Best Tent Camping near Carthage, NC

Looking for the best options for tent camping near Carthage? Find the best tent camping sites near Carthage. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Carthage, North Carolina (12)

    Jay B.'s photo of tent camping at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC

    1. Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    10 Reviews
    29 Photos
    73 Saves
    Wagram, North Carolina

    Located in Columbus, Robeson, Scotland, and Hoke counties 60 miles south of Fayetteville, Lumber River State Park has two access areas located about 1 hour from each other: Princess Ann and Chalk Banks. Possibilities for paddling on this 115-mile river are extraordinary. An abundance of wildlife and plant life, including the belted kingfisher and the rare Carolina bogmint, helped Lumber River earn federal designation as a National Wild and Scenic River, the only blackwater river in the state to have that honor.

    Tent sites (including paddle-in sites) Group tent sites

    Both accesses have camping facilities. If you have a reservation, please verify the location of your campsite prior to your visit. Princess Ann and Chalk Banks accesses are located 1 hour apart, so please check that you are headed to the correct campground.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $12 / night

    Stuart K.'s photo of tent camping at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at San-Lee Park near Carthage, NC

    2. San-Lee Park

    3 Reviews
    13 Photos
    32 Saves
    Sanford, North Carolina

    San-Lee Park is a 177+ acre park, located at 572 Pumping Station Road, that offers hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, a Nature Center with a multipurpose room that is available for rent, playground, picnic facilities, campgrounds, and two stocked lakes for fishing. Paddle boat rentals are available seasonally.

    Campsite rentals are available during park operational hours. A driver’s license or similar identification is required for registration. Sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations are not taken. For additional information, please call 919-776-6221 Ext. 4.

    Program Date:

    April – October Exceptions for weather & burning bans

    Fee:

    $15.00 per night

    Register:

    At park office during park hours Must be 18 years or older or accompanied by an adult

    Tent Camping

    The park provides tent sites, tables, charcoal grills, water, and a shower house. Campsites are located in a private section of the park close to the lake.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Trash

    $15 / night

    Julie L.'s photo of tent camping at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trail Camp near Carthage, NC

    3. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    46 Photos
    211 Saves
    Badin, North Carolina
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Uwharrie Hunt Camp near Carthage, NC

    4. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    18 Photos
    53 Saves
    Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina

    Uwharrie Hunt Camp has eight sites for tent camping. Each site has a table, grill, lantern posts, and tent pad. Two vault toilets are provided in the campground. There are also 2 drinking water spigots available. Opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, OHV trail use and picnicking are available within a short drive. Country stores are located in the nearby communities of Uwharrie and Eldorado.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo at Sandhills Campground B near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Sandhills Campground B near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Sandhills Campground B near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Sandhills Campground B near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Sandhills Campground B near Carthage, NC

    5. Sandhills Campground B

    1 Review
    4 Photos
    25 Saves
    Pinebluff, North Carolina

    Spacious Campsites: Sandhills Campground B features a variety of spacious campsites that cater to both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. Fire Rings and Picnic Tables: Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring for those cozy campfire nights and a picnic table for family meals al fresco. Restroom Facilities: Clean and accessible restroom facilities ensure a comfortable stay for all guests. Pet-Friendly Options: Bring your furry friends along! The campground has designated pet-friendly areas.

    Amenities

    Water Access: The campground is near a tranquil body of water, perfect for fishing or swimming on hot summer days.
    Hiking Trails: Explore the beautiful hiking trails that lead through the picturesque landscapes of the Sandhills region.
    Wildlife Viewing: With a rich diversity of flora and fauna, keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife. Bird watchers will especially enjoy
    
    • Tents

    6. East Morris Mountain

    2 Reviews
    8 Saves
    Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp near Carthage, NC

    7. Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    6 Photos
    18 Saves
    Badin, North Carolina
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC

    8. Cedarock Park

    4 Reviews
    13 Photos
    39 Saves
    Graham, North Carolina
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $10 / night

    9. Owl Creek Horse Camp - Bankhead NF

    Be the first to review!
    1 Save
    Mamers, North Carolina

    The Owl Creek Horse Camp provides primitive overnight campsites for trail riders on a first come, first serve basis. The Owl Creek Trail System is approximately 26 miles and suitable for equestrian riding.

    • Tents
    • Equestrian
    • Drinking Water
    • Toilets

    $5 / night

    10. Family Wilderness Camp — Raven Rock State Park

    Be the first to review!
    6 Saves
    Mamers, North Carolina

    At the Family Wilderness Camp, there are five campsites just off of the Campbell Creek Loop Trail, approximately 2.5 miles from the parking lot and 0.5 mile from the river. The maximum number of campers for each site is six.

    Backpackers can also utilize the canoe camp, located beside the river off of the Little Creek Loop Trail, in a low-lying area. The camping area is a 1.7-mile hike in from the park office. There are six campsites, each accommodating up to six campers.

    All supplies, including water, must be packed to the sites. Neither the Family Wildness nor Canoe Camp is accessible by vehicle.

    Both camping areas offer a vault toilet, and all sites include a fire ring with a grill.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Drinking Water
    • Toilets

    $12 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews near Carthage, NC

362 Reviews of 12 Carthage Campgrounds


  • Mike T.
    Morgan A.'s photo of tent camping at Hagan-Stone Park near Carthage, NC
    May. 31, 2018

    Hagan-Stone Park

    Nice family weekend.

    This park is close to our home, very affordable and was an excellent place to take my wife for her first tent camping experience. The tent sites were nice. I would scout ahead if possible because some are nicer than others. We stayed in site #7. The tent pad was level but ground around the area was mostly sloped. Was very close to the bath house. Bath house was ok. Wife said women's side was nice and clean. The men's side was a little outdated and could have had a few less spiders but wasn't terrible. There was a newer bath house a little further away from our site that seemed a little nicer. Campground was full but because there a limited sites it wasn't too crowded. Overall was a great weekend getaway with my family and friends. We will most likely go back at some point.

  • Marvin D.
    Jay B.'s photo of tent camping at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    Lumber River Chalk Banks

    Pretty nice campground right off of hwy 401, just south of Raeford NC. There is a pit toilet and water spigot. There are no showers here. The Lumber River is right here, so fishing and canoeing/kayaking are popular activities. There is a hiking trail here as well.

    The right hand side of the campground is set up for RV,s (pull through sites). The left hand side is for tent camping. Tent camping sites, 9-10-11, sit WAY back in the woods, so its like almost like having your own campground. TONS of forage wood here.

    With talking to the rangers, they were saying that the place seldom gets too crowded, and you can almost always get a reservation here.

  • R
    Rebecca's photo of tent camping at Moonshine Creek Campground near Carthage, NC
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Top Notch

    This is an excellent campground! It’s really woodsy and the creek is fabulous. Nice laundry facilities. Especially nice are the tent sites. They seem to have some of the most scenic spots. The Sanctuary area is awesome and the tent sites are right on the creek. It is for those with no pets or kids and is limited to 2 people per site. It’s a quiet zone. There is one tent cabin and 4 tent sites with water and electric. You CAN park at your sites. 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. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing. It’s all in excellent condition. Very nice picnic tables too. They were easy to wipe off. Sites S1-3 have an awning/ shelter. S4 does not but is much larger. S4 is higher up so you look down on the creek. It is more off by itself. S1 even has access to a 2nd picnic table close to the creek. It is the smallest as far as tent space. We would love to visit again!

  • K
    Mandy L.'s photo of tent camping at Cane Creek Campground and RV Park near Carthage, NC
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Cane Creek Campground and RV Park

    Great family campground!

    Plenty of places to tent camp or RV camp! Places to fish things for kids to play on and of course places to shower after! One of my family’s favorite places to camp!

  • Cassandra R.
    Regan A.'s photo of tent camping at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground near Carthage, NC
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Nice dispersed campground

    We have been coming to this campground for seven or eight years. We’ve camped here as tent and rv campers.

    The campsites tend to be spacious and wooded- perfect for privacy and hammocks.

    Once we were tent camping here, and woke up to a herd of deer on our site! There were seriously 10-15 deer just chilling on our campsite when we exited our tent.

    If you’re rv-ing, be aware that while there are electric hookups, there are not water or sewer. There is a water tank filling station and a dump station on site.

    The bathhouses are okay. They’re kept clean but they are older.

    We have had some issues at this campground with sites being extremely uneven. We even had to just leave once because we couldn’t even begin to get our camper level, and the site was at a purely bizarre angle. I feel that some electric sites are better suited to those tent camping but wanting electricity.

