Camping sites near Lumberton, North Carolina offer diverse options along the I-95 corridor and surrounding state parks. The area sits at approximately 130 feet above sea level in the coastal plain region, characterized by sandy soil and native longleaf pine forests. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water access important for campers during peak season.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Little Pee Dee State Park Campground's Lake Norton attracts locals and travelers for freshwater fishing. "From an amenities standpoint, there's a quaint, well-maintained bathhouse with showers and toilets," notes one reviewer, who adds that the park is especially good for "fishing and non-motorized boating."
River paddling: Princess Ann access at Lumber River State Park provides direct river access for kayaking and canoeing. "The river is nice to swim in after a hot summer's day, although the bottom is quite squishy. It's a good area to fish or use small watercraft," writes a visitor. Multiple access points along the river accommodate different skill levels.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at Chalk Banks access offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "The 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," notes one camper. The park features hiking trails along the river with observation points.
What campers like
Private campsites: Campers appreciate the separation between sites at Chalk Banks. "Extra large and private campsites. One of the campsites has a hammock stand. The group site is huge. The whole park is very clean and spacious," reports one reviewer. Many sites feature raised platforms for tents.
Clean facilities: Spacious Skies Sandy Run (formerly Lazy Acres) maintains excellent bathroom facilities. "The restroom/shower/laundry facilities are exceptional," writes a visitor, who also notes "a pretty amazing pool (opened in the Summer between Memorial and Labor Day weekends) that the kids enjoyed during the day."
Stargazing opportunities: Jones Lake State Park offers excellent night sky viewing. "You can see tons of stars here at night, it is amazing! It's lovely to sit by the water and look at the night sky," mentions a camper. The lake setting creates open viewing areas away from city lights.
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer humidity affects camping comfort at all sites. "Bugs so don't forget bug spray. Rooster alarm. Great place! Will definitely stay again," advises a visitor at Lumberton I-95 KOA. Rainfall can impact site conditions, particularly in low-lying areas.
Pet policies vary: Most campgrounds permit leashed pets but have specific designated areas. "The campground does not take tents, pop-ups or other vehicles of the sort," cautions one camper about Sandy Run, though they note that the "campground host gave our dogs some treats, and complimented our van."
Gate closure times: Several parks lock entrance gates overnight. "We got there at 9:05 and the gate was locked tight," reports a camper about Chalk Banks, who advises getting the gate code upon check-in "since it is locked from 8 pm to 8 am."
Tips for camping with families
Farm animal interactions: Double L Farms Campground offers unique opportunities for children to interact with farm animals. "My entire family, we absolutely loved the cows, horses, donkeys, chickens, guinea hens, ducks, turkey, cats, dogs and other animals we came across during our stay," writes one reviewer, adding, "our daughters thought the farm animals were the best part of our camping trip!"
Kid-friendly activities: Jones Lake State Park provides accessible activities for younger campers. "Swimming, fishing pier, kayak and paddleboat rentals, trails and so much more. Family friendly. Perfect spot to take my 5 year old on his first camping trip," shares one parent.
Supply preparation: The rural nature of most campgrounds requires advance planning. "There isn't a camp store, but the Ranger Station does have ice, firewood, and a small number of souvenirs for sale," notes a visitor at Little Pee Dee, explaining that the campground is "located outside of Lumberton and just a 20 minute or so drive from the heavy trafficked I95 highway corridor."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: Pedro's Campground at South of the Border offers convenient access for large rigs. "We just stopped for an overnight. Had a pull thru with full hookups. You def can't miss it from the road... it's got a lot of neon and a ton of sites," reports an RVer. The campground is secured with perimeter fencing.
Power options: Several campgrounds offer various electrical hookup configurations. "Six of the CG's back-in sites are FHUs with both 30 & 50 AMP. However, there are very spacious pull thru sites, but no hook ups, not even electric," explains a camper at Jones Lake State Park. Check specific site details before booking.
Leveling considerations: Site terrain varies across the region. "Camper driveways are very generous in size and level. Sites are spaced far enough apart to provide reasonable privacy/separation," notes a Jones Lake visitor, adding that "Two ADA-accessible sites have a concrete pad; most others have gravel pads."
