Fayetteville camping options extend beyond military facilities and RV parks to include riverfront experiences and natural areas with diverse terrain. The region sits in the Sandhills and Coastal Plain transition zone, characterized by sandy soil, longleaf pine forests, and proximity to the Cape Fear River watershed. Winter camping remains viable with daytime temperatures typically ranging 50-60°F, though occasional freezing nights require preparation.
What to do
Hiking at riverside parks: Lumber River State Park's Chalk Banks Access features multiple trails with river views. "There's a hiking trail here as well... The lumber river access is ideal to kayak and fish," notes a camper, adding that "probably the biggest spots to camp I've ever seen gives you the feel of basically being way off the beaten path."
Water recreation: Raven Rock State Park offers more challenging terrain with river swimming options. "We hiked in from the parking lot to one of the canoe in sites on the river. I loved all the trails, mainly the one that goes from the campsite I was on to the river where there is natural waterslide," shares one visitor. Another mentions "you can also swim in the Fish Traps, which is a unique cluster of rocks on the river."
Farm animal interaction: Double L Farms Campground provides a working farm experience different from standard campgrounds. A visitor describes: "If you have a family with small children, they will love the horses, chickens, guinea hens, and the couple of friendly cats and dogs that they own." Another camper adds, "Brian took our two year old on a tour of their amazing farm — horses, cows, ducks, chickens, and all the tractors of our toddlers' dreams."
What campers like
Quiet rural settings: Cedar Creek Campground at Elease offers a serene natural environment. As one visitor describes it: "Beautiful, peaceful location, rural yet easy to find. Fire pits and picnic tables for every site." Another calls it "A little slice of heaven tucked in the tall loblolly pines."
Resort-style amenities: Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages provides extensive recreational facilities. "So much to do for the kiddos and adults. Two pools, hot tub, mini golf, basketball court, horseshoes and playground all included in your price," reports one camper. Another appreciates the "nice workout center with lots of equipment" and scheduled activities like "Meet Your Neighbors Happy Hour."
Water features: Many campers highlight ponds and river access as standout features. At Lumber River State Park, "There is a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp." Several campgrounds incorporate fishing ponds, with one visitor noting that Double L Farms has "46 acres of farmland, there's plenty to explore."
What you should know
Military presence effects: Smith Lake Army RV Park and nearby campgrounds experience aircraft noise from Fort Bragg. "This campground is near a military runway so be prepared for loud aircraft noise as well as other military installation noise," explains one visitor. Another notes more positively, "We loved the sounds of freedom and enjoyed seeing our service members practicing flight maneuvers."
Entrance requirements: Several campgrounds have specific operating hours and gate access protocols. At Lumber River State Park, "The gate is locked from 8 pm to 8 am," requiring a code for after-hours access. One camper warns, "We got there at 9:05 and the gate was locked tight. We thought we'd walk in...After walking a while and not seeing the camping area, we called it a night and slept in the back of our Jeep."
Site restrictions: Not all campgrounds accept all camping types. At Spring Valley RV Campground, "I'd recommend this campground to anyone with a class A, B, C, trailer or fifth wheel RV that is self contained-meaning you have a bathroom. Otherwise, I'd find somewhere else to stay," advises one visitor who initially faced challenges with their VW Vanagon.
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Children particularly enjoy campgrounds with wildlife viewing opportunities. "The kiddos loved our stay," notes a visitor to Double L Farms, adding that "The animals come to say hi." This contrasts with the military campgrounds and offers a more rural agricultural experience.
Recreation planning: Schedule around operating hours for maximum enjoyment. One visitor notes that at Smith Lake, "You can rent kayaks and paddle boats right on the water front, but the beach is only open on Weekends until Labor Day." Similarly, at Fayetteville RV Resort, pools operate seasonally and scheduled activities like "kid activities and movie night with popcorn" enhance the experience.
Bathroom access assessment: Family camping requires considering bathroom availability. Chalk Banks at Lumber River State Park has "only one vault toilet for the entire campground however it was very clean." In contrast, Double L Farms offers "a quaint, well-maintained bathhouse with showers and toilets. Inside you'll also discover that the bathhouse is actually multi-purpose and equipped with A/C."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When staying at Spacious Skies Sandy Run, "I would select a spot that is halfway through the loop (it's lower and further removed meaning you'll hear less traffic from nearby HWY 95)." At other locations, campers recommend requesting sites away from main roads or communal facilities for quieter stays.
Reservation clarity: Be specific about your equipment when booking. One camper at Spring Valley notes: "Upon check in, I was first told that I 'had a boat, and didn't disclose when I made the reservation'... I then found out that the campground 'doesn't take that kind of camper-no tents, pop-ups' or other vehicles of the sort." Always confirm your RV type is accepted when making reservations.
Utility preparations: Campgrounds in the area have various hookup configurations. At Art's RV Sites, "all of the sites come equipped with the typical 30/50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections." During winter months, disconnect water hoses during freezing nights as temperatures can drop below 32°F.
