Camping In North Carolina State Parks

Fully updated 12/28/22.

Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach (park map, campground map). 79 tent, trailer and RV sites, 10 with full hookups (water, electric and sewer); three wheelchair-accessible tent sites, one with full hookups. All have picnic table and grill or fire ring. Campground has flush toilets, drinking water, hot showers, dump station. $26, $36 with full hookups. Six two-room camping cabins sleep up to six and have heat/ac, electric outlets, picnic tables, fire pits, fire rings, but not bathrooms. Bathhouse and water spigots nearby. $58. Two group sites for organized or established groups (i.e., scouts, church groups, etc.) accessible by trail, one for up to 26 people, one for up to 40: pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings/grills. $45, $55.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs (park map, campground map, group camping map). 12 tent, trailer and RV sites with full water and electricity hookups, 18 without; one wheelchair accessible and full hookups; all with picnic table and grill or fire ring. Campground has restrooms, drinking water, hot showers, dump station, picnic tables, grills. $26, $36 with hookups. Three camping cabins (one wheelchair accessible) sleep up to six and have heat/ac, electric outlets, picnic tables, fire pits, fire rings, but not bathrooms. Bathhouse and water spigots nearby. $58. Four primitive group camping sites for up to 30 people each: pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, grills; drinking water, waterless toilets nearby. $45. (919) 778-6234.

Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain (park map, campground map). 10 backcountry sites accessible via 1-mile trail with drinking water, pit toilets, picnic tables, grills; one wheelchair-accessible site. $15. Nine group sites accessible via 1-mile trail, one for 10 to 15 people, one for up to 25; one site wheelchair-accessible; drinking water, pit toilets, fire pits, grills. $35 and $45.

Elk Knob State Park, Todd (park map, backcountry map). Primitive camping with one- to two-mile hike to three backpack sites for up to two tents and six people each, two organized group sites for up to 26 people and a zone camping area for up to three sites of up to two tents and six people each. One pit toilet shared by the two group sites. No fires; camp stoves OK. $15 backpacking and zone sites; $45 group camping.

Eno River State Park, Durham (park map, campground map, group camping map). Five primitive sites approximately 1 mile from Few’s Ford access area parking, five primitive sites 1.2 miles from the Cole Mill Access in the Bobbitt’s Hole area: pit toilet, tent pad, fire ring, lantern hook, bench. $15. Cox Mountain is one group site for up to 26 people 3/8 of a mile from the parking area, Buckquarter Creek is two sites for up to 15 each, all have tent pads, pit toilet, fire ring with benches, picnic table.

Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest. Four campgrounds. (park map).
– Holly Point. 153 sites, 89 with water and electricity: restrooms, hot showers, dump stations, picnic tables, grills. $26, $36 with full hookups.
– Rolling View. 115 sites, 80 with water and electricity, 35 tent/RV sites without: restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, grills, tent pads, dump stations. $26, $36 with full hookups. Four group sites for up to 35 people each: bathhouse, drinking water, fire ring, grills, picnic tables, benches. $65.
– Shinleaf. 9 drive-up sites for up to 35 people each. Bathhouse, grill, picnic table, lantern hook. $65.
– B.W. Wells. 11 hike-in group sites for up to 35 people each, water at each site. $65.

Goose Creek State Park, Washington (park map, family campground map, primitive camping map). 22 family sites with full hook-ups (electric, water and sewer), one wheelchair accessible with bathhouse, tent pads, fire rings, grills, picnic tables, lantern hooks. $36. 14 primitive sites for two tents each, one wheelchair-accessible, with composting toilets and water spigots nearby, fire rings, grills, picnic tables, lantern hooks. $15. Six two-room camping cabins sleep up to six, one wheelchair-accessible, with heat/ac, electric outlets, picnic tables, fire pits, fire rings, but not bathrooms. Bathhouse and water spigots nearby. $58. Two walk-in group site for up to 26 people with two fire pits and two grills each; toilets and water nearby. $45. Click on the photo for more information.

Gorges State Park, Sapphire (park map). 28 family sites, five with full hook-ups (electric, water and sewer). $33 with hook-ups, $23. Four two-room camping cabins sleep up to six, one wheelchair-accessible, with heat/ac, electric outlets, picnic tables, fire pits, fire rings, but not bathrooms; bathhouse nearby. $55. Twelve primitive sites in two areas accessible via trail: picnic tables, fire rings, accessible pit toilet. Additional backpack sites along Foothills Trail several miles into park.

Grandfather Mountain State Park, Linville (park map). 13 backpack camping sites along the trail system (1.2-mile and 6.5-mile hikes), including the Hi-Balsam Shelter. No facilities. $15.

Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro (park map, campground map). 14 backpack and canoe-in primitive sites, 13 accessible by boat only on Bear Island. $15. Three group sites, one for up to 26 people (14 tents), two for up to 16 people (10 tents) available to organized or affiliated groups only on Bear Island. $35 and $45. A ferry runs to the island. Bathhouse, drinking water available mid-March through mid-November. No fires allowed.

Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury (park map, campground map, group camping map). 73 family sites with full hook-ups (electric, water and sewer), one wheelchair-accessible. $26, $36 with hook-ups. Campground has restrooms, drinking water, hot showers, laundry sinks, picnic tables, grills. Five group sites with pit toilets and drinking water nearby, picnic tables, fire circle. $65. Ten two-bedroom cabins accommodate six people each (two are handicapped-accessible) and have full bathrooms, kitchens, heat/ac and screened porches. Every two cabins share fire pit and grill. $110 per night, $98 per night from December 1 to March 14; $520 per week, year-round. Click on the photo for more information.

Jones Lake State Park, Elizabethtown (park map). 20 family sites, six with full hook-ups (electricity, water and sewer) with bathhouse, drinking water, picnic tables, grills. $26, $36 with hook-ups. One group site for up to 35 people in organized groups, with fire rings/grills, picnic tables, benches and a bathhouse nearby. $65.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Apex (park map). Five campgrounds with more than 1,000 campsites. Most have a picnic table and grill. Restrooms, hot showers, dump stations and boat ramps are nearby. Many RV sites have water and electric hookups. $26, $33 with hookups; duplex sites $51, $65.
– Crosswinds. 182 sites; 134 with water and electricity.
– New Hope Overlook. 24 hike-in or canoe-in primitive tent sites ranging from 100 yards to a mile from parking, with picnic tables and grills, nearby drinking water, pit toilet and boat ramp.
– Parkers Creek. 250 sites, 120 with water and electricity; six group camping sites for up to 30 people each.
– Poplar Point. 579 sites, 363 with electricity.
– Vista Point. 50 group camping sites for RVs with water and electricity (no water in winter). Five group tent campsites.

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, Henderson (park map). Seven campgrounds for RVs and tents. Most campsites have a picnic table and fire pit/ring or grill. Hot showers, restrooms, drinking water, dump stations and boat ramps and playgrounds are nearby. Some sites with water hookups may require as much as 100 feet of hose. $26, $33 with hookups; duplex sites $51, $65.

– Bullocksville. 69 sites, 30 with water and electricity, and nearby softball field.
– County Line. 84 sites, 41 with electricity.
– Henderson Point. 79 sites, 45 with electricity; group camping Easter through Labor Day.
– Hibernia. 150 sites, 50 with electricity; group camping sites.
– Kimball Point. 91 sites, 23 with electricity for RVs.
– Nutbush Bridge. 103 sites, 60 with hookups for RVs.
– Satterwhite Point. 119 sites, 60 with electricity for RVs; undesignated group camping.

Lake James State Park, Nebo (park map, campground maps: Paddy’s Creek, Catawba River, Long Arm). 33 drive-in family sites at Paddy’s Creek with bathhouses, fire pits, picnic tables, lantern posts, water faucets nearby. $26. 20 walk-in sites (150-300 yards from parking) at Catawba River, two wheelchair-accessible (and can be driven to) with bathhouse near parking lot, tent pads, fire pits, picnic tables. $26. 30 canoe-in sites on lake’s Long Arm peninsula with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, vault toilets, lake views.

Lake Norman State Park, Troutman (park map, campground map). 44 family campsites, 10 with full hook-ups (electricity, water, sewer) and one each is wheelchair-accessible. Campground has bathhouses, potable water spigots and a dump station; sites have picnic tables, fire rings/grills. $26, $36 with hookups. Six two-room camping cabins sleep up to six and have heat/ac, electric outlets, picnic tables, fire pits, fire rings, but not bathrooms; one cabin wheelchair accessible. Bathhouse nearby. (704) 528-6350.

Lake Waccamaw State Park, Waccamaw (park map, group camping map). Four group sites available to individuals or groups with pit toilets, picnic tables, fire circles. $65.

Lumber River State Park, Orrum (park map). Chalk Banks: 14 primitive tent sites ($12), one group site for up to 35 people, with fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and water and pit toilet nearby. $32. Princess Ann: Nine primitive tent sites, including two paddle-in sites ($12), two group sites for up to 20 people, with fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and water and pit toilet nearby. $42.

Mayo River State Park, Mayodan (park map). One group tent site for up to 40 people. $32.

Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister (park map, campground map). 34 sites, 12 with electricity, two handicapped-accessible, and flush toilets, hot showers, tables, grills; water spigots, dump station nearby. $26, $31 with electricity. Four group sites for up to 40 people each with flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fire circles. $55.

Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville (park map, family campground map). 20 family sites with restrooms, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, grills. $26, $31 with electricity. Five backpack sites accessible via trail with pit toilet nearby. $15. Canoe camps: 10 sites with pit toilets, six sites on high ground and platforms with no facilities ($15), three group sites with pit toilets. Canoe campers may rent canoes.

Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle (park map). 106 family campsites, six handicapped-accessible, with flush toilets, drinking water, showers (one handicapped-accessible bathhouse), dump station, picnic tables, grills. $26, $36 full hookups (water, electricity, sewer). Primitive camping via 2-mile trail: pit toilet. $15. Six group tent sites, one wheelchair-accessible: toilets, drinking water, wheelchair-accessible bathhouse, picnic tables, fire circles, grills. Six two-bedroom cabins accommodate six people each (two are handicapped-accessible) and have full bathrooms, kitchens, heat/ac and screened porches. Every two cabins share fire pit and grill. $110 per night, $98 per night from December 1 to March 14; $520 per week, year-round.

Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville (park map, campground map). Nine walk-in tent sites with flush toilets during warm seasons, pit toilets, picnic tables, grills. $15. No running water in winter. Trail access to camping in Pisgah National Forest’s Black Mountain backcountry.

New River State Park, Jefferson (park map). Four access areas offer a family campground and backpack and canoe-in camping with individual and group sites.
– Wagoner. 11 walk-in or canoe-in sites, and group site for up to 35 with tables, grills, and bathhouse and water spigot nearby.
– Riverbend. Four backpack or canoe-in sites with fire ring, pit toilet Group site via 2.5-mile hike.
– U.S. 221. Family campground with 20 sites for tents, trailers or RVs, 10 with full hookups, 10 with electricity, and flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, dump station. 14 walk-in or canoe-in sites: tables, grills; flush toilets, hot showers.
– Prathers Creek. Four primitive canoe-in sites. No facilities.
– Alleghany. Eight tent sites, one group canoe-in site: pit toilets, water pump. (828) 675-4611.

Pettigrew State Park, Creswell (park map, campground map). 13 sites with bathhouse, picnic tables, grills, water spigots nearby. One walk-in group site with pit toilets, grills; water nearby.

Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle (Yadkin River section map, Mountain section map, campground map) 42 sites with bathhouse, picnic tables, grills, water spigots nearby. One youth-group tent camp with pit toilets, drinking water, tables, fire circles. Two primitive island canoe-in sites on Yadkin River.

Raven Rock State Park, Lillington (park map). Family campground with 24 campsites for tents or RVs with bathhouse and potable water spigots along campsite loop. Nine RV sites have water, sewer and electricity hook-ups. All sites have tent pads, campfire rings with a grill, picnic tables, lantern hooks. $26, $36 with hook-ups. Six two-bedroom camper cabins (one wheelchair accessible) near bathhouse have queen beds and two sets of twin-size bunk beds, electricity, heat and air conditioning, picnic tables, fire rings, charcoal grills, two Adirondack chairs and lantern hooks. $58, two-night minimum. Five campsites accessible via 2.5-mile hike with vault toilet, fire rings. $15. Six canoe sites accessible via 1.7-mile hike or Cape Fear River with vault toilet, fire rings. $15. Click on the photo for more information.

Singletary Lake State Park, Kelly (park map). Two group campgrounds for verifiable non-profit groups of at least 20 people up to 84 at Camp Ipecac (April 1-October 31), and 48 at Camp Loblolly Bay (year-round except Christmas) are totally wheelchair-accessible and include mess hall, camper cabins, restrooms, group-size grill, picnic tables, fire circles, horseshoe pit, volleyball net, basketball goal. $110 per night; $425 per week; weekly required June-August. Canebrake Family Cabin, adjacent to the park’s 500-foot pier, is available year-round to the general public. Rentals may be by the week, Sunday to Saturday, or as available and should be reserved in advance. Cabin includes kitchen, full bath, three bedrooms sleeping four people each, fire ring, group-sized charcoal grill and picnic table. $58 per night; $300 per week.

South Mountains State Park, Connelly (park map, campground map, equestrian campground map). 18 family camping sites, one wheelchair-accessible: bathhouses, drinking water, picnic tables, fire circle. $26, $31 with electricity. 15 equestrian campsites: 33-stall barn, flush toilets, hot showers, fire rings, grills. (Park has 29 miles of bridle trails.) Only campers with horses may use equestrian sites; reservations are strongly recommended (form at previous link). $26. 20 backpack sites with pit toilet nearby in six areas: Upper Falls Trail (1.5-mile hike), Shinny Creek (1.5-mile hike; group camping available, too), Sawtooth Trail (2.5 -mile hike), Jacob Branch (3.5-mile hike), Fox Trail (5-mile hike), Murray Branch (6-mile hike). $15. Group camping facilities are available in some backpack areas.

Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap (park map, campground map). 90 sites with tent pads, picnic tables and fire ring/grill, 40 with electricity and water. Campground has bathhouse, laundry tubs, dump station. $26, $33 with electricity and water. Four groups sites, one wheelchair accessible, for up to 35 people each with pit toilets, water, tables, fireplace, grill. $65. Six primitive backpacking sites ranging from 1.5 to 3 miles from trailhead. $12.

William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh (park map, campground map). 28 tent sites with picnic tables, grills, campground has bathhouse, water spigots nearby. Two primitive campgrounds for nonprofit groups and organizations. $15. Youth group tent sites for up to 26 in recognized group have pit toilets, running water, fire rings and two picnic tables. Youth group cabin camping available April through October at three sites for minimum of 10 and up to 27 or 120 people: camper and staff cabins, mess hall, dining area, wash houses; reservations required, fees vary. Maple Hill Lodge available April through October for groups up to 25: toilets, drinking water, fireplace.

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