Moravian Falls sits at 1,155 feet elevation in the foothills of western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The area experiences moderate seasonal changes with summer temperatures ranging from 65-85°F and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Campers encounter a mix of hardwood forests and open meadows across the varied terrain, with several creeks and small waterfalls creating natural boundaries between camping areas.
What to do
Hiking trails: Stone Mountain State Park offers varied terrain for all skill levels within a 30-minute drive of Moravian Falls. "Great sites. Clean bathrooms, close to many hiking trails and waterfalls," notes Joe B. from Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Fishing spots: Kerr Scott Reservoir provides accessible fishing areas with multiple access points. According to Roberta K., Warrior Creek Campground is "located on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. It's beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday. Weekends tend to get filled up fast."
Mountain biking: The trail network at Warrior Creek attracts cyclists of all abilities. One visitor explains, "Super mt bike trails that have been built and maintained by volunteers who really care and ride the trails often. Solid facilities to camp. 10 to 15 minutes drive by car to the wilkesboro with plants of food and amenities."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities. "We saw several deer, some turkey but no bears. Still be aware of your surroundings when moving around and in the campground," advises a camper who stayed at Thousand Trails Green Mountain.
What campers like
Stargazing spots: Clear mountain nights offer excellent astronomical viewing. A visitor at Stone Mountain State Park Campground described it as offering "the best stargazing you could ask for."
Weather patterns: The higher elevation camping locations provide relief from summer heat. One camper observed at Blue Bear Mountain Camp that "the elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat."
Proximity to towns: Many sites offer a balance between seclusion and convenience. "Close enough to town to get in and see some places near.... but far enough out that you have some quiet time," reports a visitor at Thousand Trails Green Mountain. Another notes that sites are "within reasonable driving distance to stores and other attractions like hiking/biking/kayaking."
Privacy levels: Campground layouts vary significantly in how much separation exists between sites. As one camper at Warrior Creek noted, "Spaces are pretty close together and open, so you'll see your neighbor," while at Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "The campsites are very spaced out."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the region operate on limited schedules. Warrior Creek is typically open "April 15 to October 15," while Lake Norman State Park Campground operates "All year."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Weather is unpredictable, so pack a raincoat and warm clothes just in case," advises a camper from Hickory Ridge Campground.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "You'll definitely want reservations for a weekend stay," explains one visitor who noted their campground "filled quickly" on opening day.
Cell service limitations: Digital connectivity varies widely across the region. One camper notes, "No cell signal here, so coming to Grayson Highlands is one of the few state parks in Virginia where you can truly go 'off the grid'." For those needing connectivity, another visitor reported, "For cell phone coverage(Verizon), I had success at the viewpoint on the way up from the entrance."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Hickory Ridge Campground, a visitor noted "there was a nice area for a picnic with swings and other things for kids."
Swimming options: Lake Norman State Park provides supervised swimming areas during summer months. "The beach is nice but gets very busy during the summer months. Lots of hiking trails, with lots of people using the grills etc."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led programs. "Rangers give guided informative hikes (a mile or so) at different times in season," explains a Lake Norman visitor.
Site selection for space: Some campgrounds have more room for children to play than others. One camper noted that sites "31 and 32 are on a meadow the campsite loops around; they have no privacy and little shade, but ample room for kids to run around, and there is a set of swings near these sites."
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. A camper at New River State Park observed, "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."
Hookup availability: Water and electrical connections vary significantly between parks. At Blue Bear Mountain Camp, "They do not have water hookups- you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups."
Dump station protocols: Most parks with RV accommodations provide dump stations, though usage procedures differ. One RVer noted, "For noobs like us there weren't instructions at the dump site," suggesting first-time users might need to ask for guidance.
Site dimensions: RV site sizes vary considerably across the region. "We were very clear during online registration and check-in that our RV was a 32-foot class C RV and we were towing our Jeep Wrangler. The site was almost impossible to get the RV into and we took up the entire very tight space," reported one camper, highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions before booking.
