M
Megan T.
Guide
GuidePoplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Stayed in the C loop right on the water. Bathrooms are up the hill at the entrance to the loop. Sites along the lake aren’t private but are spacious.
Tent Camping near Stem, NC
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Several primitive tent campsites are available within a short drive from Stem, North Carolina, ranging from walk-in tent sites requiring a 1-1.2 mile hike to drive-in campgrounds with more facilities. William B. Umstead State Park and MST Section 23 Falls Lake also provide tent camping areas with pit toilets and minimal amenities. These parks offer varying access options, from primitive tent campsites reached by trail to drive-in campgrounds with more facilities.
Most tent sites in the area require some hiking to access. At Eno River State Park, tent campers need to hike approximately 1-1.2 miles on moderate trails to reach the primitive campsites. The sites typically have gravel tent pads, fire rings, and simple wooden benches, but lack running water and modern facilities. Campers should bring their own water or a filter system to use with the river water. The tent sites at MST Section 23 Falls Lake are accessible only by hiking about a mile from roadside parking on Red Mill Road. Pit toilets are available at some locations, but amenities are generally minimal at these primitive tent campgrounds.
The walk-in tent sites at Eno River provide a sense of seclusion despite their relative proximity to urban areas. Sites are generally well-spaced, though privacy between some locations can be limited. The sounds of the river create a peaceful backdrop for overnight stays, particularly at the Fanny's Ford sites where rapids can be heard from the tent areas. Wildlife sightings are common on the hiking trails leading to the campgrounds. A review noted, "The campsite was great, it had a nice layout and enough space for us to all comfortably fit. You cross the Eno river on the walk in on this cute little bridge, and the river is beautiful."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Stem (7)
1. Eno River State Park Campground
"My partner and I camped at Fanny’s Ford at one of the primitive sites. The sites are well spaced but not a lot of privacy. We didn’t mind and everyone was cordial."
"Eno River State Park has amazing backpack in camping that is well worth the beautiful walk through the woods. The last trip here was so wonderful that we extended it by two nights! "
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $47 / night
2. Redwood Campsite
"2 day max camping, no footprint camping, I think there are around 9 pads for 2 person tents!"
3. 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."
4. Lake Michie Recreation Area
5. RTP Lakefront Campsite - Campground
"We're so happy to have this property on our platform. Feel free to bring your kayak or canoe to take out onto the water. Book them today and come back here to leave them some love."
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $100 / night
6. Youth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $37 / night
7. Cedarock Park
"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
Drive Time
- 13 min from Durham, NC
- 33 min from Raleigh, NC
- 43 min from Burlington, NC
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stem, NC
12 Photos of 7 Stem Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Stem, NC
521 Reviews of 7 Stem Campgrounds
- CCasey E.
ScoutYouth Tent Camp — William B. Umstead State Park
Not tent campground but new RV campground
New and clean rv campgrounds. 28 spots. Awesome camp host Ron.
- JJonathan B.Guide
Butner lake WMA
Private campground
Like this campground. Was a tight fit with our 20 ft trailer but it is super quiet at night. Nearby road with some noise during the day but overall great place to camp. We have seen several people pull in for over nights but left the next day. Will be back. Also make sure you buy a NC hunting or fishing license before you camp here
Susan A.GuideCrosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Quiet, clean, spacious
The 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.
- PPaul R.
TravelerCrosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Great Camp
We 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.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendHolly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Fantastic Camping Spot at Falls Lake
Arriving here to Holly Point Falls feels overwhelmingly relaxing as the pines embrace you with a welcome that will immediately remind you that you are out in pure nature here. The campgrounds here are thoughtfully laid out, with a mix of tent pads, RV-friendly sites and electric & water hookups at many loops. Sites vary in privacy, but most are generous in size with enough tree cover to make you feel like you’ve claimed your own little slice of wilderness. Bathhouses are clean and functional with the park staff keeping things tidy. Families and four-legged friends are welcome and the paved roads make getting in and out relatively stress-free. Larger rigs will want to pay attention when reserving, as some loops are tighter than others. Our boys simply loved this campground with its EZ access to Falls Lake, which was perfect for us to go fishing and kayaking in. We absolutely recommend Holly Point Campground at Falls Lake for any family looking to get as close to nature, without leaving civilization completely behind.
