State Parks near Raleigh, NC

Situated in Cumberland County, Virginia is Bear Creek Lake State Park. The state park runs over 326 acres and was built in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps after the Virginia Department of Agriculture requested a project be done to help highlight the local forests.The park is known for its 40-acre Sylvan Lake which is used for boating and swimming. It’s also located next to the Cumberland State Forest which spans about 36,000 acres making it a great spot for state park RV camping. This state park is also a short drive away from Charlottesville and Richmond.

Private landowners and farmers purchased a large swath of sandy dunes with the hopes of turning the land into farms during the early 1900s. However, due to the sandy soil and poor management of the already-thin topsoil, the efforts were unsuccessful. The state of North Carolina purchased the land from desperate farmers during the height of the Great Depression and set it aside as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1939. The Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, paved several miles of roads and nurtured fragile plants and grasses to restore the original habitat. Thanks to the organization’s efforts, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is a thriving dune biodome in South Carolina.The closest large town is …

The banks of Rock Creek make an ideal setting for Cedarock Park, a nature preserve spread over 400 acres, and a great spot for a motorhome camping trip. Located near the town of Bellemont in North Carolina, the park sits on the northwestern side of the Cane Creek Mountains. Not too far from Cedarock Park will bring you to the cities of Graham, Burlington, and Greensboro, and you can easily access these cities by renting an RV; you’ll find a range of affordable RV rentals in Alamance County. Cedarock Park came into being in 1975 when it was established on the historic farm of a local couple, John and Polly Garrett. Today, the park welcomes over …

The spectacular cliffs overlooking North Carolina's Neuse River have drawn people to the area for thousands of years. That tradition continues today as campers from around the state and further afield drop in to stay a few nights at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.Located near Seven Springs, roughly 20 minutes southeast of Goldsboro, this 1,097-acre park is heaven on Earth for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors to the park can enjoy excellent hiking, boating, and swimming opportunities, and then when the sun goes down, set up camp in the park's family campground.If you want to camp with an RV in Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, keep reading to find out how to make the most of your …

Eno River State Park lies in central North Carolina, a few miles north of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. The green land of Eno River State Park lies along the banks of the Eno River. Winding its way across the county, the Eno River cuts through some of the most idyllic scenery to see in this area of North Carolina. The state park creates the perfect escape for city dwellers who do not wish to travel to far from big cities such as Durham and North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh.Whether its the great fishing to be had on the river or the picturesque hikes that the park offers, Eno River State Park has something for everyone. This …

While Fairy Stone State Park might be famous for being home to the legendary stones after which it is named, there's much more for campers to enjoy in this beautiful area than just staurolite.Located 20 minutes northeast of Stuart in southern Virginia, this 4,700-acre park also boasts excellent swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting opportunities, as well as a scenic ten-mile trail network. If you like relaxing or getting active in the great outdoors, you'll find plenty to enjoy during your stay here.And with plenty of RV-friendly campsites to choose from, Fairy Stone State Park is the ideal spot for a magical RV camping getaway.

A few miles east of Durham, North Carolina lies the Falls Lake State Recreation Area, a collection of seven access areas that are scattered around the shoreline of the 12000 acre Falls Lake. Sitting a few miles to the north of Raleigh, the recreation area is one of the largest in the state, attracting a wide range of adventurers ranging from culture seekers to folks seeking to escape the bustling city life for a date with nature. Some of the neighboring parks include the William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh and the Eno River State Park near Eno. Falls Lake State Recreation Area is awesome if you’re looking for a spot to camp in an RV in …

With over 7,000 acres of fascinating, diverse landscape, Hanging Rock State Park is one of North Carolina's natural wonders. While exploring the park, you'll find interesting geological history, waterfalls, lakes, roughly 20 miles of hiking trails, and nearly 700 species of plants and animals. Wildlife spotters can keep an eye out for gray foxes, owls, and rare salamanders. RV campers who come here for the wildflowers will love the displays of mountain laurel, pink lady’s slipper, and rhododendron.Hanging Rock State Park is located in central North Carolina, two hours north of Charlotte. It’s nestled in the Sauratown Mountains, an impressively small range that rises 2,000 feet over the surrounding countryside. The area was first home to the Saura …

Harris Lake County Park lies in central North Carolina, just south of the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The park covers an area north of Harris Lake, sometimes known as Shearon Harris Reservoir. Covering a vast expanse of 680 acres, Harris Lake County Park combines the rolling green fields of this peninsular park with a bounty of lakeside recreation from Harris Lake. Being so close to major North Carolina cities, Harris Lake County Park has become the place to take an RV rental in central North Carolina. Whether you seek great fishing, fantastic boating, rewarding hunting, or a mix of all three, Harris Lake County Park is the place to be.Accessing the park with …

As the name suggests, the popular Virginia State Park of High Bridge Trail State Park is made up of a long trail. Once an old rail bed, the trail is full of history, and many people come to rent an RV in Cumberland County and take a pleasant walk back through time. The centerpiece of the park is the towering bridge that sits 125 feet above the Appomattox River. It is filled to the brim with outdoor opportunities for the whole family, and certainly should not be missed on a trip to one of the neighboring towns of Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Blackstone.High Bridge Trail State Park is currently one of the newest additions to the Virginia State …

If you're searching for a camping destination where you can experience the best of life in Virginia's great outdoors, look no further than Holliday Lake State Park. Tucked away in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest in central Virginia, this 560-acre park is home to a 119-acre lake and a host of recreational activities.Excellent fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking can all be enjoyed here, while RV campers have their choice of two peaceful and well-maintained campgrounds. Planning to go camping in Holliday Lake State Park? Keep reading to find out where to stay and what to do during your visit.

Roughly 45 minutes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a little over an hour from Wilmington, North Carolina, is one of Bladen County’s finest parks, Jones Lake State Park. It’s located in a quaint town in eastern North Carolina, Elizabethtown. The park is unique in that it contains two of the remarkable Carolina bays. If you’re looking for a quiet spot where you can relax and recharge, this is the park for you. You can go for a swim in Jones Lake or look out over the bays from the picnic areas or sandy lakeshores.The land surrounding the bays was originally farmland. The federal government purchased Jones Lake after the Great Depression. At this time, several of …

When you book an RV in Chatham County, you will have access to much of what central North Carolina has to offer, including both its extensive outdoor and interesting indoor attractions alike. Located in Chatham County is Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, which is a great place to enjoy some motorhome camping. The recreation area surrounds Jordan Lake, as the name suggests, and covers over 45,000 acres of public use land. The lake is a source of fresh water to nearby cities, such as Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Sanford.The recreation area and lake that it surrounds was the product of a massive undertaking by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after a disastrous hurricane struck …

Planning to book an RV in Vance County? You'll want to check out what Kerr Lake State Recreation Area has to offer. Right on the border of North Carolina and Virginia, this park is the perfect area for anyone who wants to spend a few days relaxing by the lake.Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is located in the town of Henderson, about 50 miles north of Raleigh and 106 miles south of Lynchburg. At this 50,000-acre reservoir, you'll also find a fair bit of history. For instance, before the reservoir was built, the regular flooding of the river used to be wonderful for farming, benefitting both the colonists and the Native Americans.As you might be able …