Jordan Lake and Falls Lake State Recreation Areas offer family-friendly glamping close to Morrisville, North Carolina. Sites at these parks are typically level, gravel-based, and situated among Carolina pines that provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures average 85-90°F. Most camping areas are located within 20-30 miles of Morrisville, with varying elevation changes that affect both temperature and wildlife viewing opportunities.
What to do
Hiking and nature observation: Eno River State Park features diverse trail systems with varying difficulty levels. One camper notes, "We hike and swim Eno nearly weekly and are so thankful this resource is so close to us! The primitive sites are spaces far enough apart that it truly feels like solitude."
Fishing and boating: Crosswinds Campground provides convenient boat access points. According to a camper, "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access... Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground."
Swimming at lake beaches: Rolling View at Falls Lake offers designated swimming areas with sandy shorelines. A visitor mentioned, "The lake is beautiful and great for kids. We will be going back!"
Disc golf and recreation: Hyco Lake State Park features disc golf courses along with water recreation. A reviewer stated, "Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Moccasin Branch Campground offers spacious sites with natural barriers. As one camper explained, "We hiked in from the parking lot to one of the canoe-in sites on the river. I loved all the trails, mainly the one that goes from the campsite I was on to the river where there is natural waterslide."
Clean facilities: B.W. Wells Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. A recent camper reported, "Shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing."
Wildlife viewing: Jordan Lake sites frequently host wildlife visitors. One camper shared, "Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground."
Well-maintained trails: Raven Rock State Park features established path systems for various skill levels. A visitor noted, "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."
What you should know
Gate closing times: Several campgrounds enforce strict access policies. A camper at Crosswinds noted, "They lock the gate after a certain hour. If you need something or arrive after hours you are out of luck."
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer partial connections only. According to a review, "There is no septic on your site, and they lock the gate after a certain hour."
Seasonal operations: B.W. Wells Campground operates from March 15 to November 30, closing during winter months. A visitor pointed out, "I camped here with a large group and we fit in one campground nicely. Some people slept in tents but a lot strung Eno hammocks between the Carolina Pines."
Weather considerations: Summer thunderstorms can affect site conditions. One camper reported, "The site we had was under water after a light rain and didn't dry."
Tips for camping with families
Double site options: Some campgrounds offer joined sites for family groups. A Crosswinds visitor shared, "Loved having a double site with my parents. Close to the beach where we sat for hours. Clean bathrooms. Spacious sites. Plenty of privacy."
Educational programs: Eno River State Park offers nature programs specifically for children. A visitor mentioned, "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean."
Playground access: Multiple recreation areas feature play structures near camping areas. According to one parent, "Nice swim area, nice roads but the sites could use some updating. A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out an RV. Playground could use updating and maybe a fence around since it's so close to the road."
Budget-friendly glamping: Cozy Heron Glamping offers affordable luxury canvas accommodations. A family reported, "We stayed 3 nights in June. Two days on the water, tubing and kayaks. Cooked out, had a great time. The beds are super comfy and AC blew cold."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. One RVer noted, "Nice value and clean state park. A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out an RV."
Hookup positioning: Check utility placement before setting up. A camper mentioned, "We also noted that our water and electricity was on the passenger side of our vehicle so it was a good thing we had an extra hose to reach the water as well as a long enough cord to reach the electric box."
Big rig accommodation: Jordan Lake can handle larger vehicles. An RVer stated, "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."
