Cornelius is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Cornelius is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Cornelius, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Lake Norman State Park, on the largest manmade lake in North Carolina, boasts one of the region’s more popular mountain biking network, offering 30.5 miles of single-track trail. Nearby are a 125-yard-long swim beach and bathhouse complex as well as a boat ramp and opportunities for fishing from spots along park trails. Lake Norman campground with 32-sites and a group campground are available during warm-weather months, and a community building with kitchen facilities, restrooms and fireplace can be rented for family and group events year round. Free interpretive programs are complemented by educational exhibits throughout the visitor center and along the child-friendly Dragonfly Trail.
$26 - $36 / night
$13 - $31 / night
$15 - $33 / night
We are a family friendly campground just outside Statesville, NC.
WE ARE NOT A KOA!!!!!
$50 - $88 / night
Whatever your lodging needs, this Carowinds camp wilderness delivers. Cabins sleep up to 8, and level sites with full hookups easily accommodate both pop-ups and RVs up to 45 feet. Need to house a large group? Great Wilderness Lodge sleeps 14 and offers a large meeting area, equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, and a wraparound, rocking-chair porch.
Everyone will find their own way to unwind with a swimming pool, cornhole, pool table, video games, shuffleboard and free wireless internet in many places. What’s more, registered Camp Wilderness guests can purchase discounted tickets and free shuttle service to the park during park operating days.
Tent camping only - No RV spaces. All campsites at Crowders Mountain State Park are hike-in and primitive. Campground is accessed via a 1 mile trail starting from the visitor center.
$12 - $28 / night
Dan Nicholas Park is home to a campground, lake, carousel, train, gem mine, aquarium and nature center, animal habitats, and more. Learn more about the attractions at Dan Nicholas Park before your visit.
Animals are allowed in the park but are not allowed on attractions.
All of the sites and cabins at Dan Nicholas Park are in the woods. We do not have sewer hookups on sites. Pets are allowed on sites only, not in cabin areas. We have a two night minimum for reservations on the weekends. Payment in full must be made to hold reservations. We do not do refunds, but we will issue rain checks if notified 4 days prior to first reservation date. These will be good for one year.
Reservations Online reservations are available for your convenience at www.campspot.com/book/dan-nicholas-park.
The Campground Store can be reached at 704-216-7808. Please leave a detailed message with a return number and they will contact you as soon as possible.
$12 - $28 / night
Lake Norman State Park, on the largest manmade lake in North Carolina, boasts one of the region’s more popular mountain biking network, offering 30.5 miles of single-track trail. Nearby are a 125-yard-long swim beach and bathhouse complex as well as a boat ramp and opportunities for fishing from spots along park trails. Lake Norman campground with 32-sites and a group campground are available during warm-weather months, and a community building with kitchen facilities, restrooms and fireplace can be rented for family and group events year round. Free interpretive programs are complemented by educational exhibits throughout the visitor center and along the child-friendly Dragonfly Trail.
$26 - $36 / night
$13 - $31 / night
$15 - $33 / night
We are a family friendly campground just outside Statesville, NC.
WE ARE NOT A KOA!!!!!
$50 - $88 / night
Whatever your lodging needs, this Carowinds camp wilderness delivers. Cabins sleep up to 8, and level sites with full hookups easily accommodate both pop-ups and RVs up to 45 feet. Need to house a large group? Great Wilderness Lodge sleeps 14 and offers a large meeting area, equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, and a wraparound, rocking-chair porch.
Everyone will find their own way to unwind with a swimming pool, cornhole, pool table, video games, shuffleboard and free wireless internet in many places. What’s more, registered Camp Wilderness guests can purchase discounted tickets and free shuttle service to the park during park operating days.
Tent camping only - No RV spaces. All campsites at Crowders Mountain State Park are hike-in and primitive. Campground is accessed via a 1 mile trail starting from the visitor center.
Scout
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!
Guide
I stayed in late November 2024. There are not many camping sites. They appeared to have electrical and water hook ups on every site. There is no sanitation except for one portable toilet. This is a quaint campground. The couple that owns the property are very nice. The surrounding area of the campground seemed very plain and did not have many activities.
Guide
Stayed four days at state park. I campground as well kept and clean. The bathhouse is brand new. The camp host was very helpful and checked on everybody, every day. The only drawback was that there was no Wi-Fi. I will stay at this campground when I come back in this area again.
Guide
Came through early November. This camp ground has everything you need. It is well kept. The bathhouse facilities are brand new and well kept. The area around the campground has multiple things to keep you busy. If you’re an outdoors person, this is a great place to be located.
Guide
I stayed here for nine days. The campground is clean and well-maintained. The bathhouse is in good shape and clean. I will come back when I’m in this area.
GuideI stayed at this location for 10 days. The campground is well kept and clean. The staff and the camp host were very courteous. It was a very quiet stay. The bathhouse was new and well maintained. I would recommend this place to anyone.
GuideHappy to report that there is a new host here as the one that was working in 2021 was AWFUL. Great sites but hardly any are level so be prepared to manage that. Nice fire pits and grills - love having both. Great bathhouse with hot showers. Terrific paved trail that is awesome for walking, biking, strollers, wheelchairs. Plenty of hammock trees! Zero noise except from other campers/vehicles and the occasional aircraft passing over. Cell signal is pretty spotty but passable. Would need a booster or satellite internet in order to work or attend school, though. Nearby El Dorado Outpost has everything you might need (gas, ice, hot food, small groceries, outdoor supplies, GREAT biscuits!!, etc) and locals sell firewood bundles for $4-5/each. 10-15 min drive into Troy where there are restaurants, gas stations, small regular grocery stores. Really nice new playground and skate park in Troy, too. Tons of hiking, offroading/overlanding, mountain biking, horseback riding nearby.
Guide
This campground is not well-maintained. The bathhouses are in very poor shape. There appears to be suspect, microbial growth all over the men’s side (black mold). The bath houses also aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. I was here a week and they cleaned it after I complained. They were only cleaned one time in a one week period. The campground manager doesn’t appear to care about anything. Keep it business only with this person. The sites are completely covered with leaves. You can’t even see the parking area for your site. I travel full-time. I will not be coming back to this location.
Scout
The campground is well kept and clean. The owners are wonderful and all amenities are maintained in a like new state. They are constantly improving the campground and have family friendly activities for all. Halloween is a must see event in this camp with everyone decking out their sites.
We are well traveled and have visited many campgrounds in various states. This is among the best we have ever experienced.
ScoutThis is a great little place to get away from it all. The sites have electric but you will need in-house water and septic. There is a dump station along with a potable water source at the entrance to the campground.
Scout
My husband and I stayed here for a few days at the beginning of October. It's very quiet and peaceful. What I didn't like was they had no activities like most other camp sites. They do have hiking trials and fishing until 8pm. The staff was friendly and very helpful but they leave at 4pm and you can't check in till 3pm. I guess there's good and bad like with all places.
ScoutAwesome spot for families and multiple night stays. Family environment comes with more noise but as long as you are expecting it you won’t be disappointed.
ScoutMy wife and I stayed here with our 2 daughters. The campsite was spacious, flat and shaded. There was plenty to do for the kids for the weekend. The bath house was very nice and clean. The camp host drove his golf cart around selling firewood. Will definitely return
GuideStayed a couple of nights for first time. Staff was very nice. Grounds were well maintained, not crowded and nice and quiet. Nice lake to walk around, but paddle boats and center were closed. Lots of ducks that were used to human presence and feeding. Located in a nice sized park. Would definitely go back.
Guide
I recently stayed for 3 nights with my popup in site#10. The site is a good size for a tent or small camper only. Overall we were surprised by the campground based on other reviews . In my opinion The sites are close together, poorly maintained, and most are very small. The Trading Post is nicely stocked, and open all day. The bathrooms near my site were the best part…it was modern, clean and the showers were hot with good pressure. But other than the bathrooms everything felt like it hadn’t been maintained at all. Won’t be coming back.
Traveler
Sky's the sinery all just gerogous
Scout
This place is tucked away near a river, plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, plus a nice laundromat. One of the quietest RV parks I've ever been to! The owners are nice and the grounds are well kept. Only reason it's not 5/5 is they currently lack a bathhouse.
Traveler
I took my horses and grandson to camp in the equestrian campsite. The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want.
Traveler
I was there alone and had the whole campsite to myself. The camp host was so kind. He always made sure me, my horses and my grandson were comfortable and safe!
ScoutWe went to Dan Nicholas Park earlier this year (around the spring time) and it was decent. Staff was nice, our campground was set up well, we had no noise problems and the campground was pretty much close to a bathhouse. However the one complaint is that the advertisement of this park— being that you can go to their attractions, is kind of faltered out. Nobody works at the park anymore, everything’s kind of closed— and what isn’t closed due to no work is under renovation. Nice place for younger kids! Not for teens. However all together a cheap and decent park! Stayed for 3 nights and 4 days with 2 sites for only 120 dollars, so a good deal. I would recommend for family camping trips as it’s nicely snuggled in Salisbury NC and an all around friendly campground. The bonus is it’s gated!
Scout
The stay at the cabin with my wife was a true blessing. Amazing atmosphere, quiet and peaceful.
Legend
FHU, picnic table and fire ring, gravel sites, firewood available, for purchase, all with amazing views! Bathhouse being built now, but. Shower & stall usable. Used our Starlink, but did get 1 bar with reception, on T-Mobile. Owners very friendly and responsive with any questions. Must use the directions, on their website, to get to the campground, as GPS is incorrect.
Scout
I showed up after hours on a motorcycle looking for an overnight tent site. They didn't have tent sites available in the after hours check in. Luckily, John, who works maintenance, was near by. He opened up the office, checked me into a tent site and figured out how to give me a military discount even though that is not his job. John saved my night! The tent site was clean, level, grass and water and electric worked great. There was some noise from the interstate but expected in a tent. Restroom and shower facilities were clean and functional. My only staff interaction was with John and he was outstanding in customer service and going over the top to take care of getting me set up. Thank you!
Traveler
I honestly love this park. It is my favorite TT park. The staff is friendly and helpful, the annuals mind their business, and the other campers are friendly. I work from home and the internet is iffy, I had to buy the campground internet and then use an antenna to make it strong enough to work, but hey, that's camping for you. The water pressure is low, so we just filled our tanks so we had enough water pressure for our tank less water heater. We are parked right on a creek and love sitting out here at night. So many things to do here as well. This is a great park and I cannot wait to return.
Guide
Nice little campsite. The host is very communicative. Nice open field with great nestled area for campfires.
Traveler
Last minute find. Host super nice took us to are site and deliver the wood to us. Bathroom are clean. Quite and beautiful
ScoutI lived here for two years on a long term spot. If short term you will be In a small gravel lot. There are no amenities, no shower houses. No frills.
Camping near Cornelius, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.
Camping around Cornelius, NC, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, the campgrounds in this area have you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cornelius, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cornelius, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Cornelius, NC and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Cornelius, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cornelius, NC is Lake Norman State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cornelius, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cornelius, NC.
What parks are near Cornelius, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Cornelius, NC that allow camping, notably Uwharrie National Forest and W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir.
