Private sites lakeside camping in North Carolina
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, your adventure is waiting.
97% (660 reviews)
- North Carolina
97% (660 reviews)
Popular camping styles for North Carolina
Available this weekend
Under $50
11 top lakeside campgrounds in North Carolina
100%
(17)
Peaceful RV Camping W Lake Access
2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Charlotte, NC
This 2.5 acre, partially wooded lot is located on a secluded cove of Lake Wylie. Campers can enjoy the lakeview, lake access, a spacious dock, swimming area, fishing, kayaking, and other lake activities! [This camping spot includes a communal or private fire pit as well as access to a gas grill.] Additionally, this lot is within driving distance to many local attractions listed below.
This property is BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat)! There are 2 boat landings within 5 miles of the property, campers are more than welcome to tie up their boat to the on-site dock and park their trailer on the property.
Pets are welcome, however note that the property owner has a cat and small dog on site. Pets need to be well behaved and not aggressive to other animals. Cleaning up after your pet in the lawn areas is required.
The property owner (Teresa) lives on-site in a cabin between the camping pad and the lake.
Local attractions within driving distance include:
-Copperhead Island (5 miles)
-McDowell Park/Nature Preserve (5 miles)
-Carowinds Theme Park (5 miles)
-Charlotte Premium Outlets (5 miles)
-Whitewater Center (10 miles)
-David Stowe Botanical Garden (15 miles)
-Uptown Charlotte (15 miles)
-Charlotte Motor Speedway (25 miles)
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$40
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(130)
Black Barn Farm
19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Newport, NC
Welcome to our little piece of heaven! Our property offers a variety of activities for you to enjoy and a variety of camping options. Set up camp in a tent, screened hammock, car, bus or RV, or stay in one of our primitive dry camping cabins. All camp areas are private from our home, with a porta potty and well water available. Please be aware-we are a working farm. There is sometimes noise and if you are sensitive bring earplugs, headphones, etc... The ducks chatter and talk the night away, the dogs do bark if Bambi-Baloo-Thumper or their chicken siblings hang too close to the pens. We have wildlife here! Owls, coyotes, bear and deer some are more musical than others. Please be aware! Never put your hands where you can't see! North Carolina has several poisonous snakes and although we don't see them often, we are playing in their playground-the great outdoors. There are mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants (esp. after a good rain) and critters outdoors. Always bring bug spray even if you think you may not need it! To avoid unwanted interaction ,keep tents/screens on cabins zipped or closed when not in use. Make sure food is "buttoned up" for the night and be aware of any crumbs or scraps dropped on the ground or in cabins. This will invite unwanted guests of all types. Be aware and observant where you walk and use a flashlight or headlamp at night. We will not be responsible for injury, bites, stings, etc... Be smart and camp safe!
There are MANY things to do in our area that are low cost to free, which is an added plus for any families coming to visit! Just ask me and I'll give you suggestions depending on your budget. Plenty of stuff for grown-ups too! Walmart Express is less than three miles away and Walmart Supercenter is less than five miles away. Smithfields BBQ, Chinese and Bojangles are close by. There are two wonderful restaurants nearby El Mexicano and Pizza/subs place that will deliver camp side too! Be sure to mention what site number you are camped at!
If you love the ocean, the beach is just a short distance away. Emerald Isle is ten miles away, Ft. Macon is twelve miles away. These both have public beaches and Ft. Macon offers hot showers if you don't opt for our cold one! Hikers will love the nearby trails and abundant hiking options from pocosin (bogs) swamps to the Mountain to Sea Trail. Our property is perfect for outdoor adventure and exploration.
