Best Campgrounds near Mount Pleasant, NC

The Mount Pleasant area in North Carolina features several campgrounds within the nearby Uwharrie National Forest, offering camping experiences ranging from developed sites with amenities to primitive backcountry options. Badin Lake Campground and Arrowhead Campground, located approximately 20 miles west of Mount Pleasant, provide spacious tent and RV sites near water access points. Additional options include Morrow Mountain State Park Campground to the southwest and Dan Nicholas Park to the north, both offering cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping areas. Lake Norman State Park, though slightly farther at about 40 miles northwest, extends the region's camping opportunities with tent sites and cabins.

Most campgrounds in the Uwharrie National Forest area maintain year-round operations, though services may be limited during winter months. A visitor noted, "Uwharrie National Forest is a good place for backpacking in this region of the state. The streams, provided one has filtration or iodine tablets, provide ample sources of drinking water." Road conditions within the forest can vary, with some dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles. Cell phone coverage tends to be spotty throughout the region, with T-Mobile users reporting connectivity only in specific shoreline areas. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak seasons, while dispersed camping locations like Deep Water Trail Camp operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

The waterfront locations of many campgrounds in the region consistently receive positive reviews for their access to Badin Lake and other water bodies. Campgrounds in the lower loop of Badin Lake feature sites with easy lake access, providing opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. As one camper wrote, "Sites along Badin Lake in the lower loop are often reserved. The surroundings are beautiful!" Hiking trails connect many of the camping areas, with the Uwharrie Trail spanning approximately 20 miles through the forest. Visitors commonly mention the relative solitude of the area despite its proximity to urban centers like Charlotte, making it popular for weekend getaways. For those seeking more primitive experiences, several dispersed camping areas in the Uwharrie National Forest provide opportunities for backcountry camping with minimal amenities.

Best Camping Sites Near Mount Pleasant, North Carolina (78)

    1. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 982-4402

    $17 - $107 / night

    "Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone.  Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "

    "Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."

    2. Dan Nicholas Park

    19 Reviews
    Southmont, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 216-7803

    "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."

    "Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue."

    3. Badin Lake Campground

    26 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    22 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Awesome location, very remote and the sites are Huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 easy access to the water and great views."

    "I preferred the lower loop as nearly every outer site was on the lake with great views and lake access and sites are spread out. The inside sites of the lower loop are pretty spacious and deep."

    4. Camping World Charlotte Motor Speedway

    6 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 455-4445

    "Campground is huge & within walking distance of the raceway. Camping world is across the street if you forgot anything! Win!"

    5. Arrowhead Campground

    18 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    $20 - $54 / night

    "Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. "

    "The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "

    6. Lake Curriher Wilderness

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

    $10 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    13 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."

    8. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    21 miles
    Website

    "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you’re in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks."

    "First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."

    9. Norwood Campground

    6 Reviews
    Mount Gilead, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 474-3800

    $42 - $70 / night

    "The pool doesn’t have normal steps that you walk down into the pool on, they only have the ladder steps which make it a little tricky getting in with a small child."

    "Spacious lots in a wooded setting, includes a pool, walking trails, and access to Lake Tillery. Ice and firewood available onsite. Bath-houses are dated."

    10. Lake Norman State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Troutman, NC
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 528-6350

    $27 - $75 / night

    "LNSP is just a 45 minute drive from Charlotte and 1.5 hours from Asheville. The campsites are spacious, and surrounded by woods with plenty of shade to keep the summer heat in check."

    "After a beautiful drive through the woods, I arrived at my site. The pad was well maintained and clean. The lake was about 100 yards from my campsite, with a nice trail down to the waters edge."

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Recent Reviews near Mount Pleasant, NC

516 Reviews of 78 Mount Pleasant Campgrounds


  • madison F.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Cobble Hill RV Campground (Formerly) Carolina Rose

    good stop & stay

    campground being remodeled so bathhouses were a little walk away but not too inconvenient. pool was also closed for now BUT overall cute location. did park on site 59 (pull through) but was SUPER unlevel. cute pond and amphitheater too! has laundry as well.

    coolest part about this spot is that it’s about a 10 min drive into Catawba college town which was a super nice area for us being younger. perfect mix of Boulder & Philly :)

    hosts were SUPER friendly and nice :)

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Asheboro

    Great stay

    Campground has many things to do for the Littles. I would recommend renting the “off road” golf cart for fun. The only negative is the lack of bath houses. Although we have a full bathroom in our camper we typically use the showers at the campgrounds. There were only 2 bathhouses in the campground. Our site was well shaded and enough space between the sites.

  • wesley L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Tanglewood Park

    Shaded and clean

    No permanent sites so it's clean with no clutter, host greeted upon arrival, lots of access to hike/bike trails, near park with ponds, pool, ball courts. Several sites including mine very hard to level

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Arrowhead Campground

    Perfect spot

    Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers. The bathrooms and showers aren’t fancy but are clean. There’s a boat ramp right by the entrance. Overall an awesome camp ground!

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Always a great time when we go

    We have been here 3 times all for a week at a time and love it. Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    We will be back for sure

    Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue.

  • D
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    Beautiful campground

    Very limited wi-fi, dated bathrooms, most amenities closed

  • Chris K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    Superb Accommodations

    Always very clean, with meticulously maintained and picturesque grounds, the Camp Wilderness at Carowinds is well-appointed with amenities and attended to by helpful and friendly Carowinds staff. Providing shuttle service to the front gate for park entry, this is an excellent choice for overnight stays and Carowinds outings.

