Best Dispersed Camping near Cary, NC
Butner Lake Wildlife Management Area offers primitive dispersed camping approximately 30 minutes north of Cary, North Carolina. This free camping area features very basic sites with fire rings and lines for hanging gear, but no facilities such as toilets, drinking water, or designated tables. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though opinions vary on trailer accessibility. One camper noted, "I saw one person come in with a 30 foot trailer, didn't think he would fit but found a spot just fine."
Important seasonal restrictions limit camping opportunities at Butner Lake WMA. The area is only open September 1 to February 28 and March 31 to May 14, coinciding with hunting seasons. All campers must possess a valid fishing or hunting license, with rangers enforcing this requirement. The location provides convenient access to nearby towns and amenities despite its primitive nature. A camper described it as "right off interstate, very primitive but you have a decent signal if you need to park and get work done. Great spot to sleep if you are passing through."
