Best Camping near Catawba, SC

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Catawba. Catawba is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your South Carolina camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Catawba, SC (61)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 61 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Catawba

Recent Reviews in Catawba

322 Reviews of 61 Catawba Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cane Creek Park
    Dec. 15, 2024

    Cane Creek Park

    Great place !

    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.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron City Campground, Inc.
    Oct. 30, 2024

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    Very nice family friendly camp

    The campground is well kept and clean. The owners are wonderful and all amenities are maintained in a like new state. They are constantly improving the campground and have family friendly activities for all. Halloween is a must see event in this camp with everyone decking out their sites.

    We are well traveled and have visited many campgrounds in various states. This is among the best we have ever experienced.

  • Davis
    Camper-submitted photo from McDowell Nature Preserve
    Oct. 26, 2024

    McDowell Nature Preserve

    It was very peaceful

    My husband and I stayed here for a few days at the beginning of October. It's very quiet and peaceful. What I didn't like was they had no activities like most other camp sites. They do have hiking trials and fishing until 8pm. The staff was friendly and very helpful but they leave at 4pm and you can't check in till 3pm. I guess there's good and bad like with all places.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cane Creek Park
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Cane Creek Park

    Great spot for families

    Awesome spot for families and multiple night stays. Family environment comes with more noise but as long as you are expecting it you won’t be disappointed.

  • Carol J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Disappointing

    I recently stayed for 3 nights with my popup in site#10.  The site is a good size for a tent or small camper only.  Overall we were surprised by the campground based on other reviews .  In my opinion The sites are close together, poorly maintained, and most are very small.  The Trading Post is nicely stocked, and open all day.  The bathrooms near my site were the best part…it was modern, clean and the showers were hot with good pressure.  But other than the bathrooms everything felt like it hadn’t been maintained at all. Won’t be coming back.

  • Deanna L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Elmore RV Park
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Elmore RV Park

    Good for staying close to city

    I lived here for two years on a long term spot. If short term you will be In a small gravel lot. There are no amenities, no shower houses. No frills.

  • Don W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Primitive Camping By the Creek
    May. 28, 2024

    Primitive Camping By the Creek

    Close and secluded

    My daughter and I decided to camp at the last minute. This place was close to the interstate but still very secluded. Plenty of firewood and next to a creek. I highly recommend.

  • Olivia W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from McDowell Nature Preserve
    May. 24, 2024

    McDowell Nature Preserve

    Safe Gated Campground

    Campground is guarded by two gates and I saw the police patrol around a few times after hours. The spots are very close to each other but that didn’t bother me. I chose spot D16 which is the only camping spot with a bit of an uphill ramp from the car to the camp spot. The rest lie flat. Didn’t help that I have a tent that attaches to my car so it made that difficult.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Spacious Skies Peach Haven
    May. 13, 2024

    Spacious Skies Peach Haven

    Beautiful and Quiet

    I love this place, with nice wide sites and many with views of three ponds nestled in the woods. The place was squeaky clean and the bathhouse very well designed. There are fun and funky places to visit nearby. The spring wildflowers are starting to bloom and I remember the scent of honeysuckle everywhere. A great blue heron hangs out at the fishing ponds.

  • Tracie S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Wateree State Park Campground
    May. 12, 2024

    Lake Wateree State Park Campground

    Our Favorite Getaway

    This is one of our favorite spots! We can boat, fish, ride our golf cart, hang out by the fire and just enjoy the moment. It also has wonderful handicap accommodations. Hands down one of our favorites!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 6 Points @ Raven Micro Farm
    May. 12, 2024

    6 Points @ Raven Micro Farm

    $69 Glamping, Hike to Site

    Six points @ Raven Micro Farm LLC is a fully loaded Glamping site. Equip with a Bell tent, thick Japanese cotton sleeping mat, linens, full-size propane grill, cookware, utensils, dishware, and more.

    This is a walk-in site, bring your hiking boots. The property is slightly hilly.

    Be advised that the site is private excluding when we are out doing farm chores or as the animals are rotated.

  • Lisa S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron City Campground, Inc.
    May. 9, 2024

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    They have added to already beautiful campground

    This is our favorite getaway from Charlotte, NC. Level lots, nice pool, enclosed dog lot, clean bathhouse, clean laundry room & activities. As of April 2024 they have added a nice playground. Lisa is the best host.

  • Chad L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina
    May. 4, 2024

    Wateree Lake RV Park & Marina

    Just Right

    This location has 2 RV lots. Riverside is heavily wooded which provides a ton of shade on the hot summer days. Taylor Creek is newer with less trees providing lots of open space and great for Solar regeneration. Both sites are very clean and well maintained. Just a short walk to the lake.

