Lake Norman State Park provides glamping cabins near Claremont, North Carolina, in a forested setting at 760 feet elevation. The area experiences mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing and warm summers with highs around 90°F. Campers can access multiple lakes in the region, with W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and Lake Norman offering water recreation opportunities within a 45-minute drive of Claremont.
What to do
Hiking varied terrain: Lake Norman State Park Campground offers multiple hiking options with well-marked trails. "Very clean and quite and very close to Charlotte. Nice, moderate hiking trails. Swimming and kayaking. You'll probably see deer but have never seen a bear," notes Fletcher S. Trails range from easy walking paths to more challenging routes.
Fishing at multiple spots: W. Kerr Scott Reservoir at Warrior Creek provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Warrior Creek Campground is located on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. It's beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday," explains Roberta K. The reservoir is stocked with multiple fish species including bass and catfish.
Mountain biking trails: For mountain biking enthusiasts, Warrior Creek offers specially designed trails. "Super mt bike trails that have been built and maintained by volunteers who really care and ride the trails often," says Kim L. The trails feature varying difficulty levels with well-maintained single tracks through the forest.
Waterfalls and rock formations: Stone Mountain State Park Campground features impressive natural attractions. "You just can't beat it. We camped here and didn't even leave. It has so much to do and see," shares Charli R. The park's namesake granite dome rises 600 feet, creating a landmark visible throughout the area.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of the facilities at Spacious Skies Bear Den. "Campground has all the amenities you could want. It has a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot. They have firewood and ice to purchase," notes Chris Y. Bathrooms are cleaned regularly even during peak seasons.
Quiet atmosphere during weekdays: Many campers appreciate the peaceful weekday environment. "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!" states Andrew G. about Lake Norman State Park Campground. Traffic noise is minimal at most sites except those nearest highways.
Wildlife viewing: Wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience. "My wife and our four kids have had a great time. Plenty of shade and plenty to do. We fished, rode bikes, hiked and saw plenty of wildlife," shares Caleb S. Deer are commonly spotted in early morning and evening hours throughout the campgrounds.
Variety of camping options: From RV sites to tent camping and glamping near Claremont, North Carolina, the options suit different preferences. Midway Campground Resort offers diverse accommodations. "This place has a lot to do at a reasonable price. Definitely bring the kids," recommends Bob. Sites range from basic tent pads to full hookup RV spots with concrete pads.
What you should know
Some campgrounds have seasonal closures: Not all facilities operate year-round. "Campground is closed due to hurricane damage," reports Duane C. about Julian Price Park Campground. Always check current status before planning your trip, especially after severe weather events.
Reservation requirements vary: Peak seasons require advance booking at most locations. "We stayed for 14 nights here Oct 2020. Not one day where we disappointed. Beautiful park with full hook ups," shares Larry M. about Thousand Trails Green Mountain. Weekends fill quickly, with some sites booking 3-4 months in advance.
Site privacy differences: Site spacing and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. At Julian Price Park Campground, "Most campsites have good privacy and is quiet most hours. All have easy access, but bathrooms are small for number of campers," notes Ethan H. Corner sites typically offer more seclusion.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be spotty in more remote areas. "Very nice KOA Journey! Extremely well maintained and clean. Starlink was great for connectivity in most sites. Some sites are shaded around the edges and would be tough for starlink," explains Zachary H. about Statesville RV Park I-77.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: McDowell Nature Preserve offers dedicated spaces for children. "We basically lived here in a tent, for 2 weeks in 2013, while waiting to close on our house when moving to Charlotte. We loved the education center, the small walking trails and lakeside area," shares I R. The preserve maintains multiple playgrounds with modern equipment.
Choose sites near bathrooms: With young children, bathroom proximity matters. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture. I was impressed with how clean the cabins and bathrooms were," says Timothy H. about Spacious Skies Bear Den. Family-friendly sites are typically located within 200 feet of restroom facilities.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds get busy on weekends. "It was surprisingly busy, almost all sites occupied. There is not much space between the sides, but the park is huge and right at the lake," reports Birgit H. about Lake Norman State Park Campground. Midweek stays often provide a quieter experience for families with young children.
Look for educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led programs. "Rangers give guided informative hikes (a mile or so) at different times in season and there are plenty of hiking trails," notes Wolf T. These programs typically last 1-2 hours and teach children about local wildlife and ecology.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring extra equipment. "The sites are fine for a quick overnight, right off the highway," says Kevin H. about Statesville RV Park I-77. Bring leveling blocks as many older campgrounds weren't designed for larger modern RVs.
Access road considerations: Access roads can present challenges for larger rigs. "This campground was breathtaking, with the activity area for kids, pool, fishing pond, and small walking trails. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is the site we were at was really close to another site," explains Charles H. about Midway Campground Resort. Some interior roads are narrow with tight turns.
Hookup availability: Not all glamping sites near Claremont offer full hookups. At Crowders Mountain State Park Campground, "This was a pretty good place to camp. There is a hike to the campsite from the parking lot so we definitely got our workout in bringing our gear in," shares Lisa L. Plan accordingly for water and power needs if choosing more remote sites.
Dump station access: Plan for dump station limitations. "We rode through all of the loops to see what the other sites were like, and some of the sites are seldom used if the picnic tables and surrounding vegetation is any indication," observes Myron C. Some parks have limited dump station hours or require additional fees for non-campers.
