Camping near Winston-Salem, North Carolina encompasses a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and RV resorts within an hour's drive of the city. Hanging Rock State Park, located about 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, provides tent and RV camping with access to multiple waterfalls, hiking trails, and a swimming lake. Pilot Mountain State Park, situated northwest of the city, features distinctive rock formations and offers camping from March through November. Tanglewood Park in Clemmons and Salem Breeze RV Park in Winston-Salem provide options closer to urban amenities. According to campers, Hanging Rock State Park is particularly suitable for families, with one visitor noting it was "the perfect first tent camping experience" with "beautiful trails, waterfalls, and a great beach."
Most campgrounds in the Winston-Salem area require reservations, especially during peak seasons from spring through fall. Weekends at popular state parks like Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain fill quickly, with many campers reporting these areas become crowded, particularly on summer weekends. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with limited connectivity in state parks and better coverage at campgrounds closer to the city. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s with significant humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Winter camping is available at select locations including Hanging Rock State Park and Oak Hollow City Campground in High Point, though some facilities may be limited.
The camping options around Winston-Salem accommodate various preferences and equipment needs. State parks typically offer more primitive camping experiences with basic amenities and natural attractions. Visitors report that Pilot Mountain provides excellent hiking and rock climbing opportunities with trails leading directly from the campground. Private RV parks like Thousand Trails Forest Lake in Advance offer full hookups and additional amenities such as laundry facilities and WiFi. For those seeking a unique experience, Ivory Clay Farm provides a quiet farm stay setting just outside the Winston-Salem area. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, though specific rules regarding leashes and pet areas vary by location.
$27 - $98 / night
"This was a close (1 hour drive) from Winston Salem and was the perfect first tent camping experience! Tons of beautiful trails, some with waterfalls, and a great beach! Camp site was mexcellent!"
"Campground is a good size and the trail is challenging but short. I visit mostly for the views at the top. It's a beautiful spot to look out and see Winston Salem!"
$35 / night
"Situated in a beautiful park with lots of activities. Dog park. Trails. Nearby lake, pool"
"Walking path paved. Bike trails and horse trails. Near to I40 but any noise from that is very minimal. Full hookups. Wi fi present but not strong enough for any streaming. Will definitely return"
$17 - $27 / night
"Located not far from Winston Salem NC, Pilot Mountain has great hiking and beautiful views from the top. "
"I left the flat of eastern North Carolina and headed to the mountains to our west. Pilot Mt. State Park has a nice campground and some good hiking trails."
"This site has gorgeous views of the lake and seems to share a grill with #11. There are trees perfect for a hammock. There is no fire ring but I brought my own raised fire pit. "
"This campground is right by a highway so traffic noise is high but the views are nice."
"The trees, the adjacent pastures, the farm pond, the rolling hills, and the scenic views make this a great little campground. The bottom row of sites looks directly at Pilot Mtn in the distance."
"Close to trails and waterfalls. Open fields and mountain backdrop. Water electric bath house."
"I heard mixed reviews about this campground but since I had a 1000 Trails membership, I figured it was worth checking out."
"Hiking trails and lake with small beach for swimming and fishing. Pet + horse friendly. Neatly kept. Kind and helpful host."
$40 / night
"Ivory Clay Farm is now bookable on The Dyrt and offers a nice quiet place to rest just outside of the Winston-Salem & Greensboro Area. "
"This is a great relaxing get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! As the owners, we love relaxing & enjoying the bonfires, sunsets, wildlife & star gazing."
$64 - $72 / night
"You're right next to your neighbors, but was a great spot for a stopover. Very clean and the fact that it's family owned was nice."
"Small size, gorgeous view, really nice bath house and easy access to Pilot Mt State park"
$15 - $60 / night
"Great location, many trails to walk, shelters to rent, and you can kayak on the pond. Lots of wildlife. There is a gate at the entrance too. A very safe, nice location."
"There is a huge beautiful lake at the center and miles of gravel and dirt trails surrounding it. The facilities are decent, although bringing your own TP might be a good idea."
ScoutThis is a really low low budget homeless camp. The campers are allowed trash around their spots and can have broken down vehicles to use as storage. Every sight has a tarp on it and looks to be drug addicts. Save yourself the chance of getting robbed and catch something and go somewhere else. I promise you your kids don't need to see this place.
LegendA nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit. There is are more sites in the field but we ended up not staying because it was hunting season and this area was open to hunting. It would be a nice place to stay if you are hunting in the area or if it is out of season.