  • A
    Kimmie  K.'s photo of tent camping at Badin Lake Campground near Carthage, NC
    Jun. 2, 2022

    Badin Lake Campground

    Simple, clean water & ready for adventure

    Family of 6. First tent glamping with 4 boys under the age of 12. Fantastic scenery & sunsets. We launched our kayaks from our tent site and enjoyed our neighbors. The facilities are decent for the money and there is plenty to participate in besides camping.

  • J
    Regan A.'s photo of tent camping at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground near Carthage, NC
    May. 28, 2019

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Great Campground

    I tent camped at Morrow Mountain state park. As a campsite it is wonderful. Great camp pad to set up your tent on and very nice bathrooms. The only thing i would say negatively about it is that it is quite off the beaten path so does take time to drive all the way through the park to the campground. Other than that it had a very nice atmosphere

  • S
    Jay B.'s photo of tent camping at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park near Carthage, NC
    May. 11, 2021

    Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    Spacious Sites

    This campsite doesn’t seem to be too popular which is fine. 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. Beautiful hikes around the river right next door.

  • M
    Tyler E.'s photo of tent camping at Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Feb. 18, 2024

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lakeside North Carolina state park campground.

    Popular Point campground is one of my favorite places to pitch a tent in the Jordan Lake area.  It's often not as crowded as the others at Jordan Lake are, esp., during the week and outside of holidays or summertime.  The views are nice, with sites next to the water.  Tents and RVs can camp in the same areas.  We normally camp in a tent here, but never in the hottest part of summer, which is most of the summer in the Piedmont area of the state.  You gotta go up to 3000 feet, as in the mountains of NC, for a cool weather experience in summertime, but for a night to get away from your regular routine or a weekend when the weather is nice, this is a suitable place.  Locals like it because the drive isn't far from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham or Pittsboro.

  • Morgan A.
    Morgan A.'s photo of tent camping at Hagan-Stone Park near Carthage, NC
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Hagan-Stone Park

    Great Place for a Short Weekend Getaway!

    Pros: • Most of the B sites are in a nice wooded setting. • There’s plenty of trails to walk during the day. • Very quiet even though the sites are pretty close together. • There’s a Food Lion and Gas Station 10 minutes away if you forget anything. • Clean bathhouses with hot water.

    Cons: • Our site (B20) was reaaally uneven but we made it work for 2 tents! • If you tent camp in the B lot, the bathhouse is a bit of a walk. • You have to bring your own firewood or buy it ($5 a bundle) - gathering firewood from the woods is not allowed. • Water is shared between sites.

  • J
    Stephanie J.'s photo of tent camping at Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park near Carthage, NC
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park

    New spacious campground

    This is a new and clean campground. Very nice rangers monitor the campground and are extremely helpful. Each site is large and well spaced out from other campers. Most RV sites are gravel with a fire pit, picnic table and a gravel tent pad beside it. The bathhouse was clean and well maintained. Their RV sites are full hookup which is great for a state park. Water pressure was excellent. Primitive tent sites and cabins were available. 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.

  • D
    Regan A.'s photo of tent camping at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground near Carthage, NC
    Sep. 2, 2020

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Excellent camping for both RV and Tents

    **Morrow Mountain State Park is a family camping ground for all ages and has an in ground swimming pool plus a boat launch.  I enjoyed tent camping with my family and fishing on the lake.  There is a large public swimming pool and each camping area has toilet and shower facilities.  You can burn fire wood in pits and there are grills for charcoaling BBQs.  The highlight to a early morning wake up are having deer walking through your camping site.  There was a loud whipperwill sounding off with echoes coming from the hillsides.  It is a first come first serve and there is a small fee collected by a Park Ranger.  **

  • Sarah G.
    Regan A.'s photo of tent camping at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground near Carthage, NC
    May. 30, 2018

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Lots of activities for family camping

    We had 4 families with children on 1 RV and 3 non-electric tent sites over Memorial Day weekend. Even though the park was at max capacity, it didn’t feel crowded or swarming. The facilities and activities at Morrow Mountain are awesome - a huge, clean pool; canoe rental from a well-maintained boathouse; hikes of various lengths; slightly aged but clean and cared for bath houses; and (our favorite) a gorgeous mountain top picnic shelter (A), which we rented due to a rainy forecast. Great place for family camping. Sites are nicely spaced, but by no means are they private or secluded. Staff were very friendly, but the no alcohol rule is a bummer. If you want to be alone in the woods, Morrow Mountain is not for you. Its also worth noting the climate is much more like south central NC (hot and super humId) and nothIng like the cool mountain air in Western NC. But if your looking for a fun, interactive family or group camping weekend, it’s the perfect spot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Kimmie  K.'s photo of tent camping at Badin Lake Campground near Carthage, NC
    Nov. 4, 2023

