Cabins near Waxhaw, North Carolina offer diverse accommodations within Union County's mixed pine and hardwood forests. Located approximately 20 miles south of Charlotte at an elevation of around 700 feet, this area experiences moderate seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer highs often reaching the 90s. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, making cabin amenities particularly valuable during colder months.
What to do
Lake activities at Norwood Campground: Access to Lake Tillery provides excellent fishing and water recreation just minutes from campsites. Visitor Harold J. notes, "A short hike and you are on Lake Tilery excellent internet service. We will stay again. It was a very peaceful stay."
Disc golf championship course: Chester State Park Campground features an exceptional disc golf course along with lakeside trails. As Christopher B. explains, "Beautiful state park campsite on the water. Clean. Newly renovated community areas. Great rentals and goods to purchase from the Ranger Station."
Free miniature golf: Cane Creek Park offers complimentary mini-golf for cabin guests and campers. According to Sarah B., "The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there."
Hiking trails of varying difficulty: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to lakes and forest areas. Emily B. shares about Cane Creek, "I take my two labs there almost every weekend for a good hike through the woods and they LOVE IT! A few of the trails are right on the lake and the dogs love to hop in and cool off."
What campers like
Clean, modern bathhouses: Many cabins share access to recently renovated facilities. At Charlotte-Fort Mill KOA, Bonnie B. appreciates that "the bathroom is clean, the showers are clean, provide plenty of hooks to keep things off floor and a stool to sit on."
Wooded settings with canopy cover: Mature forests provide natural shade for cabin areas. Matthew W. describes Norwood Campground: "We particularly appreciated the intact tree canopy; many rv parks these days are sun baked parking lots but not here. I estimated roughly 60/40 hardwood/pine and there's sun or shade when you want either."
Year-round accessibility: Morrow Mountain State Park Campground offers cabin camping throughout all seasons. According to Sara C., "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."
Amenities for extended stays: Some locations cater to longer visits with comprehensive facilities. Robert D. reports about Cane Creek, "I stayed here for nine days. The campground is clean and well-maintained. The bathhouse is in good shape and clean. I will come back when I'm in this area."
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary by location: Rules regarding alcohol consumption differ between campgrounds. Julie P. notes that at Cane Creek Park, "Campground has trails and fishing in walking distance. It is always packed. No alcohol permitted."
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance planning. Rick B. explains, "This campground is owned by Union County, NC with a good rate for residents. As such, it can be difficult to get in at times and usually requires a reservation well in advance."
Site-specific limitations: Not all cabins accommodate all camper types. Jennifer R. warns about Morrow Mountain: "Site 98 in the electric loop is for tent and pop up campers, but is not pop up camper friendly. The ground is very uneven."
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies significantly between locations. At Military Park Shaw AFB Wateree Recreation Area, Matt C. reports, "T mobile service doesn't work at all, but they have Wi-Fi hotspots for rent for $5 per day."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Kid-friendly facilities enhance family stays. At Norwood Campground, C R. shares, "My family needed a weekend getaway but far from home. This place was amazing. Great playground, pool and relaxing time!"
Consider holiday activity programming: Some parks offer special events during peak periods. Sarah B. notes about Cane Creek Park, "Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast."
Check swimming area schedules: Pool and beach access often follows limited schedules. Jeanette M. explains, "Beach swimming area closed due to Covid but looks nice. Park on other side of lake has picnic shelters, more trails, frisbee golf and kayak rentals."
Prepare for wildlife encounters: The region hosts diverse wildlife, creating educational opportunities. James H. from Morrow Mountain reports, "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."
Tips from RVers
Transportation to attractions: Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort provides convenient shuttle service for theme park visits. Creighton C. explains, "This campground is owned by carowinds and has free bus rides to and from the park from open until close... This is a perfect place to stay because after a long day of rides you can come right back to your camper to relax instead of driving all the way home."
Year-round RV accommodations: Several locations remain open through winter months. Kevin A. notes, "We spent the last few days at the Carowinds Camp Wilderness campground in Site 70 with full hook-ups. Sites were clean, level, and reasonably spaced."
Accessibility for large rigs: Most cabin-featuring campgrounds also accommodate larger RVs with appropriate hookups. Bob F. reports, "RV spaces are a nice size with plenty of grass. Some airplane noise from planes using CLT, but wasn't bothersome. It's a short drive to restaurants and shopping, and very convenient if visiting Charlotte and surrounding cities."
