Encased in tall, old hardwood trees - a rare alluvial forest of the Piedmont - sits the Respite campground. Feels like you're in the foothills, but instead are secluded amongst some of most beautiful farmland and woods in the Piedmont region. The 23 acre property is on Cub Creek, a rare Riparian buffer and tributary of the Upper Tar River, a habitat for rare river mussel an
Encased in tall, old hardwood trees - a rare alluvial forest of the Piedmont - sits the Respite campground. Feels like you're in the foothills, but instead are secluded amongst some of most beautiful farmland and woods in the Piedmont region. The 23 acre property is on Cub Creek, a rare Riparian buffer and tributary of the Upper Tar River, a habitat for rare river mussel and crawfish species and so many birds! The creek is sometimes a trickle and sometimes rushing, depends on recent rain activity. Water level comes up about waist high at deepest dip at the beach access. The crickets, cicadas, birds & frog songs are amplified as surround sound. Ticks and bugs are here in Summer - be forewarned. Walking up to open sky in order to stars are aplenty. Be awestruck by an occasional wild blue heron to soar through the creek bed! Come. Traipse. Explore. Hang your Hammock. Stare. Listen. Just be.
There are four bookable sites + a round treehouse that can accomodate families or friend vacation. This is now a retreat space (respite in the round dot org / @respiteintheroundnc on IG) on grid, with all amenities including wifi, vhs player and wood burning fireplace. I am building a business and living in the Steward's cabin on the property. Please know you are sharing land with organizers, cultural workers, artists, black indigenous farmers when occasionally here. It can be active during the day, at times. Quiet at night. You, and other guests, have access to the land, water and trail which is shared. WIFI is not accessible. Adjacent site now bookable for the round treehouse!
NEW ATTRACTION: Queer-built bathhouse with compost toilet, open shower with propane-fueled hot water, and running water / sink for dishes was built from aged and sawed oak and walnut that fell in the front forest in 2018!
Camp sites are open to all, however this is a quiet, queer-stewarded LBGTQ/BIPOC/Spiritual/Naturalist friendly peaceful place of tranquility. No haters please. Black Lives Matter. Playing your acoustic instruments is great! Pumping bass from you car is NOT. Dogs are welcome, but would love it if they are not the bark incessantly / anxious type as a courtesy to other guests. DOG OWNERS - it is recommended to book site #1 or #4 for most privacy.. Trail runs along site 3 and dogs can be very territorial.
Four active sites:
#1 - HIKE-IN Short descending hiKe (100 yards from parking) platform for 2-person tent river side site with small fire pit. Perfect for 1 - 2 people.
#2 - BARN PASTURE DRIVE UP. Neigbhor's Tall Street Lamp glows at night. This is a group site for events or for RV or Pull-in Vehicles. Please send me a message if interested to book. <<<
#3 - HIKE-IN Short descending walK (100 yards), 2-person tent platform and/or ground tent site. Nestled in a secluded wooded Beech Tree cove area set back by creek. Easy access to floodplain forest and trail, small fire pit. Perfect for a group of 2 - 5.
#4 - WALK-IN GROUP SITE Back country walK-in site descending down small hill (30 yards) to holler-like grassy wild area. River access surrounds. Fire pit. Ideal for group (up to 10) looking for seclusion OR trailer, self-sufficient smaller RV, car camper to park under treeline on grassy knoll.
PLEASE NOTE: It is labor to glean, saw, and chop fallen limbs to make into firewood for your camping pleasure. Thank you for paying for wood, AS AN EXTRA, instead of bringing unknown wood into this magical forest. Your support helps pay it forward to manage Respite expenses. Also, please book for true number of people, including kids in your party and bring extra cash if you expect to burn lots of wood. Thank you kindly.
NOTABLE AREA ATTRACTIONS - FALLS LAKE State Park for hiking and swimming [30 min away] Ask and i will give you directions. LEDGE CREEK PRESERVE in Stem, NC. BEREA MINI MART - Muslim-owned and has amazing Cajun Chicken tenders [5 min away].
NEW Campground map to orient you when you arrive. SHED is CAMPER CENTRAL. I recommend you stop at the grey shed across from the roundhouse to get your water, use the toilet, and stock up on your wood before making your way to your campsite. ARRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
- There is a a hand and dish washing station now at the sink. Plus open air hot water shower!
- Consider bringing fishing pole and river shoes. Feel free to pee wherever.
- Potable well water (tad high in iron) spigot is on side of grey shed to right as you drive in for easy water accessibility. Bring your own container!
- Dry wood is stored under shed. Feel free to stop at shed to pack in, or use a wheelbarrow to get starter kindling and larger logs to your site. Gleaning around site for additional wood is totally fine and encouraged.
- BATHHOUSE Compost Toilet - Beautiful custom wood structure built by a crew of women, queer and gender non-conforming community folks out of fallen lumber from the land!
- PARKING for SITE #1: Right outcrop just as you drive up the driveway. PARKING for SITE #3: Drive past shed (on your right) and garden to your left. Park on grassy area where orange cone alerts you to w Parking sign. Park parallel to driveway please. Trailhead is past rocks just ahead. PARKING for SITE #4: Drive all the way down driveway. You will see brown/red Steward's cabin to your left. Drive out to parking sign under treeline.
- Check in: After 12PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Flexible
- On arrival: Go straight to camp
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 6 months out Weeknight discount: 10% off
- Response time: Within an hour
- Response rate: 100%
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111 Reviews
Gorgeous secluded getaway
We did a very queer empowerment photo session here and needed a safe space to foster healing and embodiment in nature. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive host or a more secluded, beautiful, safe location. I'll definitely be back for more sessions or just camping with my family. When you turn in that driveway, you can really feel you are entering into a different world of intentional magic.
Not too far from Durham, yet a world away from city life, Respite in the Round is ideally situated for those who appreciate a diverse, natural landscape, but don’t want to drive hours to get there.
Upon our arrival, my husband and I were greeted by our host, Kristen. She kindly gave us a tour of the property, and highlighted all the accessible amenities/facilities. Kristen also took the time to discuss the unique, natural features of the property, and let us sample some of her delicious blueberries from the garden We felt well taken care of during our stay. Thank you, Kristen!
During our sojourn at Respite in the Round, we opted to set up camp by the water. The camping plot was well-shaded on that June afternoon, and on the bank of the river that flowed through
the property. The site came equipped with a fire ring, raised tent platform, and access to a simple, outdoor toilet and shower facility. Other sites at this Hipcamp looked equally enticing. There is a hammock near one of the sites that would be perfect for doing nothing (or reading a book, if you must)! The entire scene is very peaceful.
For a tranquil environment with great accessibility to Durham, Respite in the Round is a nice choice. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Thank you, Kristen!




Quiet and private tent camping
What a find! Quiet and private tent camping in a creek with a crackling fire and a short walk to toilet and an amazing shower. (We had site #3). Sam have some initial guidance, but the space was so hospitable we just did our thing. Do not hesitate to scoop this amazing tent site if you are passing through or wanting a weekend get-away!
We used site 4 for our stay and loved it. You can hear the stream running and it’s a short walk to both the stream and ponds. The bugs were in full force, as expected, so we sprayed some natural bugspray on everything, which helped a lot! The shower was great and the sink made dishes a lot easier. Kristen was super accommodating and easy to talk to. Site four is very well shaded and good refuge from the heat.



Hostess was amazing and very welcoming. There is a toilet and shower and 2 ponds to fish in. There is also plenty of land and space to spread out. The sink was particularly helpful. Our only minor recommendation would be cutting the grass all down more. If it was a little more maintained it would be absolutely perfect. We were very appreciative for the stay.
Wonder place for a family camp and to explore fish, swim, etc I would recommend this place to anyone it's quiet and secluded I will be coming back.




Great experience! Host was very kind and helpful, I felt super safe and the property was beautiful
Kristen’s directions were spot on and the map of the property was super helpful. We had a great rest and would definitely come back!
Awards
- Property
- Respite In The Round
- State
- North Carolina
- Country
- United States
- $28/night
- 4 Sites