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.
"Campground is huge & within walking distance of the raceway. Camping world is across the street if you forgot anything! Win!"
"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."
"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."
$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."
$17 - $95 / 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."
$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."
"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."
"Campground has trails and fishing in walking distance. It is always packed. No alcohol permitted."
"Just be mindful when booking sites near the Lakeside Lodge, they book parties, so it’s a little busier & noisier than our preference."
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
https://youtu.be/Fv-DYCm_qXY
LegendI was able to map out 41 free dispersed campsites on Moccasin Creek Road; Forest Service Road 576. It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left. Many of the sites are able to accommodate large groups of campers. This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December. We first came here on opening weekend for the OHV trails so it was pretty busy and the weather was dry so it was really dusty. We also come back at the end of December and camped near the Deep Water Trail Camp. This time instead of nearly every site being occupied, only 5 other sites had people for that weekend. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
All sites are shown and GPS coordinates listed in our video description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe have been down here a few times and camped in a different site each time. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
I was able to map 41 sites on Moccasin Creek Road. All sites are shown in our video and GPS coordinates listed in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe pulled into Lake Norman State Park around 6 PM on New Year’s Eve, mainly because we didn’t want to drive a couple more hours to our original destination. We only planned to stay one night, but the campground surprised us—in the best way—and we ended up staying three nights instead.
There were plenty of available campsites, and every site we saw was at least decently spaced, with several feeling nicely secluded. The campground was quiet and well laid out. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and having water spigots available in the no-hookups loop was a big plus.
One of the highlights was riding our e-bikes on the Hawk, Hicks, Norwood Creek, and Monbo loops. These are the easier sections of the Itusi Trail system and were a lot of fun—though still a bit too unpaved for my wife’s taste😄. Even so, the hiking trail access from the campground made it easy to get out and explore.
This stop wasn’t planned at all, but it turned into one of those stays that makes you glad plans changed. We’ll definitely be coming back to Lake Norman State Park.
Check out all the sites in 360° in our video:
https://youtu.be/UzYublJ-BZg
LegendWe stayed one night at Arrowhead Campground while checking out some of the nearby trails, including the Badin Lake Trail, which is just a short drive away and offers great views of the lake and surrounding forest. The campground itself is well laid out, with sites nicely spaced apart so it doesn’t feel crowded. The paved campground loops are in great shape and make driving through easy, even for larger rigs. Several areas offer pleasant views of Badin Lake, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Arrowhead Campground felt quiet, clean, and well maintained—an excellent base camp for exploring Uwharrie National Forest, even if just for a quick overnight stay.
Check out our 360° video to see all the sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4AjjkcB4o
LegendOlder national forest campground without electric at the sites. It is nice enough and less crowded then Arrowhead. But is older and not as well kept as Arrowhead with is about the same price and right up the road. I like it since it is usually not crowded.
Check out the campground and all the sites in our 360° video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJctFFUhIs
LegendWe were coming through the area and wanted an alternative to the dusty camping over in the OHV area of the forest. We where happy with the West Morris Mountain Campground. Not a lot of people and everything was clean.
Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground.
https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs
GuidePeaceful and well-maintained area. I encountered a few people on the trail, which was reassuring without disrupting the solitude. I camped near the river and had a great experience. As a person of color, I felt safe at all times, including during brief interactions with other campers.
ScoutClean, safe, road noise all night, showers are clean, water is kinda warm. Site was level
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.
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."
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."
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 84 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.
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