Camping in Charlotte, NC, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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North Carolina
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Charlotte

99% (1557 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Charlotte

Under $50

Top camping destinations

Cherokee National Forest

1303 campgrounds

Grayson Highlands State Park

Pisgah National Forest

1365 campgrounds

Star Hosts in Charlotte

98%

(31)

Tails and Trails

2 sites · Lodging9 acres · Landis, NC

Nestled off of the beaten path and located in a small town. Enjoy peace and quiet at this site, back in the woods down a quaint little trail on 9 acres! Whether it's sitting around a campfire, throwing some cornhole, playing some cards or playing some retro games, you can have it all right here. Power is provided via a power bank. Bathroom is equipped with a camp shower bag and flushable toilet. Ask about s'mores kits and firewood. Pet's welcome. State licensed pet boarding available on-site!

The New Forest

4 sites · RVs, Tents82 acres · New London, NC

Located in Uwharrie National Forest, the New Forest features open meadows among stands of pine and mixed hardwoods. Campsites are far apart, each unique and offer the opportunity to commune with nature, and experience camping like it should be, emersed in nature with the opportunity to disconnect from the trappings of our modern, hectic world. This area is one of the richest archeological areas in the entire southeast United States. The location of the first real gold rush, and rich in folklore and bootlegging history, old homesteads and family graveyards are scattered among the hills. Old roadbeds and logging trails abound in the 800 acres of Uwharrrie National Forest directly adjacent to the New Forest Property making for miles of hiking opportunities, wildlife viewing, birdwatching. A 3/4 mile hike to the Taylor Family graveyard is marked with ribbons to guide you to one of the of the many family graveyards. *** A new fun feature for kids is the introduction of our dear friend Debbie Beasley"s art to the trails here in the New Forest. Scattered along the many trails are rocks painted by the one and only Debbie Beasley with cute fluorescent/3-D scenes of nature. Children can keep them as souvenirs from their New Forest camping adventure, or enjoy them while here then re-hide them for other children to find. ❤️ Come see for yourself. If you are looking for a modern, crowded campground this isn't it. However if you want a beautiful, rustic experience in nature, with a few basic amenities and with access to Uwharrie National Forest come see what others have enjoyed so much.

Private Oasis In The Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Irwin, SC

Quite undisturbed forest for 1/2 a century, used for duck hunting in the previous owners family for decades. I’ve started building a small cabin that’s unfinished hopefully completing in the coming years. Fishing pond and small seasonal creek flows after lots of rain. Excited to share it with others!

Lucky Farms Under the Stars

16 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Edgemoor, SC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our private woods with your own fire pit or set up your camper alongside our trees. 6acres of wooded area with walking trails to forage and explore and 7acre field for playing. Come check out our latest addition: Hillbilly Golf! We have a par-3, 9 hole set up throughout the field. Play it backwards for a full 18 holes. We also have private fire pits set up at most of the sites if you'd prefer to keep to yourself. -grills, charcoal or gas, are available upon request. We're more than happy to customize your experience if you have something special in mind. If you want to hang out and have a good time getting to know new people, we can make that happen. Or if you'd rather be left alone for some peace, were good with that too. Instagram: LuckyFarms.LiveHappy

Hidden Oasis At High Rock Lake

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Lexington, NC

A breathe of fresh air. Hidden Oasis consists at the present 4 campsites safe and secluded in the woods, but close enough to town. Gravel drive into campsites with parking at the site. Shared Water hydrants for fresh water, bathroom with flushable toilet and outdoor shower with hot water. Shared Pavilion with ample seating, charcoal grill , refrigerator and sink with hot water, and a few cooking and eating utensils located within short distance of sites. Bring your own tent or rent one . Firewood available for purchase ..MOTORCYCLES welcome. Stay for one night or a week. Look forward to meeting you!

12 top campgrounds near Charlotte

99%

(85)

Lucky Farms Under the Stars

16 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Edgemoor, SC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our private woods with your own fire pit or set up your camper alongside our trees. 6acres of wooded area with walking trails to forage and explore and 7acre field for playing. Come check out our latest addition: Hillbilly Golf! We have a par-3, 9 hole set up throughout the field. Play it backwards for a full 18 holes. We also have private fire pits set up at most of the sites if you'd prefer to keep to yourself. -grills, charcoal or gas, are available upon request. We're more than happy to customize your experience if you have something special in mind. If you want to hang out and have a good time getting to know new people, we can make that happen. Or if you'd rather be left alone for some peace, were good with that too. Instagram: LuckyFarms.LiveHappy

Private Oasis In The Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Irwin, SC

Quite undisturbed forest for 1/2 a century, used for duck hunting in the previous owners family for decades. I’ve started building a small cabin that’s unfinished hopefully completing in the coming years. Fishing pond and small seasonal creek flows after lots of rain. Excited to share it with others!

