Best Campgrounds near Denver, NC

Denver, North Carolina is situated near Lake Norman, offering numerous camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities. Cross Country Campground features spacious sites with full hookups for RVs and tent camping areas within the Denver area. Lake Norman State Park Campground, located approximately 30 miles north in Troutman, provides more natural surroundings with lakefront access. Wildlife Woods Campground and Lake Norman Motor Coach Resort also serve the region with facilities for both short-term and seasonal visitors. Most campgrounds in this area operate year-round due to the moderate climate of the North Carolina Piedmont region.

Access to most developed campgrounds requires reservations, particularly during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly. Roads throughout the camping areas are generally well-maintained, with many campgrounds featuring paved or packed gravel surfaces. "Most roads are paved and some are packed gravel," noted one visitor to Cross Country Campground. Weather remains relatively mild throughout the year, though summer temperatures can reach into the 90s with high humidity. Winter camping is comfortable with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing for extended periods. Facilities vary between campgrounds, with Cross Country and Lake Norman State Park providing more extensive amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and shower facilities, while some smaller campgrounds offer more basic services.

Campers frequently highlight water access as a primary attraction in the Denver area. Lake Norman's extensive shoreline allows for swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities directly from several campgrounds. According to one visitor at Lake Norman State Park, "The site was level and spacious. There were wooded trails leading to the large bathroom/shower facility. Short drive to the swim and fishing area." Family-friendly amenities receive consistently positive reviews, with multiple campgrounds offering playgrounds, sports facilities, and organized weekend activities. Shade availability varies by location, with many sites offering tree cover to mitigate summer heat. Mixed-use campgrounds in the area typically accommodate both weekend visitors and long-term residents, creating diverse camping communities. Noise levels generally remain moderate, though campgrounds closer to highways may experience some traffic sound.

Best Camping Sites Near Denver, North Carolina (113)

    1. Lake Norman State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Troutman, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 528-6350

    $27 - $75 / night

    "LNSP is just a 45 minute drive from Charlotte and 1.5 hours from Asheville. The campsites are spacious, and surrounded by woods with plenty of shade to keep the summer heat in check."

    "After a beautiful drive through the woods, I arrived at my site. The pad was well maintained and clean. The lake was about 100 yards from my campsite, with a nice trail down to the waters edge."

    2. Statesville RV Park I-77

    18 Reviews
    Statesville, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 873-5560

    $50 - $95 / night

    "You will hear the road 24/7 due to proximity of the interstate but its convenient to run chores or pull during your travel. The sites were fairly spacious for this type of place."

    "I have seen a complaint about highway noise. Well, when you stay at a campground with close, easy access to the Interstate, you can expect to hear it."

    3. Cross Country Campground

    3 Reviews
    Denver, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 483-5897

    "Close to a pretty busy road, but The traffic noise doesn't seem bad. Most roads are paved and some are packed gravel."

    4. Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    46 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, NC
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 222-3209

    $13 - $31 / night

    "When not in the side, a short walk takes you to the Trading Post, a small store selling firewood ($7), ice, souvenirs, and sundries. Next to that is a large playground connected to a pavilion."

    "There are lots of trails close to the campground with one around a lake and a stream off of it. Facilities were very well maintained."

    5. McDowell Nature Preserve

    31 Reviews
    Lake Wylie, SC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (980) 314-2267

    $15 - $33 / night

    "We loved the education center, the small walking trails and lakeside area. Staff were polite and helpful. Washrooms are incredible! Newly renovated at the time, and clean!"

    "The park is located southwest of Charlotte off of hwy 49 near Lake Wylie, SC."

    6. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 853-5429

    $17 - $47 / night

    "The part of the park that is best to go to is the Sparrow Springs access, some folks may not be aware that there are actually several entrances to the park, and the main entrance with trails to the Crowder"

    "The trails are strenuous but views are amazing! Its definitely worth it and right outside town, not far out."

    7. South Mountains State Park Family Campground

    26 Reviews
    Casar, NC
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 433-4772

    $27 - $32 / night

    "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. "

    "This campground is one way and exits into a trailhead parking area. There was one site that was in the parking area, would not be my first choice. Shaded sites with picnic tables and fire rings."

