Carl’s Campsites - Riverside
58 acres hosted by Laura B.
2 RV/tent sites · 14 tent sites
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Laura is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at some sites.
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Climbing
Natural features
Beach
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
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Reviews
98% Recommend67 ratings · 58 reviews
Camping at this site offers a peaceful retreat with easy river access and friendly hosts, Laura and Steve. The campsite is well-maintained, providing amenities like toilets, potable water, and optional Saturday night dinners, making it a comfortable experience for families and pets alike. Many guests appreciate the proximity to Pilot Mountain for hiking and the opportunity to relax by the river. However, some guests noted that parking might be tight, and the road in can be challenging in wet conditions.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
I have been coming here a couple times a year for three years now. Every time is a great experience. I can’t say enough about the beach, the new play ground, the friendly owners. While I still go to other places, I will make sure we still have this on our list a couple times a year. Oh, and the address is now in Waze as the name of the campsite.
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Ethan T.
8 reviews
Woke up to tully running up to us for pets, he even got us up one morning when we slept in, epic way to wake up, 5 stars. Such a good boy 🐕
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Brendan E.
1 month on Hipcamp
This was such a cool campsite and we wish we had more time to enjoy it. It is about 15 minutes from Pilot Mountain visitor center. We stayed at #6 River Rest and the river access was fantastic. Be prepared for other campers to use your site as the access point, as that was a little unclear for us. Hearing the water at night and enjoying it during the evening was fantastic. Not buggy at all for end of May.
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Brandi T.
3 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Tent ·
#10 - Owl Hoot
Stephen Laura are fantastic hosts. The property is amazing with lots of activities in the area.
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Justin D.
2 reviews
I had an incredible time at Camp 8! The shaded area was absolutely fantastic, providing the perfect escape from the heat. Plus, the river was a stunning sight, with its crystal-clear water flowing gently—it was the ideal spot to relax and soak in the beauty of nature!
Liana L.
5 reviews
Great camp site everyone was super nice and the owners are amazing! 10 out of 10 would recommend there is multiple ways to enter the river for fishing, swimming or just enjoying the beautiful views that the river has to offer. Dogs are welcome as long as they are friendly and get along well with others and it was a joy getting to spend time with my two dogs and other peoples dogs as well. You can bring your kayaks and Steve will drive you up the river and drop you off for a nice float down the river back to the camp sites. If you don’t have kayaks don’t worry they have some you can rent and do the same thing. If you like hiking it’s a short 10-15 minute drive to Pilot Mt that has beautiful trails and views of the area with great opportunities to see different rare and endangered wildlife like bald Eagles.
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Raymond H.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Tent · With pets ·
#6 - River Rest
We love camping here! This is our 4th time in the last few seasons and it’s always wonderful to
Laura and Steve are kind and awesome camp hosts.
We look forward to coming back again soon!
Bring your kids and dogs. This is a whole family getaway 😊
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Don O.
8 reviews
I was not sure what I was getting into when booking this reservation. The area had wonderful signage, you definitely cannot miss the camp store. Definitely a doozy getting in and out so most definitely be prepared. But Laura was the perfect hostess with the mostess. She was there upon arrival to greet you with the welcoming committee. She made sure that you were well stock and included in the activities going on. Her and husband were so sweet with the conversations.
We had to cut the trip short due to weather but Laura made sure that everyone was aware and her husband even offered to help if we needed it.
Will be back for more fun this summer
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Triona F.
6 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Tent ·
#6 - River Rest
If you love old school camping, and don't want to spend it on a state park this place is great. The host is kind and attentive, she will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable.
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Jeffery S.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Tent ·
#2 - Bear Den
Amazing place! Laura and Steve were great hosts. We had a great weekend with them. The toilets at each site made it very nice. We didn’t have a shower bag but they provided one. We didn’t catch a catfish in the river. Amazing place to stay we will definitely be returning!
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Bobbi P.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2025
Tent ·
#3 - Toad Hollow
Beautiful property the Ararat River! Well maintained campsite! We will be back!
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R. C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· April 2025
Tent ·
#6 - River Rest
Had a great time at this campsite! Everything was super well set up, and Steve, the owner, was really friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a chill and well-kept place to stay.
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Anayeli C.
11 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Great spot! Hosts were wonderful and the property was very peaceful!
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Scott H.
8 months on Hipcamp
# 6 is a fantastic camp site, access to the river was lovely and there are a few good trees to hang your hammocks, the bathrooms are well constructed and easy to use. Laura was a lovely host! she was available when we needed but not overbearing like some. The property is only 10 minutes from pilot mountain and around 40 minutes to hanging rock/Moore's wall, so it's a great base of operations for a climbing excursion! I felt very safe as a queer, non gender conforming human as well, which is always a difficult part of going camping.
