Best Campgrounds near Denver, NC

The Mile High City is one of the best outdoor cities in the US, bar none. The culture alone is rooted in camping and the outdoors, and you can find all the adventure you can handle in this section of Colorado.

Denver is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park as well as more USFS and BLM land than you’ll know what to do within three lifetimes. The best camping near Denver is easily in Rocky Mountain National Park, though tent and RV campsites go fast due to its popularity. If you can’t get a campground, try the Mount Evans Wilderness area or any USFS land in the Breckenridge, CO area.

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, SC
    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, NC
    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

521 Reviews of 113 Denver Campgrounds


  • 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

  • wesley L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Tanglewood Park

    Shaded and clean

    No permanent sites so it's clean with no clutter, host greeted upon arrival, lots of access to hike/bike trails, near park with ponds, pool, ball courts. Several sites including mine very hard to level

  • J
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Golden Valley

    Disgusting with horrible customer service. Scam!

    Checked in around 6:00. The guy checking us in told us that the golf carts haven’t been working on hills(the whole place is hills) and to let it cool down for 10 minutes at a time if it overheats. We go to the cabin, which is littered outside with used baby wipes, get settled in, and by 8:10 realize the kitchen is infested with ants. Dozens of ants covering the appliances, counters, and kitchen sink. We asked for help and were told that maintenance would come to our cabin. They never showed up. We called the emergency line and it didn’t work, just put us in an endless loop and then hung up on us. Over and over again. We stayed that night because what other choice did we have? No one was available to help us with literally anything. Following morning, we pack up our stuff and tell the staff we’re leaving and all of our issues and ask for a refund on the room we spent 15 reluctant, ant-filled hours in. They escalate to a manager, and then tell us that another manager will call us“shortly”. The call never came. You don’t get what you pay for here. What’s advertised is a complete lie. You pay for a full kitchen? Too bad—you can’t cook or even store food here because there’s ants everywhere. Paid several hundred dollars for a golf cart to get around? It only works when it wants to. Call the emergency line for assistance? Yeah right! We spent$2k and they’re trying to dodge us for a refund. Disgusting place, disgusting behavior.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    We will be back for sure

    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.

  • D
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    Beautiful campground

    Very limited wi-fi, dated bathrooms, most amenities closed

  • Chris K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    Superb Accommodations

    Always very clean, with meticulously maintained and picturesque grounds, the Camp Wilderness at Carowinds is well-appointed with amenities and attended to by helpful and friendly Carowinds staff. Providing shuttle service to the front gate for park entry, this is an excellent choice for overnight stays and Carowinds outings.

  • Zeek A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2025

    Lake Hickory RV Resort

    Beautiful spot. Beautiful people.

    My dog and I are on a cross-country trip, on foot, on our way to NY, IL, IA, etc...with our final destination being California. We needed a safe place to sleep, and though this place doesn't rent tent spots, the people here (residents and visitors) have been very friendly. Rasa (doggo) and I weren't supposed to stay here in a tent, but we did and everyone here have been very friendly and understanding. The lake is beautiful and so are the people. Love this place. Too bad they don't cater to tent campers. I was willing to pay whatever just to have a safe place for Rasa and I for the night, but, alas, we had to sorta sneek in. Still, we received no trouble and, man, what a lovely morning!


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.