Best Campgrounds near Stem, NC

Stem, North Carolina serves as a base for exploring Falls Lake State Recreation Area, where multiple established campgrounds accommodate visitors throughout the region. The area includes Holly Point, Rolling View, Shinleaf, and B.W. Wells campgrounds, all offering tent and RV camping with various hookup options. Falls Lake dominates the camping landscape with its extensive shoreline providing water access and recreational opportunities. For those seeking free, more primitive camping, Butner Lake Wildlife Management Area offers dispersed sites with minimal amenities but convenient highway proximity.

Camping in the Stem area follows specific seasonal patterns with several campgrounds operating on limited schedules. Rolling View remains open year-round, while Holly Point operates from mid-March through October, and Shinleaf maintains similar seasonal availability. Butner Lake WMA camping is restricted to hunting seasons, generally September through February and late March to mid-May. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. "Very primitive, but close to town if you need anything. Sites are very close together, no privacy. Most campers are here to hunt so are gone most of the day," noted one visitor about the Butner Lake WMA camping area.

Campers consistently praise Falls Lake campgrounds for their waterfront access and family-friendly atmosphere. The sites provide clean facilities with bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings, making them suitable for beginner campers or those wanting moderate amenities. According to one visitor, "Sites are large, as most are at Falls Lake, convenient access to water to put the kayak or canoe in straight from your site." Dispersed camping at Butner Lake WMA appeals to those seeking no-cost options, though sites offer minimal privacy and facilities. The proximity to town amenities while still providing a natural setting makes this region particularly appealing to those wanting a balance of convenience and outdoor experience. Several campgrounds connect to the Mountains to Sea Trail, offering hiking opportunities beyond the campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Stem, North Carolina (69)

    1. Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm peace & quiet that"

    "The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach."

    2. Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "Tucked away and nestled off of 98 highway, Rolling View campground is a great, secluded spot."

    "I spent a night in Shinleaf walk in campground in April as part of a backpacking trip along the Falls Lake MST trail, sections 8-12."

    3. Butner lake WMA

    10 Reviews
    Stem, NC
    3 miles
    Website

    "And whatever it is running around in the woods."

    4. Eno River State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Hillsborough, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 383-1686

    $17 - $47 / night

    "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.  "

    "On Friday there were a few logs left for campers at the entrance to the sites, which we appreciated given the recent rain."

    5. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $72 / night

    "There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."

    "None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."

    6. Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $72 / night

    "If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and are looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm, peace& quiet"

    "Falls Lake State Recreation area is an interesting area in that it is made up of a number of non-connecting areas. The camping is at Shinleaf and is walk up only."

    7. William B. Umstead State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Morrisville, NC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 571-4170

    $27 / night

    "We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."

    "Lots of great paths to walk."

    8. MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping

    1 Review
    Durham, NC
    10 miles

    "The campground is located on a private land, has a shelter, a fire pit, and a number of tent sites."

    9. J.C. Cooper Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Henderson, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $177 / night

    "The site was near the water with very nice lake views right from the tent.

    Great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and other water activities."

    "Enjoy the lake. Enjoy sitting around a camp fire. Enjoy walking to the bath house in the rain. Enjoy."

    10. Lake Michie Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Bahama, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 560-4355
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Recent Reviews near Stem, NC

505 Reviews of 69 Stem Campgrounds


  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Be Advised!

    All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30

  • Bailey R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lake front view

    This is such a pretty camp site. Even if you aren’t on the water you still have a beautiful view of the lake. The spots are well spread out so you don’t feel like you are on top of each other and it’s very kid friendly

  • 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!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Great campground

    The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach.

    My cell reception outside the camper is excellent, and of if I had a cell booster it would be adequate for streaming inside the camper. I don’t have one as I depend on Starlink for internet access when traveling. Unfortunately Starlink isn’t going to work in my specific site or in most of the others. This is a wooded campground and all the sites are completely shaded

    My site has water and electric. About half of the available RV sites have water and electric, it there is no sewer. There is a dump station in the campground. Unusual for NC State facilities, there are no trash bins placed around the campground, but there is a large dumpster station co-located with the dump station.

