Best Equestrian Camping near Zebulon, NC

Medoc Mountain State Park Campground provides the only dedicated equestrian camping area near Zebulon. The Medoc Mountain Equestrian Campground requires visitors to bring horses and features electric hookups with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp service. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with showers and sanitary dump stations available for campers. The campground is reservable in advance through the North Carolina State Parks system. Equestrian sites accommodate horse trailers with ample parking space. Water hookups and sewer connections serve campers with RVs or horse trailers equipped with living quarters. The sites remain fairly level for easy trailer parking and setup.

Located approximately 35 miles northeast of Zebulon, Medoc Mountain offers extensive bridle trails through the wooded terrain. The park maintains dedicated horse trails that connect directly to the equestrian camping area, allowing riders immediate access to the trail system. Horses require proof of current negative Coggins test results upon check-in. The park's trail system includes several water crossings and varied terrain suitable for different riding experience levels. Equestrian campers should bring their own feed and water buckets as the park does not provide feeding equipment. The trails remain open year-round, though seasonal conditions may affect accessibility after heavy rainfall. The campground serves as an excellent base for day rides throughout the 2,300-acre park's mixed hardwood forest and meadow landscapes.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Zebulon, North Carolina (6)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Zebulon, NC

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Zebulon, NC

102 Reviews of 6 Zebulon Campgrounds


  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    A Short Drive, Yet a World Away

    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. 

    Bathrooms and showers were clean and comfortable, as were the campsites. 

    Each camping loop felt tucked away into its own little neighborhood, and the large campsites offered space so that you aren’t stacked right next to your neighbor.  We camped in the nonelectric loop (we always bring our solar panel) for 3 nights in mid-February and there were very few campers around, but the neighboring loop with electrical hook-up sites were 3/4 full with large rigs. 

    Hiking, biking, paddling, are all great things to do during your stay. There is also a boat launch within the park in case power boating or fishing is your thing, but kayaks and canoes can easily launch from the lakeside campsites.  It was a bit too chilly to get on the water in February, so we opted for hiking and biking.

    The closest services for gas or a few extra snacks are within 5 minutes of the park.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2023

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Over-Priced Parking lot !

    I have stayed there twice over the past couple years.  The only changes to this Campground are the Prices !!  ..which keep going up (to $35 day now).  For this, you get a parking space with full hookups.. that's it, no Amenities whatsoever!

    It's pretty much a "Camper Trap", because there are so few options in the North Carolina Piedmont.  Spaces are tight, a lot of the people there are long-term workers, that totally ignore any "Dust" decorum, speeding through the area as if they were on public streets!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lake Jordan Campground Bliss

    Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve.  And while I’m not a kitesurfer or windsurfer, I’m positive that this campground was named for the pretty amazing headwinds that are enjoyed coming off Falls Lake, which Crosswinds Campground @ Jordan Lake SRA sits on. Take my word for it though, this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in some of North Carolina’s finest camping countryside. 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 nicely shaded nature, hiking trails and humble peace & quiet that only God's green nature can offer, then make your way here to Crosswinds Campground, where this heavily wooded forest paradise will embrace you with its inclines, switchbacks and snakelike, swerving road circuits. 

    All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice pebble-strewn and long-leaf pine shadowed patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer Tar Heel sunshine. While there’s a suitable amount of brush between campsites, surprisingly, it’s the steep inclines and declines between each site that makes one feel that they are truly in the center of their own private wilderness. The on-site bathroom & shower facilities are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, there’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Lake Jordan itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area – complete with life safety vests resting on hooks near the shore - as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise. 

    Insider’s tips? Here's a bundle: (1) Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life!; (2) While IMHO there are no bad sites per se here, certainly there are some that are better than others, amongst which, I would highly recommend those that are closer to the tree fall lines as well as those that place you closest to either lakeside or lake view.  With 3 loops to choose from (A, B & C), I recommend the following sites: Loop A - #18-19; #21-22; and #44-47; Loop B - #33, #36, #37, #39, #40,#43; Loop C - #19, #21, #23, #24, #26, #32, #34, #36, #40, #42; (3) If you have a boat, you may want to consider calling ahead of time, while you are reserving your campsite and reserve a boat slip - we just thought that they would be readily available, but as it turns out, there's quite a few daytime boaters that don't camp here and are simply looking for a slip to occupy for the day, so plan ahead!; (4) SUPER INSIDER SECRET: there's a little pathway next to site #32 that will lead you to a hidden beachhead where all the cool kids hang out and party; (5) The showers are pretty annoying in that they are regulated by body movement - so as a hack, we applied duct tape and VOILA! the hot water stayed on the whole time! (but remove when you are done or the water won't stop running!); and (6) When you grow tired or anxious after digging through what remains of your Cordova cooler and / or want to sample some local fare, be prepared to drive a short distance (20 minutes or so) back to Apex, where I would recommend The Peak on Salem that serves up some pretty mean Caribbean conch & shrimp fritters as well as some very nice seafood entrees like NC clam bucatini or sweet tea ginger whiskey braised beef short rib.

    Happy Camping!

  • Katy S.
    Jul. 6, 2020

    Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Great access to the lake

    This is a pretty nice campground, similar to other state parks in North Carolina. The sites are spacious, we stayed at a double site that allowed up to 4 cars. The site was level and stayed dry during the heavy rain, however we saw other sites that had big puddles, with tents in the water. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly, but they were not very nice. The shower didn't look good at all, we didn't use it.

    A great things about the campground is that it has its own kayak/canoe ramp, just a few minutes drive from the site. We saw people fishing from the ramp as well. On our morning paddle we saw a couple of bald eagles, they were amazing. We stayed at the campsite after heavy rains, so the beach was closed. It must be nice when not flooded.

    This is a state campground, so alcohol is not allowed.

  • Joy B.
    Mar. 19, 2022

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Plain Jane Camping

    This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites. Most sites appear to be fairly level; we did have to use blocks on one side. There are no amenities so you must be fully self-contained. There seem to be quite a few long-term campers. Campground is quiet and security staff very friendly. Equestrian facility is next door. Sites are first come first serve; no reservations.

  • J D.
    May. 21, 2021

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    $30/night RV/campers/busses

    Water, sewer, electrical hook-ups It's a pretty relaxing spot. Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover.

  • J
    Apr. 30, 2022

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Camping in two locations

    The actual address is 801 Youth Center Drive. One camping location is up in the woods behind the horse complex. The other is on the actual fairgrounds property along Youth Center Drive. These are less desirable unless you are doing an event on the fairgrounds and want to be closer.

  • Liz C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2025

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Basic and affordable

    No amenities, but the price reflects that. Conveniently located to everything this area offers. Fun to check out whatever is happening at the fairgrounds and the horse complex is across the street. Big rig friendly but you might need to park your your truck/road a ver short walk away if you have a very large rig. The issue here is lack of oversight. There are security folks, but only if you call and request them. There is trash pickup, but no other staff anywhere. So people break the various rules often. Mainly they stay longer than 14 days. There were squatters when we were here one time - about 5 rigs and they wouldn’t leave and had no reservations. They were gone two weeks later when we came back (state troopers and Raleigh PD had to get involved).


Guide to Zebulon

Equestrian camping near Zebulon, North Carolina includes additional options beyond the dedicated facilities at Medoc Mountain State Park. Zebulon sits in Wake County with an elevation of about 350 feet above sea level in the gently rolling eastern Piedmont region. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, making camping comfortable from spring through fall with average summer temperatures reaching the upper 80s.

What to do

Trail riding options: At Medoc Mountain State Park Campground, horseback riders can access over 10 miles of bridle trails through diverse terrain. "There are over 10 miles of trails to hike. We also conoed down the creek. The creek is about 2.5 miles long and took us only 2 hours to paddle," reports Caroline G.

Hiking adventures: The trails at William B. Umstead State Park Campground offer various difficulty levels for day hikes. "There are a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths. My cross country team will come here for long day," notes Sarah M., highlighting the trail diversity.

Swimming and beach activities: Families enjoy the sandy beaches at Lake Jordan's recreation areas. "Close to the beach where we sat for hours. Clean bathrooms. Spacious sites. Plenty of privacy," shares Angela M. about Crosswinds Campground.

Mountain biking trails: Several parks near Zebulon maintain dedicated mountain biking paths suitable for various skill levels. "Nice sites and great for mountain bikers," mentions Stacey S. about trails at Medoc Mountain State Park.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: The camping areas at B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area offer generous spacing between sites. "Sites are nicely spaced apart (privacy). Airplanes fly overhead pretty regularly; seemed to stop in the late evening & start up early," says Eric S.

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses and amenities. "The bath house has a lot to be desired. Beach is nice and the sites are spacious. I love this campground!" notes Cindy S. about Crosswinds Campground.

Natural wildlife encounters: The wooded settings provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. "Deer walked right behind our site. Boat ramp in campground. Swim area and playground," shares Wendy M. about her experience at Jordan Lake.

Level camping pads: Many campsites feature well-designed, level areas for easy setup. "Our site required minimal leveling. Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches," explains Rick S. about Medoc Mountain State Park.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas require advance booking, especially during peak seasons from April to October. "Double site with my parents. Close to the beach where we sat for hours," says Angela M. about Crosswinds Campground.

Documentation needed: Horse owners must bring current negative Coggins test results for each animal. "Great location off of 85. Great trails and equestrian trails!" mentions Elizabeth V. about Medoc Mountain State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Zebulon, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Zebulon, NC is North Carolina State Fairgrounds with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Zebulon, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Zebulon, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.