79 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The central North Carolina landscape surrounding Southmont features several lakeside camping options, with High Rock Lake Marina and Campground providing direct water access just minutes from town. Uwharrie National Forest, approximately 20 miles east, offers both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities through Badin Lake and Arrowhead campgrounds. These forest service sites accommodate tent campers, RVs, and those seeking boat-in camping experiences. Private campgrounds like Cross Winds Family Campground in nearby Linwood provide full hookup options for RVers seeking more amenities. The region's camping landscape ranges from primitive forest sites to developed facilities with electric, water, and sewer connections, all within a 30-minute drive of Southmont.
Campsite reservations are essential during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly, particularly at Badin Lake Campground where waterfront spots are highly sought after. Many campsites in the Uwharrie National Forest area require careful selection as visitors note uneven terrain. According to one camper at Badin Lake: "The sites are huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 with easy access to the water and great views." Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with Verizon generally providing better coverage than other carriers. Spring and fall bring moderate temperatures ideal for camping, while summer humidity can be intense. Some forest roads become challenging after heavy rainfall, particularly those leading to dispersed camping areas.
Fishing opportunities represent a major draw for campers in the Southmont area, with High Rock Lake and Badin Lake both offering abundant shoreline access. Campers consistently mention the spaciousness of sites at Badin Lake Campground, with one visitor noting: "The lake was a stone's throw behind our site, accessible via a well-worn path." The lower loop at Badin Lake receives particular praise for its proximity to water. Hikers can access the Badin Lake Trail directly from the campground for easy day hikes. Off-road enthusiasts frequently use Arrowhead Campground as a base for exploring the extensive trail systems in Uwharrie National Forest. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers, though amenities like firewood may not be available on-site, requiring stops at nearby general stores.
"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."
"Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue."
"Awesome location, very remote and the sites are Huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 easy access to the water and great views."
"I preferred the lower loop as nearly every outer site was on the lake with great views and lake access and sites are spread out. The inside sites of the lower loop are pretty spacious and deep."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We booked it online last minute, while driving & let ourselves in that evening (everything is clearly marked). The laundry & bathrooms are immaculate!!"
"Large camper sites, walking trails, pool, playground, laundry facilities, store, and showers. Everything was very clean. Literally 5 minutes off the interstate, but very peaceful and quiet!"
from $50 - $53 / night
Check Availability"Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone. Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "
"Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."
from $17 - $107 / night
Check Availability"Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. "
"The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability"I heard mixed reviews about this campground but since I had a 1000 Trails membership, I figured it was worth checking out."
"Hiking trails and lake with small beach for swimming and fishing. Pet + horse friendly. Neatly kept. Kind and helpful host."
"Easy access to the lake. They have a picnic table and a swing set up at the lake so you view it. Some folks reviewed the campground and complained about the roads in and hair pin curves."
"This place is nestled into a quiet point on a small cove of the lake. Easy access from I-85 but no so close that you hear noise and experience traffic. Excellent amenities and friendly service."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"We walked the RV sites and spotted several that were also very nice as well. They each seemed to offer a decent bit of privacy, which is nice."
"We were looking for a place to stay that would be close to the venue and close to the bride’s family and happen upon this little gem. Full hookups (30 & 50 amp), WiFi and cable."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you’re in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks."
"First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."
ScoutThe spots are alright but first night got ate up by ants so hadda move and the other spots are good but have no shade and no signal and not mutch to take pictures of so if you wanna have some survival type camping this is a great location.
LegendThis campground is essentially an expansive gravel parking lot made for RVs. While that may not sound appealing to some, race fans will love it because it is so close to all the racing action of the Charlotte Motor Speedway. We camped in the M section which is near the main road. There is a bit of road noise but it didn’t bother us because our RV has good sound protection and the road was quiet at night. We don’t like being right on top of other campers and since most people don’t want to be near the road, this worked in our favor. If you have Good Sam, there is a discount which is a pretty good deal for 50 amps, full hook-up site. Despite our site being close to the office, the wifi never worked well and we gave up opting for our Verizon hotspot. There is no cable but our over-the-air antenna worked well (35+ channels) and you would not have any trouble getting satellite reception. There are no trees for shade and we were glad the highs were only in the 70’s when we were there. The large sized gravel is nice to keep the dust down and not make this nasty when it rains but don’t even think about going barefoot on it. Even our dog was apprehensive and tender footed when she walked across it. There is not much for kids to do here– just a small playground. The laundry is located at the office but the only bathhouse is far away from the front of the campground. If you need the bathhouse you are going to want to be in the P, Q, or R sections of else you will have to walk pretty far. Garbage is picked up at your site but when we were there, it often sat for a day or two. The campground was probably only at ¼ capacity and the one dumpster was overflowing. Can’t imagine what they do during busy racing weekends. There is a free food pantry so if you have any canned goods or other items you want to share. For race fans, this is a great campground because you are within walking distance of the Carolina Motor Speedway and the associated dirt track and drag racing track. For $30 you can take a tour of all the race facilities and I highly recommend it.
TravelerThis quiet gem was just what I needed. It’s close enough to shoppes, diners, and other activities. It’s also close to the NC Zoo. With dedicated and mixed spots, it’s perfect for tents and RVs. Did I mention the staff? They’re friendly and helpful.
Zooland is a great place for solo, family, or group. The campground offers a pool, activities, walking trails, as well as laundry facilities and 2 bath houses. There’s also a dog park for your K9 family member(s).
