Looking for the best campgrounds near Carthage, NC? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Carthage camping trip.
$55 - $138 / night
"Nice lake with walking trail. The main lodge is beautiful."
"Sycamore Lodge is close to home, 1 1/2 hrs drive time, not bad.
Happy with this place, it is clean, friendly and mostly quiet. Close to Pinehurst and Southern Pines with great restaurants, etc."
$54 - $1250 / night
"We weren’t sure before if it was a walk in area. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers.Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four."
"The campground is conveniently located between Sylva and Waynesville and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway."
$27 - $37 / night
"Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina!"
"Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area."
$27 - $75 / night
"The campground is walking distance to Raven Rock trails and you get a free walk up pass to get in. We had a very good time and will definitely go back."
"It is a place of beauty and next to cape fear river ,Has plenty of places to hike to and to camp."
"It should be no shock to those familiar with North Carolina’s geography that if one is seeking higher altitudes and breathtaking overlooks, Uwharrie is not the place he should go."
"This area was one of my favorite ares for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest while living in North Carolina. The area can be accessed by boat on the Little River, or by hiking in."
$15 / night
"There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."
"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."
$17 - $47 / 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!"
$27 - $77 / night
"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. "
"This is a pretty nice campground, similar to other state parks in North Carolina. The sites are spacious, we stayed at a double site that allowed up to 4 cars."
ScoutThis is such a pretty camp site. Even if you aren’t on the water you still have a beautiful view of the lake. The spots are well spread out so you don’t feel like you are on top of each other and it’s very kid friendly
LegendNestled along the shores of Jordan Lake, Crosswinds Campground is one of those places that makes one feel like they just scored a million-dollar lakefront spot for the cost of a campsite fee. First impressions? Towering pines everywhere, a breeze rolling off the water and the faint hum of boats out on the lake. It’s a large, well-loved campground that still manages to feel peaceful – provided you’re not parked next to that one guy who thinks 'quiet hours' are just a suggestion.
The facilities here strike a nice balance between rustic and comfortable. Out of the 182 sites, 134 offer water and electric hookups, making it RV-friendly while still keeping things woodsy. Every site has the basics: picnic table, fire ring, lantern / garbage holder and enough tree cover to keep you from baking like a biscuit in the North Carolina summer sun. Bathhouses are clean and scattered through the loops in just about the right proportion where the loos feel like an overcrowded line to see your favorite band with a dump station on site at each of the campground loops. Roads are well-paved –although you will find that errant pothole just waiting to take out one of your tires, so tread carefully – but a little snug for bigger rigs, so if you drive something the size of a tour bus, maybe don’t test your parallel parking skills here.
The lake is the true star. With 180 miles of shoreline surrounding a 12,000-acre reservoir, Jordan Lake sprawls wide enough to feel like a small ocean … and Crosswinds puts you right on the edge of it. Beyond the lake itself, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area covers a span of some 46,000 acres of public land, so there’s tons of nature to explore here. Boating, fishing and kayaking are all top-notch, and the eagle-spotting here is so good you’ll feel like you wandered onto a National Geographic special. If you want civilization, the quaint and full-service townships of Cary, Apex and Pittsboro are all close by for groceries, breweries or just a break from your campfire cooking experiments.
As for the campground itself, there are 3 distinct loops: A, B & C (yes, even your kindergartner can keep these 3 straight!). Here’s a breakdown of each loop, because each one offers up something different and unique – some things good, some things not so much – that may influence where you choose to camp. Here’s a snapshot:
Loop A (AKA 'Boats & Bobbers'): (1) the only loop that is entirely non-electric, so if powering up your campsite is important, then bring your own source or look to the other loops; (2) closest to the main entrance, so great for quick access, but the only loop if you take a left at the fork (the other 2 loops are right of the fork); (3) nearest the boat launch, so you will experience all of the boat-launching skippers driving westward past your loop from dusk to dawn, which is great if you are thumbing your way to the boat launch, not so great if you prize peace & quiet; (4) an ‘easter egg’ of a hidden trail exists near A21 that will lead you down to the lakeshore to a quiet spot perfect for uncorking that vintage Bordeaux you’ve been looking for the right location and moment to savor; and (5) IMHO the best sites are those that are lake-facing such as 19– 22 and 45– 47.
