Best Campgrounds near Durham, NC

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Durham. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Durham is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Durham, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Durham, North Carolina (79)

    1. Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "OTA TV is ok, but not as good as one would expect being this close to Raleigh-Durham."

    "Tucked away and nestled off of 98 highway, Rolling View campground is a great, secluded spot."

    2. Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "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 nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm peace & quiet that"

    "The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach."

    3. Eno River State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Hillsborough, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 383-1686

    $17 - $47 / night

    "This is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area.  There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here.  "

    "On Friday there were a few logs left for campers at the entrance to the sites, which we appreciated given the recent rain."

    4. Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    51 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $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."

    5. William B. Umstead State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Morrisville, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 571-4170

    $27 / night

    "We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."

    "Lots of great paths to walk."

    6. Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $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. "

    "Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "

    7. North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    19 Reviews
    Raleigh, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 612-6767

    $35 / night

    "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."

    "The actual address is 801 Youth Center Drive. One camping location is up in the woods behind the horse complex. The other is on the actual fairgrounds property along Youth Center Drive."

    8. Butner lake WMA

    10 Reviews
    Stem, NC
    13 miles
    Website

    "And whatever it is running around in the woods."

    9. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $72 / night

    "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."

    10. Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $72 / night

    "If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and are looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm, peace& quiet"

    "Falls Lake State Recreation area is an interesting area in that it is made up of a number of non-connecting areas. The camping is at Shinleaf and is walk up only."

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Recent Reviews near Durham, NC

534 Reviews of 79 Durham Campgrounds


  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Be Advised!

    All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Greensboro KOA

    Noisy- Ok for one night

    This campground is only 100 yards from the Interstate! Lots of road noise all night. Very noisy especially in a tent. The sites are large enough for most RVs. Adequate space between sites, and some grass. There are a few trees around the campground but not in the RV sites. Full hookups (30/50 amp) Pool, playground and camp store with basics. Shower and bathroom were clean.

  • Bailey R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lake front view

    This 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

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Jordan Lake Crosswinds

    Big Water, Tall Pines & Gorgeous Lakefront Sunsets

    Nestled 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!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Great campground

    The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach.

    My cell reception outside the camper is excellent, and of if I had a cell booster it would be adequate for streaming inside the camper. I don’t have one as I depend on Starlink for internet access when traveling. Unfortunately Starlink isn’t going to work in my specific site or in most of the others. This is a wooded campground and all the sites are completely shaded

    My site has water and electric. About half of the available RV sites have water and electric, it there is no sewer. There is a dump station in the campground. Unusual for NC State facilities, there are no trash bins placed around the campground, but there is a large dumpster station co-located with the dump station.

    It’s about a 15-20 minute drive to shopping, but there are several convenience stores a few minutes away.

    The campground is clean and well maintained. It meanders around a very large lake, with several beaches and boat launch areas.

  • S
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Hibernia Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    One of our favorite places!

    Hibernia, on Kerr lake is a wonderful campground with plenty of easy access to the lake. We chose site 77 because it was in full shade with nice lake views. There's a cove with a sandy beach and clear water just steps away. Our kids enjoyed hours of time swimming and floating on rafts. Super clean restrooms and showers are just 2 minutes from our site.

    Note: Site 77 required 75 feet of hose to reach water nozzle. Website said 35' so glad we were prepared.

  • Ari A.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Brookhaven Mill Farm

    Quaint Site with Goats!

    I only needed to stay at this site for a few hours with my dog for dinner and a quick nap before heading on my way! The grass was a little overgrown which was just a little itchy but otherwise it was an amazing site, with a well maintained porta potty and cute animals on site!

  • Gregg P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Working in town

    I really enjoyed this site. While the approach was a bit steep the pad was level. Power and water at site dump station around the corner. Bathrooms and showers were impressively clean. Not full of spiders and cobwebs like most parks. High canopy and dense woods makes the park very quiet and dark at night bring plenty of light.


Guide to Durham

Camping near Durham, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Noise from planes: If you're camping at William B. Umstead State Park Campground, be prepared for some noise. One camper noted, "You will hear planes all day and most all night landing and taking off."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Eno River State Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor mentioned, "There are no showers, but the toilets are clean."
  • Reservations recommended: Popular spots like Poplar Point can fill up quickly. One camper advised, "I would highly suggest booking in advance since waterfront sites book up quick."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Moccasin Branch Campground. A camper said, "The sites are huge, level, and clean."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities, such as fishing or hiking, to keep everyone entertained. One family shared, "We fished for hours, kayaked on the lake, and the kids caught minnows."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make your camping experience smoother. A visitor at Rolling View mentioned, "When you grow weary of having to fix up that next campsite meal, check out nearby Buffalo Bros."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site levels: Some sites may not be level, so it's good to check ahead. A reviewer at North Bend Park noted, "Many of the sites in A are not very level for vans."
  • Use the dump station: Make sure to utilize the sanitary dump stations available at campgrounds like Holly Point. One camper mentioned, "Dump stations are not far from any of the circles."
  • Bring a good sleeping pad: If you're tent camping, a comfortable sleeping pad is essential. A visitor at Eno River State Park advised, "Bring a sleeping pad; the gravel on each site is unforgiving."

Camping near Durham, NC, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there's something for you in the local campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Durham, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Durham, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 79 campgrounds and RV parks near Durham, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Durham, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Durham, NC is Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Durham, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Durham, NC.