Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers diverse camping options within an hour of Siler City, North Carolina. The park provides opportunities for traditional camping at various sites around the 14,000-acre reservoir with convenient access to fishing and swimming. Tent sites at Jordan Lake are positioned among wooded terrain with many providing natural seclusion, while RV sites range from basic water/electric connections to full hookups depending on the specific camping loop.
What to do
Lake activities at Jordan Lake: The Crosswinds Campground section at Jordan Lake features both water recreation and wildlife viewing. One camper mentioned, "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground." This area provides direct water access with swimming areas designated specifically for campers.
Hiking at Eno River State Park: Located approximately 45 minutes from Siler City, this park offers numerous hiking trails alongside the Eno River. A reviewer noted, "We hike and swim Eno nearly weekly and are so thankful this resource is so close to us! We also backpack into the primitive sites frequently. We love the trails. The sites are always clean." Another camper highlighted the swimming opportunities: "This is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area. There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here. The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in."
Rock formations at Raven Rock State Park: This park contains unique geological features including the namesake 150-foot rock formation overlooking the Cape Fear River. A camper described, "The trails are nice and short, not too much room for extra exploration. Best advice is there are some big rocks in the river at various locations that you can lay on and take a nap. Super comfy and the water is also pretty shallow." Another visitor added, "We were 15 minutes from the zoo which was amazing. You're close to stores and restaurants if you want but far enough out that it doesn't feel close."
What campers like
Natural water features: At Moonshine Creek Campground, the creek provides a natural draw for many visitors. As one camper described, "It has all the amenities. We camped with our patio hanging out over the creek. It was fantastic." Another reviewer explained the layout: "This park has a wonderful creek running through the middle of it and most short-term sites back up to it. There are also a couple of camping cabins and some tent sites."
Privacy and seclusion: Despite offering glamping close to Siler City, North Carolina, many campgrounds in the area maintain natural barriers between sites. One visitor to Moonshine Creek noted, "The owners have done a fantastic job over the years with this piece of property, keeping that mountain forest feeling and just tweaking nature a little." This natural approach to campground design creates more private spaces than typically found at developed campgrounds.
Wildlife viewing: The area's forested campgrounds support diverse wildlife. At Morrow Mountain State Park, campers regularly report wildlife encounters. One visitor wrote, "I saw plenty of frogs and tadpoles in the creeks, listened to a symphony of birds, and I'm pretty sure heard a few coyotes throughout the night. I also saw an abundance of different species of spiders, dragonflies, moths, and other interesting critters."
What you should know
Highway noise concerns: Several campgrounds in the region are positioned near major highways. At Greensboro KOA, one reviewer cautioned, "As previously mentioned, serves its purpose for an overnight. Right off the highway, and by that I mean you see, and HEAR the traffic." Another camper noted the campground's response to this issue: "They did make a bowl of free, disposable ear plugs available in the office, which was a nice gesture."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Siler City require advance reservations, particularly during peak seasons (April-October). At Jordan Lake, sites are often fully booked 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Some campgrounds in the area have limited seasonal availability. A visitor to Oak Hollow Campground mentioned, "I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had other things to do and see. We were completely satisfied with our camping experience and we will definitely return to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park the next time we are in Asheboro." Always check specific campground websites for current operating dates and conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When camping with children, look for sites near recreational areas. A reviewer at Jordan Lake commented, "We love camping at Lake Jordan, unfortunately we've usually camped there while I was having surgery at Duke. There's a nice sand beach on the lake and a boat launch as well."
Water safety: Lakes and rivers in the area have varying depths and currents. At Raven Rock State Park, a visitor advised, "The water is also pretty shallow. Great place to get wet."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led programs that engage children. A camper at Eno River State Park shared, "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean." These programs typically run on weekends during summer months and cover topics from local wildlife to historical context.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Oak Hollow, a reviewer noted, "Only two drawbacks: (1) noise from highway (2) many sites are not level so plan ahead and bring extra levelers."
Site selection at Jordan Lake: The campground offers varied sites with different features. One RVer reported, "This was our very first full-time RV park. We loved being in the park and it easily accommodated our 39ft. Class A. Back-in site but with plenty of room to do so. Each site has water and electric hook-up. Sewer however is a dump station."
Cell reception considerations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Rolling View Falls Lake, visitors generally report good connectivity, with one noting, "WiFi at this park is outstanding, over the air TV reception is good, and the laundry facility was excellent & cheap."
