Tent camping opportunities near Pinehurst, North Carolina extend into the Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 300 to 3,000 feet as you travel northwest from the Sandhills region. Summer temperatures typically average 5-15 degrees cooler at higher elevation campgrounds compared to Pinehurst, making mountain sites popular during hot months. The region's diverse terrain transitions from pine forests to mixed hardwoods with increasing elevation.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 0.5 mile hike from Mortimer Campground leads to a scenic cascade. According to a camper, "Beautiful, clean grounds with access to a 1/2 mile round trip hike to a waterfall on the property!" Another visitor noted there are "trails and even a waterfall within half a mile from camp."
Creek swimming: Free access at Steele Creek provides natural swimming holes. A camper mentioned, "This is by far the quietest, nicest, cleanest site yet! There is a walking trail at the end of the road about 100 feet from our site, that had the best swimming hole at the end of it, where you can jump in."
Paddling: Rentals available at Lake James State Park during summer months. A visitor shared, "The campground is a 2-minute drive (6-minute bike ride) down to the beach and there is a huge swimming area there. Also, a nice launch for kayaks and SUPs to the right of the beach (looking at the water)."
Fishing: Trout available in mountain streams and ponds. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, a reviewer noted, "The hike to the pond was a little more strenuous than we anticipated but once you get there, there is a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away."
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Mixed options depending on location selection. At Mortimer Campground, "The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together." For those seeking more seclusion, "The campsites are very spaced out" at Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Temperature relief: 10-15 degrees cooler at higher elevations during summer. A camper at Blue Bear noted, "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," making mountain campsites particularly attractive during peak summer months when Pinehurst temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Cleanliness: Well-maintained facilities at most established campgrounds. At Black Bear Campground, "The restrooms are in immaculate condition," and another visitor mentioned, "Either they keep the sites extremely clean after each guest, or we were the first to stay at our site."
Water proximity: Sites available with direct water access. At Catawba River campground, sites are arranged in "a little circle path that takes you down by the water. So many nice little places to hang a hammock and relax. The sites down by the water are awesome."
What you should know
Road conditions: Gravel access to many mountain campgrounds. For Mortimer Campground, "9 miles, minimum, of dirt roads getting in, so pack accordingly. Quick trips don't happen." Similarly, at Steele Creek, "The road is pretty well maintained other than a few spots that you have to crawl through on the corners specifically."
Site availability: First-come basis at some locations. One camper at Steele Creek arrived "late, around 5 pm on Saturday, so I had difficulty finding a spot. There was lots of sites but they were all filled up."
Terrain considerations: Elevation changes affect hiking difficulty. At South Mountains State Park, "the hike up to the campground, though only 1.5 miles, is pretty steep from the Jacob Fork parking area (600ft elevation gain)."
Weather preparedness: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "The constant light breeze and lack of mosquitoes is a treat," but wind storms can occur, as one camper at Catawba River experienced "a horrible wind storm with gusts up to 50mph."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Choose locations with gentle water access. At Lake James State Park, a family found "a huge swimming area" near the campground, making it convenient for children to cool off during hot days.
Trail difficulty: Research before hiking with younger children. For South Mountains State Park, a visitor recommended, "Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It's only a bit over a mile to these four sites nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites."
Wildlife awareness: Proper food storage prevents unwanted visitors. Multiple backcountry sites at South Mountains State Park feature "a BEAR BOX! Woot!!" as one camper enthusiastically noted, providing secure storage for food items that might attract wildlife.
Campsite selection: Consider proximity to facilities with children. At Boone Fork Campground, "The terrain is also flat and easy to hike through, making it a good long trail for beginners or children."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Size restrictions apply at most mountain campgrounds. For tent camping near Pinehurst with an RV, one visitor to Mortimer Campground noted, "We stayed in a tent. Had some friends stay next to us in a class b. A small trailer would fit, nothing big. No W/E/S but great place."
Hookup availability: Limited services at primitive sites. According to a camper, Mortimer Campground provides "no hookups" while other campgrounds offer varying levels of service with some providing electrical but no water connections.
Access challenges: Road width can be problematic. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
