The best camping near Gastonia with wildlife watching

·
96% (2.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Starlight Hills

1. Starlight Hills

98%
(2486)
37mi from Gastonia · 24 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bostic, NC
Our Spa and Geodesic Dome Planetarium is now available for booking! Our Pond is now OPEN! We are a constantly evolving location. Our goal is to provide a genuine secluded camping experience immersed in nature in a mountainous forest with privacy and well spaced out, secluded camp sites. We also have minimal light pollution, so our skies are beautiful for viewing the stars. We offer trails through natural wooded habitat with hidden gems of nature. Wildlife viewing throughout. There are feed locations to increase viewing opportunities. A creek on the property is lovely for walking. Centered between Charlotte and Asheville we are within your reach! We offer primitive tent camping, Glamping Tents a tiny cabin and Geodesic Dome. Lodging locations have a private Mountain View, fire pit area, Queen bed, Night Stand (built in phone charger), Desk area, interior and exterior lighting, heater and fan (powered by solar system). As a part of Starlight Hills Campground you have access to filtered drinking water, common overlook (w/ BBQ pits & picnic tables), trails, bathroom and showers. Welcome to bring all your furry family members ❤️. Please Note: 2 Wheel Dr. vehicles can access all of our sites. Gravel/ Dirt road up hill.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Waterfall camping close to CLT

2. Waterfall camping close to CLT

99%
(361)
4.8mi from Gastonia · 1 site · Tent, RV · Bessemer City, NC
My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$58
 / night
Site # 2 located to your right

7. Neal Creek Camping Sites

100%
(266)
18mi from Gastonia · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Blacksburg, SC
Neal Creek Primitive camping by the creek is located on private property. The two large campsites are approximately 300 feet apart and are located right beside the running creek. Plenty of shaded area's. We have a 6-8 person tent available to rent as well! Learn more about this land: We are only 1/2 a mile from the Interstate 85. So bring your tents, campers or your small RV and come and setup down by the babbling creek. If you don't have or own a tent, we have a large 6-8 person tent available for a small rental fee too. Build a nice fire in the fire pit. The firewood and kindling is provided. The campsites are semi-wooded areas with plenty of shade. They are very large private, peaceful and quiet sites.  View the stars at night, play in the creek during the day or if you are into biking or hiking, go to the Overmountain Victory trail located about 15 minutes away and enjoy the 6.7 mile loop around Lake Whelchel right off I-85. Local attractions: Biking, Hiking, Climbing and Horse trails - Kings Mtn National Park, Kings Mtn State Park, Crowder's Mtn State Park, Overmountain Victory Trail Segment - Lake Whelchel. Two Kings Casino is just a 10 minute trip right up Interstate - 85, exit 5 Convenient stores/restaurants within minutes from site.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Tellurian Family Campground

14. Tellurian Family Campground

98%
(347)
32mi from Gastonia · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Casar, NC
Tellurian Family Campground offers conveniently located spacious travel trailer, camper, RV and tent camp sites with incredible views and access to a pristine mountain river. The property consists of 93 acres and 2780 feet (1⁄2 mile) of river frontage on the First Broad River. The First Broad River offers canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Smallmouth and freshwater sunfishing is incredible on this stretch of the river and there are also opportunities for mountain river catfish. Tellurian’s scenic location offers stunning vista views of the surrounding countryside, sprawling views of the South Mountain and Cherry Mountain ranges, as well as long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sunsets are amazing and the star lit skies are uninhibited by city lights. One of the few lights that can be seen at night lights up a steeple silhouetted against the mountain ridges. It’s truly a peaceful site. Tellurian is centrally located between Charlotte NC, Asheville NC, and Spartanburg SC in the small town of Casar, NC. We are located in a rural setting in the foothills on the edge of the South Mountains Range, a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you for checking out our place! We are Jud and Amanda Wortman. We have three children – Emma Grace and Baxter (twins) and Elena Jo. As a family, we enjoy canoeing, kayaking and camping. We live 9 miles from Tellurian on a family farm. We have always enjoyed quiet secluded campsites, river floats and sitting by the river. After years of looking all over the mountains for a river property we could call our own, our favorite spot on the river came up for sale. It just so happened it was nearly halfway between where we both grew up. After many sleepless nights worrying if we could succeed or not (it was much larger than properties we had been looking for), we bought it! Our favorite spot on the river was virtually inaccessible by any way other than floating. But after hundreds of hours of hard work, we think we have developed a place where others too can enjoy the things we do about the property. We dream big and Tellurian remains a work in progress, but we feel we have created a place where folks can enjoy the peacefulness of nature, the river and incredible views. Naming our campground proved to be one of the most challenging tasks throughout the process of developing it. After many ideas and brainstorming sessions as a family, we decided to go with Tellurian. We know it’s a bit different; that’s what we like about it. We think our place stands out and, after visiting Tellurian, we think you’ll agree it does too. Tellurian Family Campground tel·lu·ri·an [təˈlo͝orēən] ADJECTIVE: of or inhabiting the earth. NOUN: an inhabitant of the earth.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$59
 / night
A Site From Above

