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Best Campgrounds near Bessemer City, NC

543 Reviews

Camping near Bessemer City, North Carolina includes a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and lakeside recreation areas within a 30-mile radius. Crowders Mountain State Park, located just east of Bessemer City, offers hiking trails and day use facilities, though camping options are limited. Kings Mountain State Park, situated along the North Carolina-South Carolina border, provides established campgrounds with both tent and RV sites. McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie offers a natural retreat with well-maintained facilities despite being close to Charlotte. According to reviews, McDowell Nature Preserve "feels remote but is literally minutes from the full metropolis of Charlotte," making it convenient for urban campers seeking a quick escape.

Most campgrounds in the Bessemer City area are open year-round, though summer brings higher occupancy rates and occasional heat advisories. Cell service varies significantly by location, with stronger signals at campgrounds closer to urban areas and limited or no service in more remote locations. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly in late summer and early fall. Reservations are recommended for weekend camping, especially at popular destinations like Kings Mountain State Park and Iron City Campground. Winter camping is available but with reduced services at some locations. Many campgrounds require advance booking through their respective reservation systems.

The region offers distinct camping experiences based on proximity to urban areas. RV-friendly sites with full hookups are available at Iron City Campground and Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, which cater to larger rigs with amenities like concrete pads and 50-amp service. For more secluded experiences, primitive sites can be found at locations like Hippie Holler, which offers tent camping and yurts in a more natural setting. John H. Moss Lake Campground provides boat-in access for campers seeking waterfront sites. Visitors note that campgrounds near interstate highways may experience road noise, while those nestled in state parks or preserves offer quieter surroundings with better access to hiking trails and natural features.

Map showing campgrounds near Bessemer City, North CarolinaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Bessemer City, North Carolina (103)

    1. Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    46 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 222-3209

    $13 - $31 / night

    "When not in the side, a short walk takes you to the Trading Post, a small store selling firewood ($7), ice, souvenirs, and sundries. Next to that is a large playground connected to a pavilion."

    "There are lots of trails close to the campground with one around a lake and a stream off of it. Facilities were very well maintained."

    2. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 853-5429

    $17 - $47 / night

    "The part of the park that is best to go to is the Sparrow Springs access, some folks may not be aware that there are actually several entrances to the park, and the main entrance with trails to the Crowder"

    "The trails are strenuous but views are amazing! Its definitely worth it and right outside town, not far out."

    3. McDowell Nature Preserve

    31 Reviews
    Lake Wylie, SC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (980) 314-2267

    $15 - $33 / night

    "We loved the education center, the small walking trails and lakeside area. Staff were polite and helpful. Washrooms are incredible! Newly renovated at the time, and clean!"

    "The park is located southwest of Charlotte off of hwy 49 near Lake Wylie, SC."

    4. Iron City Campground, Inc.

    25 Reviews
    Blacksburg, SC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (864) 491-2874

    $40 - $45 / night

    "ICC is a nice place just over the NC border on I85 in SC. Very close to Charlotte and Greenville areas. Lots of southern pines provided shade."

    "Our site was very level and tucked back in the corner of the campground. If we are ever in the area again we would definitely stay here again."

    5. John H. Moss Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Shelby, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 482-7926

    $35 / night

    "The lake has great fishing."

    6. B&D Campground

    2 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 739-2958

    $400 - $500 / night

    "Great campground near Moss Lake, Shelby and Gastonia/Charlotte."

    7. Hippie Holler

    1 Review
    Bessemer City, NC
    4 miles

    $40 - $60 / night

    8. Ebenezer Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    20 Reviews
    Rock Hill, SC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 366-6620

    "We live nearby so this is a nice little place to camp at. Nice sites, close to places to eat. Bathhouse was clean and well kept."

    "This park is tucked away and gorgeous. So quiet and well shaded. The beach was awesome and the kids loved swinging on the water. Will return"

    9. Primitive Camping By the Creek

    4 Reviews
    Grover, NC
    14 miles
    +1 (864) 761-6297

    $30 / night

    "This place was close to the interstate but still very secluded. Plenty of firewood and next to a creek. I highly recommend."

    "There are log seats around a nice campfire with a picnic table. Lots of room for multiple tents. The shed also has lots of tools such as an axe and rake."

    10. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    17 Reviews
    Pineville, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 588-2600

    "The adjacent amusement park is closed due to Covid but i bet it is a blast to stay here when it is open. Wooded perimeter so you feel you are away from the city."

    "The hookups were standard location and heights no issues. Our steps come out to a large level dirt pad, not grass. Lots of trees providing shade which is nice."

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Recent Camping Photos near Bessemer City, NC

205 Photos of 103 Bessemer City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bessemer City, NC

543 Reviews of 103 Bessemer City Campgrounds

  • C
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Steele Creek Park & Campground

    Extra fees

    Sooo...went to book online. Selected my site and started the payment process. I was greeted by a pop-up stating that if I want to lock in my site, I'd have to pay an additional $20 fee.

    Okay, let me get this straight: I reserve a specific site for specific reasons, then the campground tells me they have the right to move me to a site of their choosing unless I pay them an additional $20?

    No thanks. Just lost my business. I'm sure it's a nice place, but really?