Check it out in our video
https://youtu.be/Fv-DYCm_qXY
LegendI was able to map out 41 free dispersed campsites on Moccasin Creek Road; Forest Service Road 576. It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left. Many of the sites are able to accommodate large groups of campers. This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December. We first came here on opening weekend for the OHV trails so it was pretty busy and the weather was dry so it was really dusty. We also come back at the end of December and camped near the Deep Water Trail Camp. This time instead of nearly every site being occupied, only 5 other sites had people for that weekend. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
All sites are shown and GPS coordinates listed in our video description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe have been down here a few times and camped in a different site each time. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
I was able to map 41 sites on Moccasin Creek Road. All sites are shown in our video and GPS coordinates listed in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe pulled into Lake Norman State Park around 6 PM on New Year’s Eve, mainly because we didn’t want to drive a couple more hours to our original destination. We only planned to stay one night, but the campground surprised us—in the best way—and we ended up staying three nights instead.
There were plenty of available campsites, and every site we saw was at least decently spaced, with several feeling nicely secluded. The campground was quiet and well laid out. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and having water spigots available in the no-hookups loop was a big plus.
One of the highlights was riding our e-bikes on the Hawk, Hicks, Norwood Creek, and Monbo loops. These are the easier sections of the Itusi Trail system and were a lot of fun—though still a bit too unpaved for my wife’s taste😄. Even so, the hiking trail access from the campground made it easy to get out and explore.
This stop wasn’t planned at all, but it turned into one of those stays that makes you glad plans changed. We’ll definitely be coming back to Lake Norman State Park.
Check out all the sites in 360° in our video:
https://youtu.be/UzYublJ-BZg
LegendWe stayed one night at Arrowhead Campground while checking out some of the nearby trails, including the Badin Lake Trail, which is just a short drive away and offers great views of the lake and surrounding forest. The campground itself is well laid out, with sites nicely spaced apart so it doesn’t feel crowded. The paved campground loops are in great shape and make driving through easy, even for larger rigs. Several areas offer pleasant views of Badin Lake, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Arrowhead Campground felt quiet, clean, and well maintained—an excellent base camp for exploring Uwharrie National Forest, even if just for a quick overnight stay.
Check out our 360° video to see all the sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4AjjkcB4o
LegendOlder national forest campground without electric at the sites. It is nice enough and less crowded then Arrowhead. But is older and not as well kept as Arrowhead with is about the same price and right up the road. I like it since it is usually not crowded.
Check out the campground and all the sites in our 360° video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJctFFUhIs
LegendWe were coming through the area and wanted an alternative to the dusty camping over in the OHV area of the forest. We where happy with the West Morris Mountain Campground. Not a lot of people and everything was clean.
Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground.
https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs
ScoutNice park with lakes, aquatic center and trails,
Winston-Salem camping ranges from mountain settings to lakeside retreats with varying weather patterns across seasons. The Piedmont region's camping areas typically sit at 900-1,200 feet elevation, while nearby peaks like Pilot Mountain rise dramatically to 2,421 feet. Summer temperatures commonly reach 90-95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing even at established campgrounds.
Hiking multiple waterfalls: Hanging Rock State Park Campground features numerous waterfall trails within walking distance of campsites. "The shortest hike to see a waterfall is relatively easy and is only three-tenths of a mile one way," notes camper Myron C., who recommends planning a multi-day stay to explore different falls.
Rock climbing access: Experienced climbers find Pilot Mountain State Park Campground ideal for top-rope climbing. "There is a trail leading from the parking lot and traverses above the climbing area so you have quick access to set anchors from the top. Additional anchors are bolted at the top of most routes for easy top roping," explains Shannon C.
Lake activities: Several campgrounds offer fishing ponds and small lakes for water recreation. At Thousand Trails Forest Lake, one visitor reported: "I caught 2 sunfishes in 30 min & I'm no fisherman." Many campgrounds also offer canoe and kayak rentals during summer months.
Wildlife encounters: Morning deer sightings are common at campgrounds throughout the region. At Tanglewood Park, campers regularly spot wildlife. "Deer roam throughout the park and campground," notes Brandon, highlighting the park's natural setting despite being just minutes from town.
Elevated camping platforms: Several tent campgrounds feature raised platforms that keep tents dry during rain. Oak Hollow City Campground offers this unique setup: "This was our first time setting up on a platform and it was very easy. Our site had a great view of the beautiful lake," writes Larisa C., who tent camped with her family.
