Camping at the NC Fairgrounds

Upon selling our house, we needed a place to stay while we tied up some loose ends and made our goodbyes. Initially, we thought we would stay at Falls Lake State Recreation Area. However, we realized their rules about locking the gates at sunset could be problematic given our need to be out in the evenings. Fortunately, I remembered that my parents once stayed in town (Raleigh, NC) at the fairgrounds. So, that is where we spent our last week in North Carolina.

It turns out that a new camping area with about 50 sites opened last year behind the Horse Complex. It is surrounded by trees so campers don't feel quite so exposed to urban elements.

You can't beat the value: $25/night includes water, electric and sewer. There isn't a bathhouse or laundry, but with the sewer hookup the bathhouse isn't needed and there is a decent laundry mat within a mile or so at the intersection of Hillsborough and Jones Franklin. The location in general is exceptional with easy access to anywhere in town.

The only real con to this campground is the lack of shade. It was hot and humid during our stay and a little shade would have been a plus. In a few years, there will be a bit more shade once the planted tees mature and fill out a bit.