Stone Mountain State Park offers multiple camping options near Millers Creek, North Carolina, with sites located at elevations around 1,500 feet. The park spans over 14,000 acres in Wilkes County, providing varied terrain from rocky outcrops to densely wooded valleys. Temperatures typically range 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands during summer months, making it a popular retreat during hot weather.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: Stone Mountain Falls drops 200 feet and can be accessed via a 4.5-mile loop trail from the main campground. "Great sites. Clean bathrooms, close to many hiking trails and waterfalls," notes Joe B. from Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Tubing or kayaking: New River offers gentle currents perfect for beginners and families. The river maintains a year-round temperature between 50-70°F. According to Chelsea B. from New River State Park, "Overall the park has miles and miles of blue way. And I highly recommend spending an afternoon on the beach at the Elk Shoals access. Beautiful spot with awesome swimming hole!"
Fishing: Kerr Scott Reservoir provides excellent bass fishing opportunities within a 10-minute drive of several campgrounds. "Warrior Creek Campground is located on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. It's beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday," reports Roberta K.
What campers like
Seasonal temperatures: The higher elevation brings notably cooler weather compared to surrounding areas. "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," shares Kristen J. at Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Trail diversity: Multiple hiking options range from easy family walks to challenging mountain treks. At Julian Price Park, Danielle L. notes, "There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake. There's also a trail that you can access from the park that leads to Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail. The trail follows a river with lots of great swimming holes."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer the best opportunities to see deer and wild turkey. "We camped at RV site 40 and I think it's the best. There's a roaring large creek that flows behind the site and a grassy field full of deer beside it," explains Charli R. from Stone Mountain State Park.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campground access roads are narrow gravel roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there," reports Kristen J. about Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Campsite layout variations: Some glamping in Millers Creek, North Carolina locations offer much more privacy than others. According to Kasey M. at Thousand Trails Green Mountain, "The roads around the campground need repaved, and are very busy. We tried to walk and ride around with our children but constantly had to get off the road or be cautious as cars came around the turns in the campground."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have spotty coverage. For important communications, Jean C. advises, "For cell phone coverage (Verizon), I had success at the viewpoint on the way up from the entrance. It was also where I watched the sunrise."
Tips for camping with families
Midweek visits: Weekends fill quickly at popular spots during summer months. "Warrior Creek Campground is beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday. Weekends tend to get filled up fast and often with large groups stretching the limits of a campsite," says Roberta K. from Warrior Creek.
Evening activities: Several campgrounds offer organized events for children. Amy P. from Honey Bear Campground shares, "Very family friendly. The staff does a great job making sure the quiet hours are really quiet and no craziness happens."
Rain contingencies: Mountain weather can change quickly. "Pro Tip: Check with the office for the Saturday night movie! Weather dependent, they show a movie outdoors on the front lawn. Bring your chair or blanket and a cooler/snacks, and come hang out for a movie with fellow campers," suggests Steve V.
Tips from RVers
Water access logistics: Some campgrounds require filling tanks upon arrival rather than providing hookups. "They do not have water hookups - you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups. They have a dump station where you can empty your tanks on your way out," explains Mandy R. about Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Site selection strategy: Research individual sites before booking as quality varies significantly within each campground. Charles R. from New River State Park shares, "The campground was very nice and well kept the camp host was awesome and helped me get our wildwood in the spot just right. The full hook ups ended with all fees was $35 a night."
Leveling requirements: Many mountain sites have slopes requiring additional equipment. "This site does have a good slope to it and we had to use a stack of 3 Cacmo leveling blocks to get level, but if anything, this is my only minor complaint about this site," notes Steve V. about Honey Bear Campground.