    It’s about a 15-20 minute drive to shopping, but there are several convenience stores a few minutes away.

    The campground is clean and well maintained. It meanders around a very large lake, with several beaches and boat launch areas.

  • S
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Hibernia Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    One of our favorite places!

    Hibernia, on Kerr lake is a wonderful campground with plenty of easy access to the lake. We chose site 77 because it was in full shade with nice lake views. There's a cove with a sandy beach and clear water just steps away. Our kids enjoyed hours of time swimming and floating on rafts. Super clean restrooms and showers are just 2 minutes from our site.

    Note: Site 77 required 75 feet of hose to reach water nozzle. Website said 35' so glad we were prepared.

  • Gregg P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Working in town

    I really enjoyed this site. While the approach was a bit steep the pad was level. Power and water at site dump station around the corner. Bathrooms and showers were impressively clean. Not full of spiders and cobwebs like most parks. High canopy and dense woods makes the park very quiet and dark at night bring plenty of light.

  • k
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Cane Creek Campground and RV Park

    Lekotawind

    This is an excellent place to stay. It’s very clean, lots to do, beautiful view of lake. Great hiking trails.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Large & Level

    This is a very large campground that can accommodate any size RV. They do not allow tents. All sites are gravel, but are quite level. I pulled in, and didn't have to adjust anything. Pets are welcome, but as everywhere, dogs must be on a leash (not more than 6' long). If you put the address into your GPS, it will take you to the main fairgrounds. You need to put NC state fairgrounds CAMPGROUND. It is about a quarter mile from the main fairgrounds.


Guide to Stem

Camping near Stem, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do:

  • Fishing and boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. One reviewer mentioned, "We fished for hours, kayaked on the lake, and the kids caught minnows."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at William B. Umstead State Park. A visitor noted, "The trails are good, and the bathrooms are clean and maintained."
  • Wildlife watching: Campers at Poplar Point Campground enjoy observing local wildlife. One camper shared, "Lots of wildlife to watch (turtles, fish, birds, and more)."

What campers like:

  • Privacy and space: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Rolling View. A reviewer said, "Sites are decent size and somewhat spaced out."
  • Clean facilities: Many visitors enjoy the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One camper at Holly Point mentioned, "Bathhouses were super clean."
  • Access to water: Campers love having easy access to the lake. A review for Crosswinds Campground stated, "Great place. Plenty of shade and view of Lake Jordan."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Eno River State Park, have basic facilities. A visitor noted, "The sites are well spaced but not a lot of privacy."
  • Noise from planes: If you're camping at William B. Umstead State Park, be prepared for some noise from nearby planes. One camper mentioned, "You will hear planes all day and most all night landing and taking off."
  • Book in advance: Popular sites can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Poplar Point Campground advised, "I would highly suggest booking in advance since waterfront sites book up quick."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places like Holly Point, where kids can enjoy fishing and swimming. One parent shared, "We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer."
  • Plan activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A reviewer at Rolling View mentioned, "There are nice trails winding through the campground, a large sandy beach, and several playgrounds."
  • Pack snacks and meals: Having food on hand makes it easier to enjoy your time outdoors. A camper at Crosswinds Campground suggested, "If you grow weary of fixing up that next campsite meal, check out nearby restaurants."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at North Bend Park noted, "Many of the sites in A are not very level for vans."
  • Use amenities wisely: Campers at Occoneechee State Park appreciated the clean facilities. One visitor said, "The shower houses and bathrooms are always clean and taken care of."
  • Plan for noise: Be aware of potential noise from other campers. A reviewer at Rolling View mentioned, "There’s little to no quiet time."

Camping near Stem, North Carolina, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Stem, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Stem, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 69 campgrounds and RV parks near Stem, NC and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Stem, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stem, NC is Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 36 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stem, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Stem, NC.

What parks are near Stem, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Stem, NC that allow camping, notably John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir and B. Everett Jordan Lake.