Tails and Trails

2 sites · Lodging9 acres · Landis, NC

Nestled off of the beaten path and located in a small town. Enjoy peace and quiet at this site, back in the woods down a quaint little trail on 9 acres! Whether it's sitting around a campfire, throwing some cornhole, playing some cards or playing some retro games, you can have it all right here. Power is provided via a power bank. Bathroom is equipped with a camp shower bag and flushable toilet. Ask about s'mores kits and firewood. Pet's welcome. State licensed pet boarding available on-site!

Hidden Oasis At High Rock Lake

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Lexington, NC

A breathe of fresh air. Hidden Oasis consists at the present 4 campsites safe and secluded in the woods, but close enough to town. Gravel drive into campsites with parking at the site. Shared Water hydrants for fresh water, bathroom with flushable toilet and outdoor shower with hot water. Shared Pavilion with ample seating, charcoal grill , refrigerator and sink with hot water, and a few cooking and eating utensils located within short distance of sites. Bring your own tent or rent one . Firewood available for purchase ..MOTORCYCLES welcome. Stay for one night or a week. Look forward to meeting you!

The New Forest

4 sites · RVs, Tents82 acres · New London, NC

Located in Uwharrie National Forest, the New Forest features open meadows among stands of pine and mixed hardwoods. Campsites are far apart, each unique and offer the opportunity to commune with nature, and experience camping like it should be, emersed in nature with the opportunity to disconnect from the trappings of our modern, hectic world. This area is one of the richest archeological areas in the entire southeast United States. The location of the first real gold rush, and rich in folklore and bootlegging history, old homesteads and family graveyards are scattered among the hills. Old roadbeds and logging trails abound in the 800 acres of Uwharrrie National Forest directly adjacent to the New Forest Property making for miles of hiking opportunities, wildlife viewing, birdwatching. A 3/4 mile hike to the Taylor Family graveyard is marked with ribbons to guide you to one of the of the many family graveyards. *** A new fun feature for kids is the introduction of our dear friend Debbie Beasley"s art to the trails here in the New Forest. Scattered along the many trails are rocks painted by the one and only Debbie Beasley with cute fluorescent/3-D scenes of nature. Children can keep them as souvenirs from their New Forest camping adventure, or enjoy them while here then re-hide them for other children to find. ❤️ Come see for yourself. If you are looking for a modern, crowded campground this isn't it. However if you want a beautiful, rustic experience in nature, with a few basic amenities and with access to Uwharrie National Forest come see what others have enjoyed so much.

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(296)

Waterfall camping close to CLT

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Bessemer City, NC

My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.

Norman Farms

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Richburg, SC

Come visit our homestead and experience the beauty of nature. Our property is home to many fruit trees, including peach, fig, persimmon, and mulberry. We also have blueberry bushes and other fruit trees such as apples and plums. Our farm is home to sheep and chickens, so you can experience the joy of interacting with these animals. We have a spot for one RV and multiple spots for dry camping, so you can stay overnight and enjoy the peacefulness of the countryside. Come pick mulberries in our orchard or learn about the variety of plants in our greenhouse. We are located in Richburg, SC, which is a beautiful rural setting that you won't want to miss. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and experience the beauty of our homestead.

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(26)

Peaceful RV Camping W Lake Access

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Charlotte, NC

This 2.5 acre, partially wooded lot is located on a secluded cove of Lake Wylie. Campers can enjoy the lakeview, lake access, a spacious dock, swimming area, fishing, kayaking, and other lake activities! [This camping spot includes a communal or private fire pit as well as access to a gas grill.] Additionally, this lot is within driving distance to many local attractions listed below. This property is BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat)! There are 2 boat landings within 5 miles of the property, campers are more than welcome to tie up their boat to the on-site dock and park their trailer on the property. Pets are welcome, however note that the property owner has a cat and small dog on site. Pets need to be well behaved and not aggressive to other animals. Cleaning up after your pet in the lawn areas is required. The property owner (Teresa) lives on-site in a cabin between the camping pad and the lake. Local attractions within driving distance include: -Copperhead Island (5 miles) -McDowell Park/Nature Preserve (5 miles) -Carowinds Theme Park (5 miles) -Charlotte Premium Outlets (5 miles) -Whitewater Center (10 miles) -David Stowe Botanical Garden (15 miles) -Uptown Charlotte (15 miles) -Charlotte Motor Speedway (25 miles)

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(13)

Beach Bound Camp

113 sites · RVs, Tents45 acres · Wadesboro, NC

🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁 50% OFF ALL STAYS THIS NOVEMBER! Use Code: Q92YVJUC 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁 Greetings friend! My name’s Dina Joy. My husband and I are seasoned Hipcampers and I was a Hipcamp mate for the Summer of 2023. You can find my Hipcamp Mate content on my social media: @dina.joy and on my YouTube channel: YouTube.com/dinajoy We went on a 390-day roadtrip from North Carolina all the way to California. Hit 22 states + Tijuana, and stayed at SEVERAL Hipcamps, National Parks, and RV Campgrounds. Our familiarity with the camping mindset enables us to adapt and cater to your unique camping needs with ease. We loved all of our Hipcamps across the country and now that we’re in our home state of North Carolina, are so excited to share our land with other Hipcampers! Halfway between Asheville and Emerald Isle, our land is located in charming Wadesboro, North Carolina. We live on-site in our RV. My husband and I are passionate about growing organic food and are currently building up our garden and other accommodations here. We will continue to grow and build on this property over time. Before the 390-day road trip, we sold our house and most of our possessions, but you can check out our bountiful previous garden on my YouTube channel: YouTube.com/dinajoy ABOUT OUR PROPERTY: En Route to the beach? Stop at this “Bluebird Kingdom” and peacefully camp among nature! We are just off the main route towards the Grand Strand and other beautiful coastal destinations! Dog-friendly! (Our 3 cockapoos live on-site.) Semi-primitive property of 45 acres where you may find wild turkey, deer, and many species of birds that don’t dwell in the cities. Explore the refreshing waters of a picturesque creek! There are also walking/riding trails throughout the property. Bring your toys. Very low light pollution, our land is great for serene gazing of the stars at night. We have one camp spot with full hook-ups- water, power (50A, 30A, 20A), sewer. Our field is large enough to accommodate multiple RVs and provides several dry camping sites for a fun and memorable experience! 100 yard driveway with gated entrance for extra comfort and security. JUST 9 minutes from Downtown Wadesboro! Take a nice stroll through this small town and explore the local shops. Convenience stores close by: 7 minutes to IGA Food Store 12 minutes to Food Lion 12 minutes to Tractor Supply 12 minutes to CVS 31 minutes to ROCKINGHAM Our Proximity to Coastal Getaways: MYRTLE BEACH: 2 hrs 24 mins (124 miles) MURRELS INLET: 2 hrs 37 mins (132 miles) WILMINGTON: 2 hrs 21 mins (153 miles) CHARLESTON: 3 hrs 15 mins (186 miles) JACKSONVILLE: 5 hrs 23 mins (361 miles)

96%

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The Farm at Long Creek

1 site · Tent73 acres · Gold Hill, NC

Campsite situated on 73 acres of lush privacy at the foothills of the Uwharrie National Forest. Enjoy hiking on the extensive trails or fishing and canoeing in the pond. Crystal clear, large flowing creek gently winds through the property. Abundant wildlife including deer, turkey, opossum, raccoon, skunk - even the occasional bear, coyote, and wild boar have been caught on game cameras. Only 1 hour from Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, yet feels like a world away. Minutes from Tuckertown Reservoir and Badin Lake. To ensure your privacy and solitude, only one booking is available at a time. Tents only please; as the road to the campsite is narrow and. AWD or 4WD may be required during wet weather. Cars that are low to the ground are not recommended. We have table and chairs, fire pit, water, trash bin, toilet, a canoe and noodles to use in pond.

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(1)

Private Mountain View On 2 Acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Hickory, NC

Fully fenced and gated 2.25 acres with main home (where the host lives), plus an in-law suite, RV hookup, and camping space for rent. Views of Bakers Mountain and no neighbors in site. You have use of a bonfire pit, playground, and private driveway. The rental areas are a good distance from our home so you will have lots of privacy (but we are here if you need us, or if your kids need playmates)!

