The camping sites near Pembroke, North Carolina range from working farms with farm animals to state park facilities along the Lumber River. Most campgrounds in this area sit at low elevations between 100-200 feet above sea level, contributing to the region's characteristic coastal plain ecosystem. Summer nights typically maintain temperatures above 65°F, while winter evenings can drop below freezing between December and February.
What to do
Fishing at riverside sites: The Lumber River at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park offers excellent fishing opportunities with easy access from the campground. "The Lumber River is right here, so fishing and canoeing/kayaking are popular activities. There is a hiking trail here as well," notes camper Marvin D.
Farm animal interactions: At Double L Farms Campground, campers can spend time with various farm animals. One reviewer shared, "If you have a family with small children, they will love the horses, chickens, guinea hens, and the couple of friendly cats and dogs that they own." Another camper added, "We absolutely loved the cows, horses, donkeys, chickens, guinea hens, ducks, turkey, cats, dogs and other animals we came across during our stay."
Hiking woodland trails: Explore the nature trails available at Princess Ann Access. A visitor mentioned, "These sites have a bit of hike-in required, in that you can't drive up to them," making it perfect for those who enjoy a short walk to more secluded sites. The nearby trails offer pleasant woodland hiking routes along the river.
ATV adventures: For more active recreation, Outback ATV Park provides extensive trail systems for off-road enthusiasts. "So many trails you'll never ride the same one twice. Swimming hole is nice and spring fed," reports Charli R. The park hosts regular events for ATV riders throughout the year.
What campers like
Privacy and space: The campgrounds near Pembroke offer sites with good separation. At Chalk Banks, "Tent camping sites, 9-10-11, sit WAY back in the woods, so its like almost like having your own campground. TONS of forage wood here." Another camper at Princess Ann mentioned, "We had a fantastic time last week! We also had the privilege of having the park COMPLETELY to ourselves...the ranger confirmed that we were the only campers that night!"
Clean facilities: Campers frequently comment on the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Lumberton I-95 KOA, visitors noted, "The bathroom, the grounds were very clean. Walked trail behind campground. Wi-Fi is excellent." Another reviewer shared, "This is a clean KOA with good showers. The facilities are well maintained."
River access: Proximity to the Lumber River ranks high with campers. One visitor to Princess Ann described, "Our particular site, PA 7, is one of two right on the river's edge, across from the Naked Landing trail. 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."
Stargazing: The rural location offers excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Princess Ann — Lumber River State Park shared, "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."
What you should know
Gate hours: Some parks have strict entry/exit times. A camper at Chalk Banks warned, "Word to the wise, when the website says the park closes at 'posted times', they mean 9pm. We know this because we got there at 9:05 and the gate was locked tight." Parks typically provide gate codes to registered campers.
Limited supplies nearby: Preparation is important as many campgrounds have limited nearby stores. At Chalk Banks, "There is no general store nearby so bring wood and supplies in with you." Most camping areas require a 15-30 minute drive to reach the nearest convenience store.
Seasonal noise: Wildlife can create noticeable sounds, especially during spring and summer. One camper mentioned, "Also, there's a lot of owls here at night. If you are a light sleeper you may want to consider ear plugs. It's lovely, but the owls do get kind of rowdy at points making a racket."
Road noise: Campgrounds near I-95 experience highway sounds. A reviewer at Lumberton KOA noted, "I would give this campground 5 stars if it was further away from I-95. To get to it, you get off the highway and loop around about 1-2 miles, but you cross back over I-95 and it is situated right next to it, so there is a lot of road noise."
Tips for camping with families
Farm experiences: Children particularly enjoy the animal interactions at Double L Farms. One family reported, "In fact, our daughters thought the farm animals were the best part of our camping trip!" Another mentioned, "In the morning Brian took our two year old on a tour of their amazing farm — horses, cows, ducks, chickens, and all the tractors of our toddlers' dreams."
Swimming options: During hot months, look for campgrounds with water access. At Outback ATV Park, "Swimming hole is nice and spring fed." Many families appreciate this feature during summer camping trips when temperatures regularly exceed 85°F.
Bathroom proximity: When camping with small children, consider site location relative to facilities. One reviewer advised selecting sites that aren't too far from bathrooms: "The bath house was a decent walk, but nothing ridiculous." Most state park campgrounds have one central bathroom facility.
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Campers at Spacious Skies Sandy Run noted the "kid's playground" as a welcome amenity, while other nearby campgrounds feature similar facilities to help keep children entertained.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Lumber River State Park, "The right hand side of the campground is set up for RVs (pull through sites). The left hand side is for tent camping." Understanding the campground layout helps with selecting appropriate sites.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. At Bass Lake Campground, visitors find "Full hookups," with one camper noting, "Very well kept and CLEAN! The showers and bathrooms were spotless." Most RV sites in the area offer at least water and electric hookups.
Road conditions: Some access roads require careful navigation. A visitor to Little Pee Dee State Park observed, "Road to campground is horrible! Very narrow, trees hanging over it, dirt, but huge holes! Obviously needs to be graded." RVers with larger rigs should call ahead to verify access.
Sand management: Many campgrounds in the region have sandy sites. A visitor to Spacious Skies Sandy Run mentioned, "The roads to and from the site could use a little bit of work but overall not a big deal. Loose dirt but fairly level." Consider bringing mats to reduce sand tracking into your RV.