Thanks Laura and Steve, I'll likely be back next season!
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Kit R.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent · With pets ·
#6 - River Rest
Loved our long weekend at Carl’s Campsites! Laura and Steve were super sweet. Bathroom accommodations were above expectations and are what made this camp stellar! Potable water provided and fill up available. Super dog friendly! Fairly quiet, but sites are pretty close together. Loved being able to access the river and trails on the property. Will definitely be planning a trip here again.
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Sarah M.
9 months on Hipcamp
Absolutely loved our stay! Laura and her husband were amazing and so kind. They made sure we had everything we needed. The place was clean and so beautiful. Bathroom/shower room was really clean and nice. The location was great, so close to everything and the river was beautiful! We will be back soon!!!
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Holly S.
8 months on Hipcamp
We had such a great time with the hosts. We loved everything about the campsite. The people, our neighbors, and we loved having Saturday night cookout. We even played games with the hosts and had such a great time. The river was beautiful. The site was clean and we even had our own toilet and shower. Highly recommend this place. Definitely coming back. Thank you for such a wonderful three day weekend and thank you so much for being so lovely and so kind to us. See you next time 💕
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Melissa H.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent · With kids ·
#6 - River Rest
Cozy riverside site at the end of the campground with its own toilet/shower. A bit snug for parking, I would recommend 1 vehicle and not two. Hosts were very welcoming and attentive! Highly recommend this!
Eric E.
4 years on Hipcamp
This was my second time here with my son, and we booked again for September before we left. Here is why I love coming here. The site is incredibly well maintained, I always feel that my son is safe, and the location can’t be beat. We alway hike pilot mountain on our way to and from the campsite, a campsite right on the river with a well built change room/camping tolit room. As a dad, and a person who loves being outside, I plane to make this a regular place for years to come. See my pictures and previous reviews for more. Lastly, the owners are awesome.
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Ethan T.
8 reviews
My family needed a quick night away, and Laura’s campsite was perfect! The onsite toilet with privacy and soap/water was an unexpected amenity. The river was a great place for the kiddos to play! We requested firewood and kindling, and it was waiting for us when we arrived. Simple, beautiful, just what we needed. We will definitely be back!
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Amanda B.
1 year on Hipcamp
This was our second camping experience here within a year. This time we brought the whole family and had a wonderful time together.
Laura and Steve are great hosts and Steve cheffed up a huge spread for dinner on Saturday.
Everyone had plenty to eat and our kids really enjoyed the abundant frogs of all sizes on the property 😊
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Don O.
8 reviews
Host was very friendly and invited us to a cookout. Sites were clean and maintained well though a bit small. Rustic toilets were different than what we are used to, but were not difficult to use and didn’t smell bad. Being near a creek was nice and we were able to take a swim. It may be hard for small cars to get in and out of the site, especially if it rains.
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Katrina K.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2024
Tent · With kids ·
#10 - Owl Hoot
My son (5) had a great time on his first ever camping trip. He wants to come back. We threw rocks in the river for an hour.
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Mc Kenzie S.
1 year on Hipcamp
Steve and Laura were great hosts! The campsites were perfect. We will definitely be back!
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R. C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· April 2024
Tent · With kids ·
#6 - River Rest
We pick campsite 6 and it was amazing. It was right next to the river, had it's own hammock, primitive toilet, washing station, picnic table, and fire pit. We were able to park two suvs but it was a tight fit for parking.
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Mathew P.
1 year on Hipcamp
Best host we have ever had. This place is a gem! Fishing was spectacular. The scores were amazing. Cannot wait to go back with my bestie!!
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Zachariah C.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2023
Tent ·
#3 - Toad Hollow
My husband and I loved camping at Carl’s Campsite!! The property was beautiful and well stocked. We had plenty of space. Already planning a trip back in the spring!
Jordan W.
2 years on Hipcamp
Great spot, easy river access. Piles of firewood and bucket toilets right at your site. Hosts are easygoing and cool. Easy in, easy out. Nice and close to Pilot Mountain State Park. Heed the 4x4 warnings- if conditions are anything besides perfectly dry you WILL need it.
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James M.
2 reviews
Laura was a great host. 10/10 would recommend I will definitely be coming back. The camp spot we were at was within sight of the river and was amazing. The whole camp area was secluded down a dirt road. It was quiet and private. They had wood chopped and ready for us plus a 7 gallon water tank for us to use as well! My wife and I plus our dog car camped and loved it I can't recommend this place enough. It was only a short drive to Pilot Mt.
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Spencer L.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2023
Tent · Group trip ·
#6 - River Rest
This was a great site and hosts. I'll stay again for sure.
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Scott T.
2 reviews
Location
Pilot Mountain, Surry, North Carolina, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Laura B.
Joined in December 2022Things to do nearby
Similar campgrounds nearby
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