Poplar Point Campground, near Apex, North Carolina, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with easy access to Jordan Lake. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which are right by the water, providing stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Visitors rave about the spacious sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for evening gatherings. The campground is known for its friendly vibe, and many campers appreciate the privacy offered by the wooded surroundings. One reviewer mentioned, “The sites are private enough and many have lake access,” making it a great choice for families or groups looking to unwind.

For those who enjoy water activities, Poplar Point is a prime location. You can fish, kayak, or simply relax by the lake. There are also small beaches nearby, ideal for letting your dog run free or for a quick dip. While some campers noted that the restroom facilities could use some attention, the overall experience is enhanced by the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available.

If you’re planning a visit, it’s wise to book in advance, especially for those coveted waterfront sites. Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a longer stay, Poplar Point Campground offers a welcoming retreat in nature.

This recreation area is part of [B. Everett Jordan Lake][1]

[1]: http://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=459&agencyCode=130

Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, New Hill, NC has a lot to offer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

New Hill

The Best Camping Near New Hill, North Carolina

We had an awesome time on our weekend visit.  We were able to get a spot right on the lake with  electrical hookup and walking distance to showers and restrooms.  It was just rustic enough for us to enjoy, but close enough to amenities for our three children to enjoy.  We will definitely be back.  

Great family camping

I recommend site 15 for the sake of being a little off of the beaten path but all the sites are nice.

Not many sites but they are really pretty

My group was looking for a place to host a bigger camping trip so we visited Poplar Point and Crosswinds (both on Jordan Lake). Poplar point was very cool. It has a boat launch, lakeside campgrounds, and an awesome swimming beach. The bathrooms are close and clean. The only problem is Poplar Point doesn't do any "group" campsites so if you're going with friends or a larger family, Crosswinds is definitely the way to go.

Lake beach access

I can't get enough of Jordan lake. This place is excellent for walking, hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing and more. I've been here on multiple occasions during the summer to beat the heat. 

They  don't like to have too large of groups though, just FYI

Another great part of Jordan Lake

Like the title says, Jordan Lake State Rec Area is a great spot to get away from the busyness of life without having to go very far. It is easy to get to from many of NC's biggest cities and college towns, including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and Burlington. If you find it on a map, you may make the mistake that I made and assume that it's just a city park that is noisy and not very pretty. I sure was wrong, though!

After multiple camping trips here, I can happily tell you this is a great camping spot for you and your family and friends to get away for a little weekend adventure. With over 1000 campsites spread out across multiple areas of the park and different spots on the lake, you never have to worry about not having a spot. Even during an event like the Cotopaxi Questival that I did last summer, we had our own lake-side camping spot with hardly any noise from the other groups around us thanks to the distance between campsites. If you think you'll run out of things to do camping by a lake surrounded by big cities, think again. You can be out on the water in motorized boats and jet skis, you can go kayaking, fishing, hiking, and swimming in the designated swimming spots by most campsites.

I will say that it can be very humid and buggy during the summer, but that's how it is anywhere in NC. Just be prepared with some good bug spray and a rain jacket for any sudden rain storms that could happen and you'll be all set!

I have loved my experiences camping at this state park and would highly recommend it to anybody that can't get away to the mountains for a weekend trip. And make sure to get a state park passport and get a stamp while you're there! It's an awesome way to get inspired to explore all of the beautiful state parks there are in NC.

A Quick Escape From City Life

This was our first trip to Poplar Point and our first trip in our new camper. There was a pond across from our campsite but we didn't catch anything. Our site was a level site and it was very peaceful during our stay.

Our first trip in our Forest River Wildcat

Not a bad site in the camp. Beautiful views, dog friendly,  large shady sites,  some you can beach your boat right at your site. 

Perfect weather awesome campsite! Clean bathrooms and showers .Lots of good Waterfront campsites.

Awesome

This campground is easily accessible and the campground roads are well maintained. The bathhouse is clean and has hot showers. The only downside is that the showers have a pre-set temperature and only stay on for about 30 seconds at a time. Also the doors to the shower are very short allowing anyone to easily see over the top. The campsites are very clean and well maintained. The most beautiful, waterfront sites are non-electric. The electric sites (though not waterfront) are very nice as well. There are several loops in this campground. All are reservable except loop E which is first come, first served. The campground has a nice beach and a trail that connects most of the loops. Wi-fi is not available though LTE signal is strong.

Beautiful and Tranquil

We stayed at Jordan Lake Campground. It had nice hiking trails. Ty he lake is pretty big. Exploring on our kayaks was alot of fun. Our tent site was by the wayet and included water and electric. We will return. 

Jordan Lake fun

We love going there with our dogs. Plenty of room for them at the site. Some what private sites. We always try to get near the water for easy excess. Camp there usually 2-3 times a year.

Large some what secluded sites. 

Jordan Lake was the perfect place to start our camping adventures! Our spot was mostly shaded which was perfect for our dog, and we were able to walk into the lake from our spot! The site had everything we needed (picnic table, fire ring, trash hang etc.) The bathrooms did run out of toilet paper, so I’d bring your own just in case. We’ll be back though!

Our First NC Camping Experience

Reservations are a must to get the best spots. Apply sunscreen and bring some water toys:)

Scenic family campground overlooking Jordan Lake. Fishing and boating...lei

Great place to camp!!  Very empty during the weekdays (which is great) but the bathrooms are closed Mon-Fri 


Camping at Jordan Lake

Reserve online to assure a spot. Every single space is HUGE, even the tent only sites. Lake views are everywhere. There are various loops for tents and RV's. Water for tents; water and electric for campers. 2 different dump sites. Firewood in 2019 is $5\. Must be in the campground by 8 pm before the gates are locked.

Beaches will be cleaned up after heavy spring rains. Plenty of sand for swimming, boat docks, and fishing.

Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh easy drives for sightseeing. Weekend camping traffic is gone and there has been silence.

Will probably be crazy here in the summer but would like to return in the fall mid-week.

Beyond Beautiful

the dog and i decided to go camping last minute and what’s easier than driving up, parking and sitting up a tent right on the water. roasting vegan hot dogs over the campfire and watching the sunset with the pup in no time. 

sitting by a fire watching the sunset across the lake

The trees in the area make the area just cooler camped outside not an issue cool in the day chilly at night, trash was taken care of twice a day, bath area were taken care of i like that there were showers and bath rooms were in the same area but were separate being on different sides, staff was nice let us go through find a site and stay, a little pricey but it was a electric site and its a park service camp ground will stay again

Its the small things that count

Drive-in site long enough to accommodate a long camper. Non-electric site. It’s a fairly flat site and is about 100 feet from water’s edge and is directly across from a boat launch on the other side of the campsite’s shore line. This part of the lake is a finger branch cove, so it’s not directly on the main lake, which makes swimming nice. There is a small sandy beach front for chairs and observation. 

Primitive Canpinf site #65

We stayed here on our way to the beach and on the way home to SC. The campground is huge and the sites are big and separated by lots of trees. We had a site on the lake with water and power only, there aren't any full hookups to my knowledge but there are well maintained dump stations and trash cans everywhere. It was a great campground for an overnight visit would like to spend more time at a later date. 

Overnight stay was nice 

One of our go-tos since it’s close to home. Love access to the water. Sites are big and most have plenty of woods between them to block neighbors. Amazing how it can be so quiet with so many people around. Love!!

Clean, quiet

Jordan Lake is a all around Great place to take the family for a weekend getaway or a 2 week adventure.  We the Flynn Family  are always looking for a family getaway and found Jordan lake to be perfect.  Or stay at Popular Point was really nice.  Camp site was a drive through and gave us enough room to spread out a little was  with in view of the water and close to the restrooms. We highly recommend spending family time together at Jordan Lake

Flynn Family Fun

Been here twice this summer with friends. Loved being able to just chill in the lake away from it all. Rangers can be very ticket-happy if you bring beer so be aware. Bring a mask for the bathroom -- nobody is wearing one -- be ready for rude folks who will laugh at you for having one on. 🤷‍♀️ I'll keep coming back -- it's a lovely spot, quiet except for passing boats, and beautiful.

Great spot for swimming!

Camped at poplar point camping area site 27 loop H. Good access to the lake with slight drop off with no beach front. Good for kayaks,  SUPs or canoes. Near the communal bathrooms. Trash cans provided on site. 

Camping on Poplar point Jordan Lake, NC

Plenty of wooded space between camp sites, good for pets or families who aren’t looking to have a neighbor. 

Peaceful and spacious

We enjoy this campground because it is so close to home. It's pretty basic. The bath houses need updating. Most sites are well spaced and there are plenty of shade trees. Sites on the water are really great but you can usually find a path to the water even if you aren't waterfront. (Beaches have been closed during COVID however, you can still access water from campsites.) Some little hiking trails are between loops.

Fun, no frills state park

We stayed in Loop B and it was the loveliest lakeside campsite, nice level spot for our very large tent and a private sandy beach just below the site. This was especially nice over the summer because the public beaches were closed due to COVID. 

  

This would have been one of my favorite campsites if it weren't for the noise. Some people were fishing on the lake between 1-3am just off our campsite, being really loud and shining a large flashlight over our site. We didn't sleep very much. I'm going to assume this was a fluke and give this campsite another shot because the beach is so nice.

Beautiful but noisy at night

We enjoyed our mid-July trip here. There are so many loops and roads within this park, we had a blast on our bikes. We were in site G41 and loved the private feel of the site. We had trees and shrubs on 3 sides.  This is a huge campground. The only downside is that they literally lock you in at night. You cannot attend an event or concert that runs late....because YOU WILL BE LOCKED OUT....LOL. 

I guess I didn’t take any photos of this trip...not sure why. 

Good Park, Large Sites 

I absolutly love this campground. Everyone that works here has always been super helpful and friendly. My kids love the swimming areas and playgrounds too.

Family Friendly

This campground is fantastic! Our site was right by the water. The site was clean. The water and power worked. The campground was quiet but I imagine that’s because it’s early in the camping season here and the campground was no where near capacity. We watched squirrels build nests and dig for nuts. 

My only gripe is the women’s bathroom. The toilets and sinks were clean but the showers looked like they don’t get cleaned much based on the same large clumps of hair and a bandaid that remained our entire 4 day stay. Also, the shower heads are motion activated and makes drying off a little difficult as you will get sprayed while toweling off if you get near the sensor.  I used the larger accessibility shower after I sprained my ankle. The stall has a handheld showerhead that is supposed to mount on a pole but the mount was broken so I ended up sticking the showerhead between the handle rails and the wall while rocking back and forth on the bench to keep the water flowing. I’m docking a star off this review for the showers alone for the fact the showers aren’t cleaned regularly, but not for the motion activated water or the broken mount as I’m sure campers are to blame for both. 

On the recreational side of things, there is one hiking trail. There’s a beach for swimming. There’s fishing and any other small boat craft activity. It was relaxing to watch the boaters out on the water fishing from the campsite. But if you bring a boat make sure you don’t have a shared driveway like our campsite did with three campsites that had a partially blocked driveway due to a neighbor having a large rig, a truck AND a boat that didn’t all fit in their space.

Funny side note: There are signs everywhere saying alcohol is prohibited in North Carolina campgrounds but the recycle bin by the restroom was FULL of wine bottles. 

For those who work and travel like us, on Speedtest at 8pm on a Monday–Verizon via iPhone 12: 52 mbps down and 3 mbps up with 32 ms ping; I totally forgot to test our T-Mobile speed. I worked on T-Mobile all week even with video chat.

Clean sites, good cell signal

We camped at C-52.  This site was very spacious, easy to back into, and level.  This was a HUGE site, lots of space between neighbors. 
We love camping with lots of trees and nature.  Great campground for biking. 

Large Site, Level, Space

I have camped here 3 times and loved it every single time. The camp sites are large and have room for two mid size tents. You can reserve a camp site or do first come. We have gotten the water front camp sites each time and loved it. We have a boat and kayaks so leave them in the water and enjoy the small beach. There is great phone signal and you feel very safe. We did Halloween weekend here and lots of people were carving pumpkins! It was a great time! Family friendly but also you have your privacy. Little secret is if you get a spot with the beach you get an amazing sunrise! 

3rd times a charm! 

My family and I come to this park often for little reunion trips and for family camping get aways. It is such a nice park and the spaces are spread out beautifully. 
Sometimes you get a loud neighbor out here in the summer months but there is a noise curfew and almost everyone is respectful of it. 
We keep coming back for the nice lake, great views, and large spread out sites.

Nice Family Camping

We were on a two week trip across NC and actually stayed here twice. It was clean, had hookups (which was really nice!), and great sites. First night we had a couple stair walk up which I really enjoyed as a separate space so the kids could sleep and we could hang. Second night was closer to the lake and had a great view of the sunset. Several dumping stations, pretty flat, and enough space to maneuver. Would definitely stay here again!

Great Spot!

We passed through here during our cross county travels. The staff was super helpful and nice. The lake was absolutely perfect for swimming and cooling off. We even got to see some bald eagles as we floated on the lake. The showers and bathrooms were clean and there was even hot water. The campsites are a little close to one another but it wasn’t an inconvenience and it still felt private. Overall a great spot !! Highly recommend. 

Great campsite for tents!

Nice big sites cut into the trees with pretty good privacy.  Clean bathrooms and showers and easy access to the lake from most loops of the campground.

  

AT&amp;T coverage was a couple bars, enough to get connected to email and check in with the rest of the world.

Nice campground not far out of town (from RTP)

Site was  nice and level. Clean bathhouse. 
Water and electric only. Dump station. 

Excellent  Loop B

Sites are clean and well maintained, no issues with hookups. Facilities are not very well kept up an little to no Verizon service but overall a beautiful campground and lake for fishing. 

Pretty Good Overall



Bathrooms: 5/5 clean &amp; air-conditioning in all of them. 

Sites: 3/5 just average/fine

Pools: 0/5 no pool

Beach: 2/5 private beach but not upkept. Loads of rock/Carolina clay/trash sea grass

Waterfrontness: 5/5 weird water but pretty to look at

Closeness to other sites: 1/5 you are up each other's buttcracks

Dog rating: 4/5 no problem but also SO dog friendly we had to be very mindful of others not having their dogs on leash. 


 


Great bathrooms

Have been enjoying Jordan Lake for years!  We live about an hour away and whenever we want to just get away, we hop online and reserve a spot.  I think the only time they are booked solid is maybe a holiday weekend.  If you want like on the lake, you can't do it last minute, but we don't care.  The sites are HUGE..they aren't those parking lot type sites where everyone is on top of each other, except around the lake they are a little closer.  Electric and water and two dump stations, so be prepared for along wait if you are leaving like a sunday.  Each site has a very clean picnic table and fire pit.  Bathhouses are very clean.  Lots of walking trails or just enjoy the quiet.

Our go to weekend getaway

The sites are big and woodsy. Some are even lakefront!

Poplar Point is gorgeous 

Sites are well kept and mostly shaded. Waterfront sites have great views of the lake and easy access to the water. You’ll get more wind, and in early spring/late fall it can get quite cold, but it’s great during warmer months! Bathrooms could be better- bring your own toilet paper and soap. 

Nice family campground 

We stayed in loop G.  Nice sites with adequate privacy.  Mostly all shaded or partial. Be careful with some larger rigs some of the sites would require a PH.D in backing.  Some sites are right on the magnificent lake.  Very nice beach with adequate parking nearby.  Gets a bit crowded with day users on a nice hot weekend,  Boat ramps very nice.  Only 4 stars due to fact that shower/ lavatories were not well maintained.  Not cleaned thoroughly, nor functioning.  Water and power availability at sites could be updated.  However they were functional.

Beautiful yet not too remote. 

Loop G had access to park your boat, no ramps or docks.  Bathroom with shower was close.  Had a great time.

Quiet and peaceful!

Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina! Yes, I know, that’s quite a statement to make, considering all of the amazing places in the great state of North Carolina. So let me explain why I reached this conclusion:

• Some of the most outstanding hiking trails

• Heavily wooded forest paradise that delivers privacy and solitude

• Perfectly maintained amenities such as picnic tables, fold-up fire ring and grills

• Bathroom facilities are some of the best I’ve experienced with state-run facilities

• Direct access to a fantastic lakeside experience, complete with boat launches

• Designated swimming area complete with life vests

• On-site park staff were nothing short of amazing, helpful and incredibly friendly

• Close access to purchase anything that might be needed 

Insider’s tip? 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! 

Happy Camping!

Outdoor Perfection @ Jordan Lake SRA Poplar Point Campground

Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has several campgrounds with plenty of lakeside sites, if you make your reservation early. We happened to camp in Poplar Point during the busiest time Labor Day weekend. Even then it was surprisingly quiet, because campsites are generously separated among the pine forest. And after the weekend we were practically alone. So, If you love to be alone in nature, this is a great place for that experience. We have a video about this campground on our YouTube Summertime RV Rovers channel- 4 Great Campgrounds in North Carolina. We stayed there in our Super C Dynamax DX3. We camped at Poplar Point Campground- Jordan Lake SRA in a Motorhome.

Great Campground for Nature Lovers

We’ve stayed here for 4 nights, couldn’t be happier.  The sites are private enough and many have lake access (ours does) right from the campsite.  It’s very peaceful, friendly people, lots of fun.  We fished for hours, kayaked on the lake and the kids caught minnows.  Lots of wild life to watch (turtles, fish, birds and more).  Beautiful well kept, clean and private. 

Lake access at Campsite

Spent one night camping at Jordan Lake. The site was plenty big for two cars and two tents in addition to a mosquito net over the picnic table. Best part was the waterfront access and we were able to tie our boat up to a tree overnight. Only complaint was the bathrooms/showers. They were completely covered with dead mosquitos. Overall, great value and I would highly suggest booking in advance since waterfront sites book up quick.

Waterfront Camping

Amazing spots for RVs on the water! There are TONS of spots that are right on the lake yet have plenty of trees for privacy. Each has a nice fire pit/grill and picnic table. Dump stations are not far from any of the circles, and were not too busy (we were even there on 4th of July). There are options for boat or jet ski rentals VERY close. For those that care about working on laptop or streaming TV while camping, our  cellphone hotspots worked great. We got anywhere from 30-55mbps with our Verizon cell coverage. There are tons of small beaches that you can walk or boat to that are secluded enough to allow your dog to run freely. Also, Idk how....but we had VERY few bugs at our site the whole week we were there...lol. I can not speak for the restrooms (which seem to get bad reviews), as we only used the one in our RV. We loved this place and will definitely be back.

Awesome RV spots

Popular Point campground is one of my favorite places to pitch a tent in the Jordan Lake area.  It's often not as crowded as the others at Jordan Lake are, esp., during the week and outside of holidays or summertime.  The views are nice, with sites next to the water.  Tents and RVs can camp in the same areas.  We normally camp in a tent here, but never in the hottest part of summer, which is most of the summer in the Piedmont area of the state.  You gotta go up to 3000 feet, as in the mountains of NC, for a cool weather experience in summertime, but for a night to get away from your regular routine or a weekend when the weather is nice, this is a suitable place.  Locals like it because the drive isn't far from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham or Pittsboro.

Lakeside North Carolina state park campground.

Like the way the campsites take advantage of the rolling terrain.  Campsites are roomy.  Lots of shade.  We had a substantial deluge while there, and the water drained just fine.  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.

Spacious with rolling terrain

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 

Lake front view 

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.

Photos of Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers