14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Winston-Salem range from primitive hike-in sites to campgrounds with shower facilities, suiting both family outings and backcountry trips. Cedarock Park provides hike-in tent camping along Rock Creek with sites that feature fire pits and flat terrain for comfortable setup. Lake Curriher Wilderness offers tent-specific areas with access to fishing and hiking trails, while Homeplace Recreational Park accommodates tent campers with dirt sites alongside a stream.
Most tent camping areas require visitors to bring their own water or filter from natural sources, as potable water access varies significantly between locations. The tent sites at Cedarock Park are only accessible via a quarter-mile hike down a wooded forest path, making them suitable for campers who prefer more secluded experiences. Sites typically include fire rings or rock fire pits, though some locations have seasonal fire restrictions. Bathroom facilities range from clean showers at established campgrounds to primitive vault toilets or no facilities at all. Gates at several parks close at specific times – Cedarock Park locks its gates at night, which means campers cannot leave until morning.
The wooded settings provide natural shade at most tent campsites, with several locations offering creek or lake access for fishing or cooling off during summer months. Tent-only areas tend to be quieter than mixed-use campgrounds, with less vehicle traffic and generator noise. Areas like Lake Curriher Wilderness allow tent campers to hike to remote sites that offer greater privacy and a more immersive natural experience. Winston-Salem tent camping offers both family-friendly options and backcountry sites for more adventurous campers seeking solitude in nature. A visitor commented that Cedarock Park's sites are "well spaced and can accommodate large groups," making it suitable for family tent camping outings. Another review noted that at Lake Curriher Wilderness, "I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake," highlighting the backcountry tent camping opportunities available to those willing to venture further from developed areas.
"The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet."
from $32 - $48 / night
Check Availability"thwres a community fire ring where Will has a fire most nights. There are no reservations except for either the one cabin or the bunkhouse, and there're no designated spots."
"It is motorcycle only, but he has limited space outside the campground proper for trailers should that be your thing."
from $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability"I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go."
"It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking."
"It’s the quietest stay we’ve had yet, and we go camping nearly every weekend. I will say, having the ADA tent site makes a huge difference."
"Very close to my home. I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can’t seem to pick up after themselves. The cabins here are also great."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails."
"My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park. After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."
"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"
from $10 / night
Check Availability"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
"Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."
"A nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I went up the vertical mile trail to get to the upper campsite, it was dry, beautiful and not too steep of a hike"
from $13 / night
GuideDriving 14 1/2 hrs I was cooked called and had the most easiest booking. There was a sites available so I booked it. Needless to say I got there in the dark and a kind person helped me to my site and got me backed in. Soo exhausted I hooked up electric only hit the bed passed out
ScoutGreat location , clean bathhouse
GuideStopped here after our fiasco with holly bluff. Beautiful campground with trees. Very quiet during the day and peaceful. The only thing we found curious was the vehicle in and right back out activity between 10:30-pm and 1am back and forth to campers that were long term stays. Made nighttime hard to sleep in site 3 with vehicles back and forth for hours .
GuideStopped in to get a spot for a few nights nights because it said they had available rv spots Unfortunately they didn’t know which end was up and tried to squeeze us into a spot that might have hookups that maybe worked but they couldn’t be sure. It was a joke. We left after waiting several minutes waiting while they were looking for a place to maybe squeeze us in because we had a small camper. No thanks. Would not recommend staying here til they get there act together
ScoutThis is not a resort type campground. It is a place for people to bring old campers to live full time and long term. The electric and water utilities are original from the 50's and there are constant problems with both. There is a lot of unrecognized potential because the owners do not reinvest any money into anything for the campground.
ScoutLooking for a nice place for a camping getaway? We highly recommend checking out the Deep River Campground in Asheboro, NC. The location itself is beautiful. It is literally on the Deep River and features a hiking trail that runs along the river past the remnants of a historical damn, where a small area of rapids gently swirls around the big rocks spanning the river. There’s also a large lake with a nice grassy expanse for picnics, playing games or just lazing around lakeside. This campground has been around for a while, but it has new owners now and they are breathing some for real new life into the place. They have already made lots of repairs and improvements, and you can see more in progress. There are sites for RVs with all the hook-ups, and great primitive sites for tent camping, several located right on the river. If you don’t have an RV and sleeping on the ground doesn’t spark joy, they have a few small rustic but nicely-appointed cabins. You’ll find two pools, several covered picnic shelters, a playground for the small ones, and several options for older kids and adults to play, like a horseshoe pit and a nice game room. They also have planned activities like movie nights and weiner roasts most evenings to entertain and create community among campers. They are pet friendly and have their own pet mascots on site— a flock of ducks including beautifully colored teals and mallards. We were just there for 2 nights, but I have a good feeling we’ll be visiting there again soon. Definitely worth a visi
RangerWas a monthly Camper when I came in to the campground. Nobody was cleaning the men’s room. No one was trying to collect the fall leaves. This is an old run down campground. I cleaned the men’s room for free because there was no staff to clean. I regret helping the owner for free on multiple occasions.
TravelerThis is/was marked as dispersed camping but this is primarily an OHV area, with a shooting range nearby that can be heard from some campsites. Most, if not all, of the campsites are intended to be large group sites. The empty site we found was filled with trash, discarded tents, air mattresses, and trashed electronics from OHVs. There's so much trash we would not even be able to take it all out with us if we wanted to. This may be a national forest, but it is not peace and quiet as one would expect from "dispersed and primitive" camping.