If you prefer a more relaxing stay, you can stay on our property and enjoy a refreshing swim in our pond or cozy up by a campfire. Bring your s'mores gear to belly up to a picnic table. Birdwatching is a popular activity here as we are a family-run bird farm with a variety of feathered friends including ducks, chickens, guineas, geese, turkey and even an emu or two! We have recently added baby goats and also have cows. Napoleon and Rosie are Dwarf pygmies and Brielle is a New Zealand Kiko. Napoleon, Elle and Rosie love children and kids are welcome to come visit them under the supervision of Miss Jennifer. Fresh eggs are available for breakfast, straight from our farm to your plate. We offer mini tours of the animals when we feed up and kids like to help gather eggs. Just reserve the "Feeding time" and a head count. We are passionate about birds and love to share our knowledge with our guests. The porta toilet is located at the end of the emu pen and well water is available in front of the barn. There are buckets available to bring water to you.r site Any vehicle over 6' will have to enter/exit on West (left) side of the pond due to low clearance. Cold water shower available. (Let me define...high tech redneck style; a hose with multi option spigot.)
Our property is also conveniently located near the historic towns of Beaufort and New Bern, perfect for a day trip. There are nearby stores and farmers markets where you can get fresh veggies, and we are always willing to suggest places to go. You can also visit Fort Macon, Hammocks Beach, Carteret County Speedway, the NC Aquarium, local farms, live music at The Gardens and more. Go see a local mud bog on Saturday nights or check out the local Bogue Sound distillery and fabulous seafood restaurants, which is just a short drive away. Bring your boat because we have plenty of space to park and can direct you to whichever type of waterway you want to be on. There are nearby private fishing charters, horseback riding and ferry adventures to go see the ponies. Better yet go visit the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort and get inspired to sign up to build your own boat. They offer excellent sea themed classes for the children during the summer. Sign up early because they fill up fast. Just one of our neat local treasures.
Come have an assisted outdoor oyster roast! You go pick up your fresh local oysters (in season) from people we can recommend, and we can help walk you thru the "how to". We will have all you need: pot, burner, knives, new condiments and table ready to go so all you have to do is cook eat and enjoy!
Go clamming! We can provide you with all you need to go get your dinner! (in season) Rake, floating bucket, a hat and the knowledge of where and when to go. A boat or kayak is recommended. We do have a kayaks available with a deposit to take it offsite. This is bookable through the extras.
We know people/locations to get you going for beach fishing, kayaking, hunting, and tons more. Don't forget there are many festivals, parades and floatillas nearby to enjoy. Mumfest in New Bern is always awesome and don't forget the NC Seafood Festival. During Winter carriage rides can be arranged through historical New Bern. We are open year-round, and Wintertime is a delight at the beach. Come visit us during the holiday season to enjoy the lights and cuddle up to a cozy campfire. The cabins are heated by propane, and we can have a tank ready for you when you arrive for an extra charge. A single 20 lb tank typically lasts four days. Light a luminary to float on the pond to make your New Year begin just right even just for a special occasion!
We ask that no one smokes inside the cabins for the safety of yourself and allergies to other campers. Thank you in advance and please police your butts. We try to keep the area tidy. There are trash cans by #4 and #5 also the large dumpster behind the barn.
Please do not feed anything to our birds! Each species has a specialized diet and just one food item wrong could kill them. We love sharing our pets with you and Miss Jennifer is always willing to answer questions.
Make sure to get the coupon codes for the active military, vets, repeat campers, Fall/Winter discounts!
So come unwind, unplug, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in nature. Remember how to play and have fun like in your childhood. We look forward to hosting you!
Please be sure to plug in our discount codes for the best pricing! Only one discount can be used at a time /per stay.
Repeat campers! $5 OFF YOUR STAY We appreciate you!
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We LOVE OUR VETS-30% off your stay. Active duty/Enlisted/Veterans...Thank you for you service and sacrifice! This can also apply to EMTs, Nurses, Doctors and firefighters!
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Fall/Winter Season Discounts 10% off...It's just cool.
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Discount not applicable for week of Thanksgiving (11/19-11/26) and Christmas (12/17-12/26).
Bookings are for a total of seven days max per site.
We have a zero-drug policy, and we love our 2nd amendment but cannot allow firearms (this includes BB guns), fireworks or ATV's due to insurance.
We are a family run, family-oriented camp. Please be respectful to your fellow campers.
