Camping near Fort Bragg, North Carolina offers diverse outdoor experiences throughout Cumberland County and surrounding areas. The region features sandy soil conditions common to the Sandhills area, with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level. Year-round camping options remain accessible during winter months when temperatures typically stay above freezing, making this region popular with northern travelers seeking milder conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails and natural areas: Raven Rock State Park provides numerous hiking opportunities on well-maintained trails. "We picked this campground because it only 1 mile off I-95 and closest RV park we could find near Fayetteville. Dirt road to campsite is packed white sand and well maintained," notes a visitor to Spacious Skies Sandy Run. For more extensive hiking, explore the trails at Raven Rock State Park where one camper mentions, "There's a great little pathway on this property that encircles a small pond that is perfect for a short meandering through the area."
Water activities beyond fishing: Water recreation extends beyond basic fishing at several area campgrounds. At Smith Lake Army RV Park, "You can rent kayaks and paddle boats right on the water front, but the beach is only open on Weekends until Labor Day." Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers excellent swimming opportunities, with one visitor noting, "Loved being able to just chill in the lake away from it all."
Local attractions and military history: The Fort Bragg region provides access to military attractions and local events. "Fun things to do: Airborne and Special Operations Museum (downtown). You may also enjoy the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum is located on Fort Bragg," suggests a camper from Spacious Skies Sandy Run. The area also features "Paraclete XP skydive center (in Raeford, N.C. close to Fayetteville) - One of the largest skydive centers in the world!"
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness and maintenance of campgrounds in the Fort Bragg area. At Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages, "Two newly remodeled bathhouses and laundry rooms. Staff keeps them clean though out the day, we never had an issue with dirty or un-stocked bathrooms." Another camper adds, "The bathrooms were immaculate. The Landry rooms were great, little expensive but I get it, they are high maintenance with all the visitors."
Community activities: Several campgrounds organize social events that bring campers together. "This resort is very community oriented with activities throughout the week and a free waffle breakfast every Saturday," notes a reviewer at Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages. Another camper mentions, "During our stay they had scheduled kid activities and movie night with popcorn. On Friday evening they had a food truck scheduled for dinner."
Spacious, private campsites: The campgrounds around Fort Bragg offer well-designed camping spaces. At Poplar Point Campground, "We camped at C-52. This site was very spacious, easy to back into, and level. This was a HUGE site, lots of space between neighbors." Another visitor comments, "Amazing spots for RVs on the water! There are TONS of spots that are right on the lake yet have plenty of trees for privacy."
What you should know
Military installation noise: Proximity to Fort Bragg means aircraft noise is common at nearby campgrounds. At Smith Lake Army RV Park, "Camp Ground is next to airfield, you might get Helicopter nosies from time to time." Another camper adds, "This campground is near a military runway so be prepared for loud aircraft noise as well as other military installation noise."
Seasonal water restrictions: Winter camping requires precautions against freezing conditions. One camper at Spring Valley RV Campground notes that campgrounds may require disconnecting water hoses during cold weather: "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."
Limited tent camping options: Many campgrounds in the area cater primarily to RVs and cabins. At Spacious Skies Sandy Run, a camper learned, "I was then asked where my van was. I explained it was parked right beside the check in cabin in the driveway. I then found out that the campground 'doesn't take that kind of camper-no tents, pop-ups' or other vehicles of the sort."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer excellent facilities for children. At Smith Lake Army RV Park, "Playgrounds were phenomenal for kids. Bike and Hiking trails all through out the site." The campground also provides water recreation options as "You can rent kayaks and paddle boats right on the water front."
Educational farm experiences: For a unique family camping experience, consider Legacy Farms Roughing It where children can interact with farm animals. "Beautiful Arabian horses. Also goats, ducks, turkeys, chickens, roosters, Guineas, etc.. Cats and dogs add to the fun," notes one visitor who enjoyed the pastoral setting.
Swimming options during summer: Pools provide relief from summer heat at select campgrounds. At Spacious Skies Sandy Run, "I was surprised to discover a pretty amazing pool (opened in the Summer between Memorial and Labor Day weekends) that the kids enjoyed during the day – nothing too over-the-top, but a cool spot to drop into during the midday NC heat is definitely an advantage!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites strategically based on noise and accessibility concerns. At Spring Valley RV Campground, one experienced RVer suggests, "I would select a spot that is halfway through the loop (it's lower and further removed meaning you'll hear less traffic from nearby HWY 95)."
Military ID requirements: Active duty and retired military personnel have additional camping options. For Smith Lake Army RV Park, one visitor explains it's a "Great Stay for DOD associated members" and is "highly recommended for military families."
Internet connectivity: For remote workers camping in the area, connectivity varies by location. At Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, "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."
