Best Campgrounds near Carthage, NC

Carthage, North Carolina is surrounded by several developed campgrounds with options ranging from RV hookups to basic tent sites, cabins, and some glamping accommodations. The Heritage Camping & Recreation offers year-round camping in Carthage proper, while Sycamore Lodge, located about 12 miles southwest of Carthage, provides more extensive amenities including full hookup sites, cabin rentals, and recreation facilities. Airport RV Park and Moonshine Creek Campground expand the regional camping inventory with varying levels of development and site options.

The camping landscape includes a mix of public and private facilities with varying access requirements. Several campgrounds operate seasonally, particularly those with water recreation features. "We spent the month of October watching the leaves change. The owners were so nice and helpful. We camped with our patio hanging out over the creek," reports one visitor to Moonshine Creek Campground. Most developed campgrounds near Carthage require reservations, especially during peak seasons. Cell coverage is generally good at most campgrounds despite tree cover, with one camper noting "surprisingly good cell reception for being in the mountains and having lots of tree cover." For dispersed camping options, Uwharrie National Forest, approximately 25 miles west of Carthage, offers more primitive experiences.

Campground amenities vary considerably throughout the region. The majority of RV parks provide electric hookups, water connections, and sewer facilities, though some have limited bathhouse facilities. According to a camper at Sycamore Lodge, "Bathrooms and amenities are top notch. Sites are large and easy to back into." The more primitive camping areas in nearby gamelands require self-sufficiency, with one visitor noting, "This is primitive. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING." Terrain ranges from flat, open campgrounds to more wooded settings with creek access. Many campgrounds feature fishing opportunities, with stocked ponds or natural waterways. Public lands outside the developed campgrounds often require higher clearance vehicles, as dirt roads with sand mix are common throughout the area.

Best Camping Sites Near Carthage, North Carolina (82)

    1. Sycamore Lodge

    9 Reviews
    Pinebluff, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 420-3843

    $55 - $138 / night

    "Nice lake with walking trail. The main lodge is beautiful."

    "Sycamore Lodge is close to home, 1 1/2 hrs drive time, not bad. Happy with this place, it is clean, friendly and mostly quiet.  Close to Pinehurst and Southern Pines with great restaurants, etc."

    2. Airport RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Carthage, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 695-5216

    3. Moonshine Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Balsam, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 586-6666

    $54 - $1250 / night

    "We weren’t sure before if it was a walk in area. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers.Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four."

    "The campground is conveniently located between Sylva and Waynesville and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway."

    4. Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    52 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $27 - $37 / night

    "Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina!"

    "Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area."

    5. The Heritage Camping & Recreation

    1 Review
    Carthage, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 949-4663

    6. Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park

    21 Reviews
    Mamers, NC
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 893-4888

    $27 - $75 / night

    "The campground is walking distance to Raven Rock trails and you get a free walk up pass to get in. We had a very good time and will definitely go back."

    "It is a place of beauty and next to cape fear river ,Has plenty of places to hike to and to camp."

    7. Uwharrie National Forest

    16 Reviews
    Troy, NC
    27 miles

    "It should be no shock to those familiar with North Carolina’s geography that if one is seeking higher altitudes and breathtaking overlooks, Uwharrie is not the place he should go."

    "This area was one of my favorite ares for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest while living in North Carolina. The area can be accessed by boat on the Little River, or by hiking in."

    8. San-Lee Park

    3 Reviews
    Sanford, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 776-6221

    $15 / night

    "There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."

    "Contrary to what has been written, I would highly recommend San-Lee Park to anyone looking for a short and easy escape from the nearby Raleigh-Durham area."

    9. Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park

    10 Reviews
    Wagram, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 628-4564

    $17 - $47 / night

    "It was a little tricky finding the entrance to this campsite, but when we managed to Google map our way in into the park, we were very happy with our selection!"

    "There was a path walkable to the river, and each campsite was clean, had plenty of space on level ground to set up camp, a fire pit, and very clean toilet. I would definitely go back!"

