Camping spots near Gastonia, North Carolina include a mix of basic and full-amenity campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The terrain varies from lakeside settings to wooded mountain foothills, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,400 feet throughout the region. Cell service can be unreliable at campgrounds closer to Kings Mountain, while sites near Charlotte tend to offer stronger connectivity.
What to do
Explore historical sites: Kings Mountain State Park connects directly to the Kings Mountain Military Site which commemorates an important Revolutionary War battle. "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," notes a visitor to Kings Mountain State Park.
Go rock climbing: Crowders Mountain offers technical climbing opportunities for both beginners and experienced climbers. "I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing. It was his first time climbing, and we were able to set up some beginner-friendly routes," reports a visitor at Crowders Mountain State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes near Gastonia provide excellent fishing. At John H. Moss Lake Campground, one camper noted, "The lake has great fishing." Sites at this campground cost around $20 per night, making it an economical base for fishing trips.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: While bathhouse quality varies widely, some campgrounds stand out for cleanliness. At McDowell Nature Preserve, one camper praised, "CLEAN RESTROOMS and showers with hot water, power even at the Tent sites, super nice staff, and priced right. Also, the camp was patrolled regularly by the police and I felt very safe." McDowell Nature Preserve offers both tent and RV camping with shoreline access to Lake Wylie.
Wooded campsites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting of regional campgrounds. At Iron City Campground, visitors enjoy "miles of winding golf cart trails in the woods" and note that it's "a small family owned campground. Perfect for a small family getaway for a long weekend." Iron City Campground features wooded sites with full hookups.
Quiet atmosphere: Several smaller campgrounds provide a peaceful experience. One camper described Hippie Holler as "ND introvert Friendly! So quiet! I found my happy place here at Hippie Holler! No kids or loud obnoxious other campers, felt at home, safe, understood and able to relax completely."
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites. At Kings Mountain, a recent visitor reported, "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." Bring extra leveling blocks if camping with an RV.
Seasonal swimming access: Several lake campgrounds offer swimming during summer months. At Ebenezer Park Campground, a camper noted there's a "Fun beach within easy walk from campsite!" Swimming is typically allowed from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Some tent sites require hiking: Not all campgrounds allow drive-up tent camping. At Crowders Mountain, "you must be prepared to pack everything in" as the campground is "a one mile hike in to the campground." Campers with mobility limitations should check accessibility requirements before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities. At Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, a visitor mentioned, "Private but great for families and bike ridding. Private pool game room. Laundry and camp store." Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort also provides shuttle service to the adjacent amusement park.
Consider accessibility: Trail difficulty varies significantly between parks. While Kings Mountain offers moderate trails, a visitor to Crowders Mountain noted, "The hike to the top was a little strenuous for smaller kids."
Check for playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Iron City, campers appreciate that there are "Tons of stuff for the kids to do. Pool is amazing." The campground also schedules regular weekend activities including "Kona Ice for the campers on Saturday's."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds advertise RV sites that aren't properly sized. At Kings Mountain State Park, a camper warned, "Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV."
Access road considerations: Road quality and width vary significantly. At Kings Mountain, "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." Longer RVs may struggle at some of the older state park campgrounds.
Seasonal availability: RV campers will find more options available year-round at B&D Campground near Moss Lake, which offers "Clean quiet with great spacious spots" and stays open year-round.
