South Mountains State Park covers over 23,000 acres of terrain, ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet in elevation. The park features diverse habitats from hardwood forests to mountain streams with camping options available year-round. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F while summer temperatures average 65-85°F with higher humidity levels.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 70-foot High Shoals Falls involves nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain but rewards hikers with spectacular views. "I searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights... Great trails. Great views. The nature trail area was a great way to start and end the day as we hiked back to 'basecamp'," notes Sarah W. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Mountain biking: 16.5 miles of trails connect throughout the park with varying difficulty levels. "Roughly 16.5 miles of mountain bike trails intermix with hiking and equestrian trails," reports Dave V., adding that the "trail network is popular for day use attractions."
Creekside relaxation: South Toe River access provides spots for wading and cooling off during summer months. "We camped at the family camping area, it was great, we had site 6 and it was on the river and the kids loved it!" shares Jessica L. about her experience at the family campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Air-conditioned bathrooms consistently receive praise from visitors. "The restroom/shower house is a monstrous, mountain lodge style modern facility...very clean, spacious and well-stocked," describes Dave V. about Black Mountain Campground. Another visitor, Jessica L., called them "cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen!!"
Privacy between sites: Campsite spacing varies throughout the area with riverfront sites offering more seclusion. "The campsites are very nice and roomy," notes Katrin M. about Black Mountain Campground, while "site 7 is on that same small loop but had a larger rectangular raised pad, for keeping tents distanced from fire pits," adds Dave V.
Digital disconnection: No cell service throughout most parks creates a truly unplugged experience. "Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us," explains Stephen M. about South Mountains, adding "Far from a town, so don't forget anything."
What you should know
Gate closing times: Park entrance gates lock at specific hours, preventing late-night access. "The gates to the park are locked at night (I can't remember exactly what time) but it definitely cuts down on random traffic," explains Rushell R. from South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Weather preparedness: Mountain climate can change rapidly with significant temperature drops after sunset. "We got lucky with great weather in early March. Having followed the weather for a bit after going, I think I'd be planning for April if we did it again," advises John L. about camping at Maple Camp Bald.
Trail difficulty ratings: Some trails require substantial physical exertion and proper footwear. "Our total loop mileage was 5.5 with nearly a thousand foot of elevation gain," notes Dave V. about the High Shoals Falls Trail, warning that "rocks and roots abound."
Tips for camping with families
Creek-adjacent sites: Request riverside spots for natural water play opportunities. "Even though we only stayed one night, we had a blast! The tent pad was large enough to setup our 8 man tent and 2 man tent, and leave us plenty of room for our kitchen setup and room around the fire pit," shares Erica F. from Julian Price Park Campground.
Pack-in necessities: Limited supplies available at most park offices. "No cell service, and gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," warns Jenni P., emphasizing the importance of bringing everything you need.
Kid-friendly activities: Nature trails designed for various ability levels. "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," suggests Danielle L. about options at Julian Price Park.
Tips for RVers
Site selection considerations: Check leveling requirements before booking specific sites. "Some camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways," cautions Richard E. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Horse campgrounds near Morganton, North Carolina: Equestrian facilities include trailer parking and direct trail access. "I took my horses and grandson to camp in the equestrian campsite. The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want," describes Jackie S. about Equestrian Campground at South Mountains State Park.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," shares Karen S. about driving conditions at Kings Mountain.
