The Rockwell, North Carolina area features a diverse range of camping options within a 30-mile radius, from developed campgrounds to more rustic experiences. Dan Nicholas Park in nearby Salisbury offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with amenities including electric hookups and shower facilities. Uwharrie National Forest, approximately 25 miles southeast, provides both established campgrounds like Arrowhead and Badin Lake as well as dispersed camping opportunities. Badin Lake Campground receives consistently high ratings for its spacious sites and lake access, with one camper noting, "The sites are huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close." Several private RV parks including Cross Winds Family Campground and Cobble Hill RV Campground provide full hookup options for travelers seeking more amenities.
Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months and weekends. Many Uwharrie National Forest sites fill quickly, with reviewers consistently advising advance planning. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with Verizon generally providing better coverage than other carriers. As one visitor to Badin Lake noted, "T-Mobile phones only work at sporadic areas close to shore." Some forest roads require careful navigation, especially after rain. According to one camper, "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you're in a smaller car; we had to drive slowly because of all the rocks." Weather conditions can change rapidly, with tropical storms occasionally affecting the region during hurricane season from June through November.
Lakeside camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region. Badin Lake Campground's lower loop receives particular praise, with one camper recommending sites 9 and 13 for their proximity to the water. "The lake was a stone's throw behind our site, accessible via a well-worn path," noted one reviewer. Off-road enthusiasts frequently visit Arrowhead Campground, described by one visitor as an "offroader's paradise" with nearby trails. Families appreciate Dan Nicholas Park's market and recreational facilities. For those seeking solitude, dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest provides more remote options. During hunting season, campers should wear bright colors when hiking, as the national forest remains open to hunters, particularly at dawn and dusk.
"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."
$17 - $95 / 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."
$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."
$50 - $53 / night
"We booked it online last minute, while driving & let ourselves in that evening (everything is clearly marked). The laundry & bathrooms are immaculate!!"
"Large camper sites, walking trails, pool, playground, laundry facilities, store, and showers. Everything was very clean. Literally 5 minutes off the interstate, but very peaceful and quiet!"
"We walked the RV sites and spotted several that were also very nice as well. They each seemed to offer a decent bit of privacy, which is nice."
"We were looking for a place to stay that would be close to the venue and close to the bride’s family and happen upon this little gem. Full hookups (30 & 50 amp), WiFi and cable."
$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. "
$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."
$25 / night
"Easy access to the lake. They have a picnic table and a swing set up at the lake so you view it. Some folks reviewed the campground and complained about the roads in and hair pin curves."
"This place is nestled into a quiet point on a small cove of the lake. Easy access from I-85 but no so close that you hear noise and experience traffic. Excellent amenities and friendly service."
"I heard mixed reviews about this campground but since I had a 1000 Trails membership, I figured it was worth checking out."
"Hiking trails and lake with small beach for swimming and fishing. Pet + horse friendly. Neatly kept. Kind and helpful host."
$25 - $35 / night
LegendA nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit. There is are more sites in the field but we ended up not staying because it was hunting season and this area was open to hunting. It would be a nice place to stay if you are hunting in the area or if it is out of season.
Check it out in our video
https://youtu.be/Fv-DYCm_qXY
LegendI was able to map out 41 free dispersed campsites on Moccasin Creek Road; Forest Service Road 576. It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left. Many of the sites are able to accommodate large groups of campers. This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December. We first came here on opening weekend for the OHV trails so it was pretty busy and the weather was dry so it was really dusty. We also come back at the end of December and camped near the Deep Water Trail Camp. This time instead of nearly every site being occupied, only 5 other sites had people for that weekend. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
All sites are shown and GPS coordinates listed in our video description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe have been down here a few times and camped in a different site each time. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
I was able to map 41 sites on Moccasin Creek Road. All sites are shown in our video and GPS coordinates listed in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe pulled into Lake Norman State Park around 6 PM on New Year’s Eve, mainly because we didn’t want to drive a couple more hours to our original destination. We only planned to stay one night, but the campground surprised us—in the best way—and we ended up staying three nights instead.
There were plenty of available campsites, and every site we saw was at least decently spaced, with several feeling nicely secluded. The campground was quiet and well laid out. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and having water spigots available in the no-hookups loop was a big plus.
One of the highlights was riding our e-bikes on the Hawk, Hicks, Norwood Creek, and Monbo loops. These are the easier sections of the Itusi Trail system and were a lot of fun—though still a bit too unpaved for my wife’s taste😄. Even so, the hiking trail access from the campground made it easy to get out and explore.
This stop wasn’t planned at all, but it turned into one of those stays that makes you glad plans changed. We’ll definitely be coming back to Lake Norman State Park.
