Best Charlotte camping spots

Camping is an easy and affordable way to take a quick vacation and unwind while enjoying the great outdoors. There are many campgrounds within a short drive of Charlotte. Whether you prefer tent camping or have an RV that's ready to roll, here are three of the best places for camping in Charlotte.

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Asheville Glamping
828-450-9745

If sleeping on the ground isn't your thing, but you want to enjoy the great outdoors, then Asheville Glamping might be more your speed. Glamping — short for glamorous camping, offers guests the chance to get outdoors, but without all the hassle of setting up a tent or hooking up an RV. At Asheville Glamping, everything is already set up for your camping trip when you arrive, and you'll have amenities like an actual bed and air conditioning. Guests can choose from all sorts of comfortable accommodations, including a safari tent, boho tipi, yurt or one of the campground's vintage Airstreams. There is a two-night minimum to rent one of the glamping sites. Asheville Glamping's sites are spread out over three properties that are just minutes from downtown Asheville and a little over an hour's drive from Charlotte. Addresses for each property can be found at ashevilleglamping.com. Rates start at $100 a night.

>>Go camping in the Carolinas

Carowinds Camp Wilderness
14609 Catawba Trace
704-588-2600

Carowinds Camp Wilderness is the ultimate getaway if you like to camp and are an adrenaline junkie who loves rollercoasters! Located right outside the popular amusement park's gates and only 10 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, Camp Wilderness is set up for RV camping and tent sites with full hookups that include water, sewer and electricity. Don't have a tent or an RV? The camp also has several cabins you can rent out. Each cabin can accommodate up to eight people and has two bedrooms, a living room and kitchenette. There's also free shuttle service to Carowinds from the campground, and registered guests can get tickets to the amusement park for a discounted rate.

>>Top campgrounds in Charlotte

McDowell Nature Preserve
15222 York Road
980-314-2267

The McDowell Nature Preserve and Campground is another popular Charlotte camping destination, because of its close proximity to the city. The campground has 56 sites that range from full RV hookups all the way to primitive camping spots. There are also rent-a-tent sites for anyone who wants to go camping but doesn't already own a tent. The tents you can rent at McDowell typically sleep five to six people. Campsites are available for rent seven days a week, but must be booked at least 48 hours ahead of time. There's also a bathhouse and laundry facilities on site. The preserve is a quiet retreat that spans over 1,116 acres, which provides plenty of space for outdoor activities including hiking, fishing and kayaking. Sites start as low as $15 a night for primitive spots. You can reserve a campsite online.

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