    Badin Lake Campground

    Not terribly quiet and facilities lacking

    If I wasn’t paying for the facilities and was just paying for a gravel pad within walking distance of the lake, five stars. As it is, though, this is not a “cheap” place to boondock. Yes, they do have a bath house in each loop. Our loop, which had 14 campsites, had two toilets. It also had two showers. One shower was broken. The other shower, if you pushed the button for the lower (ADA) shower, would empty the hot water in about two minutes. I had one warm shower and two very cold showers. In the middle of active camping season, this issue with facilities could be a real problem. If I’m going to have to take a cold shower, may as well do that in the lake! It’s also great when you are tent camping near the bath house and the door retractors slam the metal doors whenever someone uses the toilet at 3 am. The only other issue was the 10 barking dogs. Luckily, they all quit about 10:15 pm and didn’t start again until around 8 am. Otherwise, freakin barking all day!!

  • R
    Rebecca's photo of tent camping at Moonshine Creek Campground near Carthage, NC
    Aug. 13, 2023

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Peaceful!

    This was our 3rd time staying here. This park has a wonderful creek running through the middle of it and most short-term sites back up to it. There are also a couple of camping cabins and some tent sites. The campground road is sort of narrow and the sites can be a little tight, making it awkward to back in if you have a large TV and full-size camper - but once you’re in it’s all good. The creek and nice natural landscaping of the park are very worth it. The owners have done a fantastic job over the years with this piece of property, keeping that mountain forest feeling and just tweaking nature a little. No pool and no playground, but there are spots to get into the creek. Good clean bathhouse with newer washers/dryers and a covered porch where you can hang out waiting for your laundry (or just hang out, period). A good contingent of spots that are booked for the season and plenty of weekend campers like us. It’s a good balance. No full-timers, as the park is closed during the winter. The campground is conveniently located between Sylva and Waynesville and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Surprisingly good cell reception for being in the mountains and having lots of tree cover. Got 1-3 bars ATT depending on where I was within the campground, and we had no issues using our TMobile hotspot to stream videos/tv. They do have wifi at the camp office but we didn’t need to use it.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Linda's photo of tent camping at Canoe Camp — Raven Rock State Park near Carthage, NC
    Dec. 31, 2019

    Canoe Camp — Raven Rock State Park

    Backcountry Camping in a State Park

    Raven Rock State Park is known for its namesake cliffs on the edge of the Cape Fear River. It has over a dozen miles of trails, which include horseback riding, hiking, and cycling trails. Since this park is along the fall line, most of the trails are easy with some rise and fall in elevation. Make sure you hike to the“Raven Rock” while you are there. It is impressive, and there are other trails that offer peaceful walks through the forest and other views of the river. The only camping allowed, for now, is primitive tent camping. The campsites can be reached either by hiking or by canoeing/kayaking in. There is a privy, but there are no showers. I counted seven spaces for camping. There is a site(or was) for group camping. The ranger told me that it is no longer in use. When I was talking to her, she said that they are working on an area for RV camping and that it would be ready next year. If I understood correctly, it will be in the area of the Mountain Laurel Loop Trail. When you camp there, make sure to take a good head lamp or flashlight. I had to walk quite far to get to the privy, and during the night, it is dark! The site that I chose was a longer walk to the privy than the other campsites, but it was a little more remote and private. I also had to by-pass a mud hole on the way to the privy, so again, take a good light source. The best thing about Raven Rock State Park is, of course, the 150’ cliffs along the river. The best thing about camping at Raven Rock State Park is how quiet it is. The hike is 1.7 miles, and other than the sounds of Cape Fear River down below, the only thing you hear at night might be an occasional airplane flying overhead. Since it was during December, I didn’t see any other campers. During the day, however, the park had several day hikers. If you want to camp in the backcountry but don’t want to hike very far to get there, this is a great place. If you have an RV or just want to camp where you can drive to, you will have to wait for a year, according to the park ranger.

