Best Tent Camping near Robbins, NC

Tent camping near Robbins, North Carolina centers around the Uwharrie National Forest, which offers several primitive and established tent campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Deep Water Trail Camp and Uwharrie Hunt Camp provide tent-friendly sites in natural settings, while East Morris Mountain Camp offers a more secluded tent camping experience with just three sites along a fire trail. San-Lee Park in nearby Sanford provides tent-only camping with approximately 20 sites in a county park setting, making it convenient for weekend getaways from the Raleigh-Durham area.

Most tent campgrounds in the Robbins area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Uwharrie Hunt Camp charges only $5 per night for its six rustic sites and provides pit toilets and water spigots. Deep Water Trail Camp offers free primitive tent camping but requires visitors to bring all supplies including water. The access road to Deep Water is rough and requires vehicles with good clearance. San-Lee Park provides more developed facilities with fire rings, picnic tables, water spigots, and restrooms with showers. Gates at many parks close at specific times (typically 8-9pm), so campers should plan arrivals accordingly and obtain gate codes when available.

Backcountry tent camping in this region offers genuine solitude and connection with nature. According to reviews, Deep Water Trail Camp provides spacious, private sites along the Yadkin River with excellent fishing opportunities. One camper noted, "If you want to get away, this is where you go. You have to haul all your supplies and trash in and out including water." East Morris Mountain Camp provides complete privacy for those seeking isolation, with one visitor reporting, "We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit." The tent sites at Chalk Banks in Lumber River State Park are "some of the better spread out ones" with good cell coverage despite the remote setting. Pack-in, pack-out principles should be strictly followed, particularly at free primitive tent sites where trash accumulation has been reported as an issue.

Best Tent Sites Near Robbins, North Carolina (12)

    1. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails."

    "My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park. After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."

    2. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    28 miles
    Website

    "I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go."

    "First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."

    3. East Morris Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."

    4. San-Lee Park

    3 Reviews
    Sanford, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 776-6221

    $15 / night

    "Contrary to what has been written, I would highly recommend San-Lee Park to anyone looking for a short and easy escape from the nearby Raleigh-Durham area."

    "There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."

    5. Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Too much trash left by previous campers"

    "Thankfully some campers nearby helped me rearrange my direction and get me out of the mud, but I still don’t know how I’m going to make it back out of here 😬. This might be my forever home?!"

    6. Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    10 Reviews
    Wagram, NC
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 628-4564

    $17 - $47 / night

    "It was a little tricky finding the entrance to this campsite, but when we managed to Google map our way in into the park, we were very happy with our selection!"

    "There was a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp, a fire pit, and very clean toilet. I would definitely go back!"

    7. Sandhills Campground B

    1 Review
    Pinebluff, NC
    30 miles
    +1 (910) 281-3917

    "This is a campground located in the Sandhills Gamelands in NC. If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that."

    8. Cedarock Park

    4 Reviews
    Graham, NC
    40 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "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"

    9. Woodrun

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    10. Lake Tillery Family Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 985-3700

    $35 - $65 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Robbins, NC

413 Reviews of 12 Robbins Campgrounds


  • A
    Oct. 27, 2021

    West Morris Mtn.

    Individual campsites

    Several individual campsites. Has trash bins located throughout the loop. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. No electric and no water. All spots are full shade.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Badin Lake Campground

    A relaxing lakeside atmosphere

    Uwharrie National Forest-Badin Lake Campground, New London, NC.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48934 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368418.pdf

    Campground Overview: 34 sites, two loops...upper loop and lakeside loop. Relatively large sites with vegetation that blocks constant view of neighbors. 

    Each site has a gravel parking pad and separate gravel tent pad, a standing charcoal grill, firepit with adjustable grate, a picnic table and a metal pole for hanging lanterns, etc. I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site. Note: There are warnings that online reservations take precedence, so if you use the Iron Ranger payment drop chute and someone reserved the same campsite...you will be required to move to a different location when the online reservation campers arrive. Just so you know.

    No electric. 

    Oddly, no firewood for sale...although scrounging produced plenty of things and fallen branches to keep a fire going.

    I preferred the lower loop as nearly every outer site was on the lake with great views and lake access and sites are spread out. The inside sites of the lower loop are pretty spacious and deep. Water spigots were spaced out around the loop, so a short walk as we were equal distance between two. 

    Restroom/showerhouses were quad door buildings. Separate men’s and women’s restrooms and two separate shower rooms. Facilities were kept clean and stocked by resident hosts. 

    With Verizon, I never lost signal...a plus for a National Forest!

    The upper loop appeared to offer a little more solitude than the lower lake loop...but no lake views. 

