Cabins and tent sites across Piedmont North Carolina offer camping options from rustic to fully-equipped accommodations. Most sites sit at elevations between 600-1000 feet, providing moderate temperatures even in summer months. Campgrounds in the Cedar Grove vicinity typically reach capacity on weekends from May through September.
What to do
Fishing at Badin Lake: Access is available at Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake Group Camp, where water recreation dominates summer activities. "Beautiful place with great views. Clean facilities close to sites," notes visitor John L., who enjoyed the lake access just steps from camping areas.
Hiking near Morrow Mountain: The surrounding trails provide varied terrain for day hikes ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. One camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground shared, "We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do! Nice sites with electric hookups. Firewood available."
Visit farm animals: Several campgrounds maintain small hobby farms with animals for campers to observe. At Carolina Rose (formerly Cobble Hill), campers can collect fresh eggs. A visitor commented, "The best part was getting fresh eggs from the check-in store each morning... And I mean... Fresh Eggs."
What campers like
Creek-side relaxation: Water features enhance many camping experiences in the area. One camper at Moonshine Creek Campground wrote, "Benches throughout even in the creek to put your feet in. The BEST and cleanest bathhouse I've ever seen."
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight bathroom quality as a deciding factor. "The bathhouse is brand new," notes a Morrow Mountain visitor, while another at Carolina Rose appreciated the thoughtful layout: "Bathhouses were a little walk away but not too inconvenient."
Access to water activities: High Rock Lake Marina and Campground receives praise for its water amenities. One camper explains, "They have a picnic table and a swing set up at the lake so you view it," making it ideal for families who want easy lake access without hauling equipment.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with extra leveling blocks at some locations. A visitor to Deep River Campground and RV Park reported, "The gravel sites are wide enough but ours was way off from level," a common issue at several campgrounds in the region.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds are located near major highways. At Greensboro KOA, this proximity creates a noise issue for some: "The freeway noise is the biggest negative. The host was extremely nice and friendly," indicating the tradeoff between convenience and quietude.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. A visitor to Morrow Mountain State Park noted, "We registered online for 2 nights but changed plans due to incoming rain. Unfortunately changing the registration online wasn't so simple."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Morrow Mountain provides exceptional family options. "There is a lot for a family to do at Morrow Mountain including fishing and a swimming pool. My main thing is usually hiking," writes one visitor who appreciated the diverse activity options.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for younger visitors. A camper at Dan Nicholas Park observed, "Such a fun place to camp, especially for the kids. There is a beautiful zoo, gem mining, a train ride, amazing fishing, a beautiful playground, and a carousel."
Seasonal swimming options: Swimming facilities operate on limited schedules. "Pools (currently closed due to covid)" mentioned one camper about Deep River Campground, highlighting the need to verify pool availability when booking during warmer months.
Tips from RVers
Site width considerations: Many RVers note the importance of checking site dimensions before booking. At Thousand Trails Forest Lake, one camper observed, "The camping sites are close together, but, that seems standard in these types of campgrounds."
Hookup placement: The location of utilities can create setup challenges. A camper at Deep River noted, "The sewer connection was more than 40 feet from the center of the site and I only carry 30 feet of line, so we had to back way up in order to hook-up."
Seasonal availability: Some camping cabins near Cedar Grove, North Carolina close during winter. A visitor to Moonshine Creek Campground remarked, "No full-timers, as the park is closed during the winter," indicating the need to verify off-season availability.
