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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Community favorites near Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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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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Farmers Village

10 sites · 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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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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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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Camp Stoney Fjord

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Four Oaks, NC

We offer primitive camping amenities for RV and Overlanding enthusiasts. We have 20 acres with water frontage along The Neuse river near Smithfield North Carolina. Natural setting with privacy as well as pond trails and some of the most undiscovered wilderness areas in eastern North Carolina. Nightly daily and weekly rates available.

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(78)

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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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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Sugarneck Glamping Resort, NC

4 sites · Lodging400 acres · Broadway, NC

Situated on over 400 acres, Sugarneck has private and communal gathering areas to stay put and soak in the escape or take a short drive to great things to and places to eat. Private Amenities include: Bathrooms, Mini Refrigerators, Heat & A/C, Luxury Bedding and Private Solo Stove Campsites. Communal Amenities include: TV/Game room, Grill, Fire Pit, Walking trails and lawn games.

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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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Privette Pointe

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Wake Forest, NC

Once a working cattle and tobacco farm, this land has been in our family for generations. Experience magnificent sunrises over rolling hills, just inside Wake County near the Franklin County border. Two sites beside the pond, stocked with fish, a bridge to feed them bread from, and a fountain to listen to as you unwind.Learn more about this land:Wake up beside the pond, listening to to fountain as you drink your morning coffee. Fish from the bank or toss bread to the fish from the bridge. Hike the property and take pictures of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

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Farm Stay at Saxapahaw Country Club

5 sites · RVs, Tents31 acres · Graham, NC

The Saxapahaw Country Club is a beautiful 31-acre working farm and event space. Located just a few minutes from Saxapahaw Village, it's a convenient and gorgeous place to stay. While we are happy to be a late-night crash spot for after shows, we hope you stay a minute to walk the fields, hang in the hammocks, sit by the pond, or take a swing from the branches of our 200 year old White Oak tree. You'll come down our curvy driveway through the trees, and see our event barn on the left. In front of the barn is a communal space for campers to enjoy with a great view. This area has a fire pit, chairs, wood-fired grill, handwashing station, and farm table. Please note, this farm stay is an agritourism activity subject to the limit of liabilities as described in N.C.G.S § 99E‑32(b). We have sheep and pigs in the far pastures behind electric fencing. You are welcome to look but don't touch the fence! We also have 3 very friendly farm cats. Pork from the farm is available for purchase, as well as firewood. Nearby activities: Entertainment: Haw River Ballroom, Saturdays in Saxapahaw Eats: Cup 22 Coffee House, Saxapahaw General Store, The Eddy Restaurant, Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Steel String Brewery Nature: The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co, Saxapahaw Lake Paddle Access, Saxapahaw Island Park & Playground, Cane Creek Mountain Area

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Animal Sanctuary and Peace Park

5 sites · Tents11 acres · Coats, 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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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

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.