Dispersed camping opportunities near Vass, North Carolina span across several forests and recreation areas within 45 miles of town. The Sandhills region sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with sandy, well-draining soil characteristic of the Carolina Sandhills ecosystem. Summer temperatures typically range between 85-95°F during peak camping season, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 65-75°F.
What to do
Fishing at local ponds: Moonshine Creek Campground offers fishing opportunities with several campers noting the accessibility. One camper mentioned that "great place to hike, fish, and camp with the family" while visiting the area.
Hiking wooded trails: Moccasin Branch Campground at Raven Rock State Park provides excellent trail access with one visitor noting, "We brought our dog on our hike. The trails are easily followed and they include long and short Trails for your enjoyment. great day trip." Another camper shared, "There are quite a few different campsites to choose from. There is the group site which accommodates a large group. The Canoe camp site is for the person brave enough to challenge the mighty Cape Fear River."
Water recreation activities: Smith Lake Army RV Park (military and DoD members only) offers lake-based recreation with one camper reporting, "Playgrounds were phenomenal for kids. Bike and Hiking trails all through out the site. Fishing as well - with respective fishing license. Staff was very receptive and the facilities were new right on the Smith Lake Beach. Beautiful. You can rent kayaks and paddle boats right on the water front."
Explore historical sites: The Sandhills region contains numerous historical markers and sites related to Revolutionary and Civil War history. Make time to visit nearby Southern Pines for its historical downtown area, located about 15 minutes from Vass.
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park receives praise for its site layout with one camper sharing, "Extra large and private campsites. One of the campsites has a hammock stand. The group site is huge. The whole park is very clean and spacious." Another noted, "This campsite doesn't seem to be too popular which is fine. The tent sites are some of the better spread out ones that I've seen."
Natural water features: Campers consistently mention creek and lake access as highlights. One visitor to Moonshine Creek noted, "This was the prettiest, friendliest, most peaceful campground I've ever stayed. I cannot talk about it enough! Whether you're a tenter, an RVer, or a cabin dweller, this place is a no frills, but extremely comfortable place to stay."
Clean facilities: Poplar Point Campground at Jordan Lake receives praise for its maintenance with one camper sharing, "Nice shower facilites. We stayed at the F Loop. Sites F36 and F40 are situated so the awning side of the camper has a direct, unobstructed view of the water. Also liked the numerous trash cans near the sites."
Peaceful environments: Multiple campgrounds in the region are noted for their quiet atmosphere. A visitor to Chalk Banks mentioned, "Clean, beautiful and river-accessible! This was a great campground for a great price. There was a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp."
What you should know
Gate access hours: Some campgrounds lock entrance gates at specific hours. A camper at Chalk Banks reported, "Word to the wise, when the website says the park closes at 'posted times', they mean 9pm. We know this because we got there at 9:05 and the gate was locked tight."
Limited bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds have minimal facilities. A visitor to Chalk Banks noted, "There is one vault toilet and one water source. The people in the group site however, utilized the one water spigot as a bath house, yep, full on bathing, dish washing."
Military noise proximity: Spacious Skies Sandy Run (formerly Lazy Acres) and Smith Lake Army RV Park both have proximity to military installations. One camper mentioned, "This campground is near a military runway so be prepared for loud aircraft noise as well as other military installation noise."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. One visitor to Pine Lake RV Resort said, "The ownership and management are very nice people and are super responsive to everything. The park is clean with a lake to finish in and hiking trails that you can go explore."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several locations offer swimming in natural settings. A visitor to Poplar Point mentioned, "Been here twice this summer with friends. Loved being able to just chill in the lake away from it all."
Playground access: Pine Lake RV Resort provides organized recreation areas according to one camper who noted, "This campground is very clean and quiet with lots of things to do, there is a pond to go fishing and the campground has a variety of boats and kayaks that you can use on the pond."
Educational opportunities: Sycamore Lodge offers organized activities for children with one visitor commenting, "Beautiful campground, meticulously maintained. Store, restaurant, pool, dog park, kayak on lake, putt putt, cornhole, shuffleboard, horseshoes just to name a few."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to spot local wildlife. A visitor to Moccasin Branch noted, "Not crowded, nice selection of trails, plenty of fishing on the Cape Fear, woodland creatures abound."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. A camper at Moonshine Creek Campground noted, "The campground road is sort of narrow and the sites can be a little tight, making it awkward to back in if you have a large TV and full-size camper - but once you're in it's all good."
Hookup specifications: Sycamore Lodge has comprehensive RV hookups with one visitor noting, "Bathrooms and amenities are top notch. Sites are large and easy to back into."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have unpaved access roads. A camper at Pine Lake RV Resort mentioned, "The road to is dirt with sand mix, they good a good job of keeping it graded."
Cell service reliability: Despite wooded settings, connectivity remains good in most locations. A visitor to Moonshine Creek noted, "Surprisingly good cell reception for being in the mountains and having lots of tree cover. Got 1-3 bars ATT depending on where I was within the campground, and we had no issues using our TMobile hotspot to stream videos/tv."