    The lake loop trail crosses the main campground roadway between the two loops. This trail is relatively flat and meanders around the lake and it’s many fingers...offering lovely lake views and some nice fishing locations. 

    During my midweek visit it was quiet day and night. The sunset across the lake was gorgeous and relaxing. Loud powerboat noise was minimal as only a couple bass boats thought it essential to travel at high speeds from location to location. Next visit my canoe and mountain one will accompany me. 

    What I enjoyed: as much as I dislike tree rats, I was entertained by two feuding squirrels that chased each other relentlessly and knocking each other out of tree tops. Woodpecker and Turkey wake up calls. 

    For a National Forest, I was surprised by the level of daytime industrial noise nearby. 

    Overall, a fantastic location relatively close to Raleigh/Durham and Fayetteville for a great camping getaway. I was only able to stay one night as the campground was booked, all reserved in advance. So plan ahead.

  • J
    Jul. 10, 2020

    Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    Pleasantly Surprised.

    It was a little tricky finding the entrance to this campsite, but when we managed to Google map our way in into the park, we were very happy with our selection! These campsites are in a beautiful pine woods forest. Many sites have a pretty mossy pathway near the tent platform. The platform is elevated and and dirt framed in wooden railroad ties. The sites have great privacy and the campsite was virtually empty except for us and one other family. The campground ranger said they only fill up on the 4th of July. They set-up and trash can with a bag for you upon arrival. There is no general store nearby so bring wood and supplies in with you. There was a water pump/spigot near the restroom with great pressure (potable water). We brought our own pop-up shower and road toilet with us, so didn’t need the restroom. The ranger that greeted us was super nice and respectful. He gave us the gate code in case we needed to leave after they closed the gate at 9:00pm. Very quiet and peaceful.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Outdoor Perfection @ Jordan Lake SRA Poplar Point Campground

    Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina! Yes, I know, that’s quite a statement to make, considering all of the amazing places in the great state of North Carolina. So let me explain why I reached this conclusion:

    • Some of the most outstanding hiking trails

    • Heavily wooded forest paradise that delivers privacy and solitude

    • Perfectly maintained amenities such as picnic tables, fold-up fire ring and grills

    • Bathroom facilities are some of the best I’ve experienced with state-run facilities

    • Direct access to a fantastic lakeside experience, complete with boat launches

    • Designated swimming area complete with life vests

    • On-site park staff were nothing short of amazing, helpful and incredibly friendly

    • Close access to purchase anything that might be needed 

    Insider’s tip? Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life! 

    Happy Camping!

  • Makenzie T.
    May. 18, 2021

    Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    Clean, beautiful and river-accessible!

    This was a great campground for a great price. There was a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp, a fire pit, and very clean toilet. I would definitely go back!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Jordan Lake Crosswinds

    Big Water, Tall Pines & Gorgeous Lakefront Sunsets

    Nestled along the shores of Jordan Lake, Crosswinds Campground is one of those places that makes one feel like they just scored a million-dollar lakefront spot for the cost of a campsite fee. First impressions? Towering pines everywhere, a breeze rolling off the water and the faint hum of boats out on the lake. It’s a large, well-loved campground that still manages to feel peaceful – provided you’re not parked next to that one guy who thinks 'quiet hours' are just a suggestion.

    The facilities here strike a nice balance between rustic and comfortable. Out of the 182 sites, 134 offer water and electric hookups, making it RV-friendly while still keeping things woodsy. Every site has the basics: picnic table, fire ring, lantern / garbage holder and enough tree cover to keep you from baking like a biscuit in the North Carolina summer sun. Bathhouses are clean and scattered through the loops in just about the right proportion where the loos feel like an overcrowded line to see your favorite band with a dump station on site at each of the campground loops. Roads are well-paved –although you will find that errant pothole just waiting to take out one of your tires, so tread carefully – but a little snug for bigger rigs, so if you drive something the size of a tour bus, maybe don’t test your parallel parking skills here.

    The lake is the true star. With 180 miles of shoreline surrounding a 12,000-acre reservoir, Jordan Lake sprawls wide enough to feel like a small ocean … and Crosswinds puts you right on the edge of it. Beyond the lake itself, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area covers a span of some 46,000 acres of public land, so there’s tons of nature to explore here. Boating, fishing and kayaking are all top-notch, and the eagle-spotting here is so good you’ll feel like you wandered onto a National Geographic special. If you want civilization, the quaint and full-service townships of Cary, Apex and Pittsboro are all close by for groceries, breweries or just a break from your campfire cooking experiments.