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(226)

Neal Creek Camping Sites

3 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Blacksburg, SC

Neal Creek Primitive camping by the creek is located on private property. The two large campsites are approximately 300 feet apart and are located right beside the running creek. Plenty of shaded area's. We have a 6-8 person tent available to rent as well! Learn more about this land: We are only 1/2 a mile from the Interstate 85. So bring your tents, campers or your small RV and come and setup down by the babbling creek. If you don't have or own a tent, we have a large 6-8 person tent available for a small rental fee too. Build a nice fire in the fire pit. The firewood and kindling is provided. The campsites are semi-wooded areas with plenty of shade. They are very large private, peaceful and quiet sites. View the stars at night, play in the creek during the day or if you are into biking or hiking, go to the Overmountain Victory trail located about 15 minutes away and enjoy the 6.7 mile loop around Lake Whelchel right off I-85. Local attractions: Biking, Hiking, Climbing and Horse trails - Kings Mtn National Park, Kings Mtn State Park, Crowder's Mtn State Park, Overmountain Victory Trail Segment - Lake Whelchel. Two Kings Casino is just a 10 minute trip right up Interstate - 85, exit 5 Convenient stores/restaurants within minutes from site.

Dog-friendly getaways

99%

(101)

Hidden Oasis At High Rock Lake

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Lexington, NC

A breathe of fresh air. Hidden Oasis consists at the present 4 campsites safe and secluded in the woods, but close enough to town. Gravel drive into campsites with parking at the site. Shared Water hydrants for fresh water, bathroom with flushable toilet and outdoor shower with hot water. Shared Pavilion with ample seating, charcoal grill , refrigerator and sink with hot water, and a few cooking and eating utensils located within short distance of sites. Bring your own tent or rent one . Firewood available for purchase ..MOTORCYCLES welcome. Stay for one night or a week. Look forward to meeting you!

Waterfall camping close to CLT

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Bessemer City, NC

My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.

Tails and Trails

2 sites · Lodging9 acres · Landis, NC

Nestled off of the beaten path and located in a small town. Enjoy peace and quiet at this site, back in the woods down a quaint little trail on 9 acres! Whether it's sitting around a campfire, throwing some cornhole, playing some cards or playing some retro games, you can have it all right here. Power is provided via a power bank. Bathroom is equipped with a camp shower bag and flushable toilet. Ask about s'mores kits and firewood. Pet's welcome. State licensed pet boarding available on-site!

Private Oasis In The Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Irwin, SC

Quite undisturbed forest for 1/2 a century, used for duck hunting in the previous owners family for decades. I’ve started building a small cabin that’s unfinished hopefully completing in the coming years. Fishing pond and small seasonal creek flows after lots of rain. Excited to share it with others!

Lucky Farms Under the Stars

16 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Edgemoor, SC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our private woods with your own fire pit or set up your camper alongside our trees. 6acres of wooded area with walking trails to forage and explore and 7acre field for playing. Come check out our latest addition: Hillbilly Golf! We have a par-3, 9 hole set up throughout the field. Play it backwards for a full 18 holes. We also have private fire pits set up at most of the sites if you'd prefer to keep to yourself. -grills, charcoal or gas, are available upon request. We're more than happy to customize your experience if you have something special in mind. If you want to hang out and have a good time getting to know new people, we can make that happen. Or if you'd rather be left alone for some peace, were good with that too. Instagram: LuckyFarms.LiveHappy

Available this weekend

99%

(85)

Lucky Farms Under the Stars

16 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Edgemoor, SC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our private woods with your own fire pit or set up your camper alongside our trees. 6acres of wooded area with walking trails to forage and explore and 7acre field for playing. Come check out our latest addition: Hillbilly Golf! We have a par-3, 9 hole set up throughout the field. Play it backwards for a full 18 holes. We also have private fire pits set up at most of the sites if you'd prefer to keep to yourself. -grills, charcoal or gas, are available upon request. We're more than happy to customize your experience if you have something special in mind. If you want to hang out and have a good time getting to know new people, we can make that happen. Or if you'd rather be left alone for some peace, were good with that too. Instagram: LuckyFarms.LiveHappy

Norman Farms

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Richburg, SC

Come visit our homestead and experience the beauty of nature. Our property is home to many fruit trees, including peach, fig, persimmon, and mulberry. We also have blueberry bushes and other fruit trees such as apples and plums. Our farm is home to sheep and chickens, so you can experience the joy of interacting with these animals. We have a spot for one RV and multiple spots for dry camping, so you can stay overnight and enjoy the peacefulness of the countryside. Come pick mulberries in our orchard or learn about the variety of plants in our greenhouse. We are located in Richburg, SC, which is a beautiful rural setting that you won't want to miss. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and experience the beauty of our homestead.

