Best Tent Camping near Lincolnton, NC

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Lincolnton, NC is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that North Carolina camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Lincolnton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Tent Sites Near Lincolnton, North Carolina (31)

    1. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

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

    $17 - $47 / night

    "This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead."

    "I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing."

    2. Hippie Holler

    1 Review
    Bessemer City, NC
    19 miles

    $40 - $60 / night

    3. Primitive Camping By the Creek

    4 Reviews
    Grover, SC
    26 miles
    +1 (864) 761-6297

    $30 / night

    "On the campsite there is a lot of firewood to use, in a shed to keep it dry. There are log seats around a nice campfire with a picnic table. Lots of room for multiple tents."

    "It was very helpful and greatly appreciated after the 11hr drive. The campsite was spacious for us to set up camp and keep the jeep nearby."

    4. Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State Park

    2 Reviews
    Casar, NC
    23 miles
    +1 (828) 433-4772

    $17 / night

    "Jacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!!"

    "The hikes near the falls were quite busy on Memorial Day weekend, but the backcountry campsites were quiet and well-kept."

    6. Upper Falls Campsite

    1 Review
    Casar, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 433-4772

    $15 / night

    "Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup."

    7. Lake Curriher Wilderness

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

    $10 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    8. Mortimer Campground — National Forests In North Carolina

    10 Reviews
    Collettsville, NC
    45 miles
    +1 (828) 652-2144

    $20 - $30 / night

    "The 5 upfront are walk in, and more private. The about to be 12 in the back are pull in and much closer together. Two shower houses, one on both ends, no hookups."

    "Had some friends stay next to us in a class b. A small trailer would fit, nothing big. No W/E/S but great place. Come early to reserve. You must set up camp immediately. No reservations."

    9. Hiddenite Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Stony Point, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 838-3579

    $25 - $50 / night

    10. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    33 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."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lincolnton, NC

548 Reviews of 31 Lincolnton Campgrounds


  • Ashley M.
    Sep. 17, 2019

    Table Rock Campsites (Linville Gorge Wilderness)

    Linville Gorge is Gorgeous

    We’ve primitive camped in the Linville Gorge Wilderness for many years and absolutely love it. It’s peaceful and secluded and the views are absolutely gorgeous. My photos are from the Linville Falls side of the old highway that goes past the falls parking lot. Spaces are first come, first served dispersed camping. Leave no trace! We clean up after folks every time we camp up here and it’s just too sad that people will leave their trash. This area used to be the best kept secret in the NC mountains but is quickly gaining popularity.

  • Glacia C.
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State Park

    South Mountains NCSP: Jacob Branch Backcountry Sites

    Jacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!! The sites are a bit difficult to pitch on, due to the abundance of roots, hardpan earth, and slope, but you’ll find a spot. I didn’t hang, but there are certainly spots that would be suitable. Water is just down the hill. It’s ample and clear, as of May 2023. There are several ways to hike in, as many of the South Mountains SP trails intersect and wander around a bunch giving a bunch of options for how to get in and out. The variety makes for a nice loop instead of just an in-and-out. Get inventive. Trails are broad and veeeeeery hilly in places. If your knees complain, bring the trekking poles. You’ll thank me.

    Shinny Creek: Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It’s only a bit over a mile to these four sites (see video tour) nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites. Bear box. Critter-proof trash bin. Pit privy. Water access from every site within ten paces, so water and entertainment are always available. The trail here is easy peasy rolling hills that follows the river past Bear Falls all the way up to the sites.

  • Dave V.
    Jul. 1, 2021

    South Mountains State Park Family Campground

    A Sleeper worth Staying At

    South Mountain State Park, NC From I-40 Exit 104, you twist and turn, up and down but keep a sharp eye for the small, brown State Park signs or you’ll pass your right hand turns. 

    The South Mountain Visitors Center is very spacious and attractive but doesn’t offer a great deal. There is a cool 3D topo map display of the state park. At present, this is a 23,000 acre State Park...and ever acquiring more land. 

    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. 

    The campground is tiny and narrow, running between a creek and the state park roadway. The sounds of the creek melodious, the road traffic noise-not so much. I would definitely advise selecting the creek side campsites as they lay deeper in the wood line out of sight of the roadway and have the creek noise to cover roadway noise.(note: the roadway dead ends at the trailhead/picnic area, so the only traffic are day visitors and park staff) Be forewarned, Cell service is nonexistent. Your site will have a WiFi password for internet at the Visitors Center, but you need to be at or in the building for it to work. 

    PROS:

    •Small campground with few amenities

    •Mountain/creek location

    •Nice modern facilities

    •Water

    •Adjoining trail network

    •No cell service

    •80’ Waterfall•Interpretive Hemlock Nature Trail

    •Beautiful Day Use picnic area 

    CONS:

    •Road noise for sites 10-14, during working hours and day use hours.

    •No cell service 

    Site 13 backs up toward the roadway, and without much understory, passing traffic is very visible and noisy(the high shoals falls and trail network are popular day use attractions). On the sites between the campground roadway and the State Park roadway, you are much closer than the website maps post, and without understory vegetation, you have direct visibility of several neighbors and normal conversations can be heard. Night noise restrictions, on our visit, were observed so it wasn’t an issue. My visit was Wed, Thurs. midweek Oct 7-8. 

    Our site was an“leveling,” octagonal, elevated, crushed gravel pad, surrounded by landscape timbers...an elevated fire ring with a swing-over, non-adjustable grate, a picnic table and metal lantern pole. It worked fine but I used a small two-man tent. Depending on wind direction, fire ring embers would present a problem for a larger tent. Our site parking area was 45’ from the raised timber to campground roadway. 

