Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers several options for yurt camping near Holly Springs, North Carolina, with most facilities sitting at elevations between 200-250 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures and humid summers that regularly exceed 90°F. Most camping areas feature Carolina pine forests and clay soil that can become muddy after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails along water edges: At Moccasin Branch Campground, visitors can access trails with river views. "The trails are nice and short, not too much room for extra exploration. Best advice is there are some big rocks in the river at various locations that you can lay on and take a nap. Super comfy and the water is also pretty shallow," notes Cruz F.
Boat ramp access: Several campsites at Crosswinds Campground offer convenient lake access. "Such a beautiful, relaxing campground! Some sites are on the lake and close enough to pull your boat up to the shore. The beach is nice and the sites are spacious," reports Cindy S.
Bird watching year-round: The wooded areas provide habitat for diverse bird species. "Great sites here at this CG in central NC. Minutes from the RDU area, convenient to 540. Tucked away and nestled off of 98 highway, Rolling View campground is a great, secluded spot. Sites are large, as most are at Falls Lake, convenient access to water to put the kayak or canoe in straight from your site," says Bran P.
What campers like
Double sites for group camping: Crosswinds Campground offers double sites allowing families to camp together while maintaining personal space. "We enjoyed this campsite. It was clean, quiet and very close to the boat ramp! We had a great time and will definitely be back!" shares Jessie N.
Specialized camping zones: The sanctuary area at Moonshine Creek Campground provides a unique experience. "It's a quiet zone. There is one tent cabin and 4 tent sites with water and electric. You CAN park at your sites. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers. Each is completely private," explains Rebecca.
Seasonal water activities: Natural features provide recreation beyond swimming. "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean," notes Elizabeth V. about Eno River State Park, which offers places to cool off during summer months.
What you should know
Gate closing times: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours entry. "This campground is pretty great except for two things. There is no septic on your site, and they lock the gate after a certain hour. If you need something or arrive after hours you are out of luck," cautions Debbie F. about Crosswinds Campground.
Weather impacts: Clay soil common in the region drains poorly. "Mud hole, the site we had was under water after a light rain and didn't dry," warns Rick M., highlighting the importance of site selection during rainy seasons.
Bathroom facility variations: Quality and accessibility of bathrooms vary significantly between campgrounds. "This camp ground requires a bit of a hike to get to (3.5 miles). Packing everything in and out was fun but there was no running drinking water at the site," reports Sydney S. about Eno River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation for children. "Loved that there was a playground near the site. The site itself was gravelly and not super private but it was great - the hikes around were stunning," shares amanda L. about B.W. Wells Campground.
Scheduled activities: Certain campgrounds organize events for children. "During our stay they had scheduled kid activities and movie night with popcorn," notes Steve K. about Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer nature observation. "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground," reports Wendy M.
Tips from RVers
Dump station limitations: Not all sites offer sewer hookups. "This was our very first full-time RV park. We loved being in the park and it easily accommodated our 39ft. Class A. Back-in site but with plenty of room to do so. Each site has water and electric hook-up. Sewer however is a dump station," explains Paul H.
Site sizing and access: Some campgrounds have tighter spaces than others. "The campground road is sort of narrow and the sites can be a little tight, making it awkward to back in if you have a large TV and full-size camper - but once you're in it's all good," advises Ruth P. from Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages.
Military installation noise: Certain campgrounds near military bases experience noise. "This campground is near a military runway so be prepared for loud aircraft noise as well as other military installation noise," cautions Joy B. about Smith Lake Army RV Park.
