Are you planning a camping trip to Matthews with your dog? We've got you covered. Find the best information on pet-friendly campgrounds near Matthews, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each pet-friendly spot offers quick access to one or more of Matthews's most popular destinations.
Whatever your lodging needs, this Carowinds camp wilderness delivers. Cabins sleep up to 8, and level sites with full hookups easily accommodate both pop-ups and RVs up to 45 feet. Need to house a large group? Great Wilderness Lodge sleeps 14 and offers a large meeting area, equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, and a wraparound, rocking-chair porch.
Everyone will find their own way to unwind with a swimming pool, cornhole, pool table, video games, shuffleboard and free wireless internet in many places. What’s more, registered Camp Wilderness guests can purchase discounted tickets and free shuttle service to the park during park operating days.
$13 - $31 / night
$40 - $50 / night
$62 / night
Lake Norman State Park, on the largest manmade lake in North Carolina, boasts one of the region’s more popular mountain biking network, offering 30.5 miles of single-track trail. Nearby are a 125-yard-long swim beach and bathhouse complex as well as a boat ramp and opportunities for fishing from spots along park trails. Lake Norman campground with 32-sites and a group campground are available during warm-weather months, and a community building with kitchen facilities, restrooms and fireplace can be rented for family and group events year round. Free interpretive programs are complemented by educational exhibits throughout the visitor center and along the child-friendly Dragonfly Trail.
$26 / night
Badin Lake Campground borders the lakeshore and sits within a shaded forest, offering a year-round retreat for swimmers, boaters and anglers in central North Carolina's Uwharrie National Forest. Badin Lake Recreation Area is a hub for the area's outdoor activities, and the campground offers spacious, waterfront sites for both RV and tent campers.
Badin Lake Recreation Area offers many ways for campers to enjoy the lake. Popular activities include picnicking on the shore or swimming, boating or fishing for bass, bream, crappie and catfish on the water. Anglers and boaters have the convenience of a boat ramp 2 miles from the campground. About 40 miles of non-motorized trails are available for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, as well as 17 miles of motorized trails for off-road vehicle riding. The surrounding land offers both big and small game hunting.
The campground lies in a dense forest of pines and hardwoods near the shore of 5,000-acre Badin Lake. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 50s, while summer brings temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s and high humidity. The weather is pleasant in spring and fall, with high temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
A theme park with a petting zoo, nature center and mini golf course lies just under an hour away and makes a fun day trip for families.
$20 / night
Guide
Happy to report that there is a new host here as the one that was working in 2021 was AWFUL. Great sites but hardly any are level so be prepared to manage that. Nice fire pits and grills - love having both. Great bathhouse with hot showers. Terrific paved trail that is awesome for walking, biking, strollers, wheelchairs. Plenty of hammock trees! Zero noise except from other campers/vehicles and the occasional aircraft passing over. Cell signal is pretty spotty but passable. Would need a booster or satellite internet in order to work or attend school, though. Nearby El Dorado Outpost has everything you might need (gas, ice, hot food, small groceries, outdoor supplies, GREAT biscuits!!, etc) and locals sell firewood bundles for $4-5/each. 10-15 min drive into Troy where there are restaurants, gas stations, small regular grocery stores. Really nice new playground and skate park in Troy, too. Tons of hiking, offroading/overlanding, mountain biking, horseback riding nearby.
Scout
This campground is not well-maintained. 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. I was here a week and they cleaned it after I complained. They were only cleaned one time in a one week period. The campground manager doesn’t appear to care about anything. Keep it business only with this person. The sites are completely covered with leaves. You can’t even see the parking area for your site. I travel full-time. I will not be coming back to this location.
Scout
The campground is well kept and clean. The owners are wonderful and all amenities are maintained in a like new state. They are constantly improving the campground and have family friendly activities for all. Halloween is a must see event in this camp with everyone decking out their sites.
We are well traveled and have visited many campgrounds in various states. This is among the best we have ever experienced.
ScoutThis is a great little place to get away from it all. The sites have electric but you will need in-house water and septic. There is a dump station along with a potable water source at the entrance to the campground.
Scout
My husband and I stayed here for a few days at the beginning of October. It's very quiet and peaceful. What I didn't like was they had no activities like most other camp sites. They do have hiking trials and fishing until 8pm. The staff was friendly and very helpful but they leave at 4pm and you can't check in till 3pm. I guess there's good and bad like with all places.
Scout
Awesome spot for families and multiple night stays. Family environment comes with more noise but as long as you are expecting it you won’t be disappointed.
Scout
My wife and I stayed here with our 2 daughters. The campsite was spacious, flat and shaded. There was plenty to do for the kids for the weekend. The bath house was very nice and clean. The camp host drove his golf cart around selling firewood. Will definitely return
GuideStayed a couple of nights for first time. Staff was very nice. Grounds were well maintained, not crowded and nice and quiet. 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.
Guide
I recently stayed for 3 nights with my popup in site#10. The site is a good size for a tent or small camper only. Overall we were surprised by the campground based on other reviews . In my opinion The sites are close together, poorly maintained, and most are very small. The Trading Post is nicely stocked, and open all day. The bathrooms near my site were the best part…it was modern, clean and the showers were hot with good pressure. But other than the bathrooms everything felt like it hadn’t been maintained at all. Won’t be coming back.
Traveler
I was there alone and had the whole campsite to myself. The camp host was so kind. He always made sure me, my horses and my grandson were comfortable and safe!
ScoutWe went to Dan Nicholas Park earlier this year (around the spring time) and it was decent. Staff was nice, our campground was set up well, we had no noise problems and the campground was pretty much close to a bathhouse. However the one complaint is that the advertisement of this park— being that you can go to their attractions, is kind of faltered out. Nobody works at the park anymore, everything’s kind of closed— and what isn’t closed due to no work is under renovation. Nice place for younger kids! Not for teens. However all together a cheap and decent park! Stayed for 3 nights and 4 days with 2 sites for only 120 dollars, so a good deal. I would recommend for family camping trips as it’s nicely snuggled in Salisbury NC and an all around friendly campground. The bonus is it’s gated!
Scout
I showed up after hours on a motorcycle looking for an overnight tent site. They didn't have tent sites available in the after hours check in. Luckily, John, who works maintenance, was near by. He opened up the office, checked me into a tent site and figured out how to give me a military discount even though that is not his job. John saved my night! The tent site was clean, level, grass and water and electric worked great. There was some noise from the interstate but expected in a tent. Restroom and shower facilities were clean and functional. My only staff interaction was with John and he was outstanding in customer service and going over the top to take care of getting me set up. Thank you!
Guide
Nice little campsite. The host is very communicative. Nice open field with great nestled area for campfires.
Traveler
Last minute find. Host super nice took us to are site and deliver the wood to us. Bathroom are clean. Quite and beautiful
Scout
For only $20 you get so much. They have really nice established spots with great views of the lake, a very long trail to walk, nice clean bathrooms, and a shower for only $3. The lake is swimmable from any point and you have use of the entire campgrounds area except other direct sites.
Scout
My daughter and I decided to camp at the last minute. This place was close to the interstate but still very secluded. Plenty of firewood and next to a creek. I highly recommend.
TravelerWe spent 2 nights here with our Storyteller Mode LT RV nestled in the Uwharrie National Forest. The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. Many sites are available with electric hook-up, and drinking water is available at nearby locations. Many of the sites are not very level so choose carefully. The campground is very quiet and clean. The drive-in offers beautiful rolling countryside with low foothills. Nearby we took advantage of an off-road driver training course with OEX, Overland Experts.
TravelerCampground is guarded by two gates and I saw the police patrol around a few times after hours. The spots are very close to each other but that didn’t bother me. I chose spot D16 which is the only camping spot with a bit of an uphill ramp from the car to the camp spot. The rest lie flat. Didn’t help that I have a tent that attaches to my car so it made that difficult.
Traveler
This is one of our favorite spots! We can boat, fish, ride our golf cart, hang out by the fire and just enjoy the moment. It also has wonderful handicap accommodations. Hands down one of our favorites!
GuideThis is our favorite getaway from Charlotte, NC. Level lots, nice pool, enclosed dog lot, clean bathhouse, clean laundry room & activities. As of April 2024 they have added a nice playground. Lisa is the best host.
Traveler
This location has 2 RV lots. Riverside is heavily wooded which provides a ton of shade on the hot summer days. Taylor Creek is newer with less trees providing lots of open space and great for Solar regeneration. Both sites are very clean and well maintained. Just a short walk to the lake.
Traveler
Tried to camp here, but it’s closed for the next year.
Scout
Easy and close to route 85. Very quiet campground! Definitely not a parking lot. Very woodsy and very well kept. Clean bathroom and laundry room. Also propane available.
GuideOur favorite for weekend getaway. Clean and well kept. Owners are fantastic. They have upgraded playground. Dog park is so nice to have on site.
TravelerLarger camp ground than expected. Enjoyed our stay.
TravelerAnother quick one night stay but it was beautiful! We arrived just in time to watch the sunset over the water between the trees!
Since I booked last minute I was only able to get an inner loop site but I can't wait to come back and get a site on the water, specifically 9, 11 or 13! Even if you do not have a water front spot there were still ways to access the water and a fishing pier.
The bathrooms and showers were all individual stalls and decently overall clean.
The drive in is a bit long and bumpy but beautiful!
Highly recommend spending multiple nights here if possible.
Traveler
Had a good time camping and enjoyed the song of wind and birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Matthews, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Matthews, NC is McDowell Nature Preserve with a 4.4-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Matthews, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 dog-friendly camping locations near Matthews, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
