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Tar River Life

99%
·
· Lake Royale, Franklin, North Carolina
40 acres hosted by Nikki M.
1 lodging site · 14 tent sites
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Nikki is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
​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!
Activities
Fishing
Paddling
Wildlife watching
Natural features
River, stream, or creek
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Reviews
99% Recommend137 Ratings · 106 reviews
The campsite at Tar River comes highly recommended by visitors who praise its secluded and peaceful setting, perfect for a quick escape from city life. Campers appreciated the thoughtful amenities such as pre-set tents, fire pits with firewood, and portable potties, making the stay hassle-free and comfortable. The proximity to the river adds to the charm, offering opportunities for fishing, tubing, and simply enjoying the natural surroundings. While the river can be muddy after rain and some paths might be challenging for sedans, the overall experience remains positive and enjoyable for families, solo campers, and groups alike.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
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Angela T.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2025
We had a great weekend! Site #5 was perfect for us. It's hard to beat a quiet weekend by the river. This campground offers plenty of room to roam and explore. We did a little hiking but also passed the time on the river bank relaxing. Nikki and Billy were helpful via messages and the site was easy to find and clean when we arrived. They had a camp toilet set up for our site and firewood had already been delivered. We'll be back!
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Niko L.
2 reviews
Not recommend
· March 2025
Not at all a favorite.
Well-advertised, the site lacks toilets and instead offers “camping buckets” in a small “outhouse” tent. The River water appeared murky and devoid of life. The site lacks grass, necessitating the awareness that visitors will be walking on hard sand and clay. This is crucial for individuals using sleeping bags or encountering mobility challenges, as surfaces like these can be detrimental to joints. The site hosts were exceptionally gracious. Having visited several sites in North Carolina, I can confidently assert that this is one of only two sites we will not be returning to.
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Danielle M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
Tent · Group trip ·
Great spot for a weekend trip! Easy directions, helpful staff, and clean camps!
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Ramzee 3.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Great spors
Great place to get away. I will be going again at some point.
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Stephanie R.
3 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
A quick getaway from the noise
We always love staying and they have been accommodating in every way. Highly recommend.
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Michael O.
11 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Great get away!
We loved camping at Tar River! The campsite was well kept with plenty of wood for us. The views of the river and woods were great to wake up to as well. Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants an easy camoing weekend to get out of the suburbs or city.
Location
Lake Royale, Franklin, North Carolina, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Lumbee, Skaruhreh/Tuscarora (North Carolina), Mánu: Yį Įsuwą (Catawba), and Occaneechi First Nations according to
To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Nikki M.

Joined in February 2022
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours

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Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.