Lake Norman State Park campground sites are nestled within 1,940 acres of Piedmont region woodland at approximately 800 feet elevation. The camping area provides direct access to over 30 miles of mountain biking trails and 520 acres of lake shoreline. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer months reach 85-95°F with moderate humidity, creating a longer camping season than higher-elevation North Carolina mountain destinations.
What to do
Hiking with pets: Several campgrounds near Sherrills Ford offer pet-friendly trails. At Lake Norman State Park Campground, the Lakeshore trail accommodates leashed dogs. "Very clean and quite and very close to Charlotte. Nice, moderate hiking trails. Swimming and kayaking. You'll probably see deer but have never seen a bear," notes Fletcher S.
Fishing opportunities: Many sites provide lake access for fishing enthusiasts. At Lake Curriher Wilderness, campers can fish from the shoreline or rent canoes. "I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen... The cabins here are also great. Clean and nice location," says Ben S. The pond at Midway Campground Resort also provides productive fishing spots, with one visitor reporting catching "2 sunfishes in 30 min" despite having little fishing experience.
Swimming in designated areas: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas with varying amenities. McDowell Nature Preserve has a designated swimming section at Lake Wylie. "This campground is just minutes from Charlotte, but secluded from the city noise. Nice open spaces with shade. No views to speak of but several short trails and nice areas around Lake Wylie," explains Nora C.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at certain locations. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort receives high marks for upkeep. "Very nice KOA Journey! Extremely well maintained and clean. We stayed here for 4 nights. You will hear the road 24/7 due to proximity of the interstate but its convenient to run chores or pull during your travel," reports Zachary H.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment at certain locations. McDowell Nature Preserve offers a tranquil setting despite its proximity to Charlotte. "This campground is just minutes from Charlotte, but secluded from the city noise. Nice open spaces with shade," writes one reviewer. Another recent visitor simply states, "Beautiful and quiet. Great, long woods wooded site! Reasonably priced. Gated. Great restrooms and showers."
Security measures: Several campgrounds implement security protocols that guests appreciate. McDowell Nature Preserve features "secured gate with easy access after hours for paid campers," while Lake Norman State Park has camp hosts who regularly patrol the grounds. At Lake Curriher Wilderness, one camper noted, "The gates close at 5pm during the fall/winter. Slightly around that time, the retired police chief came around to introduce himself and give his cell number."
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak seasons (May-September), glamping cabins near Sherrills Ford fill quickly. Midway Campground Resort typically requires bookings 2-3 months in advance for weekend stays. "This place was the first place we stopped along our trip to test out the new camper we just purchased, and this place was so wonderful and fun. We played mini golf, had a view of the lake, and enjoyed a great campfire on our little porch they provided," shares Morgan L.
Site selection variations: Site quality and spacing can vary significantly within the same campground. At Forest Lake, one camper noted, "We stayed with family and reserved a cabin. Our two family members reserved two RV sites. The cabins were wonderful... I do not really recommend the RV sites, I didn't like the way they had the waste lines set up, and I kept smelling raw sewage."
Weather considerations: The Sherrills Ford region experiences afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, particularly between 2-6pm. Some campgrounds have limited covered areas, so packing appropriate rain gear is essential. At Lake Norman, campers report that tent sites drain well after rain, but at Lake Curriher, one visitor noted challenges with water supply: "The water at our site is not working which is a bummer but we can use the water at the outside shower. It's non-potable but we have a filter and boil it before using it."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Thousand Trails Forest Lake provides numerous activities for children. "This campground has so many sites and they are well laid out and spacious. They have 30 amp and 50 amp sites to suit your needs. There is a nice restaurant to eat at, a small convenience store, arcade games, 3 pools and a ton of activities," reports Lauren S.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have better supervision and safety measures than others. Forest Lake has mixed reviews regarding safety protocols. One visitor praised the family-friendly environment: "The campground hosts, Tom and Jan were absolutely amazing! Everyone is very friendly and helpful. We were only there Fri-Sun but there were activities planned to include an outdoor movie (with free popcorn), arts & crafts for the kids, candy bar bingo, and a DJ."
Cabin options for glamping close to Sherrills Ford: For families seeking comfort without tent camping, Lake Curriher Wilderness offers well-appointed cabins. "Perfect Cabin! Just needed a couple days away and was as good as I could hope for. Staff are great and helpful," shares Shawn R. Consider that most cabin rentals have minimum stays of two nights during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional leveling equipment. At Thousand Trails Green Mountain, one RVer noted, "Sites are all on top of one another. After getting into the site, we rode our bikes and saw many other open and more suitable sites." Another mentioned, "Some sites may be difficult to back in just depending on where you are and type of camper."
Road conditions: Internal campground roads vary significantly in quality and width. At Forest Lake, one camper complained about "Roads are the worst pot holes speed bumps that are curbs!" At Lake Myers RV Resort, an RVer cautioned, "The campground is mostly annual people with permanent lots. We don't mind that at all. Those types always seem to be laid back and quiet. The spots are really close together. And the roads are sooo narrow."
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical service vary between campgrounds. Thousand Trails Green Mountain received mixed reviews about utilities: "The club house is the place to go shower if you need to use the showers as the front bathhouse was closed and the bath house in the back had no hot water when we where there but the clubhouse definitely makes up for that."
