South Mountains State Park's Equestrian Campground sits approximately 50 miles northwest of Gastonia at 1,400 feet elevation. The campground connects to over 20 miles of bridle trails winding through the park's mountainous terrain. Trail difficulty ranges from moderate to strenuous with significant elevation changes across the 20,000-acre park property.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Visitors can access the 80-foot High Shoals Falls via a 2.35-mile trail featuring wooden boardwalks and steep steps. "We searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights - family campsite was used as basecamp. We also had a primitive site that we backpacked to for a night," reports a camper at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Disc golf: Chester State Park offers a championship disc golf course along with lakeside recreation. "Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated. Very nice trail along the lake perimeter and Championship Disc golf course," notes a visitor from Chester State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: The Kings Mountain area combines outdoor recreation with significant historical sites. "Tons to do, including hikes and history. Make sure to go across the street to the Kings Mountain Military site. Better yet, plan your stay when they are doing an event," advises a camper at Kings Mountain State Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The bathhouses at many horse campgrounds near Gastonia receive positive reviews for their maintenance. "The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want," writes a visitor to Equestrian Campground at South Mountains State Park.
Creek access: Campsites positioned along creeks offer both scenery and recreation. "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! Cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen!!" shares a guest at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Privacy options: Some backcountry sites provide more secluded experiences. "Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup," reports a hiker at Upper Falls Campsite.
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds require careful site selection due to terrain variations. "Many 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 a visitor at Kings Mountain State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. Weekend availability fills quickly at popular horse campgrounds near Gastonia, North Carolina.
No cell service: Some parks intentionally maintain a technology-free environment. "Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us. Far from a town, so don't forget anything. Rangers are helpful and will bring firewood (charge for the wood)," advises a camper at South Mountains State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Take advantage of free activities: Some parks offer complimentary recreation beyond trail access. "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," shares a visitor at Cane Creek Park.
Consider park shuttle services: Amusement parks with affiliated campgrounds often provide transportation. "This campground is owned by Carowinds and has free bus rides to and from the park from open until close. Bathhouses are private and clean," notes a camper at Camp Wilderness Resort.
Select creek-side sites: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. "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," explains a visitor at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many RV sites at horse campgrounds have specific design considerations. "Sites are a nice size with plenty of grass. Some airplane noise from planes using CLT, but wasn't bothersome. It's a short drive to restaurants and shopping, and very convenient if visiting Charlotte and surrounding cities," advises an RVer at Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort.
Anticipate access challenges: Road conditions to some campgrounds can be challenging for larger vehicles. "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," warns a camper at Kings Mountain State Park.
Verify hookup locations: Utility access points vary between sites. "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites," notes a traveler at Kings Mountain State Park.