  • Kelsey L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo at Cedarock Park near Carthage, NC
    Jun. 22, 2018

    Cedarock Park

    Hidden gem for a quick outdoor getaway

    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 sites are well spaced and can accommodate large groups (you only pay $1 for each additional person for groups larger than 10). The park is also home to 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. There are two fantastic disc golf courses (I personally enjoy the Wellspring course) and even a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina.

  • Katy S.
    Paul R.'s photo of tent camping at Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Jul. 6, 2020

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Great access to the lake

    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. The site was level and stayed dry during the heavy rain, however we saw other sites that had big puddles, with tents in the water. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly, but they were not very nice. The shower didn't look good at all, we didn't use it.

    A great things about the campground is that it has its own kayak/canoe ramp, just a few minutes drive from the site. We saw people fishing from the ramp as well. On our morning paddle we saw a couple of bald eagles, they were amazing. We stayed at the campsite after heavy rains, so the beach was closed. It must be nice when not flooded.

    This is a state campground, so alcohol is not allowed.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Tyler E.'s photo of tent camping at Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Outdoor Perfection @ Jordan Lake SRA Poplar Point Campground

    Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina! Yes, I know, that’s quite a statement to make, considering all of the amazing places in the great state of North Carolina. So let me explain why I reached this conclusion:

    • Some of the most outstanding hiking trails

    • Heavily wooded forest paradise that delivers privacy and solitude

    • Perfectly maintained amenities such as picnic tables, fold-up fire ring and grills

    • Bathroom facilities are some of the best I’ve experienced with state-run facilities

    • Direct access to a fantastic lakeside experience, complete with boat launches

    • Designated swimming area complete with life vests

    • On-site park staff were nothing short of amazing, helpful and incredibly friendly

    • Close access to purchase anything that might be needed 

    Insider’s tip? Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life! 

    Happy Camping!

  • SummertimeRVrovers J.
    Tyler E.'s photo of tent camping at Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Dec. 5, 2022

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Great Campground for Nature Lovers

    Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has several campgrounds with plenty of lakeside sites, if you make your reservation early. We happened to camp in Poplar Point during the busiest time Labor Day weekend. Even then it was surprisingly quiet, because campsites are generously separated among the pine forest. And after the weekend we were practically alone. So, If you love to be alone in nature, this is a great place for that experience. We have a video about this campground on our YouTube Summertime RV Rovers channel- 4 Great Campgrounds in North Carolina. We stayed there in our Super C Dynamax DX3. We camped at Poplar Point Campground- Jordan Lake SRA in a Motorhome.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Paul R.'s photo of tent camping at Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    A Short Drive, Yet a World Away

    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. 

    Bathrooms and showers were clean and comfortable, as were the campsites. 

    Each camping loop felt tucked away into its own little neighborhood, and the large campsites offered space so that you aren’t stacked right next to your neighbor.  We camped in the nonelectric loop (we always bring our solar panel) for 3 nights in mid-February and there were very few campers around, but the neighboring loop with electrical hook-up sites were 3/4 full with large rigs. 

    Hiking, biking, paddling, are all great things to do during your stay. There is also a boat launch within the park in case power boating or fishing is your thing, but kayaks and canoes can easily launch from the lakeside campsites.  It was a bit too chilly to get on the water in February, so we opted for hiking and biking.

    The closest services for gas or a few extra snacks are within 5 minutes of the park.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo at Parkers Creek Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Parkers Creek Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Stellar Campground @ Jordan Lake SRA - Parker's Creek

    I could barely believe that we're only 20 or so minutes away from a large city like Raleigh and we are able to access such amazing natural beauty so easily.  For most of my camping life, I'm used to spending hours on a road (often winding, bumpy and war-torn!) before making it to our ultimate camping destination - so Parker's Creek was a real treat.

    Here, just like so many of the great state parks in North Carolina, I found an exceptional well-taken care of chunk of nature, where the campground has been perfectly carved INTO nature, and this particular area of well-appointed campsites are nothing short of spectacular, especially if you get as lucky as we did in booking this site.  Perhaps because we were in shoulder season, we didn't experience the herds of other campers - in fact, for the most part, we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

    All of the basic amenities are here - picnic table, fire ring, running water and hot showers, restroom facilities.  And oh, like everything's just about new or recently refurbished.  Add this to the excellent views, I don't know that it gets better than waking up after a great night underneath the stars (and a full moon) and going for a nice dip in Lake Jordan before all the boating and fishing crowds mob the lake's water.  This and the hiking trails around, were simply fantastic.  I can't wait to return soon!