The New Forest

4 sites · RVs, Tents82 acres · New London, NC

Located in Uwharrie National Forest, the New Forest features open meadows among stands of pine and mixed hardwoods. Campsites are far apart, each unique and offer the opportunity to commune with nature, and experience camping like it should be, emersed in nature with the opportunity to disconnect from the trappings of our modern, hectic world. This area is one of the richest archeological areas in the entire southeast United States. The location of the first real gold rush, and rich in folklore and bootlegging history, old homesteads and family graveyards are scattered among the hills. Old roadbeds and logging trails abound in the 800 acres of Uwharrrie National Forest directly adjacent to the New Forest Property making for miles of hiking opportunities, wildlife viewing, birdwatching. A 3/4 mile hike to the Taylor Family graveyard is marked with ribbons to guide you to one of the of the many family graveyards. *** A new fun feature for kids is the introduction of our dear friend Debbie Beasley"s art to the trails here in the New Forest. Scattered along the many trails are rocks painted by the one and only Debbie Beasley with cute fluorescent/3-D scenes of nature. Children can keep them as souvenirs from their New Forest camping adventure, or enjoy them while here then re-hide them for other children to find. ❤️ Come see for yourself. If you are looking for a modern, crowded campground this isn't it. However if you want a beautiful, rustic experience in nature, with a few basic amenities and with access to Uwharrie National Forest come see what others have enjoyed so much.

Peaceful RV Camping W Lake Access

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Charlotte, NC

This 2.5 acre, partially wooded lot is located on a secluded cove of Lake Wylie. Campers can enjoy the lakeview, lake access, a spacious dock, swimming area, fishing, kayaking, and other lake activities! [This camping spot includes a communal or private fire pit as well as access to a gas grill.] Additionally, this lot is within driving distance to many local attractions listed below. This property is BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat)! There are 2 boat landings within 5 miles of the property, campers are more than welcome to tie up their boat to the on-site dock and park their trailer on the property. Pets are welcome, however note that the property owner has a cat and small dog on site. Pets need to be well behaved and not aggressive to other animals. Cleaning up after your pet in the lawn areas is required. The property owner (Teresa) lives on-site in a cabin between the camping pad and the lake. Local attractions within driving distance include: -Copperhead Island (5 miles) -McDowell Park/Nature Preserve (5 miles) -Carowinds Theme Park (5 miles) -Charlotte Premium Outlets (5 miles) -Whitewater Center (10 miles) -David Stowe Botanical Garden (15 miles) -Uptown Charlotte (15 miles) -Charlotte Motor Speedway (25 miles)

Hidden Oasis At High Rock Lake

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Lexington, NC

A breathe of fresh air. Hidden Oasis consists at the present 4 campsites safe and secluded in the woods, but close enough to town. Gravel drive into campsites with parking at the site. Shared Water hydrants for fresh water, bathroom with flushable toilet and outdoor shower with hot water. Shared Pavilion with ample seating, charcoal grill , refrigerator and sink with hot water, and a few cooking and eating utensils located within short distance of sites. Bring your own tent or rent one . Firewood available for purchase ..MOTORCYCLES welcome. Stay for one night or a week. Look forward to meeting you!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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(3)

Crowders Mountain State Park

Kings Mountain, North Carolina

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(4)

Kings Mountain State Park

South Carolina

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Lake Norman State Park

Troutman, North Carolina

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(1)

Andrew Jackson State Park

South Carolina

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(24)

Uwharrie National Forest

Troy, North Carolina

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(1)

Kings Mountain National Military Park

Gayle Mill, South Carolina

94%

(9)

Morrow Mountain State Park

Badin, North Carolina

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(8)

Sumter National Forest

Joanna, South Carolina

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Charlotte guide

Overview

Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, sits on the state's southern border. Expect humid temperatures in the high 80s from June to September. Spring and fall months are quite comfortable, though. Head about 45 minutes north on I-77 to reach Lake Norman State Park. Cast a line and fish for bluegill, perch, catfish and more in the titular lake. There's a swimming area around the park's south region as well. The park's Itusi Trails are particularly popular for mountain biking. If you're looking for a biking challenge, hit the demanding Laurel Loop. Nature lovers might want to swing southeast and check out the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve. This green area is on the shores of Lake Wylie. The nature preserve's McDowell Campground holds 56 campsites, including an RV park with full hookups. Camping with a large group? You can even rent the entirety of the 14-acre Copperhead Island overnight! Travel a bit east of Charlotte to find the Uwharrie National Forest. Pan for gold, hike the remote Uwharrie Trail, or fish in Badin Lake. If you own horses, don't miss the Canebrake Horse Camp. Here you can take your equine friends out on 38 miles of horse trails.