    As for the campground itself, there are 3 distinct loops: A, B & C (yes, even your kindergartner can keep these 3 straight!). Here’s a breakdown of each loop, because each one offers up something different and unique – some things good, some things not so much – that may influence where you choose to camp. Here’s a snapshot:

    Loop A (AKA 'Boats & Bobbers'): (1) the only loop that is entirely non-electric, so if powering up your campsite is important, then bring your own source or look to the other loops; (2) closest to the main entrance, so great for quick access, but the only loop if you take a left at the fork (the other 2 loops are right of the fork); (3) nearest the boat launch, so you will experience all of the boat-launching skippers driving westward past your loop from dusk to dawn, which is great if you are thumbing your way to the boat launch, not so great if you prize peace & quiet; (4) an ‘easter egg’ of a hidden trail exists near A21 that will lead you down to the lakeshore to a quiet spot perfect for uncorking that vintage Bordeaux you’ve been looking for the right location and moment to savor; and (5) IMHO the best sites are those that are lake-facing such as 19– 22 and 45– 47.

    Loop B (AKA 'Sand & Swimming'): (1) if Loop A is defined by its proximity to the boat launch, then this loop can be dubbed the Beach Loop as it is the only circuit with an actual beachhead and proper swimming area; (2) while centrally located in between the other 2 loops, this area is definitely considered more tranquil and has a tighter feeling of community; (3) unlike the previous loop, this one has campsites with running electric and water, but there’s a bonus to some of these sites as they are considered duplex campsites, so while a bit more$ ($25 more for non-electric and $40 more for duplexes with electric), you’ll have more space, which is especially important if there’s 2 families looking to camp together; and (4) IMHO the best sites here are those westernmost, lake-facing spots such as 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 40.

    Loop C ('Sunsets& Sundowners'): (1) just like the previous loop, here you’ll find all campsites have running water & electric, so no primitive shenanigans to deal with here; (2) of the 3 loops, this is the one located most northernly, most secluded, furthest from the entrance and has no amenities (like a beach or boat launch) that will draw non-camping traffic; (3) the biggest draw of this loop are the arresting views of Lake Jordan, especially at dusk, where you can place your fold-up camping chair in just the right direction, sit back and sip on those sunset-inspired Mai Tais; (4) There’s a small, hidden beach (shhh! don’t tell your fellow campers in Loop B, lest they become disenfranchised!) that you can access near site 32 that will allow for a private swim or late-night evening hang-out staring at the breathtaking moonlit starscape; and (5) IMHO the best sites are (you guessed it) the ones that have the best views of that incandescent sundowner view facing westward, so you’ll want to eye spots 19, 21, 23, 24 – with the absolute pinnacle sites being 24, 26, 30, 32, 34 – as well as those that have even a partial view, including 36, 40 and 42.

    Insider Tips?  Here's a smattering: (1) Plan a swim or paddle near the Ebenezer Church swimming beach, just a short drive from Crosswinds. It’s less crowded than the main day-use areas and offers sandy shoreline, gentle water entry, and shady picnic spots; (2) For paddling, launch in the morning from the camper-only ramp before the motorboats hit the water and turn it into Daytona-on-the-lake; (3) Eat at The Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro if you’re feeling fancy – exotic meats and Oregon Pinot Noirs so smooth they’ll make you forget you slept on a foam mattress last night; (4) Bring bug spray – the mosquitoes here treat Off! like it’s a garnish; and (5) Don’t skip stargazing on a clear night, the Milky Way shows off, and it’s better than cable.

    Happy Camping!

  • Katy S.
    Jul. 6, 2020

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Great access to the lake

    This is a pretty nice campground, similar to other state parks in North Carolina. The sites are spacious, we stayed at a double site that allowed up to 4 cars. The site was level and stayed dry during the heavy rain, however we saw other sites that had big puddles, with tents in the water. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly, but they were not very nice. The shower didn't look good at all, we didn't use it.

    A great things about the campground is that it has its own kayak/canoe ramp, just a few minutes drive from the site. We saw people fishing from the ramp as well. On our morning paddle we saw a couple of bald eagles, they were amazing. We stayed at the campsite after heavy rains, so the beach was closed. It must be nice when not flooded.

    This is a state campground, so alcohol is not allowed.

  • R
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Top Notch

    This is an excellent campground! It’s really woodsy and the creek is fabulous. Nice laundry facilities. Especially nice are the tent sites. They seem to have some of the most scenic spots. The Sanctuary area is awesome and the tent sites are right on the creek. It is for those with no pets or kids and is limited to 2 people per site. It’s a quiet zone. There is one tent cabin and 4 tent sites with water and electric. You CAN park at your sites. We weren’t sure before if it was a walk in area. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers.Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing. It’s all in excellent condition. Very nice picnic tables too. They were easy to wipe off. Sites S1-3 have an awning/ shelter. S4 does not but is much larger. S4 is higher up so you look down on the creek. It is more off by itself. S1 even has access to a 2nd picnic table close to the creek. It is the smallest as far as tent space. We would love to visit again!

