Best Tent Camping near Statesville, NC

Tent campgrounds surrounding Statesville, North Carolina offer primitive to developed options throughout the foothills region. Crowders Mountain State Park provides walk-in tent sites that require a one-mile hike from the parking area, while places like Lake Curriher Wilderness feature tent sites with varying levels of amenities. Several campgrounds within an hour's drive provide dedicated tent camping areas with different access types and terrain settings.

Most tent campsites in the Statesville region feature dirt or grass surfaces with minimal grading. Crowders Mountain's tent sites include tent pads, picnic tables and fire rings, though campers must pack in all supplies for the walk to these primitive sites. Several campgrounds offer drinking water access, though availability varies seasonally. Lake Curriher Wilderness provides tent sites with more amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Self Sufficient Holler features primitive tent sites accessible by hike-in or walk-in trails only, making these sites quieter and more secluded than drive-up options.

The terrain around Statesville provides tent campers with diverse landscapes from mountain views to lakeside settings. Backcountry tent sites at Crowders Mountain offer privacy and connection to extensive trail networks. One visitor noted, "The sites are well-spaced so we did not see other campers, with the exception of site 1 which is right off the entrance trail." Another camper described Basin Cove as having "tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, and a water pump" with sites "well spread out so there is enough room for privacy." Walk-in tent sites typically provide more seclusion than drive-up campgrounds, though they require carrying all equipment to the site. Many tent campgrounds in the region are situated near water features, with several sites offering creek or lake access within walking distance.

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Best Tent Sites Near Statesville, North Carolina (22)

    1. Hiddenite Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Stony Point, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 838-3579

    $25 - $50 / night

    2. Lake Curriher Wilderness

    4 Reviews
    China Grove, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 857-4114

    $10 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Self Sufficient Holler

    1 Review
    Moravian Falls, NC
    26 miles

    $40 - $200 / night

    "What a magical experience floating in the trees surrounded by fire flies! Elizabeth and Mark were exceptional hosts. There is so much to do on property, and they are working on more!"

    4. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 853-5429

    $17 - $47 / night

    "This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead."

    "I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing."

    5. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

    6. W. Kerr Scott Visitor Assistance Center Conference Room

    1 Review
    Wilkesboro, NC
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-3390

    $50 / night

    "Great trails for all levels of mt bikers About 13 miles one way and return to visitors center"

    7. Homeplace Recreational Park Inc.

    5 Reviews
    Pilot Mountain, NC
    46 miles
    +1 (336) 374-5173

    "In this park, all the sites are dirt only, no paved pads, but do have rock fire rings. The WiFi was pretty good considering the number of people who were probably using it."

    "Large trail to go for a little walk. Very reasonably priced. Will go again."

    8. Growing Faith Farms & Retreat

    Be the first to review!
    Moravian Falls, NC
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-0081

    $25 - $190 / night

    9. Wildwood Heart Farm

    1 Review
    W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 304-0788

    $75 - $200 / night

    10. Boone Fork Campground

    4 Reviews
    Collettsville, NC
    44 miles
    Website

    "There is a 5 mile long trail that goes through the campground called Boone Fork Trail. This trail leads to Hebron falls where you can explore giant boulders and have a picnic."

    "The terrain is also flat and easy to hike through, making it a good long trail for beginners or children."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Statesville, NC

518 Reviews of 22 Statesville Campgrounds


  • Rachael H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    Loved it

    Primitive tent camp site. Water but no electric. Nice grassy area around the gravel tent pad. We had one tree for shade. Fire ring and table. Clean showers and bathrooms. We stayed here specifically for the sliding rock at widow creek falls. But we did hike Stone Mountain falls trail. There are 432 steps going up to the parking area from the bottom of the falls. Beautiful shaded trail. Mountain to sea trail runs through for a little bit. Dogs welcome leashes. Fairly busy trail.

  • Glacia C.
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Little River Backcountry Campground — South Mountains State Park

    South Mountains NCSP: Jacob Branch Backcountry Sites

    Jacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!! The sites are a bit difficult to pitch on, due to the abundance of roots, hardpan earth, and slope, but you’ll find a spot. I didn’t hang, but there are certainly spots that would be suitable. Water is just down the hill. It’s ample and clear, as of May 2023. There are several ways to hike in, as many of the South Mountains SP trails intersect and wander around a bunch giving a bunch of options for how to get in and out. The variety makes for a nice loop instead of just an in-and-out. Get inventive. Trails are broad and veeeeeery hilly in places. If your knees complain, bring the trekking poles. You’ll thank me.

    Shinny Creek: Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It’s only a bit over a mile to these four sites (see video tour) nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites. Bear box. Critter-proof trash bin. Pit privy. Water access from every site within ten paces, so water and entertainment are always available. The trail here is easy peasy rolling hills that follows the river past Bear Falls all the way up to the sites.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2022

    Beechnut Family Campground

    Nice Camping for Tents or RVs

    We camped in our tent at Beechnut for two nights. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The tent camping area is across a road from a stream, in a forest of tall trees, a very picturesque location. Each tent site had water, a picnic table, and a 30-amp electric outlet. It rained heavily both nights we stayed there, but we stayed dry. Unfortunately the rain had been going on for several days before we arrived, and wherever vehicles were parked on the ground, they left muddy ruts. The owner helped some guests who arrived at night at a tent site in small travel trailers, when they were stuck. He really is very helpful and kind. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept.

  • Julie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2021

    Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway

    VERY Primative

    This site should not be confused with any other sites in area by similar name. You have to make a reservation with the park office for your site and drop by the ranger station to pick up your permit. The sites have NO vehicle access at all, you have to hike a mile into the campsite. The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way.

    There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you. There are no picnic tables but each site does have wood logs as seats. There are fire pits and food storage lockers on site. 

    The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as "base camp" for day hikes.

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2021

    COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    Gorgeous campground!

    This place has it all! Swimming, kayaking, boat launch, small hiking trail. Sites have a fire pit, picnic table (it’s really heavy!) and a grill. I loved how each site is fairly unique. Many have steps to go down to the fire pit area. Lots of sites on the water. Site 32 was on a little cul-de-sac next to the beach and had a perfect spot for my hammock overlooking the water.

    I stayed on an rv site in a tent. There are tent specific sites. The tent sites are heavily wooded.

    The bathhouse was unremarkable but clean.

    They had movie night on Saturday night (RV) but I didn’t realize it until Sunday morning haha.

    The campground was very quiet all weekend. Appeared to be mostly families. There is no alcohol allowed and I did not notice anyone breaking this rule.

    There is firewood ($5 bundle - must have exact change!) available and ice but no camp store. Walmart is close by though.

  • Dave V.
    Jul. 1, 2021

    South Mountains State Park Family Campground

    A Sleeper worth Staying At

    South Mountain State Park, NC From I-40 Exit 104, you twist and turn, up and down but keep a sharp eye for the small, brown State Park signs or you’ll pass your right hand turns. 

    The South Mountain Visitors Center is very spacious and attractive but doesn’t offer a great deal. There is a cool 3D topo map display of the state park. At present, this is a 23,000 acre State Park...and ever acquiring more land. 

    The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side(approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. 

    The campground is tiny and narrow, running between a creek and the state park roadway. The sounds of the creek melodious, the road traffic noise-not so much. I would definitely advise selecting the creek side campsites as they lay deeper in the wood line out of sight of the roadway and have the creek noise to cover roadway noise.(note: the roadway dead ends at the trailhead/picnic area, so the only traffic are day visitors and park staff) Be forewarned, Cell service is nonexistent. Your site will have a WiFi password for internet at the Visitors Center, but you need to be at or in the building for it to work. 

    PROS:

    •Small campground with few amenities

    •Mountain/creek location

    •Nice modern facilities

    •Water

    •Adjoining trail network

    •No cell service

    •80’ Waterfall•Interpretive Hemlock Nature Trail

    •Beautiful Day Use picnic area 

    CONS:

    •Road noise for sites 10-14, during working hours and day use hours.

    •No cell service 

    Site 13 backs up toward the roadway, and without much understory, passing traffic is very visible and noisy(the high shoals falls and trail network are popular day use attractions). On the sites between the campground roadway and the State Park roadway, you are much closer than the website maps post, and without understory vegetation, you have direct visibility of several neighbors and normal conversations can be heard. Night noise restrictions, on our visit, were observed so it wasn’t an issue. My visit was Wed, Thurs. midweek Oct 7-8. 

