2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several tent campgrounds dot the Sandhills and Piedmont regions surrounding Cameron, North Carolina, offering primitive tent setups in varied forested settings. Notable options include San-Lee Park in nearby Sanford with approximately 10-20 tent sites, and Chalk Banks Access at Lumber River State Park, which provides spacious, secluded tent platforms set among pine forests. These established campgrounds typically require short walks from parking areas and offer basic amenities for tent campers.
The tent sites at San-Lee Park feature standard amenities including fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and communal water spigots. Most tent campgrounds in the region provide vault toilets or basic restroom facilities, though shower availability varies significantly. Primitive tent camping options can be found at Sandhills Campground B, which offers free camping but requires visitors to bring all supplies including drinking water. Tent campers should note that many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some locations like Chalk Banks require reservations. Many parks lock entrance gates at night, with Chalk Banks closing at 9 pm and providing access codes for overnight campers.
Pine forest settings dominate the region's tent campgrounds, providing partial shade and natural settings for campers seeking backcountry tent camping experiences without venturing far from civilization. Sites at Chalk Banks are particularly notable for their spaciousness and privacy, with some tent sites positioned far back in the woods for increased seclusion. The Lumber River runs adjacent to several campgrounds, offering fishing and paddling opportunities directly from tent camping areas. A visitor to Chalk Banks noted, "The tent sites are some of the better spread out ones that I've seen and having cell coverage is immensely appreciated considering you're basically in the middle of nowhere." East Morris Mountain provides even more remote primitive tent setups with only three sites along a fire trail, though these sites are primarily open during hunting season.
"Contrary to what has been written, I would highly recommend San-Lee Park to anyone looking for a short and easy escape from the nearby Raleigh-Durham area."
"There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."
from $15 / night
"It was a little tricky finding the entrance to this campsite, but when we managed to Google map our way in into the park, we were very happy with our selection!"
"There was a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp, a fire pit, and very clean toilet. I would definitely go back!"
Available this weekend
from $17 - $47 / night
from $5 / night
"This is a campground located in the Sandhills Gamelands in NC. If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that."
from $17 / night
"I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go."
"It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking."
"Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails."
"My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park. After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."
"Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."
"A nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit."
"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
"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
GuideStopped here after our fiasco with holly bluff. Beautiful campground with trees. Very quiet during the day and peaceful. The only thing we found curious was the vehicle in and right back out activity between 10:30-pm and 1am back and forth to campers that were long term stays. Made nighttime hard to sleep in site 3 with vehicles back and forth for hours .
GuideStopped in to get a spot for a few nights nights because it said they had available rv spots Unfortunately they didn’t know which end was up and tried to squeeze us into a spot that might have hookups that maybe worked but they couldn’t be sure. It was a joke. We left after waiting several minutes waiting while they were looking for a place to maybe squeeze us in because we had a small camper. No thanks. Would not recommend staying here til they get there act together
GuideStayed in the C loop right on the water. Bathrooms are up the hill at the entrance to the loop. Sites along the lake aren’t private but are spacious.
ScoutLooking for a nice place for a camping getaway? We highly recommend checking out the Deep River Campground in Asheboro, NC. The location itself is beautiful. It is literally on the Deep River and features a hiking trail that runs along the river past the remnants of a historical damn, where a small area of rapids gently swirls around the big rocks spanning the river. There’s also a large lake with a nice grassy expanse for picnics, playing games or just lazing around lakeside. This campground has been around for a while, but it has new owners now and they are breathing some for real new life into the place. They have already made lots of repairs and improvements, and you can see more in progress. There are sites for RVs with all the hook-ups, and great primitive sites for tent camping, several located right on the river. If you don’t have an RV and sleeping on the ground doesn’t spark joy, they have a few small rustic but nicely-appointed cabins. You’ll find two pools, several covered picnic shelters, a playground for the small ones, and several options for older kids and adults to play, like a horseshoe pit and a nice game room. They also have planned activities like movie nights and weiner roasts most evenings to entertain and create community among campers. They are pet friendly and have their own pet mascots on site— a flock of ducks including beautifully colored teals and mallards. We were just there for 2 nights, but I have a good feeling we’ll be visiting there again soon. Definitely worth a visi
ScoutNew and clean rv campgrounds. 28 spots. Awesome camp host Ron.