    8. Wildlife Woods Campground

    1 Review
    Denver, NC
    4 miles
    +1 (704) 483-5611

    9. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    17 Reviews
    Pineville, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 588-2600

    "The adjacent amusement park is closed due to Covid but i bet it is a blast to stay here when it is open. Wooded perimeter so you feel you are away from the city."

    "The hookups were standard location and heights no issues. Our steps come out to a large level dirt pad, not grass. Lots of trees providing shade which is nice."

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Recent Reviews near Denver, NC

527 Reviews of 113 Denver Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Steele Creek Park & Campground

    Extra fees

    Sooo...went to book online. Selected my site and started the payment process. I was greeted by a pop-up stating that if I want to lock in my site, I'd have to pay an additional $20 fee.

    Okay, let me get this straight: I reserve a specific site for specific reasons, then the campground tells me they have the right to move me to a site of their choosing unless I pay them an additional $20?

    No thanks. Just lost my business. I'm sure it's a nice place, but really?

  • C
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Crown Cove RV Park

    Unfriendly and Poorly Maintained

    This is a very strange place. The vibe is way off. I stayed for 2 weeks and that was 2 weeks too long. The staff are not friendly or helpful. And they use THE RULES as a means to justify their behavior. They will literally yell at you. I have no idea who these people think they are. Don’t waste your hard earned money with people like this. Day One: Huge ant infestation. Spent the next several days exterminating. Not fun. Much of the sites are not well kept. Way out of level. I had requested an open sky for my Starlink connection. It seems like they gave me the only spot with tree cover. There are dozens of other vacant spots with an open view. Weird but okay… They will not accept packages. So, don’t bother ordering anything unless you can pickup at a nearby locker. This is crazy! One day a distraught camper with tears running down her face approached me while I was outside my rig. Turns out her dog died and she needed help moving the body. Maintenance told her they couldn’t help because of THE RULES. I, of course, helped her move the body to her car. This just seems inhuman.

  • Daniel W.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Midway Campground Resort

    Cozy and fun

    I came in early and they didn't mind so I could get some rest before my long ride. Staff super friendly and sites are nice. All accommodations available. 5 star from this guy.

  • K
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Starlight Hills Campground

    Mudpit

    If it’s going to rain while you’re here, I suggest finding another campground. I don’t mind dealing dirt while I camp but at this point, it’s a mud pit and all of my gear is covered in mud. My gear cleanup is going to take 10x longer than it usually does! And be sure to treat your tent with permethrin or be prepared to have daddy long legs take over. I’ve been camping all my life and I’ve dealt with a few of them in between the roof of my tent and the rain fly….no big deal. But on my first night, there was at least 50 in there! I couldn’t leave my tent without having them crawl all over me and trying to get into the tent. It was like fighting a losing battle because there were so many and they just swarm you. Couldn’t even sit my feet still by the fire without having them crawl over my feet or up my chair. I know we’re just in the woods but it’s definitely not worth the money per night. All of the other campgrounds that I’ve payed this much for are on pea gravel with nice drainage or on grass….with nice amenities…or at least actual bathrooms, not porta potties. The camp host never came by my site like the messages that I received stated. Granted, he said to call if I needed anything and that they’re on property, but I never met anyone and when I would call, I got “hello” that’s it. Not “hello, this is ___” or “starlight hills campground, how can I help you”. Very impersonal. Will not be back.

  • Yuriy-Sarah G.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Growing Faith Farms & Retreat

    Best camping weekend!

    Our kids say,"leave them 10k stars on the review!" The best camping trip we've had in a long while. Location is private and secluded, yet within reasonable driving distance to stores and other attractions like hiking/biking/kayaking. The farm is beautiful, well-maintained, and the hosts super friendly and helpful. Love the water at the site(and electric is going to be even better soon!) and the convenience of the bathhouse. Plenty of great things to do locally, from hiking and waterfalls to apple picking. We had a wonderful weekend, and will certainly be back! Thanks!

  • K
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Charlotte-Fort Mill KOA

    Rundown

    This is ok is your passing though but it’s rundown.
    Older. Clean! But really needs to be updated!