    10. Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $27 - $77 / night

    "This area is such a short drive from the triangle area of North Carolina, yet this park feels quite remote. Like many state parks, this one excels in the services department. "

    "Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "

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Recent Reviews near Carthage, NC

425 Reviews of 82 Carthage Campgrounds


  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Norwood Campground

    Awesome for kids

    Variety of things to do for kids lots of kids in the park and activities in this surroundings

  • Chris R.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Phelps West

    Great Location

    Great spot for boondocking near town. Secluded area. Easy communication with homeowner. Thanks!

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Phelps West

    Someone's Front Yard

    Pulling into Phelps West in Fuquay-Varina was nothing short of unsettling - it felt less like a campground and more like I had accidentally driven into someone’s front yard. The tiny gravel road led past a mailbox and straight onto what looked like private property, complete with several cars scattered around the house, and when I knocked on the door for guidance, no one answered despite it being the middle of the day. With kids in tow, the whole situation felt awkward and a bit creepy, and I honestly wasn’t comfortable staying; if you’re even considering this spot, definitely call or email ahead because showing up unannounced was not a family-friendly experience.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Family Friendly Lake Jordon

    Poplar Point Campground at Jordan Lake quickly became one of my family’s favorite spots, offering the perfect mix of nature and convenience just outside Raleigh. With over 500 shaded sites, many right along the shoreline, the kids had room to play while we enjoyed peaceful lake views and easy access to boating, kayaking, and fishing. The campground has plenty of family-friendly touches from playgrounds, picnic tables, fire rings, and boat ramps along with water and electric hookups at most sites, though I learned that some loops have cleaner bathhouses than others. Bald eagles overhead, herons by the water, and fiery sunsets made it feel like we were far from the city, yet Apex and Pittsboro were just a short drive away when we needed a meal or groceries. My tips: aim for a lakefront site in Loops C, F, or G, pack serious bug spray for summer, and plan to catch at least one sunset across the water as it’s the kind of view the kids will remember long after the trip.

  • Bailey R.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lake front view

    This is such a pretty camp site. Even if you aren’t on the water you still have a beautiful view of the lake. The spots are well spread out so you don’t feel like you are on top of each other and it’s very kid friendly

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Jordan Lake Crosswinds

    Big Water, Tall Pines & Gorgeous Lakefront Sunsets

    Nestled along the shores of Jordan Lake, Crosswinds Campground is one of those places that makes one feel like they just scored a million-dollar lakefront spot for the cost of a campsite fee. First impressions? Towering pines everywhere, a breeze rolling off the water and the faint hum of boats out on the lake. It’s a large, well-loved campground that still manages to feel peaceful – provided you’re not parked next to that one guy who thinks 'quiet hours' are just a suggestion.

    The facilities here strike a nice balance between rustic and comfortable. Out of the 182 sites, 134 offer water and electric hookups, making it RV-friendly while still keeping things woodsy. Every site has the basics: picnic table, fire ring, lantern / garbage holder and enough tree cover to keep you from baking like a biscuit in the North Carolina summer sun. Bathhouses are clean and scattered through the loops in just about the right proportion where the loos feel like an overcrowded line to see your favorite band with a dump station on site at each of the campground loops. Roads are well-paved –although you will find that errant pothole just waiting to take out one of your tires, so tread carefully – but a little snug for bigger rigs, so if you drive something the size of a tour bus, maybe don’t test your parallel parking skills here.

    The lake is the true star. With 180 miles of shoreline surrounding a 12,000-acre reservoir, Jordan Lake sprawls wide enough to feel like a small ocean … and Crosswinds puts you right on the edge of it. Beyond the lake itself, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area covers a span of some 46,000 acres of public land, so there’s tons of nature to explore here. Boating, fishing and kayaking are all top-notch, and the eagle-spotting here is so good you’ll feel like you wandered onto a National Geographic special. If you want civilization, the quaint and full-service townships of Cary, Apex and Pittsboro are all close by for groceries, breweries or just a break from your campfire cooking experiments.

