Whether your idea of camping includes a lounge chair, hot dogs, and some good music or fishing, hiking, and biking, the state parks in North Carolina have the perfect camping spot for you. Ranging from the coast through the Piedmont region and stretching to the mountains in the west, North Carolina parks offer a range of beauty, activity, and relaxation that is hard to match.
Lake Norman State Park, Troutman
Located about a half-hour north of Charlotte, Lake Norman State Park offers the tranquility and beauty of a rural paradise while still close to major amenities. Centered around Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in the state, the park features 33 campground sites with tent pads, picnic tables and grills, group tent campsites, a community building with kitchen facilities and restrooms, a bathhouse complex, and a 125-yard beachfront that’s perfect for swimming and fishing. There are also ample opportunities to stop and fish along the park’s 30.5 miles of trails, which are also very popular with mountain bikers. For those who want to get out on the water, a free boat launch is available at the south end of the park, as well as kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and paddleboards for rent.
Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap
Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap features a whopping 90 campsites, some with utility hook-ups for those who are camping in an RV or travel trailer. There are also group and backpacking sites available for those who are more into “roughing it.” During your stay at the park, there are tons of activities to choose from including fishing in the 20 miles of designated trout waters, picnicking, horseback riding and hiking on the park’s 18 miles of trails. But one thing not to miss during your visit is the massive granite dome that overlooks the park. If you’re into rock climbing, you can even climb the giant 600-foot granite face with a permit and enjoy the views of Hutchinson Homestead, a mid-19th century farm that has been fully restored.
3042 Frank Pkwy, Roaring Gap, NC 28668, USA— +1 336-957-8185
Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury
Not to be outdone, Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury also offers amazing views from the top of Hanging Rock and Moore’s Knob, situated 1,300 feet above the countryside below. In addition to 73 campground sites and 5 primitive camping sites, the park also has plenty of spots to picnic, a 12-acre stocked lake for swimming and fishing, paddling and canoes on the Dan River and over 20 miles of hiking trails and 8.4 miles of mountain biking trails. Rock climbers can also find opportunities to climb with a permit.
1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd, Danbury, NC 27016, USA— +1 336-593-8480
Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach
If cabin camping is more your speed, no worries. There are NC state parks that offer cabin rentals, including Carolina Beach State Park, located just outside of Wilmington. Named the Regional State Park of the Year in 2015, the park features beautiful views of the coast, as well as 83 secluded, tree-covered sites for camping that include a picnic table and grill, with RV hook-ups and wheelchair-accessible spots available. The four camper cabins for rent include two bedrooms that sleep up to six people, as well as electric, heating and air conditioning, a picnic table, grill and a fire ring. Although there is no bathroom in the cabins, restrooms are available nearby. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming or boating from the marina that features two public boat ramps and a store. But the coolest thing you’ll find here… real live Venus Flytraps. So keep an eye out on your hikes!
1010 State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA— +1 910-458-8206
Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain
Located in Kings Mountain, Crowders Mountain State Park doesn’t just offer beautiful secluded spots to camp, it also features impressive views of the surrounding scenery and eleven hiking trails that range in difficulty from leisurely to strenuous. Backcountry family and group camping with grills, picnic tables, and tent pads are also available. If you want to build a campfire for s’mores, a firewood bundle is just $5. There’s also a 9-acre lake for fishing or trying your hand at canoeing.
522 Park Office Ln, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, USA— +1 704-853-5375
New River State Park, Laurel Springs
If primitive wilderness camping is what you’re after, you’ll want to visit New River State Park in Laurel Springs. Named for the National Wild and Scenic River that runs through it, the park offers three separate access areas, each with a primitive campground, where campers will park a short distance away and then canoe or walk in to reach the campsites. The campgrounds at the Wagoner Road and US 221 Access Areas offer bathroom facilities with showers, while the Alleghany County Access Area offers a pit toilet and a pump for drinking water. For extreme wilderness campers, there are also four canoe-in-only campsites at Riverbend that offer no toilets or drinking water.
358 New River State Park Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644, USA— +1 336-982-2587