Most sites have water and electrical hook ups. But one word of caution; you may or may not have cell service. But there is wi-fi throughout the property.
TravelerI don’t have any complaints about this campground! Sites are nice and feel like you aren’t close to anyone else. Very pretty area, quiet. Newest bathhouse I have ever seen at a state park! Awesome showers.
ScoutIs a very basic campground they are having allot of plumbing issues. no activities for the kids no hot tub, store, restaurant or music on weekends anymore
TravelerVery nice Good flat spots Quiet Showers Beautiful views Lots of squirrels Love it
ScoutWe reserved the site via The Dyrt months in advance. We arrived and found that the host wasn't at home and the one site they had was occupied by an obviously long term tenant. The host's phone went immediately to voicemail and texts were unanswered. We were able to scramble and find a site at another site several miles away. Not the way we wanted to start our trip. We will be expecting a full refund after this fiasco. Lesson learned - contact the host before you leave home.
ScoutThis is a really low low budget homeless camp. The campers are allowed trash around their spots and can have broken down vehicles to use as storage. Every sight has a tarp on it and looks to be drug addicts. Save yourself the chance of getting robbed and catch something and go somewhere else. I promise you your kids don't need to see this place.
LegendA nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit. There is are more sites in the field but we ended up not staying because it was hunting season and this area was open to hunting. It would be a nice place to stay if you are hunting in the area or if it is out of season.
Check it out in our video
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Dan Nicholas Park offers diverse camping opportunities within 35 minutes of Southmont, North Carolina. The park contains RV and tent sites alongside small cabins for those seeking more shelter. Situated in Rowan County, the surrounding terrain consists of rolling hills with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet. Unlike some areas near High Rock Lake, most campsites here remain accessible year-round with paved roads maintained through winter months.
Wildlife viewing at Dan Nicholas Park: The park features a small zoo with native animals. "This place is the best places for families to camp. There is a beautiful zoo, gem mining, a train ride, amazing fishing, a beautiful playground, and a carousel," notes one Dan Nicholas Park camper.
Paddling from shoreline sites: Many campsites at Badin Lake provide direct water access. "Great access to Badin Lake for kayaking, swimming and fishing. Our group explored the trails which were scenic and easy to transverse," writes a visitor to Badin Lake Campground.
Offroading from camp: Arrowhead Campground serves as a popular base for Jeep and off-road enthusiasts. "We had a crowd of 12 and booked one of the 'double' sites, which was well worth it. Massive fire ring, two picnic tables, flat ground for 6 tents and surprisingly clean bath house," shares one Arrowhead Campground visitor.
Secluded sites: Many campers praise the private feeling at certain campgrounds. "I camped here with a friend and the dogs over the weekend. We had campsite 002 which was nice and shady and very private. It's a short walk over to the lake where the dogs enjoyed their swimming," writes a Badin Lake Campground visitor.
Lake proximity: Waterfront access ranks high for campers. "This place is nestled into a quiet point on a small cove of the lake. Easy access from I-85 but not so close that you hear noise and experience traffic," shares a High Rock Lake Marina and Campground visitor.
Four-season camping: Unlike some seasonal sites, several campgrounds remain open year-round. "Stayed one night. $10 with America Beautiful pass, $20 without. Great area with 22 parking areas. Right on the lake. Water, toilets and shower (water off probably too cold)," notes a winter visitor to Badin Lake Campground.
Site levelness varies widely: Many campers mention the need for leveling equipment. "Gravel site that needed 2 blocks to make level on site B16," reports a visitor to Cross Winds Family Campground.
Bathroom conditions fluctuate: Facility maintenance varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathrooms need a little update. They seemed pretty run down and very buggy," notes a Badin Lake visitor.
Reservation importance: Sites at popular campgrounds fill quickly. "Reserve well in advance if you desire a site...these campgrounds fill quickly," advises an Arrowhead Campground visitor who found the campground full mid-week.
Activity options: Dan Nicholas Park offers multiple family-friendly amenities. "The kids take their bikes, but even without them, they stay plenty busy. The lake offers fishing, paddle boating and feeding the ducks and it's only a short walk from any campsite," writes one visitor.
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play areas. "Forest Lake has 2 swimming pools, camp store, snack bar, fishing pond (I caught 2 sunfishes in 30 min & I'm no fisherman) basketball court, mini golf, & playground equipment," notes a camper at Forest Lake RV and Camping Resort.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer animal viewing opportunities. "The best part was getting fresh eggs from the check-in store each morning... And I mean... Fresh Eggs. We walked the RV sites and spotted several that were also very nice as well," shares a visitor to Cobble Hill RV Campground who enjoyed the on-site chickens, goats and horses.
Big rig accessibility: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs better than others. "Easy and close to route 85. Very quiet campground! Definitely not a parking lot. Very woodsy and very well kept," notes an RVer at Cross Winds Family Campground.
Off-season value: Winter camping offers fewer crowds and often lower rates. "We spent three nights enjoying our campground on Badin Lake. The sites were large and could accommodate most sizes of trailers in addition to tents. No hook-ups, so BYOS (bring your own solar)," advises a spring visitor.
Dump station considerations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Dump station was open, but did not have water to flush tanks or fill water tanks as water was shut off for the winter. There were water spigots throughout the campground that we could use," reports a winter camper at Arrowhead Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Southmont, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Southmont, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 79 campgrounds and RV parks near Southmont, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Southmont, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Southmont, NC is Dan Nicholas Park with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Southmont, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Southmont, NC.
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