  • madison F.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    great stop & stay

    nice campground. bathrooms and pool are CLEAN!!!! private bathrooms with showers. also has laundry ($) but has change for quarters in shop!! super big plus . also got a buddy site for the price of a normal one!

    not super crowded but still a nice community to be around :) 10 min drive into town as well. all sites have full hookups which was also super handy. not a bad price for what you get. only stayed two nights but would definitely stay again

  • madison F.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Cobble Hill RV Campground (Formerly) Carolina Rose

    good stop & stay

    campground being remodeled so bathhouses were a little walk away but not too inconvenient. pool was also closed for now BUT overall cute location. did park on site 59 (pull through) but was SUPER unlevel. cute pond and amphitheater too! has laundry as well.

    coolest part about this spot is that it’s about a 10 min drive into Catawba college town which was a super nice area for us being younger. perfect mix of Boulder & Philly :)

    hosts were SUPER friendly and nice :)

  • Lanna M.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Love Valley Campground

    Clean

    Probably the second cleanest campground I had ever been to


Guide to Denver

Camping near Denver, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, it’s a perfect getaway for families, friends, and solo adventurers alike.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Stone Mountain State Park Campground. One camper shared, "The hiking is excellent. Make sure you hike to the top. The views are great!"
  • Fishing: Head to Badin Lake Campground for some fishing. A visitor mentioned, "It was awesome, great for fishing and hunting."
  • Sightseeing: Visit the nearby Linville Falls. A camper at Linville Falls Campground noted, "This campground is fully established... access to Linville, Banner Elk, Spruce Pine, the Falls and Linville Cavern."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One reviewer at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms are clean. Water spigot close by."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. A visitor at Bear Den Family Campground remarked, "Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Lake Norman State Park Campground said, "The campground host were courteous and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell coverage in some areas. A camper at Stone Mountain State Park Campground noted, "We had limited cell service for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds have shower facilities. A visitor at Julian Price Park Campground mentioned, "There are spots right on the lake but we didn’t book far enough in advance."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Expect to see wildlife. One camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground shared, "We woke up to a herd of deer on our site!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly activities. A reviewer at Bear Den Family Campground said, "Kids loved the playground and there were a lot of other kids to make friends with."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. One camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "The campsites tend to be spacious and wooded—perfect for privacy and hammocks."
  • Plan for Nature: Bring games and activities that can be enjoyed outdoors. A visitor at Lake Norman State Park Campground noted, "The park offers some very nice hiking trails."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to check the level of your campsite. A reviewer at Kings Mountain State Park said, "The campsites themselves are very unlevel and laid out very awkwardly."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "While there are electric hookups, there are not water or sewer."
  • Plan for Access: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A visitor at Kings Mountain State Park noted, "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy."

Camping around Denver, NC, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping amenities are available at Denver, NC campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Denver, NC offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Indian Springs Campground provides convenient facilities for campers staying in the area, though experiences can vary. For those seeking more extensive amenities, Wildlife Woods Campground near Sherrills Ford features reservable sites with water hookups, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. Many campgrounds in the region include standard amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and access to nearby recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and boating on Lake Norman.

Where are the best campgrounds in Denver, NC?

While Denver, NC itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers excellent alternatives. Cross Country Campground is located near Denver and provides drive-in access with water hookups and big-rig-friendly sites. Another great option is Lake Norman State Park Campground, just a short drive away, featuring spacious, shaded sites surrounded by woods to keep summer heat in check. The park is conveniently located about 45 minutes from Charlotte, making it an accessible weekend getaway with opportunities for hiking, swimming, and mountain biking.

Are there any parks with camping options near Denver, NC?

Several parks near Denver, NC offer camping options. South Mountains State Park Family Campground features spacious campsites and extensive recreational opportunities, including hiking trails and a scenic visitors center. COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground is another excellent option with diverse amenities including swimming, kayaking, boat launches, and hiking trails. Many sites at this park are situated on the water, with unique layouts featuring steps down to fire pit areas. Each site typically includes a fire pit, picnic table, and grill, making it a comprehensive camping destination.