3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Owl Creek Horse Camp, located in the North Carolina Piedmont region, accommodates equestrian camping approximately 36 miles from Mamers. The horse camp provides toilet facilities and drive-in access for vehicles with horse trailers on primitive tent sites. Unlike many recreational areas in North Carolina, Owl Creek specifically designates camping areas suitable for visitors traveling with horses. The campsites feature level ground for setting up temporary horse containment systems. Equestrians can access several miles of bridle trails directly from the camping areas, allowing for convenient daily rides without trailering horses to separate trailheads. The natural terrain stays relatively dry even after light rain, making it suitable for year-round riding.
Horseback riders enjoy varied terrain through the connected trail system that runs through mixed pine and hardwood forests. The trails connect to wider networks within the surrounding national forest land, offering day-long riding opportunities with water crossings and diverse topography. Horse owners must bring their own water for animals as drinking water facilities are limited in the camping area itself. While the camp does not offer corral facilities, there is adequate space for portable panels or high-line setups at most campsites. The camping experience remains rustic, with minimal development maintaining the natural setting that many trail riders prefer. During peak season, riders report encountering other equestrians, though the trail system rarely feels crowded even on weekends.
"This area is such a short drive from the triangle area of North Carolina, yet this park feels quite remote. Like many state parks, this one excels in the services department. "
"Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "
Available next weekend
from $27 - $77 / night
"This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites."
"Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover."
from $45 / night
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Umstead is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh, NC. It seems to be an outdoor oasis as you can get lost in the woods with the hustle and bustle of the city all around you."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $75 / night
from $5 / night
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
Available next weekend
from $72 / night
from $30 - $60 / night
"Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access and right across from the annual spots so we never really had too much privacy but most of the neighbors were very curteous and friendly."
"Located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night. During the day, it’s beautiful. It’s got showers with hot water and accessible facilities. Great camping!"
"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
from $10 / night
GuideThe 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.
TravelerWe 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.
ScoutDecent 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.
ScoutReally fantastic spot to camp! Great sites and hook ups (no sewer, but EASY dump station)! Go for Loop B - it has the beach.
LegendB.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.
ScoutThe staff are all very friendly and helpful
GuideThis is an excellent place to stay. It’s very clean, lots to do, beautiful view of lake. Great hiking trails.
GuideThis is a very large campground that can accommodate any size RV. They do not allow tents. All sites are gravel, but are quite level. I pulled in, and didn't have to adjust anything. Pets are welcome, but as everywhere, dogs must be on a leash (not more than 6' long). If you put the address into your GPS, it will take you to the main fairgrounds. You need to put NC state fairgrounds CAMPGROUND. It is about a quarter mile from the main fairgrounds.
ScoutNo amenities, but the price reflects that. Conveniently located to everything this area offers. Fun to check out whatever is happening at the fairgrounds and the horse complex is across the street. Big rig friendly but you might need to park your your truck/road a ver short walk away if you have a very large rig. The issue here is lack of oversight. There are security folks, but only if you call and request them. There is trash pickup, but no other staff anywhere. So people break the various rules often. Mainly they stay longer than 14 days. There were squatters when we were here one time - about 5 rigs and they wouldn’t leave and had no reservations. They were gone two weeks later when we came back (state troopers and Raleigh PD had to get involved).
Equestrian enthusiasts seeking horse campgrounds near Mamers, North Carolina can find additional options beyond Owl Creek Horse Camp in the surrounding region. The North Carolina Piedmont terrain features a mix of gently rolling hills and pine forests with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area remain accessible year-round due to the mild climate, with average summer temperatures between 75-90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing.
Trail riding network exploration: At Falls Lake State Recreation Area B.W. Wells Campground, riders can access trail systems connecting to larger recreational areas. "There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways," notes Bran P. The natural surroundings provide varied terrain for different riding experiences.
Attend equestrian events: The region hosts seasonal competitions and events within driving distance. "Equestrian facility is next door," mentions Joy B. when describing the facilities near the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. These events often showcase different riding disciplines and provide opportunities to connect with other horse owners.
Water experiences with horses: Several trails feature shallow creek crossings and pond access points where horses can cool off during warmer months. "Our campground lined the lake so just through the trees, we were able to go for a quick dip or sit and watch the water," shares Sarah M. about the lake access that could benefit both riders and horses during hot summer days.
Spacious sites for horse equipment: The camping areas designed for equestrians provide extra room for gear and portable containment systems. "Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites," reports Joy B. This additional space allows for comfortable setup of horse-related equipment.
Wooded privacy between campsites: William B. Umstead State Park Campground offers natural separation between sites. "Campgrounds are close but separated by trees and forest to create privacy," explains Sydney S. This arrangement helps maintain a peaceful environment even when multiple horse owners are camping nearby.
Accessible trail systems: Most equestrian campers appreciate the ability to ride directly from their site. "Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door ⛺️," writes Cara G. about the convenience of trail access without having to reload horses.
Limited water facilities: "Horse owners must bring their own water for animals as drinking water facilities are limited in the camping area itself," according to reviews. Some locations like Cane Creek Campground and RV Park have water access but may require planning ahead. "Beautiful little park nestled into the woods! Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access," notes Mandy L.
Seasonal ground conditions: The terrain characteristics vary throughout the year, affecting riding conditions. "The natural terrain stays relatively dry even after light rain, making it suitable for year-round riding," though after heavy precipitation, some lower-lying areas may become temporarily unsuitable for horses.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reservations are required (though they do accept walk-ins at the park office)," explains Kelsey L. about Cedarock Park, which offers sites for $10/night for groups under 10 people.
Multi-activity planning: "Located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night. During the day, it's beautiful. It's got showers with hot water and accessible facilities. Great camping!" shares Dimitry A. about Cane Creek Campground, which offers activities for both horse enthusiasts and non-riders.
Safety considerations: Families with younger children should select campsites further from main horse traffic areas. "Plenty of places to tent camp or RV camp! Places to fish things for kids to play on and of course places to shower after! One of my family's favorite places to camp!" explains Krista H.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds near Mamers offer interpretive programs about local ecology and horse history. "There is a historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period," mentions Kelsey L., providing educational experiences for children while camping.
Trailer parking requirements: Crosswinds Campground at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area accommodates larger vehicles needed for horse transport. "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," explains Paul H. The extra space works well for horse trailers.
Hookup availability: Many horse-friendly campgrounds provide partial hookups for RVs. "Water, electric, sewer hook-ups. It's a pretty relaxing spot. Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance," notes J D. about facilities available for larger rigs.
Level site selection: Finding level ground is important for both horse containment and RV stabilization. "The sites are level, not much shade. Garbage cans everywhere. Convenient to get into and out of with full hookup," shares Amanda A., highlighting the practical aspects valued by RVers traveling with horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mamers, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mamers, NC is Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mamers, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Mamers, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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