GuideGreat spot to visit, with pool fishing ect. Very nice people and clean.
Tent camping near Winston-Salem, North Carolina offers access to the rolling foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains and the Yadkin River watershed. This region sits at elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet and experiences mild winters with occasional snow and humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Primitive camping options typically require visitors to navigate dirt or gravel roads that can become challenging after rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: At Beechnut Family Campground, campers can access stocked ponds and nearby streams. "Great place to fish and swim with the family," notes one visitor. The fishing areas are accessible directly from tent sites with no special permits required for pond fishing.
Water activities: Swimming spots are available at several campgrounds during warmer months. "This campground has the actual water park within the campground (although closed for COVID). We had FHU and were in site A3 right beside the stream," shares a camper who stayed at Homeplace Recreational Park.
Hiking trails: Forested paths connect many camping areas to water features and viewpoints. At Deep Water Trail Camp, "There's a few campsites surrounded by trees but also a large open area that can hold multiple vehicles," allowing direct access to riverside trails. Many trails follow old logging roads and connect to broader trail systems.
Natural water features: Streams and lakes provide both scenery and recreation. At Deep Water Trail Camp, "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water! We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend, not on the actual Deep Water Trail, because it got super bumpy & didn't want to damage our car."
Forested settings: Most Winston-Salem area campgrounds feature hardwood forest coverage. "The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet," explains a camper who visited Beechnut Family Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Uwharrie National Forest provides habitat for deer, turkey, and small mammals. One camper at Uwharrie Hunt Camp reported, "Beautiful scenery. The only issue is we couldn't find a good location near water so thankfully we brought our own in case. It was a awesome campsite and nice little day trek with the dogs."
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. At Deep Water Trail Horse Camp, visitors report "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites. I attempted in my van and made it down to a sweet spot, but was stuck in the mud." Some access roads become impassable after heavy rain.
Variable facilities: Bathroom availability ranges widely between campgrounds. "Bath house was clean and the grounds were very well maintained. The pond dam was really close to our site and the rushing water will really lull you to sleep at night," notes a review of Homeplace Recreational Park.
Site selection importance: Most campgrounds feature varying terrain and amenities between sites. "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit," writes a visitor to East Morris Mountain Camp. Early arrival improves site selection options at first-come-first-served locations.
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds include water features suitable for children. "Great park with one of the best pools in the area," writes a camper about Homeplace Recreational Park.
Accessibility considerations: Some tent camping requires hiking gear to sites. "We camped in our tent at Beechnut for two nights. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location," notes a visitor describing the walk-in requirements.
Seasonal planning: Summer heat impacts camping comfort significantly. "This place has an actual water park within the campground," explains a camper, making Homeplace Recreational Park particularly appealing for families during hot weather. Most water features become too cold for swimming between October and April.
Site surface awareness: RV campers should note ground composition. At Willville Motorcycle Camp, "There are water spigots scattered throughout along with electrical stanchions...just not at every site." Most tent areas near Winston-Salem lack designated pads.
Water and electric hookup locations: Connection points often require planning. "We were in site A3 right beside the stream. In this park, all the sites are dirt only, no paved pads, but do have rock fire rings," explains a camper at Homeplace Recreational Park, noting the importance of positioning RVs strategically for hookups.
Weather considerations: Soft ground can create challenges after rain. "I would be careful when the river is swollen," warns a camper at Deep Water Trail Camp, noting that access roads and camping areas can become muddy or impassable, particularly for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any year-round tent campgrounds open now in Winston-Salem?
Year-round tent camping options near Winston-Salem include Homeplace Recreational Park Inc., which offers full hookup sites alongside a stream and remains open throughout the year. While primarily an RV park, it does accommodate tent campers with dirt sites featuring rock fire rings. For motorcycle enthusiasts, Willville Motorcycle Camp stays open year-round and provides a community fire ring where the owner often builds fires on most nights. Weather conditions may affect accessibility during winter months, so it's advisable to call ahead to confirm availability, especially during severe weather. Both locations offer different camping experiences but remain operational regardless of season for those seeking winter camping adventures.
Where are the best tent camping sites near Winston-Salem?
For tent camping near Winston-Salem, Cedarock Park offers excellent hike-in sites along Rock Creek. The campground provides well-spaced sites that can accommodate groups, with spacious areas for setup. Each site features fire pits, and the surrounding 500-acre park offers extensive hiking trails, disc golf courses, and fishing opportunities. Another great option is Lake Curriher Wilderness, which features both tent camping areas and remote lakeside sites. Note that the main tent loop is an open field with limited privacy, but the ADA tent site provides a quieter experience. Both locations are affordable and provide a convenient escape from Winston-Salem for weekend camping trips.
What are the most scenic tent camping spots around Winston-Salem?
For scenic tent camping near Winston-Salem, Badin Recreational Area offers beautiful lake views with beach access for swimming and fishing. The picturesque setting makes it ideal for photographers and nature lovers seeking waterfront scenery. Another stunning option is Deep Water Trail Camp, a remote and free camping area with numerous spots on both sides of the road. The secluded location provides a true wilderness experience, though the access road is narrow and bumpy (recommended 10mph driving). Both locations offer scenic natural settings that showcase North Carolina's diverse landscapes, from serene lakes to wooded wilderness areas, all within reasonable driving distance from Winston-Salem.
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