17. A Site From Above

100%
(11)
9.3mi from Gastonia · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Belmont, NC
Escape to a haven of privacy and seclusion at our campsite, where you'll be surrounded by the beauty of mature trees and diverse wildlife. Set atop an elevated 10+ acre tract, this tranquil spot provides an ideal setting for those seeking peace and connection with nature. We have Recently Added an additional 30 amp breaker and a 50 amp breaker for an additional camp site. Making a total of 2 sites. Great for camping with others camper friends. . Small campfires are allowed , there’s plenty of dead wood - limbs on the property to burn.No need to buy firewood. Each site has water , sewer,30amp 50 amp power, Picnic table Fire pit Road side trash bin Artificial turf rugs Enjoy the serenity of your surroundings, with horses from neighboring properties adding to the charm. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with ample areas to walk and hike, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation and exploration. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Wylie, Walmart, and other shopping and dining options, this campsite offers the best of both worlds – seclusion and accessibility. Explore nearby attractions like the botanical gardens, boat ramps, and the new Drift restaurant on Lake Wylie, all within a five-minute drive. While the drive to your secluded retreat may be steep and currently a dirt gravel road, it adds to the rustic charm of the experience. Bring your boat along, as there is plenty of room for parking, ensuring you have everything you need for a memorable and peaceful getaway.
Pets
Campfires
Full Hookups
from 
$24
 / night
Dogpatch Farms

18. Dogpatch Farms

100%
(5)
36mi from Gastonia · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Mooresboro, NC
Dogpatch Farms is a farm offering Broad River access( canoe portage under construction but usable) campsites with the goal of making camping affordable again. We aren’t shooting for fancy or flashy just a clean quiet spaces and friendly safe environment where a person or group can enjoy nature without breaking the bank. We have one space for a RV/Camper with power water and septic dump ( down by the Barndo) and only a few with power and water only ( up by the well house)($60 and $40 per night respectively). Primitive areas vary from hillside, river side and open field all of which have an indoor toilet access and outside ( soon inside too) shower. Barndo is an active construction zone as we turn it into a full facility with cooking and laundry benefits so don’t expect fancy but that’s not our goal. Expect to see a sweet dog, a goat and probably a chicken ( and even enjoying a free egg) and definitely a tractor. Have a good time but I don’t tolerate stupid and you are expected to not leave a mess like a true outdoorsman should. There is an of wildlife including beavers, turkeys( roosting in the valley), deer and such to see because of our low impact approach so observe but don’t harass. We hope to become your destination and guide to the great outdoors.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$20
 / night
Adin`s river cabin

19. Adin`s river cabin

96%
(74)
35mi from Gastonia · 1 site · Lodging · Casar, NC
My property consists of a ridge running east to west with the access road running along the south border.  the land slopes up to the ridge for about 300 feet, and then down to the river for about 800 feet.  The south side of the ridge has a small pond close to the road.  The rest is pasture, and an orchard and small vineyard.  The north side of the ridge is old growth timber, and shady and cool.  The two cabins are along the river.  One is perched on a ridge over looking the river and the other is right on the river.  The swimming hole is 30 feet from the lower cabin.  There is room for a couple campsites along the river also.  The south side of the ridge was a cotton farm decades ago, but was covered in timber when I bought it 12 years ago.  The north side has been in timber for the known history of the property.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$65
 / night
96% (2.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Starlight Hills