  • Rachel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Alston Trailhead
    Apr. 24, 2024

    Alston Trailhead

    Nice free spot

    We enjoyed this free trailhead parking. No bathroom, and the train only woke us up once in the night. Only one other van there with us, so very quiet and peaceful. Lovely walk on the Palmetto trail in the morning. There are also “walk-in” campsites right behind the trailhead signs in the trees.

  • Lisa S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron City Campground, Inc.
    Apr. 8, 2024

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    Getting better & better

    Our favorite for weekend getaway. Clean and well kept. Owners are fantastic. They have upgraded playground. Dog park is so nice to have on site.

  • Lucy P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from McDowell Nature Preserve
    Mar. 24, 2024

    McDowell Nature Preserve

    Crowded but cool

    Took my gf here to one of the walk-in sites for her first time camping. I love that it's so close to the city but still so beautiful! It did feel like everyone was very close together, but otherwise the facilities were great.

  • Mekyla Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron City Campground, Inc.
    Feb. 12, 2024

    Iron City Campground, Inc.

    Great small campground

    We stayed for a month in January. Lisa was wonderful and very accommodating to us. Our site was very level and tucked back in the corner of the campground. If we are ever in the area again we would definitely stay here again.

  • Loretta A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park
    Feb. 9, 2024

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Amazing place to stay

    My husband and I come out to camp at kings mountain state park often and we love it if we decide to go camping or to go out to walk some trails with our dog this is the place we always come to the park rangers are all nice respectful and the keep the place clean and help to make your stay amazing. They also answer any questions you may have about the park like things to do while you are there and to enjoy your stay.

  • @HomegrownRV 😎.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from McDowell Nature Preserve
    Nov. 24, 2023

    McDowell Nature Preserve

    Great visit and campground!

    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.

    Follow us on Tiktok and Instagram at @HomegrownRV for more reviews and videos of campgrounds!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Wateree State Park Campground
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Lake Wateree State Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Nice campground right on the lake. The nicest shower house I have ever seen. This is the standard we base all other campgrounds. Staff and everyone around were super nice

  • Karen S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    needs some TLC

    1st thing was i received an email telling me to check in at trading post and had the wrong address. we arrived as well as 2 other campers at the wrong address and then had to drive a mile or so to turn around. The trading post check in is in the campground!! The park is very pretty with all the trees, but the campsites themselves are very unlevel and laid out very awkwardly. The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites. The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction. This would be a very nice park if they spent some money on the individual campsites.

  • IThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Alston Trailhead
    Oct. 8, 2023

    Alston Trailhead

    Amazing site, minus the train

    This site is awesome. The scenery is beautiful and it is super easy to access. You can hear coyotes howling at night.

    The only problem is the train. It woke us up at least 4 times last night. You can see the train from your campsite.

    Everything else was perfect for us though!


Drive Time


Guide to Catawba

Camping near Catawba, South Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Dreher Island State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "We spent 90% of our time on the lake swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and enjoying one of the best lakes we’ve ever experienced."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Kings Mountain State Park. A visitor shared, "Lovely shaded campground. Boat rentals at Lake York. National Military Battlefield nearby."
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Croft State Park Campground. A camper noted, "There is a beautiful lake at the campground, which allows several opportunities for fishing. There is a fishing dock and several types of watercraft rentals."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses. One reviewer at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms are clean. Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at Lake Norman State Park Campground remarked, "The campground host were courteous and friendly and they assisted me in backing in my trailer."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness of the sites. One visitor at Cane Creek Park stated, "Larger camp ground than expected. Enjoyed our stay."

What you should know:

  • Site Conditions: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Andrew Jackson State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are not all level, so pay attention to the description on the park website."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A visitor at Kings Mountain State Park noted, "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground shared, "Once we were tent camping here, and woke up to a herd of deer on our site!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. A reviewer at Iron City Campground said, "They have added a nice playground."
  • Safety: Choose campgrounds with security. A visitor at McDowell Nature Preserve mentioned, "The campground is guarded by two gates and I saw the police patrol around a few times after hours."
  • Activities: Find campgrounds with various activities. A camper at Sesquicentennial State Park Campground noted, "There’s a small lake that rents paddle boats and kayaks."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites. A reviewer at Croft State Park Campground mentioned, "Site #37 felt significantly sloped to me for our setup."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has electric hookups. A visitor at Lake Norman State Park Campground said, "RV sites are paved, with a picnic table and fire ring on a compacted gravel base next to each site."
  • Dump Stations: Check for dump stations before you go. A camper at Dreher Island State Park Campground noted, "I do not remember any problems with the dumping station, and was appreciative that they had two parallel stations available."

Camping near Catawba, South Carolina, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions