Camping spots near Claremont, North Carolina include a diverse range of options from lakeside sites to mountain retreats. The area features moderate elevation changes with most campgrounds situated between 800-1,400 feet above sea level. Local water features include multiple reservoirs and rivers, contributing to humid summer conditions and cool, moderate winters. Most campgrounds maintain water access year-round, though swimming areas typically close from November through March.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Lake Norman State Park Campground offers extensive biking opportunities with well-maintained paths. A visitor notes, "Hiking, swimming, fishing at its Carolina best. Outdoorsies will not be sorry if they visit Lake Norman State Park. It is located at the northern end of the lake, where it is quieter (motor boat wise) than farther south."
Waterfall hiking: South Mountains State Park Family Campground features an 80-foot waterfall accessible via a 2.35-mile loop trail. A camper shared, "High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb and descent to the upper falls and then wooden boardwalk and steep steps down to the gorgeous 80 ft High Shoals waterfall."
Family recreation: Cross Country Campground provides multiple on-site activities. A visitor reports, "This is an excellent family campground. They have plenty of activities for the entire family from basketball, volleyball, shuffle board, putt putt, a fishing pond, and a pool."
What campers like
Privacy and spaciousness: At Bandits Roost Campground, campers appreciate the well-designed sites. One camper mentioned, "This campground has large sites that are well spaced so you're not right on top of fellow campers. Very quiet and peaceful; we were there in the fall so not many campers."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent standards for bathhouses and common areas. A camper at Lake Norman noted, "I have camped all across the US and this was the nicest and cleanest campground I have ever been in. Fantastic experience. I highly highly recommend!"
Diverse terrain: Camping near Claremont offers varied landscapes from lakeshores to mountains. At South Mountains State Park, a visitor shared, "The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side (approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. The campground is tiny and narrow, running between a creek and the state park roadway."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have limited operations during winter months. Green Mountain Park operates from "April 1 to November 15," while Bandits Roost Campground runs from "April to October."
Cell service variations: Coverage can be spotty throughout the region. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, the remote location affects connectivity, as one camper noted, "Being right on the Parkway was awesome and provided some great driving and hiking close by," though many locations have limited phone service.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. South Mountains State Park requires advance booking as a camper mentioned, "It gets booked quickly," particularly for weekend stays from May through September.
Gate restrictions: Some parks limit nighttime access. A South Mountains visitor noted, "Gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Select sites near recreation areas for convenience. A Bear Den visitor shared, "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site."
Creek-side sites for natural entertainment: Water features provide hours of entertainment for children. At South Mountains State Park, "We camped at the family camping area, it was great, we had site 6 and it was on the river and the kids loved it!"
Spacious tent sites: Look for campgrounds with adequate space for multiple tents. A South Mountains camper reported, "The tent pad was large enough to setup our 8 man tent and 2 man tent, and lewve us plenty of room for our kitchen setup and room around the fire pit."
Tips from RVers
Approach routes matter: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. For Bear Den, an experienced RVer advises, "If pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Leveling challenges: Indian Springs Campground requires careful site selection. One RVer noted, "The site was fairly level, and the electric, water & sewer were well maintained and easy to access," though others have reported difficulties with uneven sites.
Internet access considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. About Indian Springs, a camper reported, "Verizon cell service was excellent because there is a tower close-by. I wasn't sure about WiFi because the Indian Spring's website warns you not to expect much because it is free. That said, the WiFi was the best service we have experienced in the last 3 months on the road."