  • Amber L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    Coble's Landing

    DO NOT STAY HERE

    WARNING DO NOT STAY HERE!!! REX COBLE is part owner of this campground. My father’s camper was broken into and vandalized by the owner REX. Stayed for 3 months and never received a receipt for cash handed over. Always gave us the go around and said he was out of town on business. So we started using cash app to prove payments. We even paid 6 months advanced for storage. Investigation still in process and having to get the law involved again. Biggest crook and con of Anson County. Drug deals happening right in the Rv Park in front of family’s and children durning the day and all times at night. This place needs to be investigated, raided and shut down! Our whole life was taken from us. Photos, jewelry, guns, clothing, TVs, and etc. I highly suggest you do not stay here or trust your belongings being stored.


Guide to Mount Pleasant

The Mount Pleasant area of North Carolina sits at the eastern edge of the Uwharrie National Forest, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Campers can access multiple waterways including Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, and Falls Reservoir throughout this transitional Piedmont region. Winter temperatures typically remain above freezing, making year-round camping viable with proper preparation.

What to do

Paddle boat rentals: Dan Nicholas Park offers affordable paddle boats for exploring their small lake. "The lake offers fishing, paddle boating and feeding the ducks and it's only a short walk from any campsite," notes Lisa M.

Gem mining activities: Kids can try panning for gems at Dan Nicholas Park. "They have a mini train ride, sprinkler playground, a big regular playground, carousel, panning for gems, paddle boats, nature center, and shelters and picnic areas," explains Bob B., adding that "Park is free to enter but the rides are $2 or so."

Fishing opportunities: Lake Norman State Park Campground provides access to the 50-square-mile lake with over 500 miles of shoreline. One camper described it as "Hiking, swimming, fishing at it's Carolina best. Outdoorsies will not be sorry if they visit Lake Norman State Park."

Wilderness hiking: The Deep Water Trail Camp area offers primitive hiking with unique geological features. "The big pieces of quartz we found were gorgeous, and so was the view at the water," mentions Tiffany A., who recommends bringing "something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here."

What campers like

Secluded lakefront sites: Badin Lake Campground provides direct lake access for water activities. "Great access to Badin Lake for kayaking, swimming and fishing. Our group explored the trails which were scenic and easy to transverse," reports Andrew K.

Shady, spacious campsites: Arrowhead Campground offers well-defined sites with natural shade. "We had a double site that was huge it was minutes from uwharrie national forest and badin lake," says Logan S. Another camper mentioned, "Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground."

Wildlife viewing: Morrow Mountain State Park Campground offers frequent wildlife sightings. "We enjoyed our time there and were able to see several deer," notes Jen P., while another camper described encountering "a symphony of birds" and hearing "a few coyotes throughout the night."

Clean facilities: Recent renovations have upgraded many local campgrounds. "The bathhouse is brand new," reports Robert D. about Morrow Mountain State Park, while another camper noted Lake Norman's amenities were "the nicest and cleanest campground I have ever been in."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Deep Water Trail Camp requires high-clearance vehicles. "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you're in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks," warns Gabby A.

Reservations highly recommended: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. As one camper observed, "Reserve well in advance if you desire a site...these campgrounds fill quickly."

Seasonal water restrictions: Some campgrounds limit water during winter months. At Arrowhead Campground, a visitor noted, "Dump station was open, but did not have water to flush tanks or fill water tanks as water was shut off for the winter."

Primitive camping considerations: Free dispersed camping lacks basic amenities. At Deep Water Trail Camp, Julie L. cautions, "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites? I bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."

Tips for camping with families

Multi-activity parks: Dan Nicholas Park offers numerous family-friendly attractions. "This place is the best places for families to camp. There is a beautiful zoo, gem mining, a train ride, amazing fishing, a beautiful playground, and a carousel," shares Lisa L.

Kid-friendly swimming: Lake Norman State Park features a designated swimming beach. One visitor notes it "gets very busy during the summer months" and requires a fee with "a wristband given to determine who paid."

Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several parks have paved trails suitable for children's bikes. At Arrowhead Campground, there's "a terrific paved trail that is awesome for walking, biking, strollers, wheelchairs," according to a recent visitor.

Playground access: Morrow Mountain State Park offers recreational facilities beyond camping. "There is a lot for a family to do at Morrow Mountain including fishing and a swimming pool. My main thing is usually hiking," shares Courtney P.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Norwood Campground provides full hookups but no sewer at individual sites. "Only drawback is no sewer in the sites, but there is dump station with a long water hose," advises Bob B.

Site levelness challenges: Many forest campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Morrow Mountain, one camper warned that "Site 98 in the electric loop is for tent and pop up campers, but is not pop up camper friendly. The ground is very uneven."

RV length limitations: Most forest service campgrounds accommodate medium-sized rigs. "Massive fire ring, two picnic tables, flat ground for 6 tents," describes Sam F. at Arrowhead Campground, though larger RVs may struggle with the forest roads and turning radii.

Winter access considerations: Year-round camping is available but with restrictions. "It was pretty empty and quiet. There were water spigots throughout the campground that we could use," notes Jody B. about winter camping at Arrowhead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mount Pleasant, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mount Pleasant, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 78 campgrounds and RV parks near Mount Pleasant, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Pleasant, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Pleasant, NC is Morrow Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mount Pleasant, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Mount Pleasant, NC.