If you live in or planning to travel through the southeast, you have most likely visited the famous amusement park, Carowinds. The family-friendly amusement park is conveniently situated adjacent to Interstate 77, and is a great stop over or destination for RVers and campers.
Straddling the North and South Carolina, due south of Charlotte, NC, for the past fifty-years Carowinds has thrilled its Guests both young and old. Originally conceived with a theme to celebrate the history and culture of both Carolinas, through the years it has grown in size with addition of new roller coasters and a the Carolina’s largest waterpark – Carolina Harbor – attached directly to the amusement park.
With an annual attendance averaging over 2 million visitors and the park itself comprising just over 400 acres, Carowinds the regional favorite amusement destination continues grow and add new attractions and shows for all ages of guests.
Though the amusement park has had several owners throughout its five-decade history, it is currently owned by Cedar Fair who since the mid 2000’s have added iconic attractions such as the 232-foot tall Intimidator roller coaster, Peanuts characters in Camp Snoopy, the fifth-tallest roller coaster Fury 325, and more recently its latest theme area addition, Aeronautica Landing.
Here are several campgrounds and RV park options located near or are a short drive from the Carowinds Amusement Park:
Carowinds Camp Wilderness
Situated on 55 wooded and shaded acres next door to the Carowinds amusement park, Carowinds Camp Wilderness offers year-round camping and RV sites including their recently renovated cabins for rent. There are 16 lodges to choose from, 15 which sleep up to 8 people. Also, there is the large Great Wilderness Lodge boasting 1,100 square feet, four bedrooms, kitchenette, dining are, outdoor porch and patio, grill, three bathrooms, and capable of sleeping up to 14 people.
If you plan to stay with your RV, the campground offers both pop-up tent sites and RV equipped sites some that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet in length. Paved RV sites offer full hook-ups with either 30 Amp or 50 Amp electrical service and all RV sites come with a charcoal grill and free WiFi. Beyond all these features, other campground amenities include:
- Complimentary shuttle to Carowinds Amusement Park’s front gate
- Deals on Carowinds ticket packages
- Swimming pool
- Bathroom and shower faciliteis
- Camp store
- Linen service and laundry
- Shuffleboard, corn hole, and volleyball court
- 24-hour security
- Dump station
- Pet station
Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA Journey
Located 4.5 miles south of Carowinds front gate, the Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA Journey all of the premium amenities one would expect from a KOA RV park. Though conveniently located on 1/4 mile from Interstate 77, this KOA Journey is situated in a serene wooded setting though directly adjacent to everything out its gate you would need, such as a Walmart, grocery store, etc.
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If RVs are not your thing, that’s ok. The Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA offers tent sites and several types of cabins for rent such as Camping Cabins, Deluxe Cabins, and Camping Lodges. Camping Cabins sleep up to 4 people are a single space with A/C and heater but no attached bathrooms. Deluxe Cabins come with a full bath and shower, they can sleep up to 6 people, have a partial kitchen, and you must bring your own linens. Camping Lodges are similar to small tiny houses and have a full kitchen, full bath and shower, linens are provided, have a sleeping loft, and can sleep up to 8 people. Campground amenities also include:
- 50 Amp service available,
- 60′ max RV length
- Season swimming pool
- Propane station on site
- Dog pakr
- Mini golf
- KampK9
- Food trucks (check schedules)
- Dump station
- Laundry
- Game room
- Bathhouse and showers
- Picnic shelters
Crown Cove RV Park
Inclusive of 167 sites and sitting amongst mature trees, Crown Cove RV Park has been serving travelers and Carowinds guests for thirty-five years. Staying at Crown Cove provides RVers a short 11 minute drive from Carowinds and is conveniently located near Interstate 77 providing direct access to Charlotte and the surrounding area.
Crown Cove RV Park is highly amenitized with centrally located a bath house and laundromat, dog runs, and other great features such as:
- Full hook-ups
- Wireless internet
- Long-term stays welcome
- Playground
- After hours check-in
- Propane station
- Rentable parking storage
- 30 and 50 Amp sites available
McDowell Campground
Located near the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, the McDowell Campground is a short 15 minute drive west of the Carowinds amusement park main entry. The McDowell Nature Center is the Mecklenburg County’s older and largest nature preserve featuring live native animals, a gift shop, discovery center, and it offers multiple hiking trails throughout the nature preserve and near adjacent Lake Wylie.
Located on Copper Island, the McDowell Campground offers campers and RVers multiple site options including primitive tent sites, drive-to tent pads, RV sites with no sewer hook-ups, and a limited RV sites with full hook-ups inclusive of 50, 30, and 20 Amp electrical connections. When reserving your site, we suggest confirming the maximum allowable RV the individual site can accommodate – this is clearly stated on each site’s description.
Elmore RV Park and Campground
If staying closer to downtown Charlotte is more your speed, but being connected to the areas attractions – including Carowinds – then consider staying at the Elmore RV Park and Campground. Elmore is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Charlotte and a short 35 minute drive to Carowinds.
A stay at Elmore RV Park places you right in the middle of everything Charlotte and the surrounding area has to offer. Whether it is a NASCAR race, a Carolina Panthers home football game, visiting kids or relatives at UNC-Charlotte, or a multiple days of fun at Carowinds, Elmore is a great location to stay.
The campground offers 40 all-full hook-up sites which are open year-round. Other amenities include:
- Free WiFi
- Situated on a 6 acre site
- Quite neighborhood setting
- 30 or 50 Amp electrical
- Paved sites and roads
- Pull thru sites
- Long term rentals available
- Close to nearby Walmart and shopping Malls
Camping World Racing Resort
Open year-round and located at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Camping World Racing Resort is a unique RV destination either for race days or throughout the year. The campground, located approximately via 45 minute drive from Carowinds, offers an impressive 380 full hook-up sites with three types and sizes of sites to choose from including a 20′ x 50′ back-in sites, 30′ x 50′ back-in sites or 30′ x 100′ pull-through sites. Other campground amenities include:
- Paved roadways
- Level gravel sites
- 20, 30, or 50 Amp electrical service
- High-speed internet
- Sewer and water connections
- Shower and bath facilities
- Large covered picnic area