Options near Raleigh for camping.

[miyanc]

My son is planning a trip with friends 11-17, 18 and 19. They have people coming from Wilmington, coastal Virginia and the Charlotte area. So they are planning to go to the Raleigh area. Originally they said Tar River Life campgrounds which is a private place ,reviews seem ok, I honestly know nothing about it.

My first thoughts were a state park, but I know none up in that direction. It's sounds like they would be I'll prepared for a backpacking trip, but do want to hike and even a short hike in would be fine. I think closer to a car camping experience would be better. There will be 7 of them and at least 2 hammocks. Maybe a place with showers and or shelters, water and a fire pit and or bbq pit. Thanks in advance.

[gunner76]

Umstead SP.

[Adroa]

I had a similar question in this thread, lot of great suggestions.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Near-Durham-NC

[Cagouillard]

Johnson Lake, Falls Lake, Ravenrock, SP all are good options

[supernettipot]

Shinleaf at Falls Lake.

[iceman857]

Shinleaf at Falls Lake.

I'd second this for hammock hanging. Actually there are a ton of good spots along the MST in general that you may want to consider.

[miyanc]

Ty all. Gonna look them up and maybe ask a few questions ty

[FLTurtle]

Be sure to check that those camp sites are available.

Just got back from South Mountains State Park...they kicked us out early, we still had 2 more nights. Park ranger drove up to us as we were just finishing packing up to head to the next spot. All of the back country sites in western NC are closed due to fire hazard. We didn't find out til we got there on Wed that there was a zero burn in effect: no grills, no campfires. We had our isobutane stoves...which sucked: we brought ribeyes and pork tenderloins for the first 2 nights. Had to cut em up and use the cook pots.

[-INCH-]

I love me some Raven Rock SP. More "hilly" than you would imagine. I've done some rehad hiking there after an injury to get me back to bigger stuff. It's beautiful there!!! From cabins to rent to primitive camping.

[gfstanley]

+1 on Shinleaf. They have about 10 - 12 group sites that are great for car camping. I was out there this past weekend. Unfortunately, they may be already be reserved for the weekend. They also have about 25 - 30 primitive hike-in sites that are reasonably close to the bath house. Reservation information can be found at the following link

https://northcarolinastateparks.rese...&parkId=552902

There are other camping areas around Falls Lake as well, not just at Shinleaf, that can be found at link above.