Check out all the sites in 360° in our video:
https://youtu.be/UzYublJ-BZg
LegendWe stayed one night at Arrowhead Campground while checking out some of the nearby trails, including the Badin Lake Trail, which is just a short drive away and offers great views of the lake and surrounding forest. The campground itself is well laid out, with sites nicely spaced apart so it doesn’t feel crowded. The paved campground loops are in great shape and make driving through easy, even for larger rigs. Several areas offer pleasant views of Badin Lake, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Arrowhead Campground felt quiet, clean, and well maintained—an excellent base camp for exploring Uwharrie National Forest, even if just for a quick overnight stay.
Check out our 360° video to see all the sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4AjjkcB4o
LegendOlder national forest campground without electric at the sites. It is nice enough and less crowded then Arrowhead. But is older and not as well kept as Arrowhead with is about the same price and right up the road. I like it since it is usually not crowded.
Check out the campground and all the sites in our 360° video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJctFFUhIs
LegendWe were coming through the area and wanted an alternative to the dusty camping over in the OHV area of the forest. We where happy with the West Morris Mountain Campground. Not a lot of people and everything was clean.
Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground.
https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs
GuidePeaceful and well-maintained area. I encountered a few people on the trail, which was reassuring without disrupting the solitude. I camped near the river and had a great experience. As a person of color, I felt safe at all times, including during brief interactions with other campers.
ScoutNice park with lakes, aquatic center and trails,
Camping options around Rockwell, North Carolina range from primitive wilderness sites to full-hookup RV parks. The region sits at the northern edge of the Uwharrie Mountain range, with elevations generally between 600-800 feet. Winter temperatures typically drop into the 30s at night while summer brings daytime highs averaging in the upper 80s with significant humidity. Rainfall remains fairly consistent throughout the year with occasional ice storms possible December through February.
Fishing access: 10-15 minute drive from most Rockwell area campsites to High Rock Lake, which offers bass, catfish, and crappie. "The lake was a stone's throw behind our site, accessible via a well-worn path," according to one Badin Lake Campground visitor. Fishing licenses required for ages 16+.
Hiking trails: Easy to moderate difficulty throughout the region with varying terrain. At Morrow Mountain State Park, "We went on the Big Rocks Trail. There wasn't much to see until we got to the end of it and went down the cliff. Then the views were amazing," reports one camper. Most trails remain open year-round.
Water activities: Swimming, canoeing, kayaking available at several locations. "I exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do," reports a visitor to Morrow Mountain State Park. Boat rentals available seasonally at select locations; personal watercraft permitted at most public launches.
Privacy between sites: Many campers note the spacing at regional campgrounds. At Cross Winds Family Campground, "Lots of room between campsites! Trees and the wonderful sounds of nature," writes one reviewer. Most sites include standard fire rings and picnic tables.
Lake proximity: Water access ranks highly among visitor preferences. At High Rock Lake Marina, "They have a picnic table and a swing set up at the lake so you view it," notes one camper. Many lakeside campsites fill quickly during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Saw several deer while I was there," reports a camper at Morrow Mountain State Park. Dawn and dusk provide the best viewing times for most wildlife.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Condition and availability of bathhouses differs across locations. At Arrowhead Campground, "Nice bathhouse with hot showers. We enjoyed the hiking trails. Dump station was open, but did not have water to flush tanks or fill water tanks as water was shut off for the winter," reports one visitor.
Reservation systems and timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site," explains one Arrowhead Campground visitor. Holiday weekends often book 3-6 months in advance.
Terrain challenges: Some campsite access requires careful driving. "We had campsite 002 which was nice and shady and very private. It's a short walk over to the lake where the dogs enjoyed their swimming," reports a Badin Lake visitor. Many forest service roads remain unpaved.
Activity options: Multiple campgrounds offer recreation beyond camping. At Dan Nicholas Park, "There is a beautiful zoo, gem mining, a train ride, amazing fishing, a beautiful playground, and a carousel," writes one camper. Most park activities close by 5pm during off-season months.
Playground access: Several locations provide play equipment for children. "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," notes another Dan Nicholas Park visitor.
Kid-friendly sites: Some locations specifically cater to families with children. "This is our 2nd time here, this time for a quick overnight stay. I really like this place! Beautiful, friendly campground. Large camper sites, walking trails, pool, playground, laundry facilities," writes a Cross Winds Family Campground visitor.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable RV setup. At Cobble Hill RV Campground, one visitor warns, "Gravel site that needed 2 blocks to make level on site B16." Most campgrounds don't guarantee level sites.
Hookup availability: Services vary widely between locations. "Easy access right off 85, but far enough its quiet. Nice really long pull through sites, place is well maintained and lots to offer, whether passing through or wanting to explore the area," notes a Cross Winds Family Campground visitor.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer better RV access than others. "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," reports a Dan Nicholas Park visitor. Many remote sites cannot accommodate larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rockwell, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rockwell, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 77 campgrounds and RV parks near Rockwell, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Rockwell, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rockwell, NC is Dan Nicholas Park with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rockwell, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Rockwell, NC.
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