Best Campgrounds near Harrisburg, NC

Harrisburg, North Carolina sits within proximity to several established campgrounds offering accommodations for various camping preferences. Yates Family Camping provides basic RV sites with water and electric hookups in Harrisburg proper, while Charlotte Motor Speedway's Camping World Racing Resort in nearby Concord features extensive RV facilities with full hookups. The area campgrounds primarily accommodate RVs, though tent sites are available at several locations including McDowell Nature Preserve and Lake Norman State Park within driving distance. Cabin options exist at Elmore RV Park, Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, and Lake Curriher Wilderness for those seeking more substantial shelter.

Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with most sites requiring reservations well in advance, particularly during racing events at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As one camper noted, "We made a reservation well in advance but the owner decided to cancel our confirmed reservation to accommodate a previous renter who decided to stay longer." Campground amenities fluctuate considerably across the region, with some locations like Yates Family Camping offering minimal facilities while others provide shower buildings, dump stations, and camp stores. Many campgrounds remain open year-round due to the moderate North Carolina climate, though summer months bring higher humidity and occasional severe weather. Cell coverage is generally reliable throughout the region given the proximity to Charlotte metropolitan area.

The camping experience near Harrisburg reflects its suburban setting, with most campgrounds functioning as convenient bases for attending nearby attractions rather than wilderness experiences. Several visitors mentioned mixed experiences with campground management and facilities. "This campground is more for a temporary place to stay and not a place to hang out," commented one camper about Charlotte Motor Speedway camping. Lake Curriher Wilderness, approximately 25 miles northeast of Harrisburg, offers a more natural setting with cabin options and fishing opportunities. Noise can be a factor at campgrounds near highways, airports, or race venues. State parks further from Harrisburg like Lake Norman and Morrow Mountain receive higher ratings overall for recreational opportunities and natural settings, though they require longer drives from town.

Best Camping Sites Near Harrisburg, North Carolina (83)

    1. Camping World Charlotte Motor Speedway

    6 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 455-4445

    "Campground is huge & within walking distance of the raceway. Camping world is across the street if you forgot anything! Win!"

    2. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

    3. McDowell Nature Preserve

    31 Reviews
    Lake Wylie, NC
    26 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."

    4. Elmore RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Charlotte, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 597-1323

    5. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    17 Reviews
    Pineville, NC
    22 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."

    6. Glenwood Acres RV Park

    1 Review
    Harrisburg, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 455-9282

    7. Lake Norman State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Troutman, NC
    30 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."

    8. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 982-4402

    $17 - $107 / night

    "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."

    9. Lake Curriher Wilderness

    4 Reviews
    China Grove, NC
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 857-4114

    $10 - $30 / night

    "Very close to my home. I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can’t seem to pick up after themselves. The cabins here are also great."

    "It’s the quietest stay we’ve had yet, and we go camping nearly every weekend. I will say, having the ADA tent site makes a huge difference."

    10. Dan Nicholas Park

    19 Reviews
    Southmont, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 216-7803

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Harrisburg, NC

538 Reviews of 83 Harrisburg Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Eden in Lancaster SC

    4.5 STARS Peaceful area.

    This is a nice place to stay for a peaceful and quiet getaway. It’s a good place to relax. The owner is very nice and accommodating to your needs. You’re about 10 minutes away from the town of Lancaster, South Carolina.

  • 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 :)

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Arrowhead Campground

    Perfect spot

    Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers. The bathrooms and showers aren’t fancy but are clean. There’s a boat ramp right by the entrance. Overall an awesome camp ground!

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Always a great time when we go

    We have been here 3 times all for a week at a time and love it. Holidays usually have some activities for kids. 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.

  • 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.

  • Amber L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    Coble's Landing

    DO NOT STAY HERE

    WARNING DO NOT STAY HERE!!! REX COBLE is part owner of this campground. My father’s camper was broken into and vandalized by the owner REX. Stayed for 3 months and never received a receipt for cash handed over. Always gave us the go around and said he was out of town on business. So we started using cash app to prove payments. We even paid 6 months advanced for storage. Investigation still in process and having to get the law involved again. Biggest crook and con of Anson County. Drug deals happening right in the Rv Park in front of family’s and children durning the day and all times at night. This place needs to be investigated, raided and shut down! Our whole life was taken from us. Photos, jewelry, guns, clothing, TVs, and etc. I highly suggest you do not stay here or trust your belongings being stored.

  • 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 Harrisburg

Harrisburg camping options extend beyond basic RV parks to include more varied outdoor experiences in Rowan and Cabarrus counties. Tent campers can find accommodations at multiple parks within 25-35 miles of town, often with waterfront sites and hiking access. Winter camping remains viable throughout the region with typical low temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though summer humidity requires preparation for heat management.

What to do

Fishing at the lake: Lake Curriher Wilderness offers multiple fishing spots where anglers can catch various species. "I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can't seem to pick up after themselves," notes one camper about Lake Curriher Wilderness.

Biking on park trails: Dan Nicholas Park has numerous trails perfect for family biking excursions. A visitor mentioned, "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."

Nature exploration: McDowell Nature Preserve features wooded hiking trails connecting directly to campsites. As one camper observed about McDowell Nature Preserve, "So awesome to have hiking trails that lead right out of the campground. That said, there aren't many sites for RVs and some are not level - hard to get trailer level even with max leveling blocks."

What campers like

Privacy at smaller sites: Yates Family Camping provides a more basic, less crowded camping experience. According to one visitor at Yates Family Camping, "We've loved staying at Yates due to the flexibility and excellent communication of the owners. There aren't really any extras here but if you're just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

Clean facilities: Lake Norman State Park maintains well-kept bathhouses and campsites. A camper stated, "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!"

Off-season value: Charlotte Motor Speedway camping offers expanded sites during slower periods. One reviewer at Charlotte Motor Speedway Camping World Racing Resort noted, "Off season, they turn two sites into one so you get 100' to yourself. All gravel. Grassy areas around for pets. Some sites have a grass backyard area."

What you should know

Gate hours vary seasonally: Many campgrounds have restricted entry times, especially in winter. A Lake Curriher visitor explained, "The gates close at 5pm during the fall/winter. Slightly around that time, the retired police chief came around to introduce himself and give his cell number."

Water availability changes: Not all sites maintain consistent water service throughout the year. One camper at Lake Curriher shared, "The water at our site is not working which is a bummer but we can use the water at the outside shower. It's non-potable but we have a filter and boil it before using it."

Shower conditions vary: Bathroom facilities differ significantly between parks. As noted about Dan Nicholas Park, "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Harrisburg, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Harrisburg, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 83 campgrounds and RV parks near Harrisburg, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Harrisburg, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrisburg, NC is Camping World Charlotte Motor Speedway with a 3.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrisburg, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Harrisburg, NC.