eugen V.
Scout
ScoutLongwood Park
Great camping spots
Always got great spots by the water . Town is very close and convinient
Camping near Stem, NC
72 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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 Campgrounds near Stem (72)
1. Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"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."
from $27 - $77 / night
Check Availability2. Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"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."
from $27 - $77 / night
Check Availability4. Eno River State Park Campground
"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."
from $17 - $47 / night
Check Availability5. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"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."
"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"
from $72 / night
Check Availability6. Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"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."
from $27 - $72 / night
Check Availability7. Redwood Campsite
"2 day max camping, no footprint camping, I think there are around 9 pads for 2 person tents!"
8. William B. Umstead State Park Campground
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Lots of great paths to walk."
from $30 - $78 / night
Check Availability9. MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping
"The campground is located on a private land, has a shelter, a fire pit, and a number of tent sites."
10. J.C. Cooper Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
"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."
from $27 - $177 / night
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Drive Time
- 13 min from Durham, NC
- 33 min from Raleigh, NC
- 43 min from Burlington, NC
Recent Camping Photos near Stem, NC
182 Photos of 72 Stem Campgrounds
Scarlett C.
Butner lake WMA
Katy S.
MST Section 23 Falls Lake Camping
David B.
Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Jessica H.
Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Chip G.
Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Kelley E.
Eno River State Park Campground
Timothy W.
Mayo Lake Park
Nick E.
Nutbush Bridge Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Amelia P.
William B. Umstead State Park Campground
Mark H.
J.C. Cooper Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Andy K.
Satterwhite Point - Kerr Lake SRA
Stuart K.
Bullocksville Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near Stem, NC
528 Reviews of 72 Stem Campgrounds
- C
Chris H.ScoutSpring Hill RV Park
Everything you want in a campground
The campground was well maintained, very clean and well managed. There was no riffraff and it's one of the quietest campgrounds I've ever visited. It's very close to UNC Chapel Hill. The only downside is there is no bath house, but there is sewer and water at each site. Also, The Wi-Fi was super fast. I will definitely return to this campground.
Christy P.ScoutThousand Trails Lake Gaston
Worst campground we have been to
I 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!
Charles M.
TravelerRolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Great in the woods camping
Easy 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.
- AAndrea J.Scout
Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Jordan Lake Campground
Really fantastic spot to camp! Great sites and hook ups (no sewer, but EASY dump station)! Go for Loop B - it has the beach.
- EEmma S.Traveler
Nutbush Bridge Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Site 001 May 2026
We stayed at site 001 from May 23-25. Camp ground is good, lots of sites lake front. It is very very crowded. Site 001 is on a hill, closest to the VERY outdated bathhouse and farthest from the water. The bathhouse was built in the sixties apparently. Neither of the doors on the women’s stalls close. Not handicap friendly. Definitely have your own toilet/shower if you plan to stay on that side of the campground. The sites are nice but practically on top of each other. Very nice boat ramps.
Kaylee G.
GuideStaunton River State Park Campground
Small tent sites with easy access to trails
We stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
- AAddie J.Traveler
Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Great place to stay!
I loved this campsite. My partner and I stayed here for a couple of nights and it was perfect. Out site had its own little access to the water so we fished and paddle boarded right from our campsite. We did have neighbors on either side of us and there wasn’t much between us and them so if you’re worried about privacy you might now love this particular spot but it wasn’t a problem for us at all. Everything was clean and well maintained and there is a dump station on your way out!
Shaquawn G.ScoutRedwood Campsite
Great location
2 day max camping, no footprint camping, I think there are around 9 pads for 2 person tents!
Guide to Stem
Camping near Stem, North Carolina centers around Falls Lake State Recreation Area, a 12,000-acre reservoir with 26 miles of shoreline. The terrain consists of mixed hardwood forests and open water areas, with elevations ranging from 250-350 feet. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, making waterfront sites particularly valuable during peak season.
What to do
Kayaking at waterfront sites: At Holly Point campground, many sites offer direct water access. "Sites are right on the lake, perfect for kayaking. The sites are close together but still semi private. Lots of short hikes and a swimming area," notes one visitor to Holly Point.
Controlled burn education: The park conducts controlled burns for forest management. "It was really neat and educational to see the charred bottoms of the trees. The lake is beautiful and great for kids," explains a camper at Rolling View, referring to the Holly Hill Loop burn area.
Mountains to Sea Trail hiking: The extensive trail system connects multiple camping areas. "Lots of hiking and trails to do around here. The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in. Dogs are welcome here!" reports a visitor to Eno River State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy levels vary by campground: Shinleaf offers greater seclusion than other Falls Lake sites. "If you choose any of the campsites off of any of the 'leafs' (not in the main gravel path), you will find more solitude and not have many daily walkers or trail runners coming down," suggests a camper at Shinleaf Campground.
Free dispersed camping options: Butner Lake WMA provides no-cost alternatives during specific seasons. "You have a fire ring and a line to hang things from thats about it here, really nice place to camp if youre comfortable not having a toilet... And the best part is its FREE CAMPING!!" explains a visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas are maintained regularly. "Bathroom facilities were a little questionable at times. We had toilets that constantly weren't flushed and one that even spilled all over the floor and my feet. Hot water but the toilets just left me a little meh," reports a camper at B.W. Wells campground, highlighting both the positives and negatives.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect camping: Many campgrounds operate on different schedules. "Only open Sept 1 to Feb 28th and March 31 to May 14," warns a visitor about Butner Lake WMA.
License requirements for dispersed camping: Some areas require permits. "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," advises another Butner Lake WMA visitor.
Aircraft noise impacts sleep: The proximity to RDU airport creates occasional disturbances. "The only thing you will contend with is occasional air traffic noise from RDU. If you're sensitive consider bringing earplugs for your comfort," recommends a Holly Point camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: Some campgrounds have dedicated swim areas. "Very Family-friendly. It's best if you can get a site near the beach if you have kids Otherwise you'll end up driving them back-and-forth," advises a Holly Point visitor.
Playgrounds available at select sites: Several campgrounds offer play equipment. "Loved that there was a playground near the site. The site itself was gravelly and not super private but it was great- the hikes around were stunning," reports a camper at B.W. Wells Campground.
Educational opportunities: Rangers conduct programs throughout the system. "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean," notes a visitor to Eno River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water hose length requirements: Some utility connections require extra equipment. "NOTE - to bring at least 75 feet of water hose, as some sites have long runs from in front of camper," advises a visitor to J.C. Cooper Campground at Kerr Lake.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many camping areas have uneven terrain. "Large park with a hodgepodge of level sites and not so much. Boat ramp, swim beach and a small amphitheater. No water sites with electric," reports a Holly Point camper.
Pad material considerations: Different campgrounds use various surfaces. "We camped at an RV site just for some extra comfort with the water and power. Bathhouses were super clean," shares a visitor about Holly Point, noting the advantages of improved sites even for tent campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Stem, NC?
What camping is available near Stem, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stem, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Stem, NC and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Stem, NC?
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 37 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stem, NC?
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?
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.
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