horse camp descriptions. At Crosswinds Campground, campers can enjoy "boat ramp in campground" and "great hiking trails" with "deer walked right behind our site," according to Wendy M.
Disc golf at nearby parks: Just 30 minutes from Jordan Lake, Cedarock Park offers "two fantastic disc golf courses" with a total of 36 holes. Kelsey L. notes the "Wellspring course" is particularly enjoyable for campers looking to break up their horse-focused activities.
Fishing from shore or boat: The lake provides ample fishing opportunities beyond the equestrian areas. Paula U. mentions that some Crosswinds Campground sites "offer a tie-off of your boat adjacent to your campsite," making it convenient to bring your horse and boat for a multi-activity trip.
Privacy between sites: Unlike the close quarters described at Owl Creek Horse Camp, nearby William B. Umstead State Park offers "campgrounds are close but separated by trees and forest to create privacy," according to Sydney S., providing a more secluded alternative for equestrians who value space between neighbors.
Clean facilities that serve multiple user types: While Owl Creek focuses on equestrian basics, nearby options offer broader amenities. Robert P. simply states that Crosswinds Campground "has all the emenitys," while Paula U. elaborates that it features "a nice sand beach on the lake and a boat launch as well."
Level terrain for easy setup: The camping areas around Jordan Lake feature relatively flat ground. Paul H. notes that Crosswinds "easily accommodated our 39ft. Class A" with "plenty of room" despite being a back-in site, offering an alternative for equestrians with larger rigs than typically accommodated at horse-specific camps.
Weather considerations: The Jordan Lake area experiences seasonal storms that can affect camping conditions. One camper at Cane Creek Campground reported that "a large storm rolled through and a hickory nut busted the top of my ac unit on my roof," highlighting the need for awareness about overhead tree coverage.
Gate access limitations: Unlike Owl Creek's 24-hour accessibility, some nearby alternatives have restricted access times. Debbie F. notes that at Crosswinds, "they lock the gate after a certain hour. If you need something or arrive after hours you are out of luck."
Site drainage issues: Some campsites around Jordan Lake have drainage problems after rain. Rick M. described his experience at Crosswinds as a "mud hole, the site we had was under water after a light rain and didn't dry," suggesting equestrians should inquire about elevated sites when booking during rainy seasons.
Playgrounds near campsites: For families bringing both children and horses, look for campgrounds with child-friendly amenities. At Falls Lake State Recreation Area, amanda L. "loved that there was a playground near the site" and noted that "the hikes around were stunning," offering activities for non-riders.
Swimming options during hot months: Jordan Lake has designated swimming areas for cooling off after trail rides. Angela M. enjoyed "close to the beach where we sat for hours" at Crosswinds Campground, making it practical for families to combine horse activities with water recreation.
Field space for games: Beyond trail riding, families need areas for other activities. Sarah M. found that Falls Lake offers "a large open field great for recreational games (we played frisbee!)" near their campsite that "lined the lake," providing diversions when not on horseback.
Early arrival benefits: RVers with horses should plan morning arrivals. Shannon S. at Falls Lake appreciated that "they let us in a couple hours early which was great" for setting up their rig before taking horses on the trails.
Full hookup limitations: Unlike basic equestrian camping, RV sites with full amenities have specific constraints. Jason N. observed that at B.W. Wells Campground, "none of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down," requiring planning for those bringing both horses and large RVs.
Dust and surface conditions: RV campers note that site surfaces vary significantly. S G. mentioned that at North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the "biggest issue is that the grass doesn't seem to be maintained and dusty," a consideration for horse owners concerned about respiratory conditions for their animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near B. Everett Jordan Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near B. Everett Jordan Lake is Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near B. Everett Jordan Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near B. Everett Jordan Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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