10 Family Campgrounds Near Charlotte

Where to pitch a tent and spend a night in nature
Charlotte Parent Staff Report,
Campwilderness 121
Courtesy Carowinds' Camp Wilderness

Updated April 2025

McDowell Nature Preserve

Bring the kids to McDowell Nature Preserve for relaxation with a side of education. McDowell Nature Preserve borders Lake Wylie and lies approximately 30 minutes from the heart of Charlotte. Despite lake proximity, there is no lake beach or swimming area.

McDowell Nature Preserve offers 56 campsites ranging from RV to primitive, fishing, picnic areas, shelter rentals, eight miles of hiking trails, two playgrounds, and a nature center. Prior to visiting, check out McDowell Nature Center’s hours and programs, which are affordable, educational, and memorable for the kids.

 

Carowinds’ Camp Wilderness

Experience a different kind of camping adventure at Carowinds’ Camp Wilderness. Comfortably camp in a lodge, cabin, or RV before braving the thrilling coasters and waterslides Carowinds and Carolina Harbor. Their newly updated cabin rentals sleep up to 8, and level campsites with full hookups easily accommodate both pop-ups and RVs up to 45 feet. Need to house a large group? Great Wilderness Lodge sleeps 14 and offers a large meeting area, equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, and a wraparound, rocking-chair porch. Everyone will find their own way to unwind with a swimming pool and cabanas, cornhole, fire pits, disc golf, and more.

  • Address: 14609 Carowinds Blvd.
  • Contact: 704-588-2600, option 4

 

Camp T.N. Spencer Park

Approximately 45 minutes from Charlotte lies Camp T.N. Spencer Park. This Cabarrus County park offers a 1.5-mile walking trail, volleyball, a playground, three fishing ponds, horseshoe pits, and a swimming pool. Take a dip in the pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day for $5 per person. A natural play area lies at the end of the 0.4-mile nature trail.

Choose from one of the six cabins or eight tent sites. Both cabins and tent sites accommodate up to six campers. Cabins offer a swing or rocking chairs on the front porch, and the online reservation system lists each cabin’s distance from bathhouse.

  • Address: 3155 Foxford Road, Concord
  • Contact: Jacob Wentink, 704-795-4492, jlwentink@cabarruscounty.us

 

Lake Norman State Park

Camp near the relaxing waters of Lake Norman, only about 45 minutes from Charlotte. Lake Norman State Park offers 44 campsites for tents, trailers, RVs, or cabins, as well as a group camping area. Guests may also reserve a community building complete with kitchen facilities and restrooms. Each of Lake Norman State Park’s six cabins can sleep up to six campers in two bedrooms, one with double bed and the other with two sets of bunked beds. Check the reservations section of the website for specific amenities of photos of campsites.

Lake Norman State Park offers more than camping. Try the trails, which include suitable options for hikers, mountain bikers, and families. Those with little ones should check out Dragonfly Trail, which offers nature displays along a paved, 0.15-mile loop. Utilize the lakeside location by fishing, swimming, or boating. Swim along the lake beach, or rent paddle boats, kayaks, SUP boards, or canoes.

  • Address: Lake Norman State Park Campground, 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166
  • Contact: 877-722-6762, lake.norman@ncparks.gov

 

Dan Nicholas Park

Visit Dan Nicholas Park in Rowan County for a unique camping experience. Dan Nicholas Park, which lies just under an hour from Charlotte, offers nature programs, carousel, minigolf, gem mining, paddle boats, train station, splash pad, and Rowan Wild. Rowan Wild is home to a collection of animal ambassadors and is comprised of the Barnyard, Nature Center, and Wildlife Adventures.

Dan Nicholas Park holds six cabins and 70 campsites. One-room cabins include a full-size bed and twin-size bunk beds, accommodating up to 5 campers. Campsites accommodate up to six campers. Twelve campsites offer pull-through, and 67 campsites offer power and water. Make reservations here. The fishing lake shares a border with twelve of the sites.

  • Address: 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury
  • Contact: 704-216-7808

 

Cane Creek Park

Cane Creek Park surrounds a 350-acre lake in Waxhaw. Use the Harkey Road entrance for access to a playground, volleyball, numerous picnic tables, disc golf, climbing wall, boat ramp, rental pedal boats, and lake beach. The campground entrance on Cane Creek Road is only for registered campers. This section of the park offers a boat ramp, lake beach, basketball court, miniature golf, playground, and lakeside lodge. Guests may hike or fish at either location. Check the Facebook page for upcoming events, such as summer movie nights.

Select one of the 108 sites in the family camping area to be near Cane Creek Lake and a bathhouse. Or try one of the nine tent-only wilderness sites that offer no water or electricity hook-ups. Cabins at Cane Creek Park can accommodate up to six campers with one double bed and two sets of bunk beds.

 

Charlotte Fort Mill KOA 

This KOA has all the amenities: WiFi, mini golf and a pool. A picnic pavilion is available for group use. Don’t feel like cooking? Enjoy Hunt Brothers Pizza on-site. Relax next door at John’s Place, a full-service lounge. Walk to Publix or drive to Walmart, just five minutes away.

There are tent sites, lodging, RV sites, and extended stays. Note dog breed restrictions: Rottweiler, America Bulldog, Pit-bull, Doberman Pinscher or any mix of these will not be permitted.

  • Address:940 Gold Hill Rd, Fort Mill, SC
  • Cost: See website for pricing
  • Contact: 803-547-5416

Copperhead Island

Copperhead Island is a 6-tent campground located on Lake Wylie. The campground features an outdoor shelter that can accommodate up to 80 guests, volleyball court, charcoal grills, horseshoe pits, restrooms, shower room, and walking trails.

Book reservations here.

  • Address: 15200 Soldier Road
  • Contact: 980-314-2267

Broad River Campground

This campground about one hour from Charlotte offers 83 acres of family and pet friendly fun with stays in cabins, glamping domes, RV sites, and our newest addition of 5 tent sites. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the campground. All cabins and domes also include smart tv’s with free streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

While there, enjoy a swimming pool (March – September), playground and climbing dome, a gaga pit, a ping pong table, corn hole, tetherball, horseshoes, a book lending library, giant checkers and chess sets, two hiking trails, creek wading, and complimentary access to the Broad River Greenway.

Book reservations here.

  • Address:120 Broad River Campground Rd, Mooresboro, NC
  • Contact: 828-338-9598

 

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Just about 90 minutes from Charlotte, Jellystone is a family favorite with a little something for everyone. “Glampers” or those that are new to camping can choose from a variety of cabin rentals – both rustic and luxury options. Those who have an RV can rent one of our spacious campsites, while tent campers can book a tent site for a rustic camping experience.

Campers enjoy access to their huge water park, swimming pools, mini golf course, jumping pillows, playground, sports courts, and more. There are a variety of additional rentals including paddle boards, kayaks, golf carts, and laser tag.

  • Address: 182 Jellystone Parkway, Bostic, NC 28018
  • Cost: Cabins range between $180 – $460 per night, Tent sites start around $110 per night, see reservation page on site for specific pricing
  • Contact: 803-547-5416

 

 

 

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