Looking for the best options for tent camping near Elm City? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Elm City's most popular destinations.
$26 - $30 / night
Sites are meant for tent/pop-up camping only. No RV or Trailer is accessible.
Located in Wake County 10 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh, William B. Umstead State Park is a cherished retreat from bustling urban life. The park features an extensive network of hiking and multiuse trails, as well as three manmade lakes and their tributaries that are perfect for fishing. Both park entrances offer picnic shelters, and Crabtree Creek offers camping areas. Group camps and the historic Maple Hill Lodge let visitors experience a rustic overnight experience without typical modern camping amenities.
Located in Durham and Wake counties 15 miles east of downtown Durham, Falls Lake State Recreation Area provides seven access areas to the reservoir. More than 300 campsites offer a variety of overnight experiences. Trails include a portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, as well as one of the premier mountain bike trail systems in the Triangle area, located at Beaverdam access. During the spring and fall, migrating monarch butterflies add to the picturesque beauty of the lake.
Not every access has all the listed facilities. Please check the General Information page to view a table of the facilities at each access: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/falls-lake-state-recreation-area/plan-your-visit
$25 - $35 / night
Scout
My dog Indy and I spent a night here just to try it out and it was the perfect spot. The site is #64 and there's water access right next to the pad. We will definitely be back.
Traveler
The sites are level, not much shade. Garbage cans everywhere. Convenient to get into and out of with full hookup. There are no amenities at all but security drives around. Felt safe. Across from stadium. Price is worth the value.
Legend
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 that only nature can offer, then make your way here to Shinleaf@ Falls Lake SRA. You’ll discover all of the basics are provided– from picnic table, fold-up fire ring/ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice pebble-strewn patch of well-maintained flat pitch, perfect for striking camp for the night in your tent amongst the best of what nature has to offer along with pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine.
The only real down-side I could find to Shinleaf is that there’s not a whole lot of brush between the campsites so you will be exposed to neighboring sites, which wasn’t a problem when we visited as the place was fairly vacant, but during high season, I could see how this would be a bit of a turn-off. The on-site facilities(limited to just bathrooms& showers) are typically better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this spot gets high marks versus some others– and there’s even a designated‘pot wash’ spigot that is near the campsites making for EZ clean up after any meal. There’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time.
Insider's tips? Here's a few: (1) If you like to fish, there's tons of different varieties here to catch, including: walleye, crappie, white bass, large- and small-mouth bass, blue gill, striped bass as well as catfish; (2) There is no need to go anywhere else to look for a boat launch as Shinleaf has its very own kayak/ canoe launch that is fantastic and located on the eastern side of the property; (3) If you are looking for some really cool outdoors adventures while in these parts, check out Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park that offers treetop rope trails and adventure courses - our kiddos loved it!; (4) When you grow tired of attempting to conjure up your next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler and want to try out some local fare, then I highly recommend nearby Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest or Buffalo Brothers Restaurant & Bar - both have fantastic local cuisine and nice iced area craft beers to pair with; and (5) IMHO, the best campsites here at Shinleaf are: #6, #14, #16-17; #30-33; #37-39; #40; #42-43; #45-47.
Happy Camping!
GuideIt’s ok. Semi secluded and has necessary hookups. Quit packed for what it is. I would not stay here for weeks. Just a stop and go kinda deal. But price is very good.
Scout
Very nice place to stay. $20 per night. I go there when l go home to visit and to hunt. Ron the camp host is a very helpful and friendly guy. Across the river from nice entertainment. About a 15 minute walk.
Guide
I came here with a large group and really liked it! We were all at crammed into the 4 large group sites so I admittedly can’t comment on the size of a regular site. However the bath houses were adequate. The staff was helpful. And the trails were nice. I wish I would have explored the park a little more as well as the surrounding area. But nice little get away.
GuideWe camped out the first night the campground was open for the season. They were performing controlled burns but nothing bothered us. Sure, we heard the planes overhead but it didn’t keep us up. We tent camped at an RV site just for some extra comfort with the water and power. Bathhouses were super clean. And we were a short walk to the lake to fish and hang out near the water. Absolutely will come back
Traveler
Our stay in Site #4 on February 25 in our 20' Mode LT was quiet and restful. The park has an interesting geomorphology, sitting atop cliffs overlooking the river below, and there are miles of hiking trails. The Campground Host was particularly helpful, checking us in when we arrived early. Unlike many state parks they offer their Senior Discount to out-of-state campers. The campground is very clean and sites are very large with gravel pads, but only 14 sites have hook-ups. Our stay was marred by heavy fire smoke from campfires penetrating our van. The distance from I-95 adds an extra hour to your travel if you are just planning a one-nite stopover, so we might not make the trek again.
