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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