    As for the campground itself, there are 3 distinct loops: A, B & C (yes, even your kindergartner can keep these 3 straight!). Here’s a breakdown of each loop, because each one offers up something different and unique – some things good, some things not so much – that may influence where you choose to camp. Here’s a snapshot:

    Loop A (AKA 'Boats & Bobbers'): (1) the only loop that is entirely non-electric, so if powering up your campsite is important, then bring your own source or look to the other loops; (2) closest to the main entrance, so great for quick access, but the only loop if you take a left at the fork (the other 2 loops are right of the fork); (3) nearest the boat launch, so you will experience all of the boat-launching skippers driving westward past your loop from dusk to dawn, which is great if you are thumbing your way to the boat launch, not so great if you prize peace & quiet; (4) an ‘easter egg’ of a hidden trail exists near A21 that will lead you down to the lakeshore to a quiet spot perfect for uncorking that vintage Bordeaux you’ve been looking for the right location and moment to savor; and (5) IMHO the best sites are those that are lake-facing such as 19– 22 and 45– 47.

    Loop B (AKA 'Sand & Swimming'): (1) if Loop A is defined by its proximity to the boat launch, then this loop can be dubbed the Beach Loop as it is the only circuit with an actual beachhead and proper swimming area; (2) while centrally located in between the other 2 loops, this area is definitely considered more tranquil and has a tighter feeling of community; (3) unlike the previous loop, this one has campsites with running electric and water, but there’s a bonus to some of these sites as they are considered duplex campsites, so while a bit more$ ($25 more for non-electric and $40 more for duplexes with electric), you’ll have more space, which is especially important if there’s 2 families looking to camp together; and (4) IMHO the best sites here are those westernmost, lake-facing spots such as 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 40.

    Loop C ('Sunsets& Sundowners'): (1) just like the previous loop, here you’ll find all campsites have running water & electric, so no primitive shenanigans to deal with here; (2) of the 3 loops, this is the one located most northernly, most secluded, furthest from the entrance and has no amenities (like a beach or boat launch) that will draw non-camping traffic; (3) the biggest draw of this loop are the arresting views of Lake Jordan, especially at dusk, where you can place your fold-up camping chair in just the right direction, sit back and sip on those sunset-inspired Mai Tais; (4) There’s a small, hidden beach (shhh! don’t tell your fellow campers in Loop B, lest they become disenfranchised!) that you can access near site 32 that will allow for a private swim or late-night evening hang-out staring at the breathtaking moonlit starscape; and (5) IMHO the best sites are (you guessed it) the ones that have the best views of that incandescent sundowner view facing westward, so you’ll want to eye spots 19, 21, 23, 24 – with the absolute pinnacle sites being 24, 26, 30, 32, 34 – as well as those that have even a partial view, including 36, 40 and 42.

    Insider Tips?  Here's a smattering: (1) Plan a swim or paddle near the Ebenezer Church swimming beach, just a short drive from Crosswinds. It’s less crowded than the main day-use areas and offers sandy shoreline, gentle water entry, and shady picnic spots; (2) For paddling, launch in the morning from the camper-only ramp before the motorboats hit the water and turn it into Daytona-on-the-lake; (3) Eat at The Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro if you’re feeling fancy – exotic meats and Oregon Pinot Noirs so smooth they’ll make you forget you slept on a foam mattress last night; (4) Bring bug spray – the mosquitoes here treat Off! like it’s a garnish; and (5) Don’t skip stargazing on a clear night, the Milky Way shows off, and it’s better than cable.

    Happy Camping!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Asheboro

    Great stay

    Campground has many things to do for the Littles. I would recommend renting the “off road” golf cart for fun. The only negative is the lack of bath houses. Although we have a full bathroom in our camper we typically use the showers at the campgrounds. There were only 2 bathhouses in the campground. Our site was well shaded and enough space between the sites.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Arrowhead Campground

    Perfect spot

    Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers. The bathrooms and showers aren’t fancy but are clean. There’s a boat ramp right by the entrance. Overall an awesome camp ground!

  • Amber L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    Coble's Landing

    DO NOT STAY HERE

    WARNING DO NOT STAY HERE!!! REX COBLE is part owner of this campground. My father’s camper was broken into and vandalized by the owner REX. Stayed for 3 months and never received a receipt for cash handed over. Always gave us the go around and said he was out of town on business. So we started using cash app to prove payments. We even paid 6 months advanced for storage. Investigation still in process and having to get the law involved again. Biggest crook and con of Anson County. Drug deals happening right in the Rv Park in front of family’s and children durning the day and all times at night. This place needs to be investigated, raided and shut down! Our whole life was taken from us. Photos, jewelry, guns, clothing, TVs, and etc. I highly suggest you do not stay here or trust your belongings being stored.


