Camping areas near Rockingham, North Carolina range from established campgrounds to dispersed options in nearby national forests. The region includes several developed facilities like Sycamore Lodge with 220 sites offering cabin accommodations, RV hookups, and tent camping. Uwharrie National Forest, located approximately 40 miles northwest, provides both established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities. Campgrounds in the area typically feature amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to water sources, while some offer electrical hookups and shower facilities. Several locations accommodate multiple camping styles, with mixed-use campgrounds supporting both tent and RV camping.
Many campgrounds in the Rockingham area remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect water availability and facility maintenance. Rough roads and narrow clearings limit access in some parts of the region, particularly in Uwharrie National Forest. As one visitor noted, "Make sure you bring a car that's suited for off-road travel because the path to get to the camp sites is very bumpy." Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better coverage near established campgrounds and limited connectivity in more remote locations. Temperatures in summer months can reach uncomfortable highs, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for many visitors. Reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during weekends and holidays when facilities often reach capacity.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites near lakes and rivers, particularly in the Uwharrie National Forest area. Badin Lake Campground receives consistent praise for its lakeside sites and access to water activities. According to one reviewer, "Sites along Badin Lake in the lower loop are often reserved. The surroundings are beautiful!" Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with visitors frequently spotting deer, various bird species, and occasionally beavers. The area's mixed pine and hardwood forests provide ample shade at most campgrounds. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest offers a more primitive experience away from crowds, though these areas lack amenities found at developed campgrounds. Off-road enthusiasts particularly appreciate the trail systems throughout Uwharrie, making it a popular destination for those combining camping with motorized recreation.
$72 - $121 / 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."
"For us this was a pleasant little stopover after a long drive. Nicely located next to a lake, there is also a nice little walk partially around the lake. It is a small campground with nice spots."
"Perfect little gem on the outskirts of a dirty little town. Many amenities, beautiful views. A cute little beach area with kayak and canoe rentals. Day area open from 8am to sunset."
$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!"
"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."
$17 - $95 / night
"Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone. Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "
"Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."
"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."
$40 / night
"The park is clean with a lake to finish in and hiking trails that you can go explore."
"Nice pond, pool and trails! They strongly support our troops!!"
$40 / night
LegendA 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. There is are more sites in the field but we ended up not staying because it was hunting season and this area was open to hunting. It would be a nice place to stay if you are hunting in the area or if it is out of season.
Check it out in our video
https://youtu.be/Fv-DYCm_qXY
LegendI was able to map out 41 free dispersed campsites on Moccasin Creek Road; Forest Service Road 576. It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left. Many of the sites are able to accommodate large groups of campers. This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December. We first came here on opening weekend for the OHV trails so it was pretty busy and the weather was dry so it was really dusty. We also come back at the end of December and camped near the Deep Water Trail Camp. This time instead of nearly every site being occupied, only 5 other sites had people for that weekend. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
All sites are shown and GPS coordinates listed in our video description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe have been down here a few times and camped in a different site each time. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
I was able to map 41 sites on Moccasin Creek Road. All sites are shown in our video and GPS coordinates listed in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
ScoutWhile this is a Spacious Skies Campground with all of the SS stuff (playground, bounce pad, pool, dog run, etc) it doesn't quite have the SS vibe. Felt a little more like a long term campground. There are 55 sites. While we were there, I counted 38 campers that I'm almost sure were long term and 5 that seemed short term like us. The only thing that put me off about this though was a couple of sites seem to keep their dogs mostly outside in dog fences.
The campground is appropriately named (Sandy Run) because is it mostly sand. There is at least a half mile sand road to get back to the campground. All of the roads in it are sand, though you can tell the base is gravel. The campsites themselves are mostly sand, with thick gravel to park on, nice concrete pads with picnic tables to sit at and a fire ring at each site. There was a very nice short hiking trail that went around a small lake.
All of the staff was super friendly and helpful. The campground and sites are clean and well maintained. The bath and laundry house are also clean.
We had the only non-FHU site, so I had to use the dump station, which was easy access and well maintained.
The campground is close to I95 with easy access, but far enough away that you can't hear the highway noise. It is right next to the Fayetteville airport, but being a regional, it is not very busy.
Bottom line, I would definitely stay here again, but we have family in the area.
LegendWe stayed one night at Arrowhead Campground while checking out some of the nearby trails, including the Badin Lake Trail, which is just a short drive away and offers great views of the lake and surrounding forest. The campground itself is well laid out, with sites nicely spaced apart so it doesn’t feel crowded. The paved campground loops are in great shape and make driving through easy, even for larger rigs. Several areas offer pleasant views of Badin Lake, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Arrowhead Campground felt quiet, clean, and well maintained—an excellent base camp for exploring Uwharrie National Forest, even if just for a quick overnight stay.
Check out our 360° video to see all the sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4AjjkcB4o
LegendOlder national forest campground without electric at the sites. It is nice enough and less crowded then Arrowhead. But is older and not as well kept as Arrowhead with is about the same price and right up the road. I like it since it is usually not crowded.
Check out the campground and all the sites in our 360° video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJctFFUhIs
LegendWe were coming through the area and wanted an alternative to the dusty camping over in the OHV area of the forest. We where happy with the West Morris Mountain Campground. Not a lot of people and everything was clean.
Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground.
https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs
GuidePeaceful and well-maintained area. I encountered a few people on the trail, which was reassuring without disrupting the solitude. I camped near the river and had a great experience. As a person of color, I felt safe at all times, including during brief interactions with other campers.
TravelerThe campground is in an old pine forest with a few sycamore trees. Our site is smaller than most with 30amps, water and sewer. The resort is well maintained and very clean. Gravel roads and sites with a thick covering of pine needles between.
Rockingham, North Carolina camping destinations offer versatile outdoor experiences within the Sandhills region. Located approximately 90 miles east of Charlotte, the area features a mix of pine forests, sandy soil, and moderate elevations between 200-500 feet. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter nights often drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Fishing access points: Lumber River State Park's Chalk Banks Access provides multiple fishing opportunities along the river. "Easy parking nice boat ramp for the kayaks," reports one camper who spent Memorial Day weekend there. The park maintains clean facilities with rangers frequently checking the grounds.
Water recreation: Cheraw State Park Campground offers lakefront camping with boat rentals available seasonally. "You can rent kayaks and canoes to take out on the lake, and the fishing is excellent!" according to one reviewer. A scenic boardwalk connects the campground to the swimming beach area.
Trail exploration: Morrow Mountain State Park features multiple hiking options of varying difficulty. "There are many trails to go on. We went on the Big Rocks Trail. There wasn't much to see until we got to the end of it and went down the cliff. Then the views were amazing," shares one visitor. The park includes canoe rentals and a swimming pool that opens after Memorial Day.
Lakefront campsites: Cheraw State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its waterfront sites. "The lake front sites are gorgeous and worth being close to neighbors," notes one camper. The spacious sites provide excellent lake views while maintaining some privacy with evergreen surroundings.
Secluded tent options: Primitive camping in Uwharrie National Forest offers greater isolation than developed campgrounds. "There are a ton of great campsites that are private and secluded," reports one forest visitor. Sites along creeks provide natural water sources for campers with proper filtration equipment.
Affordable off-season rates: Winter camping provides budget-friendly options and fewer crowds. "We stayed four nights for under $100. 30/50 hookups and water. No sewer but very close dump station in campground," explains one Cheraw State Park visitor during December. Many campgrounds in the region maintain year-round operations with reduced winter rates.
Gate closure times: Parks maintain strict entrance schedules that can affect late arrivals. "When the website says the park closes at 'posted times', they mean 9pm. We know this because we got there at 9:05 and the gate was locked tight," warns a Lumber River State Park camper who ended up sleeping in their vehicle.
Vehicle requirements: Uwharrie National Forest dispersed camping areas often require appropriate vehicles. "This is a great area for dispersed campers with 4WD or AWD. It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot," advises one regular visitor. The forest's dirt roads can become challenging after rain.
Hunting season precautions: Safety measures become crucial during hunting seasons. "Make sure to wear bright colors during hunting season because there are a ton of people out deer hunting in this area," cautions an experienced Uwharrie camper. The forest remains open for multiple recreational uses during hunting seasons.
Swimming options: Morrow Mountain State Park provides family-friendly water activities. "There is a lot for a family to do at Morrow Mountain including fishing and a swimming pool," explains a visitor. The pool typically operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Playground access: Cheraw State Park features designated play areas for children. "You can walk 10 minutes to a beachy area on the other site of the lake," notes one camper about the park's recreation options. The beach area includes a playground and picnic facilities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to spot local animals. "Saw several deer while I was there," reports a Morrow Mountain camper. Early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region's parks.
Site selection guidance: Sycamore Lodge offers well-designed RV accommodations. "Sites are large and easy to back into," according to one reviewer. Another mentions, "Site was clean and lots spacious. Dual hookups for sewer connections. Nice water pressure."
Winter camping considerations: Many campgrounds remain open year-round with functioning utilities. "Spacious sites that feel nicely private surrounded by evergreens which is a nice relief in winter to see trees with leaves," observes a winter camper at Cheraw State Park.
Amenity availability: Pine Lake RV Resort provides recreational options beyond camping. "Clean, quiet and great owner!! Nice pond, pool and trails!" reports one visitor. The resort maintains boat and kayak availability for guests to use on the property's pond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rockingham, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rockingham, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 71 campgrounds and RV parks near Rockingham, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rockingham, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rockingham, NC is Sycamore Lodge with a 4.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rockingham, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Rockingham, NC.
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