North Carolina's central Piedmont region surrounding Elon sits at approximately 600 feet elevation with moderate temperatures year-round. The camping landscape near Elon offers diverse terrain from creek-side primitive sites to lakefront developed campgrounds. Fall camping season brings colorful foliage from late October through mid-November, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s.
What to do
Hiking trails: 12+ miles at Eno River State Park Campground offer varying difficulty levels along the river. "We hike and swim Eno nearly weekly and are so thankful this resource is so close to us! We also backpack into the primitive sites frequently. We love the trails," notes camper Sarah W.
Disc golf courses: Two 18-hole layouts at Cedarock Park provide different skill challenges. One reviewer mentioned, "There are SO much to do for any outdoor fan. The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play."
Farm animal interactions: Unique camping at Brookhaven Mill Farm includes miniature horses and other animals. "I setup right near the picnic table with a view of the mini horses," says Karen M., highlighting the farm-based camping experience available just minutes from town.
Water recreation: Kayak rentals available at Lake Reidsville Recreation Park for paddling the 750-acre lake. "Beautiful sun rise over the lake," mentions Glenn F., while another camper notes the lake is "popular with boaters" and offers kayak rental options.
What campers like
Peaceful environments: Campers consistently praise the quiet at Shallow Ford Natural Area. "It is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings. Someone left me a bundle of wood," reports Linda, appreciating the natural setting.
Spacious sites: Jones Station RV Park receives high marks for site sizing. "Sites were huge with large space between...everything was immaculate," writes one camper, adding it's "THE BEST privately operated RV park we have ever experienced!"
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is frequently highlighted at campgrounds near Elon. At Hagan-Stone Park, one reviewer mentions "Clean bathhouses with hot water," though notes "If you tent camp in the B lot, the bathhouse is a bit of a walk."
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around Elon support diverse wildlife. Campers report seeing deer along trails at Eno River State Park, and at Shallow Ford Natural Area, Linda mentions hearing "the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels."
What you should know
Gates close at night: Several parks lock entrance gates after hours, restricting movement. At Cedarock Park, a camper warns: "They lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't, you're literally stuck."
Site conditions vary significantly: At Hagan-Stone Park, one camper noted "Our site (B20) was reaaally uneven but we made it work for 2 tents!" Different camping loops offer completely different experiences - "Loop C is basically an open field" while "Loop B is heavily wooded."
Seasonal operating hours: Park access hours change with the seasons. "Jones Station RV Park staff called morning of our arrival to provide arrival and check-in details," highlighting the importance of confirming current hours and check-in procedures.
Highway noise impacts: Some campgrounds are located near major roads. At Greensboro KOA, a reviewer warns it's "Right off the highway, and by that I mean you see, and HEAR the traffic," noting "The billboard in front of the trailer is an interesting touch."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Lake Reidsville Recreation Park offers family-friendly features. "Very nice play grounds," notes one camper, with "Easy access to the water, playgrounds & hiking trails were just moments away from the camper."
Kid-friendly activities: Hagan-Stone Park includes additional recreation options. "There's a huge beautiful lake at the center and miles of gravel and dirt trails surrounding it," writes one visitor, ideal for family exploration.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds include historical or educational components. At Cedarock Park, families can visit "a historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period" according to reviews, providing learning experiences for children.
Pool access: During summer months, some facilities offer swimming options. At Greensboro KOA, one reviewer mentions they have a "Pool, playground and camp store with basics," though notes the pool may not be open during shoulder seasons.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra work for larger rigs. At Hagan-Stone Park, an RVer cautions that Loop B "would be very difficult to navigate" with their "39' Travel Trailer" and recommends Loop C despite it being "basically an open field."
Full hookup availability: Cane Creek Campground and RV Park provides complete services. "Beautiful little park nestled into the woods!" notes one RVer, though they add "our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access."
Pull-through access: Jones Station RV Park receives praise for accessibility. "Extra wide and extra long pull thru site," mentions a reviewer, adding there are "Extra wide roadways" which make maneuvering easier for larger vehicles.
Electrical options: Multiple campgrounds offer 30/50 amp service. At Greensboro KOA, a camper reported "The site was fairly level, but quite short. Not enough room for us to keep our truck in front of our pop-up," suggesting careful site selection based on your RV configuration.
