Seasonal camping options near Rocky Mount vary from spring to fall, with several campgrounds operating only from March through October. The region's landscape features rolling hills, mature forests, and freshwater lakes with sandy shorelines. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Lake Gaston features waterfront sites ideal for fishing. The lake maintains excellent water clarity year-round. "The little marina is awesome. Everyone is super helpful. There is a great snack bar & store," notes Chris E., who found the lakeside location perfect for fishing and boating activities.
Mountain biking trails: Medoc Mountain State Park offers dedicated biking paths for riders of all skill levels. "Nice sites and great for mountain bikers," according to Stacey S., who appreciated the park's trail system. The mountain biking trails occasionally close for maintenance, so call ahead to confirm availability.
Paddling excursions: Several lakes in the region permit canoeing and kayaking from campground shores. "This campground is beautiful for fall camping. There are over 10 miles of trails to hike. We also conoed down the creek. The creek is about 2.5 miles long and took us only 2 hours to paddle," shares Caroline G. about her experience at Medoc Mountain.
Swimming beaches: J.C. Cooper Campground provides sandy beach access directly from many campsites. "The site was near the water with very nice lake views right from the tent. Great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and other water activities," reports Sergey G., who enjoyed the direct water access.
What campers like
Level sites with utilities: RV Resort At Carolina Crossroads offers concrete pads that require minimal setup time. "Conveniently right off of I-95. Off enough so there isn't any highway noise. Beautiful facilities. Including concrete slabs to park on," writes Tracey S., appreciating the well-maintained camping areas.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the quality of bathhouses at Holly Point — Falls Lake. "Bathhouses were super clean. And we were a short walk to the lake to fish and hang out near the water," notes Melinda J., who found the cleanliness standards high even at the beginning of camping season.
Winter camping options: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Rocky Mount remain open year-round. "We are new rv travelers and this is our third stop on our way down to Florida. This place is quiet and so easy to get to. The hot tub was awesome after a stressful drive," shares Cassidy L., who appreciated Carolina Crossroads' winter amenities.
Secluded spots: For those seeking privacy, certain campgrounds offer well-separated sites. "I came here with a large group and really liked it! We were all at crammed into the 4 large group sites so I admittedly can't comment on the size of a regular site. However the bath houses were adequate. The staff was helpful. And the trails were nice," explains Melinda J. about Medoc Mountain State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds in the region have poor connectivity. "No cell service! 😀 Clean restrooms, hot showers! Camp host and rangers are great!" reports RENEE D. about Medoc Mountain State Park, viewing the disconnection as a positive feature.
Highway noise considerations: RVacation Campground sits close to Interstate 95, which affects noise levels. "All night long we were able to hear the highway (i-95) and trains passing by. My husband is an extremely light sleeper so it was much worse for him," cautions Janelle G., suggesting light sleepers might want to choose alternative locations.
Reservation competition: Popular waterfront sites book quickly, especially during summer. "Beautiful sunsets, great lake for boating & fishing, very quite, extremely hard to get reservations, need to try 11 months out," advises Steven D. about Kimball Point, emphasizing the importance of early planning.
Tent restrictions: Some campgrounds limit tent camping. "Seems like a nice place, clean and quiet, but there is no tent camping (or car camping). Pretty dissapointing. Manager said they havent allowed tent camping in a few years," reports John M. about Kampers Lodge of America, highlighting the need to verify accommodation types when booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kimball Point Campground offers a designated play area for children. "Kimball Point is the BEST. Huge fresh water lake, large camping spots, large sandy beach, playground for kids, very well groomed, moor your boat in the water at your camp site," shares Steven D., noting the family-friendly amenities.
Swimming safety: The water depth at lake access points varies considerably. "We were able to secure a spot right on the lake with a private sandy walk in. The area was gorgeous and the camping area was shaded. It IS on sand, so be prepared to clean out your tent afterwards," advises Elizabeth T., who enjoyed her lakefront experience at Kimball Point.
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature short, manageable trails appropriate for younger hikers. "There are some pretty easy hiking trails, great for kids. Really beautiful wooded area. The campground was everything you could ask for! Large, level sites that are very secluded and far apart from each other," Katie M. explains about her stay at Medoc Mountain.
Family scheduling: Morning activities work best during summer months. "This was my first time hiking with my teen daughter by ourselves, setting up camp, tent, cooking, etc. Picnic table, fire pit w/grill, level gravel tent pad on site, water spigot and trash can right in front of camp site," shares Becqui M., describing her positive experience introducing her daughter to camping at Medoc Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up configurations: At Enfield - Rocky Mount KOA, sewer connections require planning. "Excellent place to camp overnight or for a couple days to rest while traveling the I-95 corridor. Full hookups to empty your tanks (heated water to avoid freezing in cold), level sites - mostly pull through so you can get in and out with ease," recommends Michael D., highlighting features important to RV travelers.
Site leveling considerations: Many regional campgrounds feature sloped terrain. "Kerr Lake Kimball Point camping. We camped lake side at Kimball Point on Kerr Lake. Nice site and views, very quiet great for relaxing fishing and watching the stars at night," reports Andy K., who found a level site with excellent views.
Extended-stay amenities: Certain dog friendly campgrounds near Rocky Mount accommodate longer visits. "We stayed for several months while waiting for a house to be built...in freeeezing cold weather! We were impressed that the water lines are heated, so we didn't have to disconnect our water for the unusually cold 2 degree weather," shares lorie M. about RVacation Campground's winter capabilities.
Turn radius challenges: Some campgrounds have tight corners for larger rigs. "We stayed for one night. People were friendly. Park had a tight turning radius and we struggled turning down aisle D in our 42 ft 5th wheel. Despite it saying it was 60 ft, spot was still tight," warns Stephanie H. about navigating Carolina Crossroads in a larger vehicle.
