South Mountains State Park sits in the foothills of western North Carolina, about 30 miles northwest of Grover. The park spans over 23,000 acres with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet. Equestrian camping near Grover, North Carolina offers specialized facilities beyond the main Equestrian Campground at South Mountains. Trail networks include both easy and challenging routes with several stream crossings and vertical terrain changes.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Kings Mountain State Park offers championship-level disc golf just south of Grover. "Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course," writes Keith K.
Historic exploration: Venture to Kings Mountain for historical sites close to camping areas. "Tons to do, including hikes and history. Make sure to go across the street to the Kings Mountain Military site. Better yet, plan your stay when they are doing an event," says Don H.
Waterfall trails: For waterfall viewing near equestrian trails, multiple hiking paths lead to impressive cascades. "I searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights- family campsite was used as basecamp. We also had a primitive site that we backpacked to for a night," notes Sarah W. who camped at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Horse-friendly waterways: Creek access points throughout the trail system allow for cooling off during rides. "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," shares Jackie S.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: The updated facilities receive consistent praise from horse campers and regular visitors alike. "Bath facilities are new and kept clean. Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us," mentions Stephen M., who stayed at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Proximity to mountain lakes: Chester State Park Campground provides lakeside recreation within driving distance of Grover. "Beautiful state park campsite on the water. Clean. Newly renovated community areas. Great rentals and goods to purchase from the Ranger Station," notes Christopher B.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more solitude beyond the main equestrian areas, backcountry sites offer alternatives. "Get ready. You are about to hike up a LOT of steep stairs. The sites are really well laid out. Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter)," advises Julie L. about the Upper Falls Campsite.
Lack of cell service: Many campers appreciate the digital disconnect in certain areas. "South Mountains is a great campground. Bath facilities are new and kept clean. Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us," writes Stephen M.
What you should know
Limited leveling in some areas: Many campsites require careful setup for comfort. "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways," reports Richard E. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Gate closure times: Parks enforce strict access hours for safety. "No cell phone service, and gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," cautions Jenni P.
Alcohol restrictions: State parks enforce different alcohol policies. "The no-alcohol policy at the park is STRICTLY enforced, so be careful," warns Jenni P. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Weather considerations: Certain areas experience power disruptions during storms. "Only problem is that both times we visited there was a storm and power went out for hours. Can't really do anything about that," notes Jeanette M. about Cane Creek Park.
Tips for camping with families
Creek access for children: Creekside sites provide natural play areas for families with children. "We camped at the family camping area, it was great, we had site 6 and it was on the river and the kids loved it! Cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen," says Jessica L.
Nature trail networks: Short, interpretive trails provide educational opportunities. "The nature trail area was a great way to start and end the day as we hiked back to basecamp," recommends Sarah W.
No-cost recreation: Look for parks with built-in activities that don't require additional fees. "The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there," shares Sarah B. about Cane Creek Park.
Private sites for family gatherings: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. "Private but great for families and bike ridding. Private pool game room. Laundry and camp store," recommends Von B. about Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Choose appropriate sized sites based on your rig dimensions. "Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV," warns Richard E.
Road width limitations: Access roads vary significantly in navigability for larger vehicles. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," reports Karen S.
Hookup locations: Utility placement affects parking positioning. "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites," notes Karen S. from Kings Mountain State Park.
Shuttle service benefits: For those visiting attractions, onsite transportation saves hassle. "This campground is owned by carowinds and has free bus rides to and from the park from open until close. Bathhouses are private and clean," explains Creighton C. about Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort.
