15222 York Road
Charlotte, NC 28278
Office Phone: 980-314-2267 (CAMP)
Campground Supervisor: Tasha Owens, MS, CPRP
EMAIL: Tasha.Owens@MeckNC.Gov
OFFICE HOURS:
DAILY: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CLOSED 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Hours of operation are subject to change. The campground office will be closed on the following upcoming dates:
November 21, 22, 24 & 25, 2022
December 23 - 26, 31 2022
January 1, 2 & 16, 2023
DAY OF RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL 3PM DAILY PENDING AVAILABILITY.
Please call or email for availabity before showing up for accomodations.
ONLINE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL DATE
Set up is NOT permitted on a campsite without payment and proof of permit. Maximum of 6 people on each site. 2 tents max per site. All vehicles MUST remain in their designated driveways. Additional vehicles must park in overflow parking located at the Office Building or in Primitive Parking Lots.
ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT THE TIME OF BOOKING: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or Cash ONLY *No bills larger than $20.*
EXTENDED STAY:
NO LONG TERM OPTIONS AVAILABLE
- 14 days per calendar month or per reservation. (includes all camping party members)
- If you reserve 14 days in a calendar month, you may not return until the next calendar month. (includes all camping party members)
- If you reserve a 14 day reservation and your dates overlap into another month, you must leave for 14 days before making another reservation. (includes all camping party members)
- Using other camping party members to create accounts to extend your reservation is not permitted and will result in no refund and reservaton priviledges revoked.
PARK OVERVIEW
Would you like to experience the "Great Urban Escape?" McDowell Nature Preserve & Center (mecknc.gov) offers 1,116 acres of peace and quiet. Choose from a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities and visit the Nature Center - all while you camp onsite! Additional park activities include 8 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, shelter rentals, fishing (NC fishing license required), Geocaching, Nature Center, and more!
McDowell Campground has 56 campsites ranging from full RV hookup to primitive sites. Additional amenities include a bathhouse, laundry facilities, and playground. Group camping is also available at Copperhead Island just a few miles up the road.
CAMPGROUND FEES & SITE DETAILS
PLEASE PRINT AND REFERENCE PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
McDowell Campground Information Map Flyer Info 2021.pdf
Check-In Automated Email.pdf
RV CAMPING
NO RV'S OVER 38' PERMITTED
Sites R1-R13 are RV's ONLY. No tent camping allowed on sites.
All RV sites have water and 20, 30, 50 amp service.
Click the link below that accommodates the size of your RV. Please be minful of the slide out information provided per site before reserving.
***ALL RV SITES WILL REQUIRE LEVELING MATERIALS***
MECKLENBURG COUNTY RESIDENT: $26
NON-COUNTY RESIDENT: $33
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 15FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 20FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 25FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 30FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 32FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 35FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE 38FT MAX RV CAMPSITE
SMALL TEARDROP CAMPER SITES
MECKLENBURG COUNTY RESIDENT: $19
NON-COUNTY RESIDENT: $28
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE TEARDROP CAMPSITE
20/30 AMP & SHARED WATER (BACK IN SITES)
D5, D12, D14, D15, D20, D21, D22, D23, D25, D26
TENT CAMPING (WATER & ELECTRIC)
MECKLENBURG COUNTY RESIDENT: $19
NON-COUNTY RESIDENT: $28
D1-D26, T1, T3 (DRIVE-TO SITE W/ TENT PAD)
T2, T4 - T7 (DRIVE-TO SITE W/ DECK)
HAMMOCK CAMPING
1 Hammock can be used on the following sites:
D2, D6, D7, D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D19, D21, D22, D23, D24, D26,
T1, T6, T7 P6, P7
Please do not deface trees and tree line in efforts to anchor your hammock.
***NO POP-UP CAMPERS OR RV'S ALLOWED ON SITES***
CONVERSION VAN CAMPING
MECKLENBURG COUNTY RESIDENT: $19
NON-COUNTY RESIDENT: $28
20/ 30 AMP & SHARED WATER
D3, D5, D6, D7, D8, D10, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16,
D17, D19, D20, D21, D22, D25, D26
20 AMP & WATER
T2, T6, T7
PRIMITIVE TENT CAMPING
MECKLENBURG COUNTY RESIDENT: $15
NON-COUNTY RESIDENT: $19
GROUP CAMPING / SCOUT GROUPS
MUST RESERVE AN ENTIRE SECTION ACCOMODATING UP TO 30 PEOPLE
OR BOTH SECTIONS FOR ACCOMODATING 30-60 PEOPLE. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL OFFICE FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
SECTIONS:
P1 - P5
HAS AN ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY FIRE RING CENTRAL OF SITES.
