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ScoutRVacation Campground
This is not called vacation campground it’s north point rv resort
Tent Camping near Garner, NC
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Tent campsites near Garner, North Carolina include several established options within a short drive. William B. Umstead State Park Campground, located about 20 miles north of Garner, offers tent-specific sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to extensive trail networks. Other tent camping areas in the region include Eno River State Park with primitive walk-in tent sites and San-Lee Park in Sanford with basic tent camping facilities.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature level sites with gravel or dirt surfaces. William B. Umstead provides designated tent pads measuring approximately 10x10 feet with nearby fire rings and picnic tables. Tent campers should note that gates at Umstead close at 9 pm, requiring campers to arrive before closure. Most tent sites in the region offer water access and toilet facilities, though amenities vary by location. San-Lee Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis for tent camping, while parks like Eno River require permits that can be obtained at the park office for $13.
Tent camping experiences vary significantly between parks in the Garner area. Umstead State Park's tent sites provide convenient access to miles of hiking and biking trails but come with some urban noise. A visitor commented, "Despite being really near an airport, a highway, and a mall, the woods and hills are gorgeous and it feels quiet and secluded." Eno River offers more secluded backcountry tent camping about a mile hike from parking areas. These primitive tent sites provide a more immersive experience along the river. According to one camper, "This is the best primitive camping I have found near Raleigh, NC." Falls Lake also features tent-only sites along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail section, though these require hikers to pack in all supplies and adhere to strict Leave No Trace principles.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Garner (9)
1. Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $37 / night
2. Eno River State Park Campground
"My partner and I camped at Fanny’s Ford at one of the primitive sites. The sites are well spaced but not a lot of privacy. We didn’t mind and everyone was cordial."
"Eno River State Park has amazing backpack in camping that is well worth the beautiful walk through the woods. The last trip here was so wonderful that we extended it by two nights! "
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $47 / night
3. 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
4. Redwood Campsite
"2 day max camping, no footprint camping, I think there are around 9 pads for 2 person tents!"
5. MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping
"The campground is located on a private land, has a shelter, a fire pit, and a number of tent sites."
6. 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
7. Family Wilderness Camp — Raven Rock State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
8. Lake Michie Recreation Area
9. Owl Creek Horse Camp - Bankhead NF
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
Drive Time
- 14 min from Raleigh, NC
- 30 min from Durham, NC
- 45 min from Goldsboro, NC
- 57 min from Fayetteville, NC
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Garner, NC
16 Photos of 9 Garner Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Garner, NC
345 Reviews of 9 Garner 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.
- JJonathan B.Guide
Butner lake WMA
Private campground
Like this campground. Was a tight fit with our 20 ft trailer but it is super quiet at night. Nearby road with some noise during the day but overall great place to camp. We have seen several people pull in for over nights but left the next day. Will be back. Also make sure you buy a NC hunting or fishing license before you camp here
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.
Jill S.ScoutButner lake WMA
Only open after Sept 1
We didn’t realize the campground was only open for hunting season. We showed up late at night in the end of July and saw it was roped off but decided to pitch our tent anyway and woke up with a State Trooper shining a flash light in our tent😂😭 He let us off, but we still had to pack up and find a hotel at 1am since there’s no other free camping that we knew of around the area.
It’s a sad day when you can’t just pitch a tent and sleep in the woods peacefully but it is what it is! Would come back during the legal season for sure though, the woods were really nice and cleared out.
- 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.
Guide to Garner
Tent camping near Garner, North Carolina provides several options within a 25-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 300-400 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate featuring warm summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from March through November, with a few sites offering year-round access despite occasional winter precipitation.
What to do
Hiking trails access: William B. Umstead State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks directly from campsites. "Nice place great hiking or running trails," notes Keith M. The park features multiple trail difficulty levels connecting to the campground area.
Fishing opportunities: San-Lee Park provides lake fishing within walking distance of tent sites. "There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there," mentions Marvin D. Fishing permits are available at the park office for a nominal fee.
Primitive camping experience: Eno River State Park Campground offers backcountry sites along the river. "We backpack into the primitive sites frequently. We love the trails. The sites are always clean. The primitive sites are spaces far enough apart that it truly feels like solitude," writes Sarah W. Piper Creek sites require a 1.2-mile hike along the river.
Water activities: Lake Michie Recreation Area allows paddling near campsites. "The camping area itself is quite secluded and quiet. Also very clean," according to Jeff K. Kayak rentals are available seasonally at the main office.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping offers secluded tent sites. "This is a hidden gem for a MST hiker. The campground is located on private land, has a shelter, a fire pit, and a number of tent sites," shares Katy S. The area has seven established pads designed for 2-person tents.
Accessible urban wilderness: William B. Umstead State Park provides nature immersion close to urban areas. "This is 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 in Umstead Park," explains Scott P.
Swimming spots: Eno River State Park features natural swimming areas along hiking routes. "The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in. Dogs are welcome here! If you can camp close to the river, I recommend, it's great to fall asleep to the sounds of the river," says Samantha P.
Group accommodations: San-Lee Park works well for group camping. "It's almost like one big group site. The sites have fire pits, grills, tables, and there are a couple of water spigots on the site. There are also bathrooms with showers," notes Marvin D.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: San-Lee Park operates differently than advertised. "After calling and only getting voicemails, we found the man again who called his boss. His boss finally answered and said we can only camp there by making reservations 72 hours ahead of time," reports Karah S.
Site limitations: Lake Michie Recreation Area has challenging terrain. "All of the sites are very small, not very level, and have low clearance. It's also quite difficult to reserve sites here as you have to call the county to get a permit," explains Jeff K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Garner, NC?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Garner, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Garner, NC is Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Garner, NC?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Garner, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Garner, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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