Best Campgrounds near Sanford, NC

Camping near Sanford, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.

What to do:

• Fishing and boating: Many campgrounds, like Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area, provide easy access to the water. One visitor mentioned, "We were a short walk to the lake to fish and hang out near the water."
• Hiking: Trails abound in places like Morrow Mountain State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."
• Wildlife watching: Campers at Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area enjoyed the local wildlife, with one saying, "Lots of wildlife to watch (turtles, fish, birds and more)."

What campers like:

• Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roomy spots at Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area. One reviewer said, "Our site is fantastic, really large and overlooking the lake."
• Clean facilities: Many visitors have praised the cleanliness of the bathhouses. A camper at Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park mentioned, "The bathhouse is clean and modern."
• Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the park rangers. A visitor at Hagan-Stone Park noted, "The staff was great."

What you should know:

• No alcohol allowed: Some campgrounds, like Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area, have strict rules against alcohol. A camper pointed out, "NO alcohol allowed."
• Limited amenities: Campgrounds like Badin Lake Campground may lack certain facilities, such as showers. One reviewer said, "The bathrooms can be a bit rough, but they do the job."
• Noise from nearby airports: If you're camping at William B. Umstead State Park Campground, be prepared for some noise. A visitor mentioned, "You will hear planes all day and most all night landing and taking off."

Tips for camping with families:

• Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Morrow Mountain State Park Campground, where families can spread out. One camper said, "The sites are huge, level, and clean."
• Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities, such as fishing or hiking, to keep kids entertained. A family at Poplar Point Campground enjoyed fishing and kayaking, saying, "We fished for hours, kayaked on the lake."
• Check for playgrounds: Some campgrounds, like Hagan-Stone Park, have playgrounds for kids. A visitor mentioned, "Very nice playgrounds."

Tips from RVers:

• Look for big rig-friendly sites: Campgrounds like Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area are accommodating for larger RVs. One RVer noted, "It easily accommodated our 39ft. Class A."
• Check for dump stations: Make sure the campground has a dump station nearby, as mentioned by a camper at Moccasin Branch Campground, who said, "There is a water tank filling station and a dump station on site."
• Be prepared for uneven sites: Some RVers have found that certain campgrounds have uneven sites. A visitor at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "We even had to just leave once because we couldn’t even begin to get our camper level."

Camping around Sanford, NC, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway.