6 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Several state parks and recreation areas near Stem, North Carolina provide furnished cabin rentals with varying amenities. Occoneechee State Park offers spacious 3-bedroom cabins with full kitchens equipped with microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, and basic dishware. These lakeside cabins feature covered porches with rocking chairs, high ceilings, and fireplaces. Falls Lake State Recreation Area includes cabin options with electricity and heating systems suitable for year-round use. As one visitor noted about their Occoneechee cabin experience, "We loved the coziness of this cabin without the cramped feeling. High ceilings, open floor plan, and fireplace were lovely."
Rustic cabins and more modern accommodations can be found throughout the region, with options ranging from basic one-room structures to multi-bedroom family units. Staunton River State Park maintains historic cabins dating back to 1936 that combine rustic charm with modern conveniences. Most pet-friendly cabins are available at Bullocksville Campground at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, where cabins are situated near the water with lake views. Reservations are essential, particularly during summer months when waterfront cabin rentals fill quickly. According to a Kerr Lake visitor, "The cabin grounds are just a short hike from the nearby lake, but far enough away from any roadside noisy traffic."
Most cabins require guests to bring their own linens, pillowcases, towels, and dish towels, even when beds are provided. Kitchen supplies vary significantly between locations, with some cabins offering fully-equipped kitchens while others provide only basic amenities. Visitors staying at Occoneechee State Park should consider bringing additional cookware as pot and pan options are limited. Firewood is often available for purchase on-site, with some parks like Staunton River offering complimentary bundles. While many cabin sites include outdoor fire rings and picnic tables, indoor cooking facilities range from full kitchens to simple microwaves depending on the specific cabin type.
"Many of the group sites butt up to the lake. The central fire pit, picnic tables, water spigot and clean restrooms make this a popular choice."
"The“primitive” area is Loop C, which means it does not have water or electricity at the sites. However, the sites do have picnic tables and lantern hangers."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $77 / night
"Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the"
"Bathroom facilities with hot showers located near every loop. Swimming areas at certain places around the lake. Kayaking and boat access also. Great restaurants and gas stations near by."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $72 / night
"Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door ⛺️"
"there are historic cabins with cots to sleep on there is electricity in the cabins."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $75 / night
"Some are close to the water. Lots of clearly marked hiking trails, 3 playgrounds, Frisbee golf and horshoe pits. Really preety and lots of boat docks. Staff are super nice."
"All sites have water and electricity. There is a single dump station near the entrance."
from $12 - $25 / night
"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."
"Decent campground in a beautiful location along Lake Jordan. Crosswinds Campground is one of several sites on the lake."
Available next weekend
from $27 - $77 / night
"Its like tent camping except you get to sleep in a bed. We stayed in September so the fact that there is no AC or electricity in the yurt was not an issue because the weather was moderate."
"We stayed in Cabin #3 and it was perfect. It’s a 3BR/2BA spacious cabin, wooded and lakeside. Great sunsets and nice big deck (some areas of the porch are covered, and have rocking chairs)."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $384 / night
"We got a non-electric site and in November is was in the 30's at night - pretty cold for tent camping! But we bundled up and made lots of fires!"
"Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles and we invoked in feeding. Also lots of any pelts to learn about."
from $27 - $110 / night
"Tucked away in the lush, verdant forests north of Raleigh, here at Bullocksville Park, you’ll discover camping and cabin grounds that are just a short hike from the nearby Lake Kerr, but far enough away"
"Bullocksville, has Electric and non electric sites, for the most part, the electric sites are more level and developed."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $77 / night
"We stayed for BRRF nearby. The site was big and good for the short amount of time we spent in it."
"GORGEOUS location, many sites with water views and directly on the water. Beautifully maintained park. Water and Electric, dump station."
"Labor Day weekend car camping at Medoc Mountain State Park campground! Had a great time camping and hiking. "
"We stayed in site 11 which was surrounded by lots of trees and gave us lots of privacy from our neighbors. Each site has its own covered trash bin to use."
from $27 - $75 / night
GuideThe sites are very large, long and wider at the back, plenty of room for a big group or family. The bathrooms look new and they are clean. Here during the week so it's very empty and quiet.
TravelerWe visited Crosswinds campground at Jordan Lake State Park on the worst heatwave of the year. The great thing about this area is that the sites a well shaded. We were about 50 yards from the lake, with the wind blowing we still were comfortable all day. We stayed on Loop A, which is my favorite loop at the park. There’s no electricity or water at the sites. There are water spickets throughout the loop with potable water. The site is awesome! There’s a small pond beside it. The neighboring sites are close, but regular conversations can not be heard.this loop is always quiet even when there are a lot of people, but it’s never been full when I’m there. I didn’t do good with photos except for the food.
ScoutThis is a nice place to paddle board. They also have a really cool disk golf course that we just hiked. The staff are super friendly. Classic NC country folk. The restrooms have been redone and now there is a bank of individual shower/rest rooms. The only drawback is it's kind of a long uphill walk from the campsites on a gravel road.
ScoutDecent campground in a beautiful location along Lake Jordan. Crosswinds Campground is one of several sites on the lake. We chose this location since the gates stay open all the time, while other sites have a curfew that can lock you out for the night.
The staff are super friendly and helpful. There’s apparently a camp host whom we never met and they’re on the site next to ours (not sure if they’re supposed to greet us or help us get acquainted with the site, but the staff member at check in was great and did all that when we arrived).
Loop C is quiet, very few children, and less road noise compared to the other loops, but doesn’t have the same access to the lake.
Site C50 is conveniently located close to the bath house, has a large fire pit with adjustable grill, picnic table, and hookups for water and electricity. We’re in a tent, so really just use the electricity. The picnic table here should be replaced, as the wood seems to be rotting, but still does the job. There are a few sites in loop C that do have direct access to the lake, but those tend to be booked all of the time. We explored one last night and couldn’t believe it was vacant and how much nicer it seemed.
Bathrooms are not as clean as I would like, but I bring disinfectant wipes to wipe the toilet before use. Showers are fine, but use an annoying motion sensor to turn the water on/off. Showering at night is annoying with the bugs because the bathhouse is lit like a beacon (probably for safety). Waiting for the daytime is a better experience. Also, there isn’t a washing station for dishes, and we do that at our site.
Firewood can be purchased by the staff at the campground entrance; however, the exact same firewood is almost $4 fewer at a Refuel station down the street. Definitely stop into that gas station store for things you might need.
Overall, really good experience staying here, some annoying things, but won’t ruin your stay.
TravelerFirst time to Loop C and we loved it. There are some great sites here, they are big and most are decently spaced. It rained heavily while there, some sites will hold water, but I didn’t see any fully submerged. There’s no electrical hook ups, there are a few potable water spickets throughout the loop. The bathroom was very clean.
RangerI've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
ScoutI don’t even know where to begin on how bad this place is. For the price, I was expecting a clean park with lots to do and nice staff…I got none of that. There’s no sewage hookups in most sites and no WiFi. Most sites are annual campers who live there and I don’t think by choice. Our neighbors a few sites down were using hardcore drugs in the open in front of children. Our site was so uneven and FILTHY, it was littered with an entire trash bag full of cigarette butts and beer cans. There’s nothing to do besides swim in a crowded, cloudy pool full of sloppy drunks or swim in the lake. We were given a packet full of insane rules, after being screamed at by a staff member at the entrance while we were trying to find someone to check in with. We went to the store during one of the very limited times they were open and got to listen to the staff there say horrifying things about guests…in front of my minor children. When we returned, we found two unsavory men going through our belongings. We hooked up and left with two days remaining. This homeless encampment they call a campground is disgusting, rude and unsafe. DO NOT GO!
TravelerEasy back in camp sites some have a bit of steep up hill to the flat space the area is hilly I was only her 2 nights so I didn’t really have much time to explore I came here to visit my Uncle and I needed a place to park his home area is to small.
