The camping spots near Laurinburg, North Carolina lie within the Sandhills ecological region characterized by sandy soil and longleaf pine forests. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level, with temperatures averaging 90°F in summer months and 50°F in winter. Primitive camping areas often require vehicles with higher clearance due to unpaved access roads.
What to do
Kayaking on Lumber River: Access the river directly from Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park where the boat ramp provides easy launching. The current flows at a gentle pace suitable for beginners. "Easy parking nice boat ramp for the kayaks," notes one camper who visited during Memorial Day weekend.
Wildlife observation: Bird species native to the Sandhills region include red-cockaded woodpeckers and pine warblers. The open fields and forest edges create ideal conditions for spotting deer at dawn and dusk. At Cheraw State Park, campers observe a variety of waterfowl near the lakeside. "Bird sanctuary so birders will LOVE this campground," states a visitor.
ATV trails: Sandy soil conditions create perfect terrain for off-road vehicles at Outback ATV Park. The park features over 50 miles of marked trails through varied terrain. "So many trails you'll never ride the same one twice. Swimming hole is nice and spring fed," reports a regular visitor who considers this their preferred destination.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: The tent areas at Lumber River State Park provide uncommon privacy compared to most established campgrounds. Sites 9-11 are set far back in the woods. "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," explains one camper.
Farm camping experience: Double L Farms Campground offers camping surrounded by working farm animals including horses, chickens, and cows. The 46-acre property provides ample space for exploration. "The animals come to say hi. The kids loved our stay," shares a family who stopped overnight while traveling on I-95.
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds in the region report low occupancy Sunday through Thursday except during hunting season. This creates opportunities for last-minute bookings. At Lumber River State Park, "With talking to the rangers, they were saying that the place seldom gets too crowded, and you can almost always get a reservation here."
What you should know
Gate hours: Several campgrounds lock entrance gates after evening hours. At Lumber River State Park, the gate closes at 9pm and reopens at 8am. "The maintenance man was surprised to see me roll out of there when he arrived in the morning to open the gate. He was very apologetic and gave us the code in case we needed out in the middle of the night."
Limited facilities: Many camping areas provide only basic amenities. Sandhills Campground B has no bathrooms, water sources, or camp store. "This is a campground located in the Sandhills Gamelands in NC. If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat in this region regularly exceeds 90°F with high humidity from June through September. Tent campers should prioritize shaded sites. At Cheraw State Park Campground, "We stayed in the camp juniper group area this time, but have camped in the regular campground in the past. The regular sites are usually full, and very close, but the lake front sites are gorgeous and worth being close to neighbors."
Tips for camping with families
Animal interactions: Children often enjoy the opportunity to see farm animals at close range. At Double L Farms, the owners allow supervised interaction with horses and other livestock. "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."
Swimming options: Pedro's Campground at South of the Border lacks a swimming pool, but Cheraw State Park offers a designated swimming area at the lake. "A cute little beach area with kayak and canoe rentals. Day area open from 8am to sunset," notes a visitor who gave the park a five-star rating.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs on weekends during summer months. Exploration Station in Lumberton provides rainy day activities within a 30-minute drive of most area campgrounds. One camper traveling with children mentioned, "For the kiddos, if you need to get away and see something a bit more educational then try out Exploration Station in downtown Lumberton."
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: RV sites at Pine Lake RV Resort require navigating narrow entrance roads. Larger units may have difficulty maneuvering. "The road to is dirt with sand mix, they good a good job of keeping it graded. The only down sides are that the sites are pretty packed close together, some trailers seem run down and abandoned."
Highway noise levels: Lumberton I-95 KOA sits adjacent to the interstate, creating consistent background noise. Front row sites experience the most disruption. "To get to it, you get off the highway and loop around about 1-2 miles, but you cross back over I95 and it is situated right next to it, so there is a lot of road noise. Not a great place to several nights if you are looking to hang out outside of your RV."
Utility reliability: Power outages occasionally affect campgrounds in rural areas during summer thunderstorms. Having backup power options for essential medical equipment is recommended. Multiple campers report consistent, reliable hookups at most established campgrounds. "Compared to other KOA locations I've stayed at along different interstates, I would definitely mark this as one of the more unique and special properties."