    Our site was an“leveling,” octagonal, elevated, crushed gravel pad, surrounded by landscape timbers...an elevated fire ring with a swing-over, non-adjustable grate, a picnic table and metal lantern pole. It worked fine but I used a small two-man tent. Depending on wind direction, fire ring embers would present a problem for a larger tent. Our site parking area was 45’ from the raised timber to campground roadway. 

    The restroom/shower house is a monstrous, mountain lodge style modern facility...very clean, spacious and well-stocked. 

    Walking the Family Camground my future site picks would be 5 or 7. Site 5 is a park and carry but it did not appear to be more than 50’ and it sat on the creek. Site 7 is on that same small loop but had a larger rectangular raised pad, for keeping tents distanced from fire pits. 

    Some sites have a deep enough gravel drive for a small camper or popup. And a few have electric. 

    Several trails lead from the NW end of the family campground parking lot and vary in length and difficulty. Most notable is the Raven Rock Trail to the High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb and descent to the upper falls and then wooden boardwalk and steep steps down to the gorgeous 80 ft High Shoals waterfall. Smaller falls and cascades continue on the descent. Our total loop mileage was 5.5 with nearly a thousand foot of elevation gain. 

    Park employees both at the Visitor’s Center desk and in the field were very friendly and pleasant. The NC State Park Ranger was very informative and helpful, as well as giving much appreciated suggestions for great and often lesser traveled hiking trails. 

    Roughly 16.5 miles of mountain bike trails intermix with hiking and equestrian trails. There is a separate equestrian campground between the Visitors Center and the Family Campground. Note: there are several backcountry backpack-in campsite areas(Upper Falls Campsites offer picnic tables, fire ring and a couple pit latrines).

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2024

    Doughton Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Quiet Mountain Campground

    On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled in the trees and mountains of North Carolina, this campground has been well maintained. Sites are ample but the asphalt pads were designed for shorter travel trailers, but include an extra pad for the tow vehicle. Many of the sites have upgraded concrete pads for the picnic table and built-in fire pits. There are no showers in the trailer (RV) loop, but does include a couple comfort station with flush toilets. Campground hosts were helpful and friendly. Sites are split between first come first serve and reservations. Payment at kiosk by credit card only.

  • Todd S.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Great place to stay

    We enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 11, 2019

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    One night only

    We stayed for one night only on our way to Dreher Island SP. We didn't get in until after 4 pm, but there was still enough daylight to see how pretty the campground was. We had site 60 for the night. We tow a 19' a-frame camper with a Toyota Tacoma and had lots of room on the pad. The pad was pretty level so set up was easy. The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog. We were in campground B (electric) and the sites were decent. There wasn't a lot shade for us, but up in the tent area they were surrounded by trees and it looked like they all had tent pads, some better than others. The shower house was nice, clean, flush toilets, and good showers. By the shower house they also had an outside sink to wash your dishes. We didn't get to hike, but everyone said we should if we ever go back. It's on our list to visit again.


Guide to Statesville

Tent camping near Statesville, North Carolina, offers a variety of scenic spots and unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. With options ranging from serene wilderness to family-friendly environments, there's something for everyone.

Affordable Tent Camping Options

  • Prices for tent camping can range from $20 to $50 per night, making it accessible for various budgets.
  • At Lake Curriher Wilderness, campers can enjoy a peaceful setting with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables.
  • Hiddenite Family Campground offers a rustic experience with essential facilities, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Local Attractions and Activities

  • Explore the beautiful surroundings at Bear Creek Tee Pee Retreat, where glamping meets nature, providing a unique outdoor experience.
  • The Self Sufficient Holler features hiking trails and a chance to connect with nature while enjoying the comforts of a well-maintained campsite.
  • For those interested in gem mining, Hiddenite Family Campground is located near the famous gem mining area, offering a fun day trip.

Amenities for Tent Campers

  • Yates Family Camping provides essential amenities like electric hookups and a sanitary dump station, making it convenient for tent campers.
  • At Boomer Park Shelter, visitors can enjoy a day-use park with access to a boat launch and swimming beach, perfect for a family outing.
  • Marleys Ford offers a more rustic experience with basic facilities, ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Statesville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Statesville, NC is Hiddenite Family Campground with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Statesville, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Statesville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.