Loop B (AKA 'Sand & Swimming'): (1) if Loop A is defined by its proximity to the boat launch, then this loop can be dubbed the Beach Loop as it is the only circuit with an actual beachhead and proper swimming area; (2) while centrally located in between the other 2 loops, this area is definitely considered more tranquil and has a tighter feeling of community; (3) unlike the previous loop, this one has campsites with running electric and water, but there’s a bonus to some of these sites as they are considered duplex campsites, so while a bit more$ ($25 more for non-electric and $40 more for duplexes with electric), you’ll have more space, which is especially important if there’s 2 families looking to camp together; and (4) IMHO the best sites here are those westernmost, lake-facing spots such as 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 40.
Loop C ('Sunsets& Sundowners'): (1) just like the previous loop, here you’ll find all campsites have running water & electric, so no primitive shenanigans to deal with here; (2) of the 3 loops, this is the one located most northernly, most secluded, furthest from the entrance and has no amenities (like a beach or boat launch) that will draw non-camping traffic; (3) the biggest draw of this loop are the arresting views of Lake Jordan, especially at dusk, where you can place your fold-up camping chair in just the right direction, sit back and sip on those sunset-inspired Mai Tais; (4) There’s a small, hidden beach (shhh! don’t tell your fellow campers in Loop B, lest they become disenfranchised!) that you can access near site 32 that will allow for a private swim or late-night evening hang-out staring at the breathtaking moonlit starscape; and (5) IMHO the best sites are (you guessed it) the ones that have the best views of that incandescent sundowner view facing westward, so you’ll want to eye spots 19, 21, 23, 24 – with the absolute pinnacle sites being 24, 26, 30, 32, 34 – as well as those that have even a partial view, including 36, 40 and 42.
Insider Tips? Here's a smattering: (1) Plan a swim or paddle near the Ebenezer Church swimming beach, just a short drive from Crosswinds. It’s less crowded than the main day-use areas and offers sandy shoreline, gentle water entry, and shady picnic spots; (2) For paddling, launch in the morning from the camper-only ramp before the motorboats hit the water and turn it into Daytona-on-the-lake; (3) Eat at The Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro if you’re feeling fancy – exotic meats and Oregon Pinot Noirs so smooth they’ll make you forget you slept on a foam mattress last night; (4) Bring bug spray – the mosquitoes here treat Off! like it’s a garnish; and (5) Don’t skip stargazing on a clear night, the Milky Way shows off, and it’s better than cable.
Happy Camping!
TravelerCampground has many things to do for the Littles. I would recommend renting the “off road” golf cart for fun. The only negative is the lack of bath houses. Although we have a full bathroom in our camper we typically use the showers at the campgrounds. There were only 2 bathhouses in the campground. Our site was well shaded and enough space between the sites.
TravelerNicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers. The bathrooms and showers aren’t fancy but are clean. There’s a boat ramp right by the entrance. Overall an awesome camp ground!
GuideWARNING DO NOT STAY HERE!!! REX COBLE is part owner of this campground. My father’s camper was broken into and vandalized by the owner REX. Stayed for 3 months and never received a receipt for cash handed over. Always gave us the go around and said he was out of town on business. So we started using cash app to prove payments. We even paid 6 months advanced for storage. Investigation still in process and having to get the law involved again. Biggest crook and con of Anson County. Drug deals happening right in the Rv Park in front of family’s and children durning the day and all times at night. This place needs to be investigated, raided and shut down! Our whole life was taken from us. Photos, jewelry, guns, clothing, TVs, and etc. I highly suggest you do not stay here or trust your belongings being stored.
GuideThis is an excellent place to stay. It’s very clean, lots to do, beautiful view of lake. Great hiking trails.
TravelerBeautiful peaceful, deep woods campsite. Super easy access for any car.
TravelerWe stopped for the night on our way to Florida and arrived late. Liz was very accommodating and welcomed us with a thoughtful gesture of cheese, jam, and crackers. The web check-in process was seamless and efficient. The farm itself was lovely, with a variety of animals. However, there were a couple of areas for improvement. The electrical hookup was limited to 120V, and having a 30amp or 50amp hookup would have been more convenient. Additionally, the shower was out of order during our stay. Despite these issues, we enjoyed our time at the farm and appreciated the warm hospitality. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
ScoutWe have stayed at this campground four times so far. The facilities are excellent and the staff is amazing! My daughter begs to come back because of all the amenities - playground, mini-golf, arcade, gem mining, etc.
Camping near Carthage, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV.
Camping near Carthage, North Carolina, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Carthage, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Carthage, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 84 campgrounds and RV parks near Carthage, NC and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Carthage, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carthage, NC is Sycamore Lodge with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Carthage, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Carthage, NC.
What parks are near Carthage, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Carthage, NC that allow camping, notably B. Everett Jordan Lake and Uwharrie National Forest.
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