Traveler
Excellent place to camp overnight or for a couple days to rest while traveling the I-95 corridor. Full hookups to empty your tanks (heated water to avoid freezing in cold), level sites - mostly pull through so you can get in and out with ease. Large open areas to walk the pups and a decent sized dog run so they can get exercise (I can’t run that fast :) ). They has a small pool for hot summer months to cool off and refresh. Camp store has needed essentials but don’t expect to find everything a camper can desire. Campus is sparsely appointed but it has all that travelers really want which is a quiet place away from the noisy highway that is safe and has the site amenities of bigger and fancier campgrounds. I rate 4 stars because it serves its intended purpose, has level sites (didn’t even need to unhook to get level) with full hookups, and it’s priced for a quick overnight or even long-term stay if you are of humble needs. We will make it a regular stop on our journeys south and north again.
GuideThis campground appeared to be very clean and well kept. I am disappointed that we were only there for a night traveling south. If I'm in the area will definitely come back.
Legend
If you find yourself passing up or down the I-95 corridor and simply need a patch of land to layover for the night and you’ve got one of those incredibly large mobile homes on wheels, then this non-descript RV location near Four Oaks (look for the cross-roads of where Hwy 301 intersects Hwy 701(exit 90 on I-95) may just be the perfect spot for you. But to be perfectly clear, Four Oaks is more of a layover than a destination - I would really only consider this on the way to somewhere else where I am getting in late and leaving early.
With a couple dozen or so RV parking lanes for your parking pleasure, all of the sites come equipped with the typical 20 / 30 / 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections. There’s the standard picnic table, fire ring / BBQ, garbage receptacles, propane refilling stations, covered pavilions and even a community BBQ. The hosts are somewhat grumpy and offer pricing by the night, week and month. Overall, the community is inviting and friendly and there were a few that invited us over to chat with them and share a beer. While there’s not a ton of amenities to pick and choose from, this location does come with BBQ, doggie park, free WiFi & high-speed internet, store and vending machines. Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to Wilmington, Emerald Isle and lovely (but crowded) Myrtle Beach. One of the best perks though is that this campground serves up a nice continental breakfast on the weekends for campground guests, plus there's also free ice and cable for any overnight guests.
Insider’s tip? Here's a few: (1) Take advantage of the close proximity to 30 acre Tucker Lake (conveniently located where Interstate 40 intersects 95), where some decent fishing can be had – we caught (and released) several smallmouth bass, brook trout and black bullheads. Here, you’ll find white sandy beaches, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes for rent, rope swings, 165 foot waterslide for the kids to jump into the water and scattered open pavilions with BBQ’s and grills. There’s also a handful of ill-maintained trails to hike on; (2) If you'd like to hit the links then nearby Johnston County Country Club has some really nice fairways that you'll want to explore; (3) Should you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your onboard mini-fridge and want to try out some local fare, then head on over to nearby JP's Country BBQ where they serve up smoked chicken, ribs as well as mac-n-cheese along with some good 'ol Southern cole slaw; (4) Should you find yourself in need of anything there's Ronnie's Country Store just down the road (you wouldn't even need to drive there from Four Oaks), where you can get basic groceries, ice and just about anything for your journey; (5) My favorite site on the property is #8 or #10 as they are furthest from the nearby highway and offer decent shade; and (6) If you come bearing kayak or canoe and are looking for a nice wet piece of paradise to launch into, then check out Holts Lake located just due north of this campground where there's also some pretty decent fishing to be had.
Happy Camping!
Guide
Great place to stay, safe location, and has a family atmosphere. Space was large and I was able to pull through without having to de-attach my car trailer.
Scout
Not a campground anymore
GuideFirst time camping at cliffs of the neuse and it was great. They sell firewood for $7 (cash only at the camp store) and the park staff was friendly. Our spot was shaded by the trees and even had a little path to the bathroom in the brush. We were surprised by two kittens who cautiously watched us from the bushes. Bathrooms were also very clean. Cleanest I might have ever seen at a camp.
GuideI have stayed there twice over the past couple years. The only changes to this Campground are the Prices !! ..which keep going up (to $35 day now). For this, you get a parking space with full hookups.. that's it, no Amenities whatsoever!
It's pretty much a "Camper Trap", because there are so few options in the North Carolina Piedmont. Spaces are tight, a lot of the people there are long-term workers, that totally ignore any "Dust" decorum, speeding through the area as if they were on public streets!
TravelerGreat views by the lake and a great spot to camp
ScoutLevel campground with full hookups. Worked great to explore Raleigh.
