The best camping near Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Jordan Lake State Recreation Area adventure.

100% (22 reviews)

If you like boating, bass fishing, and bald eagles, this lakeside retreat is a winner.

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Stay at a public campground in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

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Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

1045 sites · RVs, Tents In Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

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Honah Lee Farms

5 sites · RVs, Tents144 acres · Rougemont, NC

Our camp is the shared vision of Brian and Lee and son Michael. We fell in love with this beautiful property where we plan to build our eco-friendly, off-grid homestead and farm. Lee's favorite song and the inspiration behind our name is "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary. A land of whimsical imagination, beauty and maybe a dragon or three is our shared vision for the farm. The camping options are flexible, ranging from prepared campsites along both Little and Deep creeks with composting outhouses nearby, to "Camper's Choice" options where you may hike in or drive in and create your own camping experience. Please note that since the "Camper's Choice" options allow freedom to select hike-in or drive-in options, the exact distance to nearest outhouse may vary. There are 144 acres to explore so campers can set up a secluded getaway or cluster together in a group. We are flexible and can work with you to create a camping experience that suits your needs. Learn more about this land: Honah Lee Farms has over 140 acres of woods with open fields distributed throughout. We are bordered to the south by the Flat River, to the west by Deep Creek, and to the north by Little Creek. Most of our campsites are nestled in the trees along one of these bodies of water and all campers have access to the 10 foot waterfall area where Deep Creek runs into the Flat River.

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R.O.S.A. Land Campground

6 sites · Lodging, Tents23 acres · Rougemont, NC

R.O.S.A. Land stands for Rare Occaneechi Saponi Alluvial Land-based retreat and campground offering individuals and small groups a place for rest, exploration, sanctuary, and grounding. Equal parts woodland, floodplain wetland and pastureland, R.O.S.A land is stewarding 23 acres of ecological magical oasis on a tributary of the Upper Tar River in an Aquatic Habitat deemed an important NC Natural Heritage area of the Piedmont of North Carolina. Rare mussel species and amphibians live here. Come see for yourself! This is a queer-stewarded, solidarity-focused rematriation project. This land is co-deeded to MK of Handewa Farms and owned at present by K Cox, Steward of the Respite and will be passed on to MK and her seven Afro-Indigenous children once the Roundhouse is paid down. In the meantime, an intentional community of farmhub tenants, visitors, campers and Handewa Farm members all co-habitate on the land together. We offer nature-based immersion for artists, healers, cultural and frontline organizers and their families taking time for restful resistance. It is a triptyech of woods, water and pastureland butting up against an untouched wild old hardwood forest - a combination unlikley found in the PIedmont- nestled among small tobacco, horse and hay farms in the Southeast corner of Granville County between Oxford and Roxboro in the beautiful PIedmont of North Carolina.

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(102)

Tar River Life

17 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Lake Royale, NC

Back to the basics, come and experience Tar River Life’s primitive camping on the Tar River. Enjoy being on the river and listening to slow running sound of the Tar River. Bring your own tent or rent one of ours. You can drive your vehicle to all of our campsites. The drive to camp is about 1/2 miles. Each site includes a fire pit, wood and trash bin. Cook your own meals or try and catch your own fish from the river. Campsites can be secluded or grouped. Each site comes with a picnic table, 1 bundle of wood and trash can. Stay for a night or longer period of time, come and enjoy the outdoors with us. We have lots of walking trails, fishing access, wildlife, kayaking and tubing (must be purchased through us). 2WD vehicles are ok except during wet conditions. There is also the Vollmer Farm, with seasonal produce a Full Coffee Shop with breakfast goodies and baked goods and not to mention their fabulous ice cream. They have goods from around NC including, eggs, honey, meats, beers, wine and more. There is a grocery store (Food Lion) about 15 minutes away. So you can stock up on supplies on your way to your next adventure. We are pet friendly!

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Farmers Village

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents38 acres · Hillsborough, NC

This property is mainly grass and trees as we begin to transform it into an educational farm. There are several tent camping and RV sites to choose from. A Showerhouse with flush toilet is available for use. Quiet Hours are from 10pm to 6am so everyone can enjoy the quiet and get some sleep. Conveniently located with easy access to I-40 on Exit 261. 10 minutes from Downtown Chapel Hill and Carborro. Durham is approximately 20 minutes and Raleigh is approximately 30 minutes. Saturday and Sunday from 10-3pm are volunteer days at the garden, you are welcome to join in or just enjoy your day. Please note that some space toward the front of the property have occasional road noise but the nights are mainly quiet. The property is 38 acres so you can also camp father into the wood trails but car access may be limited in those areas during rain.

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Rural Chapel Hill Forestry Stay

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Chapel Hill, NC

Our property is a private 25 acre forestry plot connected to an adjoining 130 acre family-owned plot, with only 1 house on the 150+ acres. Most of the land is wooded with a couple large fields. Long private driveway. 3+ miles of private maintained walking trails great for human and dog guests! There are a number of creeks that run on the property and a decent size pond with many species of birds- perfect for watching while having a morning coffee, or for an afternoon stint of fishing. Close proximity to downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill (12-15 minutes), 15 minutes to downtown Hillsborough, and 25 minutes to Durham.

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Tanglewild

4 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Raleigh, NC

This beautiful spot is tucked away in a secluded private street. It feels like the country, but in the middle of Raleigh suburbs so we are close to all the amenities. There is a small stream running through the backyard and about 4 acres for exploring if you up for it. There are birds, deer, and other wildlife that also call Tanglewild home. This is a great spot if you are passing through, visiting friends for family nearby that don't have space for your RV, or just want to get away from home for a few days but don't really want to go that far away. Amenities are close: RDU (4 miles), RTP (7 miles), Crabtree Valley Mall (4 miles), Umstead (3 miles), Target (1 mile), several grocery stores (1 mile), Falls lake (10 miles), and Brier Creek (4 miles) Note, the spot is a bit tricky to back into. You might need to back down the driveway so take a look before you drive down and get yourself in a tricky spot.

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Off Grid Living

6 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Pleasant Garden, NC

Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent on our Private Small Farm in a residential area. Off grid life is great for people who love a rustic natural feel. We are family oriented and we live on the property. Our goal is to welcome people that have a love for community, nature, and plant based living. We run a small farm on the property and we have young urban farmers that help maintain the property as a means to learn more about the environment. Our non profit garden is the means to feed communities in the surrounding areas. We are thankful to provide a safe space for you to explore yourself naturally. Choose Add one with the owner Earth Feathur for guided yoga& meditation, natural medicine, and raw vegan food prep. Or join Our garden manager for an herbal identification class. We welcome you with open arms of love and light.

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Hickory Nut Point

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Burlington, NC

Welcome to your lakeside retreat at Lake Cammack, just east of Elon! Nestled amidst the tranquil beauty of nature, our peaceful lakeside lot offers the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway or a convenient en-route stop on your next adventure. Just a five-minute drive from the marina, where you can launch your boat for a day of fishing or water sports, creating unforgettable memories on the water. Despite being outside city limits, our location is just fifteen minutes to local food and shopping options, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds — the peace of nature with the convenience of nearby amenities. Whether you're seeking a peaceful lakeside escape or a convenient pit stop on your journey, our lakeside lot at Lake Cammack promises an unforgettable experience. Come and recharge amidst the beauty of nature.

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Private meadow and pond

1 site · RV, Tent21 acres · Mebane, NC

Our property is a small hobby farm. The meadow you will be camping in was formed in 1994 when hurricane Fran came through and laid down several acres of hardwood trees. The fallen trees were harvested and the land was cleared and a pond was built and a blueberry patch was planted. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent(s) in our private meadow with a small pond on our 21 acre property. You're welcome to fish and walk around the property. Enjoy a peaceful evening by the firepit and the beautiful starry nights. We have two very friendly farm dogs that do roam the property and will likely visit you. Chapel Hill, Mebane, and Hillsborough are all short drives from your campsite.

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By the water

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Burlington, NC

Beautiful 20+ acres with a large pond all to yourself! Situated conveniently next to the state highway, our farm has a barn and newly planted blue berries and fruit trees. Fishing, canoeing, stargazing, wildlife watching... a perfect place to relax and unwind. Local attractions include Animal Park at the Conservators Center and the charming downtown Mebane. Pets are welcomed. Take a walk around the pond or venture into the woods, and enjoy your stay! P.S. If you are planning an extended stay (more than 4 weeks) or have a party exceeding 6 people, please reach out to me directly. Thank you.