    Happy Camping

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Stephanie J.'s photo of tent camping at Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park near Carthage, NC
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park

    Clandestine Campground @ Raven Rock State Park

    Clandestine?  And Camping?!  Yeah, that's kind of what I thought too when I first saw this place.  To begin with, hats off to the great state Rangers in North Carolina who take real pride in their campgrounds and take really great care of the parks.  This was, by far, one of the cleanest, most well-organized, perfectly sign-posted and utterly trash-free state parks I have ever been too (and let's say that I've been to a few).  

    In fact, this place was so incredibly well taken care of ... that I'm not sure I felt like I was actually in nature!  Is that even possible?  Well, let's just say that one of the biggest challenges I have with camping in the first place is convincing my family to come with me, as they aren't fans of bugs, getting dirty, sweating and especially .. public restrooms and shower facilities.  But they would be impressed with this place.

    Located just due South of Raleigh-Durham area, you'll find Raven Rock State Park, that doesn't get as much recognition as a lot of the other SP's have bodies of water attached to them, like in and around Jordan Lake, Falls Lake or further afield Lake Kerr.  That aside, and back to this particular campground, if you're looking for something that's a bit off the beaten path, but that offers a completely different camping experience, then I would strongly encourage you to come check out this place.  Amenities are standard, but as with everything here, it's either brand new or completely spartan!  Add on top of this that there's a number of really amazing guest cottages (think little log cabins, but modern), then this SP is definitely setting the pace for the rest of the state in terms of quality control on their campgrounds.

    Happy Camping!

  • Corby M.
    Nikki A.'s photo of tent camping at Deep River Campground And RV Park near Carthage, NC
    Aug. 29, 2020

    Deep River Campground And RV Park

    Unlevel & messy

    We made a mistake. My wife and I are moving to North Carolina, and we were looking for a place to stay for a month in the Asheboro area. I checked around and Deep River was the only local campground with long-term sites available, so I made the reservation. The owner, Scott, was very helpful throughout the reservation process and we thought we were going to have a good experience. 

    When we showed up, Scott met us at the office and he took us to the "most level site" he had available. I was a little concerned from the start because the sewer pipe was sitting at a 45 degree angle and it was half buried in the ground. I had to help dig out the pipe and when I looked inside I noticed the connection was broken and any drainage would  have leached directly into the ground. Additionally, the sewer connection was more than 40 feet from the center of the site and I only carry 30 feet of line, so we had to back way up in order to hook-up. Unfortunately, that meant that our primary slide was within 3 feet of a giant pine tree so there was barely enough room to open it. Another problem with being so far back in the site was how unlevel the camper was. It took a while for me to get the trailer unhitched and by the time I had it nearly level, I had used all of my blocks and the jack was extended to the maximum height. Needless to say, I did not feel very comfortable with the arrangement and I was really starting to question whether or not to stay. 

    Then I started looking around at the site and there was trash everywhere with broken pieces of metal and half chewed dog bones strewn about. I looked at my wife and I could tell she was not happy. So I got on my phone, called another campground and made reservations. Scott was understanding, he tried to talk us into trying another site but by that time we had decided to move on. I will give Scott credit, he didn't charge us a cancellation fee, so that was good.

    A quick note, the WiFi was limited to close to the office and we would have had to pay Spectrum for a monthly internet connection. Also, Verizon cell coverage was weak.

  • Mea H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Tyler E.'s photo of tent camping at Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Clean sites, good cell signal

    This campground is fantastic! Our site was right by the water. The site was clean. The water and power worked. The campground was quiet but I imagine that’s because it’s early in the camping season here and the campground was no where near capacity. We watched squirrels build nests and dig for nuts.

    My only gripe is the women’s bathroom. The toilets and sinks were clean but the showers looked like they don’t get cleaned much based on the same large clumps of hair and a bandaid that remained our entire 4 day stay. Also, the shower heads are motion activated and makes drying off a little difficult as you will get sprayed while toweling off if you get near the sensor. I used the larger accessibility shower after I sprained my ankle. The stall has a handheld showerhead that is supposed to mount on a pole but the mount was broken so I ended up sticking the showerhead between the handle rails and the wall while rocking back and forth on the bench to keep the water flowing. I’m docking a star off this review for the showers alone for the fact the showers aren’t cleaned regularly, but not for the motion activated water or the broken mount as I’m sure campers are to blame for both.