1. Starlight Hills

98%
(2486)
37mi from Gastonia · 24 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bostic, NC
Our Spa and Geodesic Dome Planetarium is now available for booking! Our Pond is now OPEN! We are a constantly evolving location. Our goal is to provide a genuine secluded camping experience immersed in nature in a mountainous forest with privacy and well spaced out, secluded camp sites. We also have minimal light pollution, so our skies are beautiful for viewing the stars. We offer trails through natural wooded habitat with hidden gems of nature. Wildlife viewing throughout. There are feed locations to increase viewing opportunities. A creek on the property is lovely for walking. Centered between Charlotte and Asheville we are within your reach! We offer primitive tent camping, Glamping Tents a tiny cabin and Geodesic Dome. Lodging locations have a private Mountain View, fire pit area, Queen bed, Night Stand (built in phone charger), Desk area, interior and exterior lighting, heater and fan (powered by solar system). As a part of Starlight Hills Campground you have access to filtered drinking water, common overlook (w/ BBQ pits & picnic tables), trails, bathroom and showers. Welcome to bring all your furry family members ❤️. Please Note: 2 Wheel Dr. vehicles can access all of our sites. Gravel/ Dirt road up hill.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Waterfall camping close to CLT

2. Waterfall camping close to CLT

99%
(361)
4.8mi from Gastonia · 1 site · Tent, RV · Bessemer City, NC
My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$58
 / night
Site # 2 located to your right

7. Neal Creek Camping Sites

100%
(266)
18mi from Gastonia · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Blacksburg, SC
Neal Creek Primitive camping by the creek is located on private property. The two large campsites are approximately 300 feet apart and are located right beside the running creek. Plenty of shaded area's. We have a 6-8 person tent available to rent as well! Learn more about this land: We are only 1/2 a mile from the Interstate 85. So bring your tents, campers or your small RV and come and setup down by the babbling creek. If you don't have or own a tent, we have a large 6-8 person tent available for a small rental fee too. Build a nice fire in the fire pit. The firewood and kindling is provided. The campsites are semi-wooded areas with plenty of shade. They are very large private, peaceful and quiet sites.  View the stars at night, play in the creek during the day or if you are into biking or hiking, go to the Overmountain Victory trail located about 15 minutes away and enjoy the 6.7 mile loop around Lake Whelchel right off I-85. Local attractions: Biking, Hiking, Climbing and Horse trails - Kings Mtn National Park, Kings Mtn State Park, Crowder's Mtn State Park, Overmountain Victory Trail Segment - Lake Whelchel. Two Kings Casino is just a 10 minute trip right up Interstate - 85, exit 5 Convenient stores/restaurants within minutes from site.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Tellurian Family Campground

14. Tellurian Family Campground

98%
(347)
32mi from Gastonia · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Casar, NC
Tellurian Family Campground offers conveniently located spacious travel trailer, camper, RV and tent camp sites with incredible views and access to a pristine mountain river. The property consists of 93 acres and 2780 feet (1⁄2 mile) of river frontage on the First Broad River. The First Broad River offers canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Smallmouth and freshwater sunfishing is incredible on this stretch of the river and there are also opportunities for mountain river catfish. Tellurian’s scenic location offers stunning vista views of the surrounding countryside, sprawling views of the South Mountain and Cherry Mountain ranges, as well as long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sunsets are amazing and the star lit skies are uninhibited by city lights. One of the few lights that can be seen at night lights up a steeple silhouetted against the mountain ridges. It’s truly a peaceful site. Tellurian is centrally located between Charlotte NC, Asheville NC, and Spartanburg SC in the small town of Casar, NC. We are located in a rural setting in the foothills on the edge of the South Mountains Range, a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you for checking out our place! We are Jud and Amanda Wortman. We have three children – Emma Grace and Baxter (twins) and Elena Jo. As a family, we enjoy canoeing, kayaking and camping. We live 9 miles from Tellurian on a family farm. We have always enjoyed quiet secluded campsites, river floats and sitting by the river. After years of looking all over the mountains for a river property we could call our own, our favorite spot on the river came up for sale. It just so happened it was nearly halfway between where we both grew up. After many sleepless nights worrying if we could succeed or not (it was much larger than properties we had been looking for), we bought it! Our favorite spot on the river was virtually inaccessible by any way other than floating. But after hundreds of hours of hard work, we think we have developed a place where others too can enjoy the things we do about the property. We dream big and Tellurian remains a work in progress, but we feel we have created a place where folks can enjoy the peacefulness of nature, the river and incredible views. Naming our campground proved to be one of the most challenging tasks throughout the process of developing it. After many ideas and brainstorming sessions as a family, we decided to go with Tellurian. We know it’s a bit different; that’s what we like about it. We think our place stands out and, after visiting Tellurian, we think you’ll agree it does too. Tellurian Family Campground tel·lu·ri·an [təˈlo͝orēən] ADJECTIVE: of or inhabiting the earth. NOUN: an inhabitant of the earth.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$59
 / night
A Site From Above