You can always ask questions and we are here to help you have the best camp experience available.
Please be respectful of others while here and learn to be a kid again. We ask that no cooking or smoking in done inside the cabin!
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$20
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Canter Lakes Farm
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents47 acres · Rocky Point, NC
Canter Lakes Farm offers waterfront camping on 47 acres. We are a private horse farm with beautiful swimming lakes and river access on site via “Sand Hill Creek”
At canter lakes farm you can explore over 10 acres of water without ever leaving our property, and hike almost 3 miles of manicured trails. The sunset and sunrise is always beautiful here! If you’re an early riser you can witness the magnificent steam rolling in over the lakes, creek and cypress swamp while you sip your coffee at sunrise. Bring your paddle boards and cruise, or warm up with sunny yoga on your private dock. Kayak or John boats can explore the river bends from our property, or even make it out to the big wide cape fear.
We are also very close to two public boat ramps suitable for larger boats and jet skis. Holly Shelter boat ramp is literally 2 minutes away, Shelter Creek boat ramp is 10 minutes away. Both ramps have a fishing area and allow kayaks/paddle boards.
Fishing is good on our ponds and the river year round, (bass, catfish, crappie, bowfin, gar, etc) in June hundreds of wild blueberry plants you can pick and eat. We also have prickly pear cacti for harvesting which you can cook the fruit and paddles over the fire and enjoy. If our trails aren’t enough and you want more adventure, just two miles away is the Holly Shelter game lands entrance where you’ll find thousands of acres for hunting, biking, hiking or horseback riding. And if you’re craving a beach day, Wrightsville beach is just a 30 minute drive away as well as is downtown Wilmington where you can enjoy walking the riverfront for shopping or dining.
Tent camping or dry rv camping only at this time. Hot Shower, sink and full size toilet are provided in the bath house. No feeding of the horses allowed, or entering fencing. campers are welcome to visit or partake in farm experience with permission.
•Nearest gas station, grocery store and restaurants are in Rocky Point, just 12 minutes from us.
•Wrightsville Beach - 30-40 minutes depending on traffic
•Surf City/Topsail - 35 minutes
•Hampstead- 15 minutes
•Jacksonville - 38 minutes
•Downtown Wilmington - 30 minutes (riverfront/live oak bank pavilion)
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98%
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Pasture Creek Farms
10 sites · Tents70 acres · Hubert, NC
Raw coastal land.
Water activities: paddle activities, swimming ,wading, canoe, small boats
Stocked ponds, throw back only (extra fee).
Dirt roads and game trails for walking or hiking.
Close to beach.
Firewood available for purchase on site.
Water available (ask host)
Dry and primitive camping.
Lots of wildlife.
Convenient to beach, intracoastal water way, and boat ramps.
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$19
/ night
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(34)
Scott’s Lakeview Camp and Park
7 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Linden, NC
50+ acres of woods, water and walking/Rolling trails with two small lakes and a STOL runway for experienced ultralight and short takeoff and landing aircraft pilots only! Room for RV’s but no power or sewer service. Room for mountain bikes, hiking, drone racing and flying, R/C boat racing, fishing, swimming at your own risk. Primitive camping, handicap accessible trail around lake. Access to drinking water and ice at my home
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$41.40
/ night
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(106)
Blue Ridge Horse Adventures
10 sites · Tents300 acres · Spruce Pine, NC
Get away from the crowds. On 300 beautiful acres once operated as a children's summer adventure camp, this property has a house with a dormitory style bathroom for camper use. There are 3 primitive campsites, 2 cottages, and a horse sanctuary. The campsites are spaced out around the property for privacy. A short walk gets you to the bathroom reserved for campers only which has 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks.
4WD or AWD is recommended for all sites due to 1/2 mile gravel road and then completely off road for a short distance. Or, if you are bringing 2WD, there is plenty of parking and then walk to your campsite. We don't recommend trying to bring large RV's due to the access.
Winter camping is encouraged with free firewood. However, you will probably need to park near the bathroom and walk to your campsite to limit soil erosion of the off-road trail.
Pets are welcome only at some sites, but please please let us know you are bringing them and they will need to be leashed due to other animals.
A large part of the property is forest with hiking trails, creeks, and wildlife. You can see wildflowers and lightning bugs in season along with deer, turkey, and horses.
And all of our spots have a great view of the sky! We're not far from the Bare Dark Sky Observatory.
The grass horse arena and the pond were originally built for the summer camp. The pond is stocked with bass and bluegill and has a chorus of bullfrogs in summer. The arena is flat and has a long range mountain view all the way to Mt. Mitchell (highest peak east of the Mississippi). There are also a meadow spot encircled by trees.
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$45
/ night
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(6)
Take a Hike on a Wild side! Camping
10 sites · Lodging180 acres · Lenoir, NC
This property is 180 acres of woods and mountains with streams and ponds.
Beautiful settings. If you like hiking in the mountains this will definitely hit the spot. YO can fish in the ponds it has blue gills and catfish. I also added grass carp there as part of weed management.
This used to be an abandoned farm which I want to bring back to life.
The site offers three luxury large Safari Style Tents and 4 Pioneer wagons.
All tents are far away from each other to provide privacy and freedom of going Wild (still remaining civilized in your manners and careful attitude to Nature around you).
Tent 1 is in the Forrest itself and it is pretty cook and serene.
Tent 2 is on the top of a rocky hill overlooking the forest.
Tent 3 is the most remote and closest to the ponds. It has most of the open space around it, and can be a great place for parties.
We are working on making the sites and the area more comfortable, but I do not want to make it a manicured park. I want it to remain wild and still offer comfortable stay.
The farm is work in progress. Eventually it will be an Ostrich farm. and have other animals too.
The closest town - Lenoir is about 12 miles away . Closest Grocery store (Dollar General) - about 3 miles away. Closest Gas station - 2 miles away.
Professional Tennis court, Basketball court and large kids playground are in a public park within - 5 minute drive.
Lenoir has restaurants, shopping, etc.
Hickory is a larger town about 25 minutes drive. Hickory Lake is a large reservoir with marina where you can rent a boat and it also offers a good game fishing.
Nice swimming beach access on Lake Hickory 13 miles ( 20 Minutes) from here: Lake Hickory Wittenburg access area (Wittenburg Access Area, 175 Wildlife Access Rd, Hickory, NC 28601)
Asheville is 1:25 hrs to the West, Charlotte is 1:25 hr to the East.
There are couple of Ski resorts 45 minutes to an hr away.
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$67.50
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(13)
Parker Farms
16 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · North Wilkesboro, NC
This property is part of a working family farm established in 1900. The farm is currently a beef cattle operation giving campers the opportunity to see a working farm. There are 2 ponds on the property available for fishing and paddling. Given the area the farm covers campers will have peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle. For NASCAR fans, the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway is within walking distance. If you can't occupy your time here we're within 10 minutes of many local attractions. Wilkes also hosts festivals like; MerleFest, Apple Festival, and Peach Festival. This area is home to many Peach and Apple Orchards one personal favorite is Tevepaugh Orchards. And if the local attractions don't suffice the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone and Blowing Rock are all within an hour.
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$30
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(6)
OrganiCamp At Purple Buffalo Farms!
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Marion, NC
Come relax and unwind at this private campsite on Purple Buffalo Farms! You will experience a private, luxury-primitive campsite in the smoky mountains of western North Carolina. Enjoy the sounds of nature and the sweet babbling brook while overlooking a natural, organic, no-till farm. This experience is only minutes from Asheville, Lake Lure, and Chimney Rock, North Carolina.
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$75
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Destination Outdoors! DO IT!
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents108 acres · Cullowhee, NC
Four years ago I purchased my dream retirement.... 108 acres in the beautiful college town of Cullowhee, NC. Nestled up to the Great Smoky Mountains National park, this property is unique in everything it offers. Riverside on the renowned fly fishing river, the Tuckasegee River, or ridge top on Cullowhee Mountain, elevation 3850'. There are improved camp sites, a yurt, or free range camping and hiking. The fall views are spectacular, wherever you decide to locate. We implement " Leave no trace" rules and welcome respectful 4wd access to our ridge top. We are currently endeavoring agroforestry techniques to respectfully harvest the bounties of the woodlands in our Living Mountain Farms online store. Our hope is to one day make this magical mountain sustain those who reside upon the reserve, and provide a most memorable stay for our guests!Destination Outdoors! DO IT!
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$60
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Mother Well Remote Glamping or Tent
2 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Murphy, NC
Hut or Tent, your choice. We just added the tent platform and it is your choice as to tent platform or Hut. They are about a football field away from each other. Get away from it all on a secluded mature wooded hill twenty minutes from the Ococee River. You can feel how old the Appalachian mountains are here. Remote enough and private but no 4WD needed (flat terrain to parking) and enough neighbors if needed (road running through property leads to subdivision by Apalachia Lake so has traffic on it.) To the right of the road is a creek and bog, to the left we have several acres of woods to explore and relax in. You will see an occasional car on the private road that runs below the Hut but on the hill, you will have complete privacy. Please note we have not yet added a firepit or compost toilet to the tent platform so you will be needing to go to the Hut for both of those. You can get to the Hut from the Platform along the road or through the woods. It is a beautiful place to chill and hang out that we are happy to share with you.
Three of ten acres to the right of the road that runs through our property are a bog that runs along a creek with the creek joining wild remote Apalachia Lake. (Pretty much unpassable Nature saying keep out.) But enjoy hiking and exploring our seven gently sloping mature wood hills. There are also lots of well maintained dirt hillside roads for exploring or biking.
Enjoy our Baba Yaga hut with only the bare necessities but you will be flat, dry and able to enjoy the woods all to yourself. Or the Tent Platform pretty much complete privacy. When one is rented, we take the other off the calendar so you get the entire place to yourself.
Come explore and then chill away from it all.
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$24
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Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in North Carolina
Private sites lakeside camping in North Carolina guide
Overview
Crank up the fiddle-and-banjo tunes while driving through the High Country, where campsites and high-altitude views along the Blue Ridge Parkway are marked by mists and mountains. The parkway rolls up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not far from the gorgeous homelands of the Cherokee tribe. Just east in Asheville, the Ale Trail rivals the Biltmore as the top draw, though live music and a fantastic culinary scene are close behind. Drive east to the windswept barrier islands of the Outer Banks for coastal camping, wildlife watching, and outdoor adventures that tear across sea and sky. Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh anchor the booming Central Piedmont.
Where to go
High Country & the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway passes overlooks, waterfalls, and campgrounds in the rugged High Country of western North Carolina as it swoops south from Virginia. Mount Mitchell State Park, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain are Instagram-pretty while hiking and mountain biking trails beg to be explored.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Cherokee
Stories about Cherokee leaders and 19th-century mountain families add historic context to the mountain-and-forest views in the deep-green Smokies. Feeling social? Hit the welcoming Nantahala Outdoor Center for all-sorts of wild adventures, from rafting to ziplining. The Appalachian Trail runs along the North Carolina and Tennessee border in the national park then veers south through Nantahala National Forest.
Asheville & the Foothills
An easy detour from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is a mountain town that’s going places. The craft beer situation is out of control—more than 30 breweries!—while innovative chefs keep the foodie scene abuzz. Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, and gorgeous waterfalls are outdoor highlights in the foothills. Mountain bikers, get your fix in Pisgah National Forest.
North Carolina Coast
Wind, water, and sunny skies set a mood for fun along the North Carolina Coast. For the best all-around beach scene head to the Outer Banks, a 100-mile stretch of rugged barrier islands marked by dunes, fishing piers, and wild horses. Try hang-gliding at Jockey’s Ridge, windsurfing off Hatteras Island, and parasailing and paddling in Corolla and Duck. For close-to-the-beach tent camping, drive south to Cape Hatteras National Seashore or ferry over to Ocracoke Island.
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