    The restroom/shower house is a monstrous, mountain lodge style modern facility...very clean, spacious and well-stocked. 

    Walking the Family Camground my future site picks would be 5 or 7. Site 5 is a park and carry but it did not appear to be more than 50’ and it sat on the creek. Site 7 is on that same small loop but had a larger rectangular raised pad, for keeping tents distanced from fire pits. 

    Some sites have a deep enough gravel drive for a small camper or popup. And a few have electric. 

    Several trails lead from the NW end of the family campground parking lot and vary in length and difficulty. Most notable is the Raven Rock Trail to the High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb and descent to the upper falls and then wooden boardwalk and steep steps down to the gorgeous 80 ft High Shoals waterfall. Smaller falls and cascades continue on the descent. Our total loop mileage was 5.5 with nearly a thousand foot of elevation gain. 

    Park employees both at the Visitor’s Center desk and in the field were very friendly and pleasant. The NC State Park Ranger was very informative and helpful, as well as giving much appreciated suggestions for great and often lesser traveled hiking trails. 

    Roughly 16.5 miles of mountain bike trails intermix with hiking and equestrian trails. There is a separate equestrian campground between the Visitors Center and the Family Campground. Note: there are several backcountry backpack-in campsite areas(Upper Falls Campsites offer picnic tables, fire ring and a couple pit latrines).

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2021

    COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    Gorgeous campground!

    This place has it all! Swimming, kayaking, boat launch, small hiking trail. Sites have a fire pit, picnic table (it’s really heavy!) and a grill. I loved how each site is fairly unique. Many have steps to go down to the fire pit area. Lots of sites on the water. Site 32 was on a little cul-de-sac next to the beach and had a perfect spot for my hammock overlooking the water.

    I stayed on an rv site in a tent. There are tent specific sites. The tent sites are heavily wooded.

    The bathhouse was unremarkable but clean.

    They had movie night on Saturday night (RV) but I didn’t realize it until Sunday morning haha.

    The campground was very quiet all weekend. Appeared to be mostly families. There is no alcohol allowed and I did not notice anyone breaking this rule.

    There is firewood ($5 bundle - must have exact change!) available and ice but no camp store. Walmart is close by though.

  • Nora C.
    Jun. 8, 2018

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Large shady spaces near Kings Mountain Military Park.

    Large spacious spots for RVs and Tent campers. Close to Kings Mountain Military Park. Several trails from easy to strenuous and varying lengths. Lake with fishing, kayaking and canoing. Clean facilities with bathrooms, showers and camp store.

    Spaces have electric, water, fire rings and picnic tables. Tent only areas.

  • Todd S.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Great place to stay

    We enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!

  • Jennifer R.
    Apr. 25, 2019

    South Mountains State Park Family Campground

    Perfection!

    Tent camping can get cramped but you won't feel that way here! The set up here is great, pads are level and big, picnic tables aren't chained down so you can move them where you need them. The showers/bathrooms are brand new and CLEAN! You are going to feel spoiled because you are. Trails lead right off the camp grounds making it easy to get up and make the most out of every day you get to spend here. The only thing lacking is a camp host but rangers patrol at night and are happy to drop you some wood if you flag them down.

  • L
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Poulous Loop Seasonal Camp

    Was once nice. (Edited)

    Forest Service has changed the price from $5 to $30 a night for a primitive campground. Nasty vault toilet, and trash cans but no water. As of July 2019 campground appears closed.

  • J
    Jun. 20, 2016

    COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    Bandits Roost, NC

    I really enjoyed my weekend here and will go back soon. Campground and shower house were clean. I tent camped on a camper site as they were the only spots available for the weekend. The site had a fire pit, grill, picnic table and a food prep table next to the grill. The site was 98b and was on the side of a hill. Rather that having one large area, it was divided with an upper and lower section connected by steps. The upper was wide enough for a camper and the lower part had the grill, etc. It worked well with a tent, but a camper would take up the upper part and leave no room for hanging out under the awning. This site, as did most in the B loop, had great tree cover/shade. There was a pretty constant and comfortable breeze. There were also some good tree for hanging a couple of hammocks on the end of the lower area. The only negatives for me...I was hoping for direct access from the site to the reservoir and the shower house only had one toilet (mens).


Guide to Lincolnton

Tent camping near Lincolnton, North Carolina, offers a variety of scenic locations and amenities for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tips for tent camping near Lincolnton

  • Crowders Mountain State Park Campground provides a hike-in experience, ensuring a peaceful and private setting for campers who enjoy a bit of adventure.
  • For first-time campers, the easy access and supportive staff at Hiddenite Family Campground make it a great choice to ease into the camping experience.
  • If you're looking for a secluded spot, Primitive Camping By the Creek offers a tranquil environment next to a creek, perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

Local activities for tent campers

  • At Paddy's Creek — Lake James State Park, enjoy swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the beautiful lake, just a short drive from the campground.
  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails at Upper Falls Campsite, which lead to stunning views of waterfalls and natural scenery.
  • For a unique experience, visit Self Sufficient Holler, where you can explore the property’s trails and enjoy fresh produce from the garden.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Lake Curriher Wilderness features clean facilities, including showers and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • The well-maintained sites at Catawba River — Lake James State Park provide easy access to water and cozy spots for hanging hammocks.
  • Hippie Holler offers a peaceful atmosphere with unique accommodations like yurts, perfect for those seeking a blend of comfort and nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lincolnton, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lincolnton, NC is Crowders Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lincolnton, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Lincolnton, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.