2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Horse camping opportunities near Morrisville, North Carolina include several state parks with trail access, though limited dedicated equestrian facilities exist. William B. Umstead State Park Campground accommodates tent campers and offers cabin options with nearby trails suitable for day rides. The campground features primitive sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and designated tent spots. Gates close at 9 pm, requiring campers to arrive before this time. Airplane noise is noticeable throughout the park due to its proximity to RDU International Airport.
The North Carolina State Fairgrounds provides full hookup sites for RVs and campers with horses at $30 per night. Water, sewer, and electrical connections are available at all sites, making it convenient for horse owners traveling with living quarters trailers. The campground is located adjacent to the equestrian facility where competitions are frequently held. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. Most sites are on grass and gravel surfaces that can become muddy during wet weather. Camping is limited to 14-day stays and is primarily available during horse shows and the State Fair in October.
"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
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Lots of great paths to walk."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $75 / 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
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $72 / 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
from $5 / 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).
Horse camping near Morrisville, North Carolina features a mix of public and private facilities within 30-45 minutes of town. The region's clay soil can become challenging after rain, especially at lakeside campsites that sit at approximately 250-350 feet elevation. Summer temperatures average 87-92°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons for equestrians and their mounts.
Trail riding at Jordan Lake: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area's Crosswinds Campground offers trails accessible to day riders. "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site," notes Wendy M. The park provides boat ramps for those wanting to combine water activities with riding.
Disc golf between rides: Cedarock Park features equestrian-friendly trails and recreational options. "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," writes Kelsey L. The park also maintains "6 miles of equestrian trails" and "two fantastic disc golf courses."
Historical farm visits: Bring your horse to explore working farms in the region. "Cedarock Park offers a historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period," according to Kelsey L. These educational stops provide context for the agricultural heritage of the area while giving riders and horses a rest stop.
Spacious sites for horse trailers: Falls Lake State Recreation Area provides room for equestrian camping setups. "The sites are very wooded and quiet. There was a lake nearby with an open sky where you could see hundreds of stars at night. Pets are allowed and the bathrooms are in good shape," reports Kristen W. The woodsy environment offers natural screening between sites.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "Starting at $30/night for a camping lot. I came here with a 25 foot shuttle bus. There are people here with deluxe buses, car+tent campers and everything in between," notes J D. about Falls Lake, adding, "Bathroom facilities with hot showers located near every loop."
Lake access for horses: Cane Creek Campground offers water access that some riders appreciate. "Beautiful little park nestled into the woods! The 40s sites seem to be the best spots to get for a view or access to Lake activities," writes Mandy L. The lake provides opportunities to cool down horses after rides.
Gate closure times: Most area parks have strict entry/exit restrictions. "This campground is pretty great except for two things. there is no septic on your site, and they lock the gate after a certain hour. if you need something or arrive after hours you are out of luck," cautions Debbie F. about Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: For equestrian camping near Morrisville, advance booking is essential. "Reservations are required (though they do accept walk-ins at the park office). You can reserve a site either by calling the park office or by going online," explains Kelsey L. about Cedarock Park.
Weather considerations: The region's clay soil creates muddy conditions after rain. "Mud hole, the site we had was under water after a light rain and didn't dry," warns Rick M. about Jordan Lake. Horse trailers can become stuck, so checking recent weather before arrival is crucial.
Multiple playground options: William B. Umstead State Park offers recreational areas for children. "Umstead is an awesome place to come for the weekend whether you are into camping, hiking, running, or biking. There are a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths," shares Sarah M. The diverse trail system accommodates riders of various skill levels.
Kid-friendly water activities: Many local lakes have designated swimming areas. "Close to the beach where we sat for hours. Clean bathrooms. Spacious sites. Plenty of privacy," mentions Angela M. about Jordan Lake. These beaches typically include rope-marked swimming zones and sandy shores.
Educational opportunities: Combine horse camping with learning experiences. "The park is also home to a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina," notes Kelsey L. about Cedarock Park. These visits can enhance children's understanding of regional history.
Full hookup options for horse trailers: North Carolina State Fairgrounds provides comprehensive services. "This 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," reports Sheri K. The fairgrounds regularly host equestrian events.
Surface considerations: Gravel lots predominate at fairground facilities. "Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites. Most sites appear to be fairly level; we did have to use blocks on one side," observes Joy B. about the State Fairgrounds. These surfaces drain better than dirt sites during wet weather.
Security for expensive equestrian equipment: Some campgrounds offer additional protection. "Campground is quiet and security staff very friendly. Equestrian facility is next door," notes Joy B. about the State Fairgrounds, which maintains regular security patrols to protect valuable tack and trailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Morrisville, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Morrisville, 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 Morrisville, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Morrisville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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