Guide to Carthage

Camping spots near Carthage, North Carolina offer access to diverse terrain from sandy creek beds to pine forest campsites. The region sits at relatively low elevations of 300-500 feet, creating mild camping conditions during spring and fall while summers remain hot and humid with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Cell phone coverage varies significantly depending on tree cover and proximity to towns.

What to do

Kayaking on the Cape Fear River: Raven Rock State Park provides river access for paddlers with a put-in point about half a mile from the campground. "There are some great hikes on the loop trails that run along the Cape Fear River. Raven Rock itself is pretty cool and worth the hike," notes one visitor. The park features multiple tent camping options accessible by foot.

Fishing at nearby lakes: Many campgrounds maintain stocked ponds or lake access. "There is a nice fishing pond. Well off the road," reports a camper at The Heritage Camping & Recreation. The site operates year-round and allows both tent and RV camping with electric hookups available.

Hiking through pine forests: The trail system at San-Lee Park offers day hiking options with varied terrain. "There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there," explains a camper. The park features approximately 10 tent sites in one central area with shared amenities including fire pits, grills, and water spigots.

What campers like

Creek-side camping: Campers consistently praise sites that back up to water features. At Moonshine Creek Campground, "This park has a wonderful creek running through the middle of it and most short-term sites back up to it. The creek and nice natural landscaping of the park are very worth it," one reviewer shares. The setting allows for wading in the creek during warmer months.

Large, private sites: Spacious campsites provide room to spread out. "Extra large and private campsites. One of the campsites has a hammock stand. The group site is huge," notes a camper at Chalk Banks — Lumber River State Park. The park maintains clean facilities with sites featuring fire pits on level ground.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses matter to campers in this region. "The bathhouse has two toilets and two showers. Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing," reports one visitor about Moonshine Creek Campground's Sanctuary area, which limits occupancy to two people per site without pets or children.

What you should know

Gate hours: Many campgrounds lock entrance gates overnight. "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," warns a visitor to Chalk Banks. Most parks provide gate codes to registered campers for after-hours access.

Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "After calling and only getting voicemails, we found the man again who called his boss. His boss finally answered and said we can only camp there by making reservations 72 hours ahead of time," explains a frustrated visitor to San-Lee Park who found empty campsites but couldn't secure a spot without prior arrangements.

Limited amenities at primitive sites: Dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest requires self-sufficiency. "This is a very small campground located alongside a small airstrip. It is clean and the folks are friendly. It appears that most sites are rented to long-term/permanent campers," explains a visitor about one of the nearby basic campgrounds. The national forest allows dispersed camping with varying regulations.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Great Campsites, nice wooded sites and close to lake access. Great hiking trails and very family friendly. Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground," notes a camper at Crosswinds Campground.

Water activities: Swimming areas provide relief during hot months. "There is a nice sand beach on the lake and a boat launch as well. Some of the sites offer a tie-off of your boat adjacent to your campsite," explains a visitor to Crosswinds Campground, noting the lake accessibility directly from campsites.

Wildlife viewing: Many campers report seeing deer and birds around their sites. "Bald eagles overhead, herons by the water, and fiery sunsets made it feel like we were far from the city," shares one visitor about their experience at Poplar Point Campground, making it appealing for nature-curious children.

Tips from RVers

Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads making maneuvering difficult. "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," advises an RV camper at Moonshine Creek Campground.

Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are common but sewer hookups vary. "Dual hookups for sewer connections. Nice water pressure," notes a camper about Sycamore Lodge, highlighting the quality of utilities.

Long-term vs. weekend camping: Several parks accommodate both short stays and seasonal campers. "A good contingent of spots that are booked for the season and plenty of weekend campers like us. It's a good balance. No full-timers, as the park is closed during the winter," explains a Moonshine Creek visitor, noting the community atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Carthage, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Carthage, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 82 campgrounds and RV parks near Carthage, NC and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Carthage, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carthage, NC is Sycamore Lodge with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Carthage, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Carthage, NC.

What parks are near Carthage, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Carthage, NC that allow camping, notably B. Everett Jordan Lake and Uwharrie National Forest.