TravelerThis is/was marked as dispersed camping but this is primarily an OHV area, with a shooting range nearby that can be heard from some campsites. Most, if not all, of the campsites are intended to be large group sites. The empty site we found was filled with trash, discarded tents, air mattresses, and trashed electronics from OHVs. There's so much trash we would not even be able to take it all out with us if we wanted to. This may be a national forest, but it is not peace and quiet as one would expect from "dispersed and primitive" camping.
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.
GuideThere was other people camping and running their generators all night. Some low lifers on ATV blasted in and out of the parking area and blasting music at 2 am. Good luck getting any sleep here. But enjoyed the trail to it and the forest. Got at least 2 hours of sleep before I packed up.
Tent camping near Cameron, North Carolina offers access to diverse terrain across the Sandhills and Piedmont regions, with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level. The area experiences mild winters with occasional frost and hot summers where temperatures frequently reach the 90s. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though primitive sites may have seasonal restrictions during hunting seasons or extreme weather conditions.
Paddling opportunities: The Lumber River provides excellent kayaking and canoe access directly from Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park. "Easy parking nice boat ramp for the kayaks," notes Danny R., making it convenient for paddlers to launch directly from the campground area.
Fishing access: Multiple water bodies near Cameron offer fishing without needing to travel far. At Deep Water Trail Camp, "My friends both caught a couple of channel cats. One enormous female catfish we released because she had eggs on board," reports Vincent S. The area provides both river and lake fishing depending on your preferred catch.
Trail exploration: Several camping areas connect directly to trail systems. The historic farm at Cedarock Park adds educational value to outdoor adventures, as one camper explains: "The park is also home to 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails... and even a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina."
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the room between tent sites at certain parks. "These campsites are in a beautiful pine woods forest. Many sites have a pretty mossy pathway near the tent platform," notes Joe L. about Chalk Banks, highlighting the natural setting that provides separation between camping areas.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost opportunities in the region. Sandhills Campground B offers completely free primitive camping, though Marvin D. warns: "If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to spot local fauna. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, one visitor humorously noted, "Been camping here for about a year, still haven't seen big foot yet... but I'm still hopeful," while enjoying the forested setting that supports diverse wildlife.
Gate closure times: Several parks lock entrance gates during evening hours. At Chalk Banks, Joe L. mentions, "The ranger that greeted us was super nice and respectful. He gave us the gate code in case we needed to leave after they closed the gate at 9:00pm." Always confirm gate policies when checking in to avoid being locked in or out.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance bookings while others operate differently. The reservation process at San-Lee Park can be confusing, as Karah S. discovered: "After calling and only getting voicemails, we found the man again who called his boss. His boss finally answered and said we can only camp there by making reservations 72 hours ahead of time."
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites often requires appropriate vehicles. At Deep Water Trail Camp, Gabby A. cautions: "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you're in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks."
Educational opportunities: Families can combine camping with learning experiences. At Cedarock Park, one visitor shared, "While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf. It was a great time!" The park's historical farm offers additional educational value for children.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas for younger campers. "Just past this and up a slight incline, stay to the left and you'll come to the campground in about 50 yards... This park has lots of hiking trails, a fantastic park for the kiddos, Nature Center, a gorgeous lake perfect for a day of fishing," notes Stuart K. about San-Lee Park.
Activity options: William B. Umstead State Park provides multiple recreation choices for families with varying interests. "This campground is right on a lake allowing for drive in campground with a body of water to swim, kayak, and enjoy only 100 yards away. Showers, bathrooms, and running drinking water is nearby," writes Sydney S.
Limited RV options: Most primitive sites in the region accommodate tents rather than RVs. At San-Lee Park, Marvin D. observed, "tent campers (no RV's welcomed here, just tents) can book a campsite on a first-come, first-served basis." Select campgrounds specifically designed for RVs when planning your trip.
Check site dimensions: When RV camping is available, verify site sizes before arrival. At East Morris Mountain, Dean S. notes there are "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail," making it unsuitable for larger rigs but appropriate for smaller camper vans and tent setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cameron, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cameron, NC is San-Lee Park with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cameron, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Cameron, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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