Camping in southeastern North Carolina near Orrum features diverse ecosystems where the coastal plain transitions to sandhills, creating varied terrain at elevations between 100-150 feet. This area sits at the junction of two distinct ecological regions where longleaf pine forests meet river bottomlands. Seasonal water levels fluctuate significantly in the Lumber River watershed, impacting campsite accessibility at certain locations throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking through longleaf pine forests: Near Jones Lake State Park Campground, campers can explore flat trails through distinctive Carolina Bay ecosystems. "Hiked here a couple times. Lake is beautiful and there is a swimming area. Flat all around so if you're looking for difficulty this is not the place," notes one visitor. The four-mile Bay Trail offers moderate difficulty with seasonal flooding possible.
Kayaking the Lumber River: Launch directly from Princess Ann access for a 4-7 hour paddling experience through blackwater cypress swamps. One camper explains, "A great campsite! You can do it all, camping or hiking or kayaking." The river current moves slowly, making upstream paddling manageable for most skill levels.
Farm animal interactions: At Double L Farms Campground, guests can participate in morning feeding routines with resident animals. "The campground restroom was really nice, has air conditioning, heating, and a clean private shower. If you have a family with small children, they will love the horses, chickens, guinea hens, and the couple of friendly cats and dogs that they own," shares one visitor. The farm encompasses 46 acres for exploration.
Visit local fireworks shops: The I-95 corridor between Lumberton and Dillon features multiple fireworks retailers with demonstration areas. A visitor to Dillon Bass Lake noted, "The surrounding town is surprisingly good for food, not so much for entertainment. Unless you love fireworks. I've never seen so many firework places in my life!"
What campers like
Clean bathhouse facilities: Little Pee Dee State Park Campground receives praise for its well-maintained facilities. "The campground had two different campground hosts, and they kept the restrooms and campsites immaculately clean," reports one camper. Another adds, "Very nice size sites. Nice clean bathrooms."
Affordable overnight stops: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate Pedro's Campground at South of the Border for its convenient location and value. "Not a very scenic campsite, but it's quiet, secure, and next to all the SOTB attractions," notes one reviewer. Sites typically range from $25-40 per night with full hookups.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature stocked ponds or river access for anglers. At Little Pee Dee State Park, "Locals often come here for fishing and non-motorized boating. We were fortunate to witness a mass crayfish event--the recent flooding had brought them out of the swamp and up the spillway, much to the delight of seafood lovers."
Farm atmosphere: Campers consistently mention enjoying the agricultural setting at Double L Farms. "Fun place. There were happy chickens roaming around. The camp host were really nice and showed us where to set up. The bathroom was very clean. There are horses, cattle, chickens and a turkey. The animals come to say hi. The kids loved our stay."
What you should know
Highway noise considerations: Many campgrounds near I-95 experience traffic noise. At Lumberton I-95 KOA, one reviewer noted, "Nice place, open layout with a nice pool and great bath house. Right off interstate so there was some noise but not as bad as others. No potholes for trucks to hit all night." Sound levels typically decrease after 10 PM.
Sandy access roads: Several campgrounds feature unpaved entrances that may challenge some vehicles. "Road to campground is horrible! Very narrow, trees hanging over it, dirt, but huge holes! Obviously needs to be graded," reports a Little Pee Dee visitor. Consider calling ahead during wet weather periods.
Limited tent camping options: Most facilities primarily accommodate RVs. At Lazy Acres, one visitor discovered: "I found out that the campground 'doesn't take that kind of camper-no tents, pop-ups' or other vehicles of the sort. I immediately started to panic a bit, considering it was getting late, and I wasn't sure where I was going to go."
Seasonal weather impacts: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Bass Lake Campground management actively monitors conditions: "We were given a rather rude letter at the camp office demanding that we disconnect on specific dates by 6pm, or else we would have our water disconnected and would be charged $10 for failing to disconnect."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's offers extensive water recreation. "Great place for family entertainment. Kids of 10, 8, and 5 and all had a blast. Laser Tag. Splash pad. Water slides. Indoor and outdoor pool. Playgrounds. Dog parks. Putt-Putt. Ice Cream. Fishing. Basketball. Volleyball. Horse shoes…and our kids did it all," shares one visitor.
Bring mosquito protection: Wetland areas around Orrum harbor significant insect populations, especially in warmer months. A Jones Lake visitor warns, "The mosquitos in June were very active especially by the water." Long sleeves and appropriate repellent are essential during evening hours.
Consider site privacy factors: Campground layouts vary significantly in spacing between sites. At Jones Lake State Park, "The campsites are not very private, we went in February so there was not many people around us, which was nice. Keep in mind during busy months you will definitely be able to see fellow campers around you."
Select sites based on animal interaction preferences: Some campgrounds feature free-roaming farm animals that may approach campsites. "Farm Camp. Right by road so was a little loud at night but manageable. Bugs so don't forget bug spray. Rooster alarm. Great place! Will definitely stay again," notes a Double L Farms visitor.
Tips from RVers
Verify site access before arrival: Several campgrounds have tight turns or low-hanging branches that can challenge larger rigs. "When we got to our site, he insisted on guiding me in. He absolutely would not let me pull in with my wife directing me. This is something that we are very particular about as we've had more than one experience with staff giving us bad directions," reports a visitor to Spacious Skies Sandy Run.
Consider full hookup availability: Options vary widely between campgrounds. "Six of the CG's back-in sites are FHUs with both 30 & 50 AMP. However, there are very spacious pull thru sites, but no hook ups, not even electric," notes a Jones Lake reviewer, adding "there's no dump station."
Plan provisioning stops strategically: Several camping areas lack nearby services. "This campground is definitely off the beaten path, about 15 miles from I-95. There aren't any stores around, so get your food and supplies before you arrive," advises a Little Pee Dee State Park camper.
Check seasonal restrictions: Winter freeze protection requirements affect multiple campgrounds. Spacious Skies Sandy Run requires specific measures: "Over the next week or so, any time there was a chance of freezing weather in the forecast, staff members would drive around the park shortly after 6, checking everyone's hoses."