  • C
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Crown Cove RV Park

    Unfriendly and Poorly Maintained

    This is a very strange place. The vibe is way off. I stayed for 2 weeks and that was 2 weeks too long. The staff are not friendly or helpful. And they use THE RULES as a means to justify their behavior. They will literally yell at you. I have no idea who these people think they are. Don’t waste your hard earned money with people like this. Day One: Huge ant infestation. Spent the next several days exterminating. Not fun. Much of the sites are not well kept. Way out of level. I had requested an open sky for my Starlink connection. It seems like they gave me the only spot with tree cover. There are dozens of other vacant spots with an open view. Weird but okay… They will not accept packages. So, don’t bother ordering anything unless you can pickup at a nearby locker. This is crazy! One day a distraught camper with tears running down her face approached me while I was outside my rig. Turns out her dog died and she needed help moving the body. Maintenance told her they couldn’t help because of THE RULES. I, of course, helped her move the body to her car. This just seems inhuman.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Starlight Hills Campground

    Mudpit

    If it’s going to rain while you’re here, I suggest finding another campground. I don’t mind dealing dirt while I camp but at this point, it’s a mud pit and all of my gear is covered in mud. My gear cleanup is going to take 10x longer than it usually does! And be sure to treat your tent with permethrin or be prepared to have daddy long legs take over. I’ve been camping all my life and I’ve dealt with a few of them in between the roof of my tent and the rain fly….no big deal. But on my first night, there was at least 50 in there! I couldn’t leave my tent without having them crawl all over me and trying to get into the tent. It was like fighting a losing battle because there were so many and they just swarm you. Couldn’t even sit my feet still by the fire without having them crawl over my feet or up my chair. I know we’re just in the woods but it’s definitely not worth the money per night. All of the other campgrounds that I’ve payed this much for are on pea gravel with nice drainage or on grass….with nice amenities…or at least actual bathrooms, not porta potties. The camp host never came by my site like the messages that I received stated. Granted, he said to call if I needed anything and that they’re on property, but I never met anyone and when I would call, I got “hello” that’s it. Not “hello, this is ___” or “starlight hills campground, how can I help you”. Very impersonal. Will not be back.

  • K
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Charlotte-Fort Mill KOA

    Rundown

    This is ok is your passing though but it’s rundown.
    Older. Clean! But really needs to be updated!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Good Campground

    This campground is one of my regular stops. It is well kept.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    great stop & stay

    nice campground. bathrooms and pool are CLEAN!!!! private bathrooms with showers. also has laundry ($) but has change for quarters in shop!! super big plus . also got a buddy site for the price of a normal one!

    not super crowded but still a nice community to be around :) 10 min drive into town as well. all sites have full hookups which was also super handy. not a bad price for what you get. only stayed two nights but would definitely stay again

  • J
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Golden Valley

    Disgusting with horrible customer service. Scam!

    Checked in around 6:00. The guy checking us in told us that the golf carts haven’t been working on hills(the whole place is hills) and to let it cool down for 10 minutes at a time if it overheats. We go to the cabin, which is littered outside with used baby wipes, get settled in, and by 8:10 realize the kitchen is infested with ants. Dozens of ants covering the appliances, counters, and kitchen sink. We asked for help and were told that maintenance would come to our cabin. They never showed up. We called the emergency line and it didn’t work, just put us in an endless loop and then hung up on us. Over and over again. We stayed that night because what other choice did we have? No one was available to help us with literally anything. Following morning, we pack up our stuff and tell the staff we’re leaving and all of our issues and ask for a refund on the room we spent 15 reluctant, ant-filled hours in. They escalate to a manager, and then tell us that another manager will call us“shortly”. The call never came. You don’t get what you pay for here. What’s advertised is a complete lie. You pay for a full kitchen? Too bad—you can’t cook or even store food here because there’s ants everywhere. Paid several hundred dollars for a golf cart to get around? It only works when it wants to. Call the emergency line for assistance? Yeah right! We spent$2k and they’re trying to dodge us for a refund. Disgusting place, disgusting behavior.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Croft State Park Campground

    Outdoor adventure awaits

    37 ft pull behind and we stayed at the upper campground (not the lakeside) close to the trail that takes you down to the creek for a swim. Lots of hiking and biking to be done which is always a great time.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Always a great time when we go

    We have been here 3 times all for a week at a time and love it. Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there.

Guide to Bessemer City

Camping near Bessemer City, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at South Mountains State Park Campground. One visitor said, "I recommend this campground and park for its trails and beauty. Very good facilities as well."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Norman State Park Campground for some fishing. A camper shared, "The campground is in a forest on the shores of Lake Norman. Well maintained hiking trails branch out from the campground."
  • Family Activities: Check out Kings Mountain State Park for family-friendly activities. One reviewer mentioned, "Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses. A visitor at Iron City Campground noted, "Clean bathhouse, clean laundry room & activities."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at Bear Den Family Campground said, "The staff are super friendly and helpful."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Black Mountain Campground. One camper remarked, "The campground was very clean, the people were friendly, and the bathhouses were some of the cleanest I’ve seen."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Kings Mountain State Park, do not allow alcohol. A camper mentioned, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many areas. A visitor at Black Mountain Campground noted, "No cell service whatsoever even with a booster."
  • Seasonal Closures: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Linville Falls Campground is open from April 1 to October 28.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. At Iron City Campground, one reviewer said, "Fun for kids: Pool with splash mushroom; playground."
  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer activities for children. A camper at Cane Creek Park shared, "There are several playgrounds for kids to play, along with an open field by the lake."
  • Safety: Many campgrounds have security measures in place. A visitor at McDowell Nature Preserve mentioned, "Campground is guarded by two gates and I saw the police patrol around a few times after hours."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A reviewer at Croft State Park Campground noted, "Our site was very level and tucked back in the corner of the campground."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has electric hookups. A camper at Bear Den Family Campground appreciated the availability of "electric hookups."
  • Dump Stations: Check if the campground has a dump station. A visitor at Kings Mountain State Park mentioned, "The dump stations also need a lot more gravel."

Camping near Bessemer City, North Carolina, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Whether you're looking for hiking, fishing, or just a peaceful getaway, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bessemer City, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bessemer City, NC is Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 46 reviews.

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