Night sky viewing: Jomeokee Campground offers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from city lights. The campground's fields provide open viewing areas with minimal light pollution. One camper mentioned the campground is perfect for "star gazing" among other natural attractions.
Sloped camping sites: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Greystone RV Park, campers appreciate that "pull-thru sites with concrete pads" require "no leveling needed," while at other area campgrounds, additional leveling equipment is often necessary.
Bathroom facility age variation: Facilities range from recently renovated to decades old. At Hagan-Stone Park, one camper noted, "Wife said women's side was nice and clean. The men's side was a little outdated and could have had a few less spiders but wasn't terrible."
Water connection sharing: Some campgrounds have shared water hookups between sites. A visitor to Hagan-Stone Park advised: "There is one water connection for each two sites so would advise bringing a splitter."
Gate closure times: Most state parks enforce strict entry/exit times. At Pilot Mountain, "the campground entrance closes at 10 pm. You will not be able to enter or exit until the gate opens the next morning," warns a reviewer.
Early-season camping: Spring visits avoid summer crowds but require additional preparation. At Hanging Rock State Park, weekends fill quickly from late spring through fall, with fewer campers in March and early April despite moderate temperatures.
Nature-focused activities: Parents report successful trips focusing on wildlife spotting. "From spotting salamanders near the creek to pretending they were mountain explorers on the trails, they were thoroughly entertained the whole trip," shared David N. about his family's experience at Hanging Rock State Park Campground.
Campground playgrounds: Several parks feature designated play areas near camping loops. Hagan-Stone Park offers "very nice play grounds" according to Justin S., making it "one of the best to just get away and relax."
Specialized RV campgrounds: Full-hookup options with amenities designed for longer stays exist throughout the region. Ivory Clay Farm provides "secluded RV spots" in a farm setting with electric hookups and fire pits, offering a unique alternative to traditional campgrounds.
Length considerations for wooded sites: When camping with larger RVs, loop selection matters significantly. At Hagan-Stone Park, "if you're longer than 30' you may find Loop B tough to navigate," advises Rick S., while "Loop C is basically a field with RV parking along the perimeter."
Seasonal site availability: Some RV campgrounds operate with limited seasons. Tanglewood Park's camping season runs May 1 to November 15, while Oak Hollow City Campground and Salem Breeze RV Park remain open year-round for winter camping needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to go camping near Winston-Salem?
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant camping weather near Winston-Salem. Late April through early June provides moderate temperatures and blooming landscapes at Cedarock Park in nearby Burlington, with well-spaced sites along Rock Creek. September through mid-November delivers comfortable days, cooler nights, and beautiful fall colors at Tanglewood Park near Clemmons. Summer camping is popular but expect higher temperatures and more crowded conditions, especially on weekends when locals from Winston-Salem and Raleigh visit. Many campgrounds are less crowded on weekdays, with Monday through Thursday offering the best availability during peak season.
What are the best campgrounds near Winston-Salem, NC?
Hanging Rock State Park Campground is a top choice just an hour from Winston-Salem, offering beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and a beach area. The campground features clean bathrooms, water access, and sites with good privacy. Another excellent option is Pilot Mountain State Park Campground, located northwest of Winston-Salem with wooded, shady sites. This park is known for its distinctive peak, offering spectacular views and hiking opportunities. Both parks provide picnic tables and fire pits at each site, making them perfect for family camping adventures while still being close enough to Winston-Salem for convenient weekend getaways.
Are there RV parks with full hookups in Winston-Salem, NC?
Yes, several RV parks with full hookups are available near Winston-Salem. Lake Myers RV Resort offers full hookup sites with friendly staff and is close enough for day trips into Winston-Salem, though sites are somewhat close together. Salem Breeze RV Park provides convenient access directly in the Winston-Salem area with water hookups and accommodations for larger RVs. For those seeking a more rural setting with modern amenities, Ivory Clay Farm offers a quiet retreat just outside the Winston-Salem and Greensboro areas with full-service sites in a peaceful farm environment.
What lake camping options are available near Winston-Salem?
Several lake camping options exist within driving distance of Winston-Salem. Oak Hollow City Campground near High Point offers lakeside camping with boat-in access, water, toilets, and sites that accommodate RVs. The campground at Hanging Rock State Park includes access to a beautiful lake with swimming and water recreation opportunities. For a more expansive lake experience, Badin Lake Campground provides waterfront camping within the Uwharrie National Forest. These options range from smaller lakes with swimming beaches to larger reservoirs suitable for boating, fishing, and water sports, all within reasonable driving distance from Winston-Salem.
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