McDowell Nature Preserve maintains 56 diverse campsites on the shores of Lake Wylie, located just 30 minutes southwest of Charlotte. Several parks near Mount Holly have shaded tent pads and access to hiking trails right from the campground. Temperatures range from winter lows around 30°F to summer highs reaching 90°F, requiring seasonal camping adjustments.
What to do
Nature trails for all levels: McDowell Nature Preserve spans 1,132 acres with seven miles of hiking trails connecting directly to the campground. "So awesome to have hiking trails that lead right out of the campground," notes one camper at McDowell Nature Preserve. The preserve contains the region's largest remaining hardwood forest and offers ranger-led environmental programs.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Norman State Park provides dedicated fishing areas plus boat rentals for accessing deeper waters. The lake holds largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish populations. A reviewer mentions, "Great lake access and nice kayaking" at Copperhead Island, which offers more secluded camping and fishing access despite its intimidating name.
Swimming access: Several parks offer designated swimming beaches during summer months. "We spent a weekend here last month. Park itself has considerable construction going on with no water access. However the campground was open and sites are nice and spacious," reports a visitor to Ebenezer Park, noting temporary limitations.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lake Norman State Park receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards. "I have camped all across the US and this was the nicest and cleanest campground I have ever been in," writes one camper at Lake Norman State Park Campground. The park provides renovated bathhouses with reliable hot water.
Relative seclusion: Kings Mountain State Park offers a forest setting that creates natural separation between some sites. "We basically lived here in a tent, for 2 weeks in 2013, while waiting to close on our house when moving to Charlotte. We loved the education center, the small walking trails and lakeside area," notes a long-term camper who appreciated McDowell's facilities.
Convenient location: Multiple campgrounds provide quick access to Charlotte while maintaining natural settings. "This campground is just minutes from Charlotte, but secluded from the city noise. Nice open spaces with shade," notes a reviewer about McDowell Nature Preserve, highlighting its balance of accessibility and nature.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer months bring increased crowds and higher temperatures. "We live about half hour or so from this campground and have wanted to check it out for some time. The sites are very well taken care of. We chose to camp on one of the hotter days of the year so the tree shade came in handy to help keep us cool," mentions a local camper at McDowell Nature Preserve.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during peak season from May through September. "We stayed at this park a few times and each time I find something else I like. Each site I have stayed at had tent pads," notes a repeat visitor about Lake Norman State Park.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience moderate noise from surrounding areas. A camper at Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort observed, "The nighttime noise was bothersome, not sure where it was coming from, likely outside the campground," indicating that noise levels can vary between parks.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Mount Holly feature play areas for children. "We had a blast; even with younger kids. RV sites and cabins, friendly staff, free shuttle to the amusement park, great community center, and more," writes a family visiting Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with gated access provide additional security. "The camp was patrolled regularly by the police and I felt very safe. I can't say enough good things here," notes a McDowell Nature Preserve visitor, emphasizing the security measures that benefit families.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programs for children. "We went around Halloween and they had trick-or-treating around the park as well as prizes for the best decorated," shares a camper at Ebenezer Park, highlighting seasonal activities for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites requiring leveling equipment. "The park is lovely, with lots of trails and nature. Beautiful wooded setting. That said, there aren't many sites for RVs and some are not level - hard to get trailer level even with max leveling blocks," warns an RV camper at McDowell Nature Preserve.
Size limitations: Larger RVs face restrictions at some parks. "It is hard to believe that you are in the city limits of Charlotte in this campground. It is very rustic, with lots of trees and nature, and the campsites are nicely spaced out so you're not on top of other units. The campground is not terribly big rig friendly but still worth staying at when you are in the Charlotte Metro area," advises an RV owner at Kings Mountain State Park.
Hookup availability: Full hookup availability varies significantly between dog-friendly campgrounds near Mount Holly. "Kind of sketchy. Very open gravel lots with small parking places for RVs," notes a reviewer about Charlotte Motor Speedway Camping World, contrasting with more natural settings at other parks.
