McDowell Nature Preserve

We stayed at Mcdowell Park Campground over a long weekend and really enjoyed it. The park is located southwest of Charlotte off of hwy 49 near Lake Wylie, SC. The hwy is busy and neighboring Lake Wylie is also busy. however, once you pull off the road and back into the nature preserve, all of the noise (except for airplanes) falls away. 

Our camp spot was level and plenty big enough to accommodate our 12x17 tent. We had our own power and shared water with the next campers. We were close to the bathhouse which was really clean. We loved the laid back atmosphere. We even had a couple of families in a group camping next to us and across from us. And while their kids were "active" it didn't affect our easy weekend. 

We were able to buy ice and firewood at the camp office. The staff were very nice and accommodating. 

Others mention that there is not much to do. In the campground, there is a playground and not much more. However, the overall Mcdowell nature preserve has plenty to do with Lake Wylie, playgrounds, nature trails, fishing, and more. You can be as busy or as chill as you choose.

We are headed back in March 2020 to kick off our camping season.

Close to the city but a world away from the bustle

We live about half hour or so from this campground and have wanted to check it out for some time. The sites are very well taken care of. We chose to camp on one of the hotter days of the year so the tree shade came in handy to help keep us cool. It stormed the second night we were there and we tried to make the best of the situation without having to pack up and just go home.

We have been to this park before for fishing in different areas and have really enjoyed ourselves. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The bathhouses for the most part are well maintained and cleaned.

I think my only complaint would be is the pads for the tens. When I got home I was patching holes in the floor of my tent from where the stone pad had caused damage. I know a seasoned camper would’ve put down a tarp but we didn’t have one and thought that we might be ok this trip with out one.

Had it not been for the monsoon rain storms we would’ve loved our trip but that is in the hands of Mother Nature no one else’s and that isn’t figured into my star rating. The reason I didn’t give it all fives is because of the stone pad that and you could hear traffic and air planes flying over.

Clean and quiet 

I camped here with a women’s hiking group and was impressed. 

There are lovely trails, a large playground, nature center, the beautiful lake Wylie {no swimming, NC fishing license required}, geocaching, clean bathrooms and shower rooms, electric sites with large tent pads, good sized fire pit area, picnic table.. there’s even a loving gate with a code for a more secure camping experience.. 

We could fit 3 tents in one pad AND had a hammocker camper too. 

If you are wanting some nature near the city, this is a good option - especially if you are checking out city things in Charlotte. 

You can hear traffic at night when camping here so bring ear plugs, headphones or a white noise fan if that bothers you. 

Pet friendly 🐾

I saw both dogs and camping kitties 

There’s 56 camp sites: these include tent, RV hook ups and some primitive. 

There’s group camping at Copperhead Island. 

I highly recommend, especially for families with children, lots to do and a safe, secure feeling. 



Clean, lovely conveniently located  

Beautiful campground and clean facilities! The sites were nice and spacious. 

The lake is so pretty and we caught a huge catfish!

You can kind of hear the cars at night but it wasn’t too bad. Very friendly park rangers too. Would love to go back!

Beautiful campground close to home!

The park is close to our home and visit regularly. Several great trails.  Great for kayaking. 

Great walks around the lake

Nice campground close to home!! We’ve stayed here twice now and had a great time both times. Small campground but so nice! 

Campground close to home

Nice spot within the Nature preserve. Sites are close but not on top of each other. Paved but not necessarily level. The cleanest and most well designed bathrooms I’ve ever seen in a campground. Lots of great hiking trails throughout the preserve. Level boxed in pads for tenters in a separate area from RVs as well as sites that can be packed out to. On a visit during COVID it was open but limited. Set on the beautiful Lake Wylie, surrounded by marinas and large beautiful lakeside homes. Well designed for fishing, boating, gatherings and picnics. It feels so remote but is literally minutes from the full metropolis of Charlotte, NC. A must see for at least a day hike if you are in the area or camping if you have the chance. 

Hidden Gem

Considering how close this is to the city, this is just a really excellent escape. The hiking trails are extremely well kept, the campsites are relatively private and everything here is very clean. This is a great place and right next to the lake. 


Really Great Spot of you need a quick getaway

They do a beautiful job in maintaining this campground. Very clean and affordable.  

Awesome campground

Word on this place was it was a gang hang out. Not anymore. Security Gate(s)! Police presence. 
This campground is wonderfully maintained; lots of options for camping. Booked it awhile back for the Bon Temps kayak race on Lake Wylie.  

Quiet Shade!

Nice campground on the lake near charlotte. Nice facilities. Safety gates, seemed secure and quiet at night. Some of the rv sites were in quite a slope. Access to lots of good recreation in the nearby area. Would stay again. 

One of the only options on the lake near charlotte

One of our favorites, if not our favorite! We have a large, 10 person tent and it *just* fit on the tent pad. The electricity panel was a bit far from our tent so we couldn’t have electricity inside our tent as you’d need a cord that was at least 50 feet. I’ve seen other sites that have it much closer to your setup.

The bathrooms were great! Private to each person with a bathroom and shower. They are all unisex but there are about 8-10. They were kept clean. They also have a laundry facility there also. 

Our site was extremely close to another, could have practically spat at them and hit them. That was one of the downers for us due to the battery dying alert going off all night and the snoring. That same night there was some sort of loud, thumping bass either off site or in the campground, not sure. Eventually it sounded like cops got involved and squashed it. 

It was awesome having the ability to buy firewood, magic flame, and ice in an instant. The nearby lake is gorgeous but the lake is super rocky in areas for fishing. We didn’t catch anything even off the little dock. Target is super nearby for any other last minute needs.

We will be back!

Convenient!

My boyfriend and I used our Verizon hotspots to work and do Zoom meetings and didn’t have a problem. The showers/bathrooms are very clean. 

Great place for remote working

This was a very nice/quiet campground. The sites were spacious and private. The campground itself is very wooded with lots of trees for shade. Our site was also pretty level. 

The campground is gated, and you are provided a code at check in. The park also has security and on site most of the time. The only negative is that the place to enter the gate code is on the opposite side from where you pull in, so you do have to get out of your vehicle to enter it each time. 


The bathrooms and laundry were very clean during our visit. The playground was a nice addition for our toddler too! 

We would definitely stay here again. 

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