6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Falls Lake State Recreation Area near Creedmoor provides limited options for horse camping with no dedicated horse corrals at its B.W. Wells Campground. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, cabins, and yurts with drive-in and hike-in access. Equestrians appreciate the extensive trail system around the lake that includes some sections where horses are permitted, though riders should verify trail access before arrival. The campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water. Sites near the lake offer scenic views, though none are positioned directly on the water.
William B. Umstead State Park, located approximately 25 miles from Creedmoor, offers more developed equestrian facilities with bridle trails throughout the park. The park maintains separate day-use equestrian parking areas where riders can access the trail network. Campers with horses should check specific regulations as the main campground primarily accommodates tent camping and cabins rather than horse facilities. Multiple hiking and bridle paths wind through the forested terrain, creating varied riding opportunities. Trails range from flat, easy terrain to more challenging routes with stream crossings. Horse campers will find the location convenient for woodland riding while remaining close to urban amenities. Seasonal closures may affect trail availability, particularly after heavy rain events.
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
Available this weekend
from $72 / night
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Umstead is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh, NC. It seems to be an outdoor oasis as you can get lost in the woods with the hustle and bustle of the city all around you."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $75 / night
"This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites."
"Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover."
from $45 / 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. "
"Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "
Available this weekend
from $27 - $77 / night
"We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren’t showers by us but there was 1 bathroom."
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $427 / night
"The hiking trails are also do horses and parts have been beaten down and there was a lot of horse poop in the trail. Still worth the hike to see the peaceful water though."
"Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks."
from $27 - $121 / night
"Good location off of 85. Great trails and equestrian trails!"
"Not far from the Roanoke River and right around the corner from Halifax, this spot is perfect for getting away from it all."
from $27 - $75 / night
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
from $22 - $53 / night
"Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access and right across from the annual spots so we never really had too much privacy but most of the neighbors were very curteous and friendly."
"Located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night. During the day, it’s beautiful. It’s got showers with hot water and accessible facilities. Great camping!"
"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
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.
ScoutDecent campground in a beautiful location along Lake Jordan. Crosswinds Campground is one of several sites on the lake. We chose this location since the gates stay open all the time, while other sites have a curfew that can lock you out for the night.
The staff are super friendly and helpful. There’s apparently a camp host whom we never met and they’re on the site next to ours (not sure if they’re supposed to greet us or help us get acquainted with the site, but the staff member at check in was great and did all that when we arrived).
Loop C is quiet, very few children, and less road noise compared to the other loops, but doesn’t have the same access to the lake.
Site C50 is conveniently located close to the bath house, has a large fire pit with adjustable grill, picnic table, and hookups for water and electricity. We’re in a tent, so really just use the electricity. The picnic table here should be replaced, as the wood seems to be rotting, but still does the job. There are a few sites in loop C that do have direct access to the lake, but those tend to be booked all of the time. We explored one last night and couldn’t believe it was vacant and how much nicer it seemed.
Bathrooms are not as clean as I would like, but I bring disinfectant wipes to wipe the toilet before use. Showers are fine, but use an annoying motion sensor to turn the water on/off. Showering at night is annoying with the bugs because the bathhouse is lit like a beacon (probably for safety). Waiting for the daytime is a better experience. Also, there isn’t a washing station for dishes, and we do that at our site.
Firewood can be purchased by the staff at the campground entrance; however, the exact same firewood is almost $4 fewer at a Refuel station down the street. Definitely stop into that gas station store for things you might need.
Overall, really good experience staying here, some annoying things, but won’t ruin your stay.
RangerI've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
ScoutReally fantastic spot to camp! Great sites and hook ups (no sewer, but EASY dump station)! Go for Loop B - it has the beach.
GuideWe stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
GuideMedoc Mountain State Park campground has been recently renovated. All of the full hook up sites and primitive sites are spacious and well kept. We camped in site #26 which was level and spacious. The sites on the outside of the loop are pretty level. The bathrooms/showers are new, spacious, and clean. There is a great playground in walking distance. There are many hiking trails that start near the campground. None of them have amazing views, but they are nice and well marked. I enjoyed the Bluff View trail the most. We were able to hike 6 miles both days we were there. Added bonus: campground is close to I-95. The only drawback is the lack of a close grocery store. Dollar General is less than 5 miles away.
