Campsites near Bessemer City, North Carolina offer diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,400 feet above sea level. The region features a moderate climate with approximately 217 sunny days annually, making camping viable year-round. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations 2-14 days in advance, with peak booking periods occurring between April and October.
What to do
Hiking historical trails: Kings Mountain State Park connects to a Revolutionary War battlefield where visitors can explore significant historical sites. "Tons to do, including hikes and history. Make sure to go across the street to the Kings Mountain Military site. Better yet, plan your stay when they are doing an event," notes Don H. of Kings Mountain State Park.
Creek access camping: Primitive sites allow direct water access for fishing and wading. "The creek is right beside the camp. Nice and secluded. Firewood was provided. The owner was super nice, even gave me a call when I was there to see how it was going," shares Tim W. about his experience at Primitive Camping By the Creek.
Lake activities: John H. Moss Lake offers boat-accessible camping with fishing opportunities throughout the year. A reviewer noted, "The lake has great fishing," and mentioned the campground is "fairly quiet most of time" with weekends becoming busier during peak season.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many campers appreciate the individual bathroom facilities at Iron City Campground. One visitor commented, "Bathrooms and pool are CLEAN!!!! Private bathrooms with showers. Also has laundry ($) but has change for quarters in shop!!!" This setup offers more privacy than typical campground bathhouses.
Extended hiking networks: Crowders Mountain State Park provides multiple connected trail systems accessible directly from campgrounds. "The trails are maintained and kept clean with easy use of blazes. This is a good place for a family or solo hike. There is a trail for everyone," explains Melena H.
Seclusion despite proximity: Campers value finding isolated spots near urban areas. "We stayed at Mcdowell Park Campground over a long weekend and really enjoyed it. The park is located southwest of Charlotte off of hwy 49 near Lake Wylie, SC. The hwy is busy and neighboring Lake Wylie is also busy. However, once you pull off the road and back into the nature preserve, all of the noise (except for airplanes) falls away," reports Lee J. about McDowell Nature Preserve.
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. One camper at Kings Mountain State Park observed, "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways."
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with higher humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing. "We stayed here on our way North to head home. It's in a decent location, the sites are level with full hook ups. The nighttime noise was bothersome, not sure where it was coming from, likely outside the campground. We didn't do the amusement park because of Covid and being almost below freezing," explains a visitor to Carowinds Camp Wilderness.
Campground maintenance: Site conditions can vary significantly between locations. At Hippie Holler, a visitor found "No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely. Hidden Gem for the neurodivergants and chill seekers. Cool solar lights made it trippy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. One reviewer at Ebenezer Park mentioned, "Fun beach within easy walk from campsite!" Another noted, "We went around Halloween and they had trick-or-treating around the park as well as prizes for the best decorated."
Shuttle services: Families visiting area attractions can utilize campground transportation. "This campground is owned by carowinds and has free bus rides to and from the park from open until close. Bathhouses are private and clean," writes Creighton C. about Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds with organized activities keep children engaged. "Great campground with clean facilities and lots of amenities. Convenient country store at the park office. Hook ups for both RVs and tent campers," shares Sarah W. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should carefully review site dimensions before booking. One RVer noted, "Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV. If that wasn't enough, sites are very close to each other."
Electric hook-up variations: Campgrounds offer different electrical options, ranging from basic 30-amp to full 50-amp service. "Not the biggest but pretty nice. Looks like a stop off/mid way point for some campers on their way to other places. Owners are very nice and they have good trails," shares John B. about Iron City Campground.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow entrance roads that may be difficult for larger rigs. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," reports Karen S. about Kings Mountain.
