Eno River State Park Campground provides primitive camping experiences via hike-in sites located across multiple sections of the park. Campers must backpack between 1-3.5 miles to reach designated camping areas, depending on which trailhead they access. During summer months, water levels in the Eno River typically range from 1-3 feet deep in most areas, creating safe wading conditions for families with children.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Several campsites at Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area provide direct water access for kayaking and canoeing. "Connect with the Mountains to Sea trail too for a great hike! Nice, big sites and plenty of good areas for swimming, hiking, and fishing. We always catch a ton of fish!!" reports Dana M.
Nighttime astronomy: Stargazing enthusiasts can experience exceptional night sky viewing at Staunton River State Park Campground, which has been designated an International Dark Sky Park. "The park has been recognized as International Dark sky and there are two telescopes that can be checked out for free at the visitor's center," notes Elena B. The park provides free telescope rentals for campers interested in viewing celestial objects.
Educational programs: Park rangers at many sites offer educational experiences for both children and adults. "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean," writes Elizabeth V. about her experience camping near Durham. Programs often include wildlife identification, historical information, and conservation practices.
What campers like
Water activities: The quarry at Raven Rock State Park offers unique swimming opportunities during summer months. "The trails are nice and short, not too much room for extra exploration. Best advice is there are some big rocks in the river at various locations that you can lay on and take a nap. Super comfy and the water is also pretty shallow," shares Cruz F.
Varied tent sites: Campers appreciate the diversity of primitive sites throughout the region. "Piper Creek is our favorite. Flat and easy 1.2 mile hike in along the river," shares Sarah W. about her experience with glamping near Durham, North Carolina. Many sites feature direct river access while maintaining a sense of isolation.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We love seeing the wildlife. My husband and I absolutely love this place! Park rangers are friendly, campsites aren't on top of each other and the restrooms and showers are clean," reports Sharon M.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings higher visitation and different conditions. "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. The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in. Dogs are welcome here! Bring bug spray!" advises Samantha P.
Campsite selection: Sites vary significantly in terms of access, size, and amenities. "We camped lake side at Kimball Point on Kerr Lake. Nice site and views, very quiet great for relaxing fishing and watching the stars at night," reports Andy K. at Kimball Point Campground.
Terrain challenges: Some camping areas require preparation for rougher conditions. "This camp ground requires a bit of a hike to get to (3.5 miles). Packing everything in and out was fun but there was no running drinking water at the site. The campground had a gravel base and picnic table with fire pit. The grail was very painful to sleep on," notes Sydney S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several parks offer designated swimming areas ideal for children. "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground," shares Wendy M. about Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. "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," reports Amanda L.
Wildlife education: Take advantage of ranger-led programs focused on animals. "We enjoyed outdoor movie on Friday. Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles and we invoked in feeding. Also lots of any pelts to learn about," explains Katie.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: RV campers should note the availability of electrical connections. "We stayed in site #18, which was a FHU pull-through. The site was fairly level, but quite short. Not enough room for us to keep our truck in front of our pop-up, which is what we look for in quick overnight stops," notes Jen V. about Greensboro KOA.
Site grading considerations: Many RV sites around Durham require leveling equipment. "Be warned that the sites vary pretty widely in size and grade. We have a 32' travel trailer that fit in spot 65 with no problem but there were many more that we could not fit in because of the steep grades," advises Michael P.
Utility locations: Water and electrical connections aren't always positioned conveniently. "The site it's self was up hill which caused our car wheels to spin and made it difficult to park. We also noted that our water and electricity was on the passenger side of our vehicle so it was a good thing we had an extra hose to reach the water as well as a long enough cord to reach the electric box," reports Barb T.
