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ScoutRVacation Campground
This is not called vacation campground it’s north point rv resort
Tent Camping near Erwin, NC
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Several tent campgrounds exist within accessible distance of Erwin, North Carolina, with options ranging from established state park facilities to more primitive sites. William B. Umstead State Park Campground offers designated tent camping sites with basic amenities, operating seasonally from March 15 to December 1. Lumber River State Park's Chalk Banks Access area provides another tent camping option with riverside sites and more secluded settings for those seeking a quieter experience.
The tent sites at William B. Umstead feature designated 10x10 tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, though campers should note the proximity to Raleigh-Durham International Airport creates noticeable aircraft noise. Most sites include access to toilets and showers, with firewood available for purchase at $6 per bundle. According to one visitor, "Without the noise of the neighboring international airport, it's like any other natural area. However, camping in a tent means you will be hearing the sounds of jets all day long and throughout the night." Water spigots are accessible at most campgrounds, but primitive sites may require bringing your own water supply.
Chalk Banks at Lumber River State Park offers more spacious and private tent camping areas with a more remote feel. The campground provides pit toilets and water spigots but no shower facilities. The sites are level and well-maintained, with abundant firewood available for gathering. A review mentioned that "The tent sites are some of the better spread out ones that I've seen and having cell coverage is immensely appreciated considering you're basically in the middle of nowhere." Access to hiking trails and the Lumber River makes these sites particularly appealing for kayakers and anglers. Gates at Chalk Banks are locked from 8 PM to 8 AM, so campers receive gate codes upon arrival. San-Lee Park provides another tent camping option with fire pits, grills, tables, and access to bathrooms with showers, though sites are situated relatively close together in an open area configuration.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Erwin (6)
1. Owl Creek Horse Camp - Bankhead NF
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
2. Family Wilderness Camp — Raven Rock State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
3. San-Lee Park
"Contrary to what has been written, I would highly recommend San-Lee Park to anyone looking for a short and easy escape from the nearby Raleigh-Durham area."
"There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
4. Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park
"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!"
14 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $17 - $47 / night
5. Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $37 / night
6. RTP Lakefront Campsite - Campground
"We're so happy to have this property on our platform. Feel free to bring your kayak or canoe to take out onto the water. Book them today and come back here to leave them some love."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $100 / night
Drive Time
- 32 min from Fayetteville, NC
- 44 min from Raleigh, NC
- 49 min from Goldsboro, NC
- 1 hr 3 min from Durham, NC
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Erwin, NC
7 Photos of 6 Erwin Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Erwin, NC
349 Reviews of 6 Erwin Campgrounds
- MMegan T.
GuidePoplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Stayed in the C loop right on the water. Bathrooms are up the hill at the entrance to the loop. Sites along the lake aren’t private but are spacious.
- CCasey E.Scout
Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park
Not tent campground but new RV campground
New and clean rv campgrounds. 28 spots. Awesome camp host Ron.
Susan A.GuideCrosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Quiet, clean, spacious
The 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.
- PPaul R.
TravelerCrosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Great Camp
We 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.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendHolly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Fantastic Camping Spot at Falls Lake
Arriving here to Holly Point Falls feels overwhelmingly relaxing as the pines embrace you with a welcome that will immediately remind you that you are out in pure nature here. The campgrounds here are thoughtfully laid out, with a mix of tent pads, RV-friendly sites and electric & water hookups at many loops. Sites vary in privacy, but most are generous in size with enough tree cover to make you feel like you’ve claimed your own little slice of wilderness. Bathhouses are clean and functional with the park staff keeping things tidy. Families and four-legged friends are welcome and the paved roads make getting in and out relatively stress-free. Larger rigs will want to pay attention when reserving, as some loops are tighter than others. Our boys simply loved this campground with its EZ access to Falls Lake, which was perfect for us to go fishing and kayaking in. We absolutely recommend Holly Point Campground at Falls Lake for any family looking to get as close to nature, without leaving civilization completely behind.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Crosswinds Campground July 2026
Decent 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.
