Lake Norman State Park features 35 miles of mountain bike trails through mixed hardwood forest and waterfront access areas. Camping elevations in Southmont range from 600-800 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between day and night. Glamping in Southmont, North Carolina has expanded significantly with new luxury accommodations appearing throughout the Uwharrie National Forest and Lake Norman region.
What to do
Hiking at Morrow Mountain: The park offers multiple trail difficulties for day hikers. "We loved our stay! Glad to finally find a nice campground just over an hour away from Charlotte. Easy trek for a short weekend trip. We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do!" notes a visitor to Morrow Mountain State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds maintain stocked ponds and lake access. At Midway Campground Resort, "There is a pond for fishing, a nice pool, a jump pad, playground, arcade, and mini-golf. Plenty for kids to do," according to one camper's review.
Canoe rentals: Several parks rent boats by the hour. "My wife and I went for an overnight camping trip... We rode down to the river and walked along one of the trails as well as rented a canoe for a short paddle down the river," shares a visitor from Morrow Mountain State Park Campground.
Trail running: The area offers miles of trails for runners of all abilities. "I spent a night at the primitive campsite and hiked a few trails. The park is gorgeous and full of life. I saw plenty of frogs and tadpoles in the creeks, listened to a symphony of birds, and I'm pretty sure heard a few coyotes throughout the night," reports a camper.
What campers like
Clean facilities: State parks maintain high cleanliness standards. A recent visitor to Lake Norman State Park Campground stated, "I stayed at this location for 10 days. The campground is well kept and clean. The staff and the camp host were very courteous. It was a very quiet stay. The bathhouse was new and well maintained."
Wildlife viewing: Many sites offer prime wildlife observation. One camper at Canebrake Horse Camp shared, "I was there alone and had the whole campsite to myself. The camp host was so kind. He always made sure me, my horses and my grandson were comfortable and safe!"
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds prioritize peaceful settings. "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 a Lake Norman State Park visitor.
Glamping amenities: Luxury camping options continue to expand. "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," reports a visitor to Midway Campground Resort.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Southmont area glamping sites book quickly. "We registered online for 2 nights but changed plans due to incoming rain. Unfortunately changing the registration online wasn't so simple and I ended up having to call in to make the change," notes one camper.
Guide