17. A Site From Above

100%
(11)
9.3mi from Gastonia · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Belmont, NC
Escape to a haven of privacy and seclusion at our campsite, where you'll be surrounded by the beauty of mature trees and diverse wildlife. Set atop an elevated 10+ acre tract, this tranquil spot provides an ideal setting for those seeking peace and connection with nature. We have Recently Added an additional 30 amp breaker and a 50 amp breaker for an additional camp site. Making a total of 2 sites. Great for camping with others camper friends. . Small campfires are allowed , there’s plenty of dead wood - limbs on the property to burn.No need to buy firewood. Each site has water , sewer,30amp 50 amp power, Picnic table Fire pit Road side trash bin Artificial turf rugs Enjoy the serenity of your surroundings, with horses from neighboring properties adding to the charm. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with ample areas to walk and hike, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation and exploration. Conveniently located just minutes from Lake Wylie, Walmart, and other shopping and dining options, this campsite offers the best of both worlds – seclusion and accessibility. Explore nearby attractions like the botanical gardens, boat ramps, and the new Drift restaurant on Lake Wylie, all within a five-minute drive. While the drive to your secluded retreat may be steep and currently a dirt gravel road, it adds to the rustic charm of the experience. Bring your boat along, as there is plenty of room for parking, ensuring you have everything you need for a memorable and peaceful getaway.
Pets
Campfires
Full Hookups
from 
$24
 / night
Dogpatch Farms

18. Dogpatch Farms

100%
(5)
36mi from Gastonia · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Mooresboro, NC
Dogpatch Farms is a farm offering Broad River access( canoe portage under construction but usable) campsites with the goal of making camping affordable again. We aren’t shooting for fancy or flashy just a clean quiet spaces and friendly safe environment where a person or group can enjoy nature without breaking the bank. We have one space for a RV/Camper with power water and septic dump ( down by the Barndo) and only a few with power and water only ( up by the well house)($60 and $40 per night respectively). Primitive areas vary from hillside, river side and open field all of which have an indoor toilet access and outside ( soon inside too) shower. Barndo is an active construction zone as we turn it into a full facility with cooking and laundry benefits so don’t expect fancy but that’s not our goal. Expect to see a sweet dog, a goat and probably a chicken ( and even enjoying a free egg) and definitely a tractor. Have a good time but I don’t tolerate stupid and you are expected to not leave a mess like a true outdoorsman should. There is an of wildlife including beavers, turkeys( roosting in the valley), deer and such to see because of our low impact approach so observe but don’t harass. We hope to become your destination and guide to the great outdoors.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$20
 / night
Adin`s river cabin

19. Adin`s river cabin

96%
(74)
35mi from Gastonia · 1 site · Lodging · Casar, NC
My property consists of a ridge running east to west with the access road running along the south border.  the land slopes up to the ridge for about 300 feet, and then down to the river for about 800 feet.  The south side of the ridge has a small pond close to the road.  The rest is pasture, and an orchard and small vineyard.  The north side of the ridge is old growth timber, and shady and cool.  The two cabins are along the river.  One is perched on a ridge over looking the river and the other is right on the river.  The swimming hole is 30 feet from the lower cabin.  There is room for a couple campsites along the river also.  The south side of the ridge was a cotton farm decades ago, but was covered in timber when I bought it 12 years ago.  The north side has been in timber for the known history of the property.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$65
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field