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Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

5 sites · TentsCoats, NC

Calling all hippies, treehuggers, Earth worshipers, and others who enjoy immersing themselves in nature! At Animal Ed.ventures Sanctuary, we are all about engendering a respectful, compassionate, and harmonic relationship with each other as well as the Natural World and her amazing creatures.We have high hopes for the long-term preservation of our remarkable planet, her breathtaking habitats, stunning species, and awe-inspiring ability to support the Natural Order of all of it.For almost 2 decades, we’ve been driven by the dream of creating a place of peace and respite for all who cross our threshold. From our USDA licensed educational program to our ongoing rescue efforts, we have the ability to provide an enriching and enlightening experience for people of all ages. While camping with us, visit Betsy, the Two-toed Sloth, and Teddy, the Capuchin Monkey, plus many other ambassadors at our sanctuary who are sure to inspire you and remind us of our interconnectedness!

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Holt’s Hideaway

2 sites · RVs5 acres · Fearrington Village, NC

Small hobby farm in a family owned neighborhood just outside of downtown Chapel Hill. Learn more about this land: Large, level gravel RV sites with 30amp and 50amp power and water hookup. No dump station yet. Big rig friendly. Only 5 minutes to Jordan Lake and 10 minutes to UNC hospital. Private and safe area, each site has a fire pit. Tent campers welcome. Firewood available. Pull right in off paved state road. One pull through and one back in site available. Pets must be on a leash at all times.

The best camping near Jordan Lake State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Drive just a short way from Chapel Hill to visit this park. Have fun on the water with two swim beaches, three boat ramps, and five access areas. This 14,000-acre reservoir has an undeveloped, unspoiled shoreline. You get a truly natural vacation here.

Begin with a day on the lake. Two boat ramps are open 24 hours a day. Rent kayaks or pontoon boats at the marina. Fish for bass, crappie, catfish, and panfish.

View majestic wildlife that calls this lake home. Bald eagles and osprey are popular choices. The lake hosts the highest concentration of bald eagles in the eastern United States. Watch as these birds dive towards the lake surface to snag their prey.

Learn the history of this area at Heritage Day. The festival occurs every first Saturday in October. Take advantage of mild weather at this time of year to make a week-long vacation.

Reserve one of more than 1,000 campsites at the park. Over 600 of these sites have water and electrical hook-ups.

Notable campgrounds

Best for primitive camping: New Hope Overlook Campground has 24 walk-in tent sites in a tranquil wooded setting.
Best for RVs: Poplar Point Campground has 579 sites, many with water and electric hookups and all with picnic tables, grills, and lantern holders.
Best for lake access: Crosswinds Campground has 182 RV and tent sites within walking distance of a boat launch and swimming beach.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve most campsites in advance via the Reserve America website. Select campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance, and bookings are available up to 24 hours in advance.
Holiday weekend bookings require a minimum 2-night booking unless you are booking fewer than seven days before arrival.
Campsites can book up as fast on summer and holiday weekends, so reserve your site as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

When to go

When the mercury rises, Jordan Lake is a popular spot to cool off from North Carolina’s summer heat, but it’s often still warm enough to swim in late spring and early fall. Camping is available year-round at Jordan Lake, but the lake’s five campgrounds all have different seasonal opening dates, so be sure to check ahead. Bald eagle sightings are most common during the spring migration (April through June).

Know before you go

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is in Chatham and Wake counties, 24 miles west of Raleigh or about a 30-minute drive away. Nine access areas dot the lake.
A per-vehicle admission fee is charged daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends in April, May, and September. Camping reservation fees also apply, and a state fishing license is required for fishing.
Jordan Lake facilities include three boat ramps, a canoe launch, two swimming beaches, three fishing piers, a marina, two playgrounds, and several picnic areas and restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms, picnic areas, swimming beaches, and courtesy docks at Jordan Lake. Accessible campsites are available at Parker's Creek, Poplar Point, and Crosswinds campgrounds.