Jill S.ScoutButner lake WMA
Only open after Sept 1
We didn’t realize the campground was only open for hunting season. We showed up late at night in the end of July and saw it was roped off but decided to pitch our tent anyway and woke up with a State Trooper shining a flash light in our tent😂😭 He let us off, but we still had to pack up and find a hotel at 1am since there’s no other free camping that we knew of around the area.
It’s a sad day when you can’t just pitch a tent and sleep in the woods peacefully but it is what it is! Would come back during the legal season for sure though, the woods were really nice and cleared out.
John P.ScoutMayo Lake Park
Nice Place
This 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.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Crosswinds Campground July 2026
Decent 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.
Guide to Stem
Tent camping near Stem, North Carolina provides access to several state parks and recreational areas situated within the Piedmont region. The area features rolling terrain with elevations between 250-350 feet above sea level and experiences moderate seasonal changes. Winter camping temperatures often drop into the 30s°F at night, while summer brings highs consistently above 85°F with significant humidity.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Cedarock Park offers two full disc golf courses with 36 total holes for play. The park spans nearly 500 acres with multiple recreation options beyond camping. A camper noted, "While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf. It was a great time!"
Swimming in quarries: William B. Umstead State Park Campground features a quarry that provides cooling relief during summer months. According to one visitor, "Great quarry for easy cliff jumping and swimming in the summertime. Campsites around also very solid."
Paddling opportunities: Lakes and rivers throughout the region provide kayaking and canoeing options. Most campgrounds require you to bring your own equipment, but some offer rentals. A camper at Eno River mentioned, "The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in. Dogs are welcome here!"
What campers like
Trail system variety: Most camping areas connect to extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. At Eno River State Park Campground, a reviewer shared, "The primitive sites are spaces far enough apart that it truly feels like solitude. Piper Creek is our favorite. Flat and easy 1.2 mile hike in along the river."
Educational programming: Some parks offer structured learning experiences about local ecology and history. One camper highlighted, "We loved the educational experiences at this park. Very knowledgeable and clean."
Winter camping solitude: Off-season camping provides extra privacy and quiet at most locations. A recent visitor reported, "Spent 2 nights out there last weekend. Had a great time. Nice moderate hike to the site. Chilly weekend so it was just me out there at night! Loved it!!"
What you should know
Campsite reservations: Most tent sites require advance booking through park reservation systems. Sites at Lake Michie Recreation Area can be particularly challenging to secure, as noted in a review: "It's also quite difficult to reserve sites here as you have to call the county to get a permit."
Site sizing constraints: Many campgrounds offer limited space per site. One camper observed about Lake Michie, "All of the sites are very small, not very level, and have low clearance. The camping area itself is quite secluded and quiet."
Park access limitations: Some parks lock gates after hours with no staff on-site overnight. A camper at Cedarock Park warned, "The downside is they lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't, you're literally stuck."
Pack-in water requirements: Most primitive sites lack potable water sources. Hikers heading to MST Section 23 Falls Lake should note that "No water or toilet facilities are provided" at the established campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Road noise awareness: When selecting family-friendly tent camping near Stem, consider ambient noise levels. A family at Cedarock Park noted, "The only downside is the road noise at night - it was very loud. Next time we will bring something to help quiet the noise."
Child-friendly activities: Some locations offer specific amenities for younger campers. A parent recommended, "Love hiking here with the family and friends plenty of beautiful family and pet friendly trails."
Creek play opportunities: Children often enjoy natural water features at campsites. A family camper shared, "We were the only ones there for the weekend and there was ample space for setting up. We used the fire pit and the kids played in the creek."
Tips from RVers
Historic cabin alternatives: RTP Lakefront Campsite offers waterfront options when tent camping feels too rustic. A representative noted, "Feel free to bring your kayak or canoe to take out onto the water."
Primitive camping preparation: Tent sites often require significantly more pre-planning than RV spots. When visiting without hookups, campers should remember the MST Section 23 Falls Lake rules: "Practice Leave No Trace ethics. Do NOT leave any trash. Pack it in= Pack it out. There is a 2-night maximum stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stem, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stem, NC is Eno River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.
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