  • Sarah G.
    May. 30, 2018

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Lots of activities for family camping

    We had 4 families with children on 1 RV and 3 non-electric tent sites over Memorial Day weekend. Even though the park was at max capacity, it didn’t feel crowded or swarming. The facilities and activities at Morrow Mountain are awesome - a huge, clean pool; canoe rental from a well-maintained boathouse; hikes of various lengths; slightly aged but clean and cared for bath houses; and (our favorite) a gorgeous mountain top picnic shelter (A), which we rented due to a rainy forecast. Great place for family camping. Sites are nicely spaced, but by no means are they private or secluded. Staff were very friendly, but the no alcohol rule is a bummer. If you want to be alone in the woods, Morrow Mountain is not for you. Its also worth noting the climate is much more like south central NC (hot and super humId) and nothIng like the cool mountain air in Western NC. But if your looking for a fun, interactive family or group camping weekend, it’s the perfect spot!


Guide to Robbins

Tent camping near Robbins, North Carolina centers primarily around the Uwharrie National Forest, which covers over 50,000 acres in the ancient Uwharrie Mountain range with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 feet. The area experiences mild winters and warm summers with average July temperatures around 90°F, making April-October the most popular camping season. The forest contains numerous unmarked, dispersed campsites alongside established campgrounds, providing options for various camping preferences.

What to do

Fishing on the Yadkin River: Deep Water Trail Camp offers excellent fishing access with spacious sites along the river. A camper reported, "Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing. One enormous female catfish we released because she had eggs on board."

Hiking the forest trails: Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides access to multiple trail systems. One visitor noted, "Love the trails that hug the lake in the area. Lots of camping off the beaten path and outside the normal camp grounds." The trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with several options under 5 miles.

Disc golf and recreational activities: Cedarock Park offers two disc golf courses with 36 holes total, plus hiking and equestrian trails. A camper mentioned, "While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf. It was a great time!" The park also features canoe and kayak rentals, basketball courts, and volleyball areas.

What campers like

Complete privacy: East Morris Mountain Camp features just three sites on a remote fire trail. According to one camper, "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy." Sites are basic with only a fire pit for amenities.

River access: Deep Water Trail Camp provides direct access to the Yadkin River with several shoreline camping spots. A visitor shared, "We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend, not on the actual Deep Water Trail, because it got super bumpy & didn't want to damage our car. But it gave us a nice path downward to get to the Yadkin River."

Spacious sites: Chalk Banks in Lumber River State Park offers extremely roomy tent sites. A camper observed, "Probably the biggest spots to camp I've ever seen gives you the feel of basically being way off the beaten path." Another added, "Extra large and private campsites. One of the campsites has a hammock stand."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Deep Water Trail Camp, a visitor warned, "PLEASE take something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here. My Honda Element was on two wheels at one point but the AWD handled it like a champ."

Gate closing times: Several parks lock entrance gates at night. At San-Lee Park, "the ranger came by and greeted us and gave us the code for the front gate since it is locked from 8 pm to 8 am." Make sure to obtain gate codes when checking in.

Trash management: Pack-in, pack-out principles are essential at primitive sites. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp observed, "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites? I bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."

Water availability: Most primitive sites lack potable water. For Sandhills Campground B, a visitor noted, "No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: San-Lee Park offers facilities suitable for families. A visitor described, "This park has lots of hiking trails, a fantastic park for the kiddos, Nature Center, a gorgeous lake perfect for a day of fishing, mountain bike trails, paddle boat rental and a pretty impressive campground!"

Easy access sites: Lumber River State Park provides accessible camping with convenient facilities. "The area is clean and well maintained. There is a lot of wood to gather for your fire but if you want to buy firewood then you'll have to drive to the speedway about 10 minutes down the road," shared one camper.

Tent-only camping options: San-Lee Park restricts camping to tents only, creating a more family-friendly atmosphere without large RVs. "It's an okay place, great of you are with a large group, as the sites are open but situated somewhat close to each other," noted a visitor.

Tips from RVers

Limited hook-up options: Uwharrie Hunt Camp allows RVs but with minimal services. A camper mentioned, "The campground is a quaint, and only $5 per night! With only 6 sites and what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it, the lot accommodates the OHV trailers."

Size restrictions: Most primitive sites can't accommodate larger RVs. At Deep Water Trail Horse Camp, a visitor cautioned, "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites. I attempted in my van and made it down to a sweet spot, but was stuck in the mud."

Weather considerations: Challenging road conditions can worsen after rain. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp noted, "Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don't go. Steep rocky Muddy."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Robbins, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Robbins, NC is Uwharrie Hunt Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Robbins, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Robbins, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.