Spring Camping on Jordan Lake

Jordan Lake camping  photo by Justin Wyne via a Creative Commons License.

Pittsboro, NC – I love camping. It’s an instant vacation. And 5 minutes from my house in Monterrane are 5 great camping areas on beautiful Jordan Lake.

Spring Camping on the Lake

Spring may be the best time of year to go camping. Wildflowers and green shoots are everywhere, the birds are singing, the air is cool and the bugs haven’t quite woken up yet.

The best campgrounds around Jordan Lake are in the Park – the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, to be official. Jordan Lake has more than 1,000 total campsites.

Facilities range from primitive hike-in or canoe-in sites to group RV sites with full hook-ups.

Crosswinds – Year Round

Crosswinds is located on the east side of the lake off Highway 64. It has a cozy 182 campsites for tents and RVs. Fishing, boating and swimming, too.

Hot showers, restrooms, picnic tables and fire rings.

New Hope Overlook – Year Round

New Hope is a great site for tent campers. No RVs allowed.

It’s located just above the dam on the southern end of the lake. New Hope Overlook is on Pea Ridge Road closer to Route 1 than NC 64.

There’s parking, fishing, restrooms and trails. There’s also a whole lot of quiet.

Just 24 sites, max 6 people per site. Each site has a picnic table, grill and lantern holder.

Parker’s Creek – Seasonal

Parker’s Creek, right off NC 64 on the east side of the lake, is a seasonal campsite. It’s a very popular place, situated in a lovely, woodsy setting.

There are tent campers and RVs, group sites and a boat ramp. Parker’s Creek has 250 sites for tent and RV camping and offers hot showers and full restrooms plus swimming in the summer.

Check park hours for availability.

Vista Point – Seasonal

Just down the block from Monterrane, across HC 64 on N. Pea Ridge Road, is peaceful Vista Point.

At Vista Point, you’ll see lots of sailboats. There’s a boat ramp and all the usual amenities – hot showers, restrooms, swimming, fishing, but no tent camping (except for groups). So fire up your RV or pull together a group if you want to enjoy the remarkable light and fresh air at Vista Point.

The group tent camping sites are really nice. 30 people per site, five sites at Vista Point. Reservations required.

Check park hours for availability.

Poplar Point – Seasonal

Poplar Point, just south of NC 64 on the east side of the lake, is the biggest campground in the recreation area. 579 total campsites for tents, RVs, fishing, boating and swimming.

All the amenities – shores, restrooms, swimming, boating and hiking.

It’s a seasonal camping site – check park hours for availability.

Reservations

Make reservations online for a camping site at Jordan Lake or dial toll-free (877) 722-6762.

Camping Fees

• Primitive sites – $13/day (pit privies, hike or canoe in, no water)
• Improved sites – $20/day (showers, restrooms, drive-in or stroll-in sites near parking)

Others fees for individual sites with water and electric, RVs and group camping. Discounts for seniors.

More details on Jordan Lake Facilities & Fee.

Park Entrance Fees – Free in March

Park entrance fees are charged daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day; charged on weekends and holidays in April, May and September.

That means it’s free to get into the park in March. One more reason to break out the tent in springtime!

• Car — $6/day
• Senior Citizen (62 or older) — $4/day
• Bus or Van — $15/day
• Annual Pass (valid anytime within the calendar year) — $50

Annual pass holders are entitled to an unlimited number of visits without paying the usual $6/day admission fee.