Forest Lake RV and Camping Resort provides campers with significant shade coverage, beneficial during summer months when temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s. Located near Welcome, North Carolina at 36° elevation, this area features a mix of hardwood forest and open meadows characteristic of the Piedmont region. Seasonal rain patterns make spring camping popular, with average precipitation decreasing from June through September.
What to do
Water recreation: Lake exploration: Forest Lake RV and Camping Resort offers canoe rentals for exploring their on-site lake. "We also rented a canoe and had fun canoeing around the pond/lake," notes a visitor who appreciated the accessibility of water activities without leaving the campground.
Hiking: Trail networks: Visitors to Pilot Mountain State Park Campground enjoy multiple trail difficulties within walking distance of campsites. "We hiked to the top on the Grindstone Trail (about 2 miles) to the top and enjoyed an early morning view of the surrounding communities," reports one hiker who recommends starting early to avoid afternoon heat.
Fishing: Multiple species: Midway Campground Resort maintains a stocked fishing pond on property. One angler observed, "There was an amazing pond that you could fish in and it had a good amount of fish (I seen more then I caught)," making it suitable for both experienced and beginning anglers.
What campers like
Private camping spots: At Lake Norman State Park Campground, campers appreciate the spacing between sites. "Not too close to the neighbors, and the camp hosts were nice," shares one visitor who stayed with family and found the privacy level comfortable even during busy weekends.
Clean facilities: Oak Hollow City Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "The restrooms and showers were very clean," noted a tent camper who appreciated this aspect after spending a day at the lake.
Family-friendly amenities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Asheboro offers structured activities throughout the day. "This is a great family campground. They have activities all day for the kids and family," explains a camper who found the programming well-organized despite ongoing construction at the property.
What you should know
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds in the Welcome area sit close to major roadways. At Statesville RV Park I-77, "The highway was close and the noise did make it hard to sleep," reports one camper, suggesting those sensitive to sound should request sites furthest from the road or bring earplugs.
Reservation timing: Morrow Mountain State Park Campground fills quickly during peak seasons. A visitor advises, "We waited about 25-30 minutes for a ranger to show us to a spot," highlighting the importance of securing reservations well in advance, especially for weekend stays.
Seasonal operations: While many campgrounds near Welcome operate year-round, certain amenities have limited availability. One visitor to Midway Campground Resort mentioned, "Unfortunately the activity type things (arcade, mini-golf, horseshoes, etc.) weren't available because we visited in the off season," showing the importance of confirming what's open during your planned visit.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: The best glamping close to Welcome, North Carolina for families includes properties with dedicated play areas. "A newer campground with only a handful of sites but the kids enjoyed it. A lot of planned kids activities almost like summer camp," shares a parent who visited Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park with children.
Water fun for children: Lake Norman State Park offers swimming opportunities beyond just fishing. "We fished, rode bikes, hiked and saw plenty of wildlife," reports a family that visited with four children and found the variety of activities kept everyone engaged throughout their stay.
Rainy day alternatives: Forest Lake RV and Camping Resort provides indoor options when weather doesn't cooperate. "Lodge has TV & pool table (we did not try either) but nice amenity for rainy days," notes a camper traveling with a young child who appreciated having backup entertainment options.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several glamping and RV sites around Welcome require extra equipment for leveling. "Our site was fairly level, but quite short. Not enough room for us to keep our truck in front of our pop-up," reports an RVer at Oak Hollow, recommending bringing leveling blocks even for sites advertised as level.
Hookup considerations: Electricity amperage varies between campgrounds. "We enjoyed 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! Nice sites with electric hookups," shares an RVer who appreciated the convenience of Morrow Mountain's facilities.
Road navigation: Some properties have challenging internal roads. At Lake Myers RV Resort, a camper warned, "This is a decent family-friendly campground but is quite difficult to navigate the roads and sites if you have a larger rig," suggesting campers with vehicles over 35 feet should call ahead to confirm accessibility.