GuideWe stopped at Medoc Mountain State Park for a night on our way North. It was only 10 miles away from I-95. It was a quiet campground (but we were camping the night after the 4th of July ). Lots of space in between campsites, bathrooms were clean.
Though the website said there was only 50 amp availability, we didn’t have to use our adapter and were able to connect using 30amp plug. There was also a 15 amp connection.
There is a shared water spigot for 4 sites right next to the site. We were able to fill up using our hose before fully backing up into the site. The water was much closer to site 3 than site 1,2,4.
Lots of hiking right from the campground and a fun playground nearby for the kiddos. We would definitely visit again, especially as a stopover to destinations farther from home.
LegendI’m not sure if this campground is correctly named Holly Point Campground, which after my experience, I would rename it HOLY Point Campground, as this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in the middle of North Carolina’s finest camping paradise. 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 only nature can offer, then make your way here to Holly Point Campground@ Falls Lake SRA, where you will not be disappointed.
All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice small pebble-strewn flat patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine from the tall matchstick-like long leave needle pines. While there’s not a terrible amount of brush between the campsites, you will have semi-privacy unlike many other nearby campgrounds.
The on-site facilities (bathrooms& showers) are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, there’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Falls Lake itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area, as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise.
Insider's tips? Here's a handful: (1) While IMHO there is no bad spot here in all of Holly Point Campground, there are obviously some that are better than others. Given this, I would highly rank Loops 4 (#118-119, #121-123) & 5 (#141-147; #149, #150, #152-155) as well as the southern and eastern side of Loop 2 (#36-39; #55-71; #73, #75), given their proximity to and views of Falls Lake itself. Of course, the sites that are located closer to the water are those more preferred; (2) If you're an angler, you'll be looking to catch some large-mouthed bass, yellow perch, blue gill, channel and flathead catfish and I recommend the areas that are heaviest shadowed around the lake edges; (3) When you grow weary of having to fix up that next campsite meal and simply want to error on the side of ease and comfort, then check out nearby Buffalo Bros who serve up some pretty might wings and amazing pies (there's also burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and other basic Americana foodstuffs) or Nantucket Grill for some pretty outstanding Jambalaya and seafood diablo pasta; and (4) If you love extreme outdoors adventures, then check out Xtreme Park Adventures for indoor and outdoor courses for paintball and laser tag.
Happy Camping!
Scout
Just being honest- I’ve been over-landing/camping all around NC and this did not feel like nature. It feels like a parking lot with a pool. Please Understand you will be parked in between huge trailers/RVs that rent that space permanently and are slightly territorial. Considering not spending night. AND Don’t go over 7.5 mph the golf cart police will scold you. Pros- It’s clean and quiet and hookups work.
Scout
Owner on site, propane available, showers & restrooms are newer and very clean. We reserved late so had one of the spots right next to the restroom. Owner explained that the wrong kind of sand had been delivered so it would not compact, it was a challenge pulling our trailer thru the sand. This seems to be an issue in only a few of the spots.
TravelerSites were well spaced. Bathrooms had hot showers and were clean. Boat ramp and swim beach on site. Very nice lake. Only noise was from planes above from a regional airport with close proximity.
ScoutGreat little campground! About 30-40 sites. The camp host Sharon is FANTASTIC. Not a ton of “amenities” but the campground is very well maintained. Very good restaurant right across the street!
TravelerWell kept, reliable and friendly park rangers, good amenities, well marked trails, very private. Only campers allowed in area. Really good.
Guide
Stayed here for a quick overnight during the NC RV Show. Easy setup and check in. They let us in a couple hours early which was great. Bathroom facilities were a little questionable at times. We had toilets that constantly weren’t flushed and one that even spilled all over the floor and my feet. Hot water but the toilets just left me a little meh.
The lake is great, roped off area for swimming with a great little sandy beach area next to a playground and toilets.
GuideWe really had a good time exploring this park. Very spacious sites that weren't on top of each other.
ScoutThe camp host was extremely rude. When I was pulling into the campsite, driving the posted speed limit, he made a motion for to slow down. I did.
When I approached his campsite to secure my campsite, he approached my vehicle before I had a chance to get out. I did. He told I was driving too fast. I said I was driving the posted limit and did slow down regardless. He said the same thing repeatedly. I told him I would not be staying which seemed to upset him more. He made mention that he was assistant director of something and he was going to give my tabs numbers to the police in case I came back to do "something."
In all of my years of camping in many states, I have never been treated or talk to so disrespectfully. Beware.
Tent camping near Elm City, North Carolina offers a serene escape into nature, with several well-reviewed campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elm City, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elm City, NC is Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Elm City, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Elm City, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
