North Carolina has some of the best beaches on the Atlantic coast as well as the Appalachian Mountains. So for camping in North Carolina you can choose mountains, ocean, or break up your trip and do both. Here are the 5 best places to camp in North Carolina this summer!
1. Kerr Lake State Recreation Area: J.C. Cooper Campground
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One of the largest lakes in North Carolina is Kerr Lake with 50,000 acres of water for swimming, boating, paddling and fishing. It is located about an hour north of Raleigh providing a nice getaway for city dwellers. There are four camping areas with different amenities that can accommodate RV’s with full hookup as well as more primitive tent camping. Some of the sites are right on the lake! This is one of the best lakes for fishing in North Carolina, when you drop your line you don’t know what you are going to get. Fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish and black crappie. Maybe you will catch something to fry up at your campfire for dinner!
| J.C. Cooper Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | An hour north of Raleigh |
| Nearest City | Middleburg |
| Bullocksville | 59 tent/trailer, 28 with water/electric |
| County Line | 67 tent/trailer, 36 with electric |
| Hibernia | 138 tent/trailer, 46 with electric |
| Nutbush | 79 sites, 60 with hookups for RV’s |
| Satterwhite Point | 110 sites, 63 with hookups for RV’s |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, playground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Some of the best fishing in North Carolina! |
2. Concord: Camping World Racing Resort
For racing fans, staying at the Camping World Racing Resort is the best place to camp in North Carolina this summer because it is right next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The campground is not exactly a quiet place in the woods, but you can camp right where all the action is. The main track, drag racing track and dirt track are all within walking distance. The campsites are easy to access, both pull-through and back-in with full hookup options. Gather with your friends and family at the pavilion before turning in for the night. Not a lot of wildlife at this campground but you might hear an owl in this suburban setting.
| Camping World Racing Resort | |
|---|---|
| Location | Just 15 miles NE of downtown Charlotte |
| Nearest City | Concord |
| RV sites | Yes, pull through, back in, some full hookup |
| Tent sites | No, not tent camping |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | No |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, pavilion for socializing |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Walk to the races, feel the excitement of race day! |
3. Morrow Mountain State Park
©iStock.com/Dmytro Aslanian
Located in the Uwharrie Mountains, about 50 miles NE of Charlotte, is the Morrow Mountain State Park. It has the mountains, lake (Tillery Lake) and rivers (Yadkin / Pee Dee River), so you can imagine all the outdoor activities you can enjoy. Hiking or backpacking along the miles of trails leads to many scenic overlooks. Bring your fishing gear to fish in the lake or along the rivers. Fish for largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish and blue catfish.
The campground has 106 sites for RV’s or tents but they are all non-electric. There are flush toilets, a bath house, drinking water and comfort station. There is also a more primitive tent camping area for something a little more off-grid. This is some of the most classic camping in North Carolina, bring your camp chair, sit by the fire and enjoy!
| Morrow Mountain State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | About 50 miles NE of Charlotte |
| Nearest City | Albemarle |
| RV/Tent Sites | 106 campsites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Mountains, lakes and rivers all at one campground! |
4. Lake Norman State Park
©iStock.com/jdwfoto
Just 40 miles north of Charlotte is Lake Norman State Park, nestled along the shores of the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. There is a 125-yard swimming beach and boat ramp if you want to paddle or fish. The state fishing record for the largest spotted bass was pulled from Lake Norman at 6lbs. 5oz. by Eric. M. Weir in December of 2003. Maybe you will get lucky and break the record this summer!
Besides all the water recreation, Lake Norman State Park is known for some of the best mountain bike trails in the state. It has 30.5 miles of single-track trails so plenty of variety in skill level for bikers. There are also hiking trails throughout the park for hiking or backpacking. The campground has 32 non-electric/non-water sites and 10 sites with full hookups. There are also 6 modern camper cabins with two bedrooms if you want something a little less rustic.
| Lake Norman State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | 40 miles north of Charlotte |
| Nearest City | Bells Crossroads |
| RV/Tent Sites | 32 non-electric/no water sites, 10 sites with full hookups |
| Camper Cabins | 6 camper cabins |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Some of the best mountain bike trails in the state! |
5. Hammocks Beach State Park
©forestpath/Shutterstock.com
Does camping on a remote sandy beach sound appealing? Then camping at Hammocks Beach State Park might be for you. The campground is located out on Bear Island and is only accessible by ferry or boat (kayak, canoe, and paddle board). There are 11 sites available right on the sandy beach. Bring everything you need because there are few amenities, but there are privies and water as well as designated swimming beach. Fish from the shore or watch for bottlenose dolphins or manatees especially early in the morning. Sounds like one of the best places to camp in North Carolina this summer to me!
| Hammocks Beach State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Right on the sandy beaches of Bear Island |
| Nearest City | Swansboro |
| RV sites | No, there are no RV sites |
| Tent sites | 11 primitive tent sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | No, no fires allowed at the park |
| Amenities | Privy, water |
| Pet Friendly | No, no pets on the ferry or at the swimming beach |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Remote camping right on the sandy beach! |
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Sources
- , Available here: https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/camping/year-round-camping/
- , Available here: https://www.ncparks.gov/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area/camping
- , Available here: https://northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/morrow-mountain-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NC&parkId=552856
- , Available here: https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-norman-state-park/home
- , Available here: https://www.ncparks.gov/hammocks-beach-state-park/camping
