Discover the best campgrounds near Statesville, North Carolina with wildlife watching

The area surrounding Statesville is filled with opportunities for outdoor adventuring. Explore the waterfalls and rivers while hiking through Pisgah National Forest, or indulge in a wine tasting at one of many nearby scenic vineyards. Local state parks, like Lake Norman, Stone Mountain, and Morrow Mountain, offer well-appointed campgrounds with everything from primitive campsites for backpackers to comfortable cabins with modern appliances. It’s also possible to go hunting at the South Mountains Game Lands, or try rock climbing and horseback riding at Pilot Mountain State Park. Statesville area campsites take you from creekside bass fishing to high mountain vistas with panoramic views of the North Carolina countryside.

Where to go

Lake Norman State Park

Set on the northern shore of North Carolina’s largest manmade body of freshwater, Luke Norman State Park was once known as Duke Power State Park. The inland sea was formed as part of the construction of Duke Power’s Cowans Ford Dam in the mid-20th century. The warm water fishery is home to striped, largemouth, and white bass, and boat dock use is free at the park. Campers can also rent rowboats and canoes. All campsites come with picnic tables and fire rings, plus access to potable water, washrooms, and hot showers. Some RV sites have full hookups with 30- and 50-amp service available. Cozy wood cabins feature heating and air-conditioning units.

Stone Mountain State Park

About an hour north of Statesville, Stone Mountain State Park boasts several hiking trails ranging from the easy 0.4-mile K.I.P. Track Trail to the much more strenuous Stone Mountain Loop Trail and the 11.32-mile Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. Explore waterfalls and winding creeks through the forest while spotting such local wildlife as woodpeckers, hawks, black bears, and salamanders. Camping options include backpacking sites for tents, plus trailer and RV campsites, some with electric (up to 50-amp) and water hookups. Each site has its own tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring, plus access to toilets and hot showers.

Morrow Mountain State Park

Boasting amazing views of the surrounding Uwharrie Mountains, Morrow Mountain State Park is at the heart of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the eastern United States. On clear days, soak in panoramic views of the neighboring countryside and Yadkin-Pee Dee River from the top of the mountain. Lake Tillery offers terrific fishing, including a boat launch and fishing pier, as well as a waterfront picnic area. Primitive campsites through the Backpack Trail require a two-mile hike, while Hipcampers can also choose from modern cabins with fireplaces and back porches, as well as tent, RV, and trailer campsites, including some with electrical hookups.

When to go

Spring and fall are among the best times to go camping near Statesville, when milder temperatures can make outdoor pursuits like hiking and biking more enjoyable for some Hipcampers. These shoulder seasons also have fewer insects, like mosquitoes, compared to summer. Wildlife tends to be more active in the spring and fall, too, offering better opportunities to catch local fauna in their natural environment, both in the forest and along the water.