    On the recreational side of things, there is one hiking trail. There’s a beach for swimming. There’s fishing and any other small boat craft activity. It was relaxing to watch the boaters out on the water fishing from the campsite. But if you bring a boat make sure you don’t have a shared driveway like our campsite did with three campsites that had a partially blocked driveway due to a neighbor having a large rig, a truck AND a boat that didn’t all fit in their space.

    Funny side note: There are signs everywhere saying alcohol is prohibited in North Carolina campgrounds but the recycle bin by the restroom was FULL of wine bottles.

    For those who work and travel like us, on Speedtest at 8pm on a Monday–Verizon via iPhone 12: 52 mbps down and 3 mbps up with 32 ms ping; I totally forgot to test our T-Mobile speed. I worked on T-Mobile all week even with video chat.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Paul R.'s photo of tent camping at Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Carthage, NC
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lake Jordan Campground Bliss

    Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve.  And while I’m not a kitesurfer or windsurfer, I’m positive that this campground was named for the pretty amazing headwinds that are enjoyed coming off Falls Lake, which Crosswinds Campground @ Jordan Lake SRA sits on. Take my word for it though, this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in some of North Carolina’s finest camping countryside. If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nicely shaded nature, hiking trails and humble peace & quiet that only God's green nature can offer, then make your way here to Crosswinds Campground, where this heavily wooded forest paradise will embrace you with its inclines, switchbacks and snakelike, swerving road circuits. 

    All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice pebble-strewn and long-leaf pine shadowed patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer Tar Heel sunshine. While there’s a suitable amount of brush between campsites, surprisingly, it’s the steep inclines and declines between each site that makes one feel that they are truly in the center of their own private wilderness. The on-site bathroom & shower facilities are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, there’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Lake Jordan itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area – complete with life safety vests resting on hooks near the shore - as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise. 

    Insider’s tips? Here's a bundle: (1) Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life!; (2) While IMHO there are no bad sites per se here, certainly there are some that are better than others, amongst which, I would highly recommend those that are closer to the tree fall lines as well as those that place you closest to either lakeside or lake view.  With 3 loops to choose from (A, B & C), I recommend the following sites: Loop A - #18-19; #21-22; and #44-47; Loop B - #33, #36, #37, #39, #40,#43; Loop C - #19, #21, #23, #24, #26, #32, #34, #36, #40, #42; (3) If you have a boat, you may want to consider calling ahead of time, while you are reserving your campsite and reserve a boat slip - we just thought that they would be readily available, but as it turns out, there's quite a few daytime boaters that don't camp here and are simply looking for a slip to occupy for the day, so plan ahead!; (4) SUPER INSIDER SECRET: there's a little pathway next to site #32 that will lead you to a hidden beachhead where all the cool kids hang out and party; (5) The showers are pretty annoying in that they are regulated by body movement - so as a hack, we applied duct tape and VOILA! the hot water stayed on the whole time! (but remove when you are done or the water won't stop running!); and (6) When you grow tired or anxious after digging through what remains of your Cordova cooler and / or want to sample some local fare, be prepared to drive a short distance (20 minutes or so) back to Apex, where I would recommend The Peak on Salem that serves up some pretty mean Caribbean conch & shrimp fritters as well as some very nice seafood entrees like NC clam bucatini or sweet tea ginger whiskey braised beef short rib.

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Carthage

Tent camping near Carthage, North Carolina, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and biking trails at San-Lee Park, where you can also take advantage of kayaking and fishing opportunities on the lake.
  • Experience the tranquility of the Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park, ideal for canoeing and fishing along the beautiful Lumber River.
  • Explore the rugged terrain and diverse wildlife at Uwharrie Hunt Camp, which is perfect for hiking and horseback riding.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $40

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park features spacious campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, and access to drinking water, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • At San-Lee Park, you'll find well-maintained restrooms and showers, along with the option to reserve your spot ahead of time.
  • Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides essential amenities like drinking water and toilets, making it a convenient choice for campers looking for a rustic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carthage, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carthage, NC is Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Carthage, NC?

    TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Carthage, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.