State Parks - Camping

Camping is available at 28 state parks, typically for RVs as well as tents. Singletary Lake State Park in Kelly is specifically designed for cabin camping by recognizable non-profit groups. South Mountains State Park in Connelly has 15 equestrian campsites and a 37-stall horse barn.

Unless otherwise noted, campgrounds are open year-round and fees per day are $20 ($14 for age 62+) for family sites with water and electricity and $15 ($10 for age 62+) for family sites without utilities, or $9 at less-developed campgrounds (i.e., no hot showers). For group camping, fees are typically $1 per person, with a $9 minimum, or $40 per site (or more where noted) at some fully developed campgrounds (with hot showers). Some group campgrounds are for organized or affiliated groups (i.e., scouts, clubs, nonprofit organizations). Group camping requires reservations, but individual family sites are first-come, first served. (At press time the state was searching for a reservation system vendor for all of its park and recreation area camping, with the possibility of a system being in place by the summer of 2006. For information, phone the number provided with individual listings below or check the Web site pages for individual state parks at www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/ncmap.html.)

Unless specified below, drinking water and electricity are nearby when listed but are not at individual campsites. Toilets and showers are also nearby when listed; "accessible" means a longer walk.

Fees and seasons are from 2005.

Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach. 83 family sites, including two wheelchair-accessible: flush toilets, drinking water, hot showers, dump station, picnic tables, grills. Two group sites accessible by trail, one for up to 20 people, one for up to 35: pit toilets, fire circles, picnic tables. (910) 458-8206.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs. 35 family sites March 15-Nov. 30: restrooms, drinking water, hot showers, dump station, picnic tables, grills. Four primitive group camping sites for up to 25 people each are accessible by trail: pit toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire pits, grills. (919) 778-6234.

Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain. 10 backcountry sites accessible via 1-mile trail: drinking water, pit toilets, grills. Six group sites accessible via 1-mile trail for up to 15 people each: drinking water, pit toilets, fire circles. (704) 853-5375.

Eno River State Park, Durham. Five primitive sites approximately 1 mile from Few's Ford access area parking: pit toilet, fires restricted to camp stoves. One group site for up to 26: pit toilet, two fire rings, fire pit, benches. (919) 383-1686.

Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Raleigh. Four campgrounds. (919) 676-1027.

• Holly Point. 153 family sites, 89 with water and electricity: restrooms, hot showers, dump stations, picnic tables, grills; sites may be reserved two weeks in advance for stay of more than one week up to two weeks.

• Rollingview. 80 RV sites with water and electricity, 35 tent/RV sites without: restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, grills, tent pads, dump stations; sites may be reserved two weeks in advance for stay of more than one week up to two weeks. Four group sites for up to 25 people each: drinking water, fire ring, grills, picnic tables, benches. $40.

• Shinleaf. 89 hike-in sites (closed in winter): mulch toilets; showers at single wash house.

• B.W. Wells. 14 group sites, up to 35 people each: drinking water, showers, grills, picnic tables, fire rings, benches. $40.