- PPaul R.Traveler
Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Great tent camping sites
First time to Loop C and we loved it. There are some great sites here, they are big and most are decently spaced. It rained heavily while there, some sites will hold water, but I didn’t see any fully submerged. There’s no electrical hook ups, there are a few potable water spickets throughout the loop. The bathroom was very clean.
- AAngus D.Traveler
Smith Lake Army RV Park
Tidy, very well designed, basic
It’s not scenic or particularly private, but it’s clean, well designed, and pumping out shore power to combat the Iowa humidity
Guide to Erwin
Tent camping near Erwin, North Carolina offers several secluded options within a short drive. The region sits at the intersection of the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions, creating diverse terrain for campers ranging from riverside settings to pine forest environments. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons provide milder 60-75°F daytime temperatures.
What to do
River adventures: At Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park, campers can kayak and fish along the accessible waterway. "The lumber river access is ideal to kayak and fish," notes one visitor, who appreciates that the park is "decently far off the main road so it's quiet."
Hiking trails: Multiple networks of trails accommodate different skill levels. "There is a hiking trail here as well," mentions a Chalk Banks reviewer, while others note the "beautiful hikes around the river right next door." Many trails connect directly to camping areas.
Fishing spots: Local waterways support fishing opportunities, especially at Lumber River where bank fishing and boat access points exist. "Easy parking nice boat ramp for the kayaks," reports one camper, making it convenient for anglers to access fishing spots.
What campers like
Privacy and space: William B. Umstead State Park Campground offers secluded sites that feel removed from urban surroundings. "Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door," explains one visitor who appreciates the self-contained camping experience.
Natural setting: Campers value the forested environments. "This campsite doesn't seem to be too popular which is fine. The tent sites are some of the better spread out ones that I've seen," notes a camper at Chalk Banks, while another describes the area as having "beautiful and quiet sites" that are "primitive but well cared for."
Water access: RTP Lakefront Campsite offers direct lake access for paddlers. "Feel free to bring your kayak or canoe to take out onto the water," mentions a reviewer, highlighting the ability to camp with watercraft access.
What you should know
Gate hours: Several campgrounds have restricted entrance times. At Chalk Banks, "the gate is locked from 8 pm to 8 am," with a reviewer noting, "the ranger came by and greeted us and gave us the code for the front gate." Always confirm gate codes upon arrival.
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds offer basic amenities only. At San-Lee Park, "the sites have fire pits, grills, tables, and there are a couple of water spigots on the site. There are also bathrooms with showers." Chalk Banks has "one vault toilet and one water source."
Reservation systems: Requirements vary by location. San-Lee Park requires advanced planning as one visitor discovered: "we were told you can only camp there by making reservations 72 hours ahead of time." At Chalk Banks, a ranger mentioned "they seldom get too crowded, and you can almost always get a reservation."
Tips for camping with families
Easy access options: Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park provides organized facilities for youth groups with bathrooms and running water. Umstead is described as "a great little campground right inside Raleigh. I've camped there several times with the kids and it's great because it's so close and there are a few good hikes."
Playgrounds nearby: Several parks feature children's recreation areas. At San-Lee Park, "once you park your vehicle at the main parking lot, to the right, you'll see the children's playground," providing an activity option between camping and hiking.
Short trails: Look for beginner-friendly paths for younger hikers. Umstead offers "a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths," making it suitable for families with children of different hiking abilities.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Most tent-focused campgrounds have limited RV capacity. Chalk Banks has a designated area where "the right hand side of the campground is set up for RVs (pull through sites)" while "the left hand side is for tent camping."
Water and electric: Always confirm hookup availability before arrival. Sycamore Rustic Cabins offers electric hookups but requires advance booking as capacity is limited.
Supply locations: No campgrounds offer extensive stores or services. "There is no park store or anything, so bring what you need," advises a Chalk Banks visitor who found "the one place in town that sold firewood, it's the speedway gas station" about 10 minutes from the campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Erwin, NC?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Erwin, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Erwin, NC is Owl Creek Horse Camp - Bankhead NF with a 0.0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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Erwin, NC?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Erwin, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Erwin, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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