GuideBeautiful, small, newly renovated campground. Gorgeous bath house. A few sites are level but most aren’t. Quiet. Easy to get to from I-95.
LegendLots of trails, 2 boat launches and nice campground. We stay here every once in a while since it is so close and such a amazing state park.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/g3tsJATaSis?si=3Cl29wwqTO1JF9FW
Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers limited horse camping options with equestrian trails accessible around the lake. This recreation area spans 12,000 acres of woodland with 26 miles of shoreline at an average elevation of 250 feet above sea level. The camping season runs from March 15 to November 30, with temperatures typically ranging from 50-85°F during this period.
Trail riding at Staunton River State Park: Visitors can ride horses on dedicated trails with water access points. A camper notes, "We came here with a large group and we fit in one campground nicely... Our campground lined the lake so just through the trees, we were able to go for a quick dip or sit and watch the water" at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Stargazing in dark skies: Staunton River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "The park is an International Dark Sky Park... you can rent a telescope for free to view the stars!" notes a visitor. Clear nights reveal thousands of stars typically obscured by city light pollution.
Paddling on quiet waters: Lakes and rivers around Creedmoor offer calm paddling conditions for kayakers and canoeists. "We paddled around Bugg's Lake. Used the boat launch near the office - nice place to put in. The whole trip we saw lots of birds, squirrels, deer, and raccoons" at Occoneechee State Park.
Secluded campsites for privacy: Many equestrian campers appreciate the separation between sites. "The sites are very wooded and quiet. There was a lake nearby with an open sky where you could see hundreds of stars at night" at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Historical features near trails: Riders enjoy discovering historical sites during their trail rides. At Medoc Mountain State Park, one visitor mentioned "There are over 10 miles of trails to hike. We also conoed down the creek. The creek is about 2.5 miles long and took us only 2 hours to paddle."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The varied terrain supports diverse wildlife viewing. "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds. We enjoyed gorgeous sunsets from a little beach area near the cabins" at Staunton River State Park.
Seasonal closures affect trail access: Many equestrian trails close after heavy rains. "Trails range from flat, easy terrain to more challenging routes with stream crossings" but may be temporarily closed for maintenance.
Reservations required at peak times: From April through October, equestrian camping spots fill quickly. "We reserved it through their website. They offer a small discount for senior citizens and military" at Falls Lake.
Variable facilities for horses: William B. Umstead State Park Campground lacks dedicated horse corrals but offers extensive bridle trails. "Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door."
Water access limitations: Not all campsites provide direct water access. "None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down" according to one camper describing Falls Lake.
Kid-friendly shorelines: Several campgrounds offer gentle lake access for younger children. At Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, "Close to the beach where we sat for hours. Clean bathrooms. Spacious sites. Plenty of privacy."
Playground accessibility: Families appreciate recreation areas near campsites. "Loved that there was a playground near the site. The site itself was gravelly and not super private but it was great- the hikes around were stunning."
Educational programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities. "Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles and we invoked in feeding" at Staunton River State Park.
Multi-use paths for beginners: Novice riders benefit from wider, less technical trails. "There are multiple trails, for varying skill level" notes a visitor at William B. Umstead State Park.
Site leveling requirements: RV campers should prepare for variable site conditions. At Cane Creek Campground and RV Park, "Beautiful little park nestled into the woods! The 40s sites seem to be the best spots to get for a view or access to Lake activities."
Proximity to urban amenities: Despite rural settings, most campgrounds offer reasonable access to supplies. "Cozy camping spot... Great restaurants and gas stations near by" notes a Falls Lake visitor.
Road conditions for larger rigs: Interior roads at state parks vary in quality. "Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches. The camp hosts were visible and attentive" at Medoc Mountain State Park.
Hook-up limitations: Water and electrical access points may require longer connections. "Water, electric, all the hook ups. None of the sites are located right on the lake" so RVers should plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Creedmoor, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Creedmoor, NC is B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Creedmoor, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Creedmoor, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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