ScoutReally fantastic spot to camp! Great sites and hook ups (no sewer, but EASY dump station)! Go for Loop B - it has the beach.
Near Stem, North Carolina, the Piedmont region offers cabin camping options on gentle slopes averaging 300-500 feet above sea level. Autumn temperatures range from 50-75°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation. Cabin accommodations vary from rustic single-room structures to modern rentals with comprehensive amenities throughout the year.
Hiking trails: At Falls Lake State Recreation Area, trails range from easy lakeside paths to more challenging routes through wooded areas. "So much fun to camp here. They had a controlled burn of the Holly Hill Loop in February. It was really neat and educational to see the charred bottoms of the trees," notes Elizabeth V. about Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Boating access: Most lakeside cabins provide convenient water access for various watercraft. At Mayo Lake Park, visitors appreciate the convenient boat facilities. "Really preety and lots of boat docks. Staff are super nice," explains adam B., who stayed at the park in late 2023.
Star gazing: Cabin sites with minimal light pollution offer excellent astronomical viewing. "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. There is a large open field by the park check in and store. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," writes Bridget H. about Staunton River State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the generous size of cabin areas and surrounding grounds. "The sites have ample room and they're spaced far enough apart that you actually have privacy (unless you camp on the waterfront where they're smaller and close together)," shares Lisa M. about Occoneechee State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and communal spaces receive regular maintenance at most cabin locations. "Bath houses are ok, hiking trails are good and has a nice fishing pier. Sites are anywhere from close to plenty of distance apart," reports Todd Y. from his experience at Rolling View.
Lake swimming: Designated swimming areas with sandy beaches complement many cabin rentals. "We arrived at campground and entered without issues. The lake is great, roped off area for swimming with a great little sandy beach area next to a playground and toilets," describes Shannon S. after staying at B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Reservation essentials: Book cabins well in advance, especially for waterfront locations during peak seasons. "Stayed here for a quick overnight during the NC RV Show. Easy setup and check in. They let us in a couple hours early which was great," notes Shannon S. about B.W. Wells campground.
Site variations: Cabin locations differ significantly in terrain and amenities. At William B. Umstead State Park Campground, "there are historic cabins with cots to sleep on. There is electricity in the cabins," according to Erica F.
Off-season conditions: Winter cabin stays require additional preparation for comfort. "We've camped here 2 or 3 times now and we can't get enough of this park. The bathhouse wasn't quite warm enough for showers in November temps, when we tented. January was just as cold, but we rented a camper," reports Becqui M. about Rolling View.
Playground access: Many cabin locations include play areas for children. "Nice swim area, nice roads but the sites could use some updating. Playground could use updating and maybe a fence around since it's so close to the road," advises Danielle W. about Hyco Lake State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Rangers often conduct nature programs suitable for various ages. "While we were out there they had park personnel go over a few local birds of prey," notes Samantha G. about her experience at Occoneechee State Park.
Cabin size considerations: For larger families, select accommodations accordingly. "Cabins are small but we made it work for our family of 7. We had a blast it was the weekend prior Labor Day we fished saw old friends in Virginia and had a wonderful time," shares Nicolette F. about her stay at Hyco Lake.
Road access: Some cabin areas have challenging approach roads that may impact large vehicle access. "The road leading to the camping area is single lane so if you meet another camper going the other way it could get a little dicey," cautions Brandon C. about Mayo Lake Park.
Level sites: Terrain varies considerably between cabin locations. "A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out a RV," observes Danielle W. regarding Hyco Lake's sites.
Utility locations: Water and electrical connections may require extra equipment. "We also noted that our water and electricity was on the passenger side of our vehicle so it was a good thing we had an extra hose to reach the water as well as a long enough cord to reach the electric box," advises Barb T. about Hyco Lake cabins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Stem, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Stem, NC is Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Stem, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 cabin camping locations near Stem, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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