P6 - P10
HOW TO LOCATE YOUR GATE CODE
The Campground gate remains closed at all times. To access the gate a 4-digit gate code will be given to access the grounds during your stay. Please reference your permit from McDowell Campground email (PDF File). If you have not received your Gate Code, please check your junk mail folder and/or call 980-314-2267. You will need this code to enter the campground at all times.
Gate Code can be found in the Blue Events Note Box.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE
Early check-in and late check out are not permitted. NO EXCEPTIONS
Early arrivals and late departures must be included in your reservation timeframe.
CHECK-IN:
CHECK-IN IS ANYTIME AFTER 3:00 PM
IF ARRIVING BETWEEN 3PM-5PM, CHECK-IN IS REQUIRED AT THE OFFICE BEFORE PROCEEDING TO YOUR SITE. IF AFTER 5PM, PLEASE RESPOND TO YOUR CAMPGROUND PERMIT EMAIL YOUR ETA AND WE CAN MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKED IN.
(FOR AN EARLY CHECK-IN, YOU MUST RESERVE THE NIGHT PRIOR)
All guests must check-in at the Campground Office prior to setting up on their site.
All vehicles are required to display a parking pass on the left side (driver side) of their vehicle dashboard.
If your party cannot make it before the office closes, please call our office so we can make sure you have everything you need to check in. If you reach our voicemail during business hours, please leave a message and we will return your call by the end of the business day.
Locate your permit in your email to verify your reservation information. Please know your gate code and site number upon arrival.
If arriving after business hours, just drive directly to your site. A tag will be in your site box with your name and your parking pass will need to be taken out and placed on your vehicle dashboard.
CHECK OUT:
CHECK OUT IS ANYTIME BEFORE 12:00 PM (NOON) NO EXCEPTIONS
(FOR A LATER CHECK OUT, YOU MUST RESERVE THE NIGHT AFTER)
All belongings and trash must be removed from the site including fire rings. Any additional trash that does not fit in your designated trash can may be taken with you or placed in the dumpsters.
Please do not remove the reservation site tag from campsites.
If you would like to add days to your reservation, please do so before noon of your designated check-out day.
CAMPGROUND EXTRAS
CAMP STORE
FIREWOOD: $5 (BUNDLE)
**COMPLIMENTARY MAGNET WITH EVERY 2 BUNDLES PURCHASED
7LB. BAG OF ICE: $2
FIRE STARTERS: $1
MAGIC FLAMES: $3
LEVELING BLOCKS: $40
LAUNDRY: QUARTERS ONLY! (Available in Campground Office during businss hours)
CAMPGROUND REGULATIONS
All sites must be paid for in advance.
All sites must always remain presentable and orderly. Please use receptacles and dumpsters to eliminate litter to the preserve.
Failure to abide by Park Rules can lead to temporary or permanent exclusion or prosecution.
All guests must check in at the Information Office upon arrival before proceeding to their campsite to receive parking tags and site information.
Vehicle parking passes must be placed on the dashboard in all vehicles permitted. A maximum of 2 vehicle passes will be issued per reservation. No parking on tent pad areas, islands, or road sides. All vehicles must be parked in designated site driveways or overflow parking lot areas.
Check-in is anytime after 3:00 pm and Check-out is anytime before 12:00 pm. Site changes must be approved by staff.
No more than 6 people may occupy the same site.
No generators are allowed on sites.
Swimming and wading are not allowed off park property.
No off-road vehicles are allowed (UTV/ATV, Dirt Bikes, Golf Carts, etc).
No bicycles are allowed on trails.
All Pets must remain on a 6-foot leash or less at all times and are not allowed in the Bathhouse Restrooms.
Storage of RV's, campers and boat trailers is not allowed.
Campers must be at least 18 years of age to register a campsite and must be present during the duration of stay.
Quiet Hours of 10:00 pm – 7:00 am are strictly enforced.
No amplified music is allowed. Please be respectful of other guests.
No fireworks, explosives, tiki torches, confetti, sidewalk chalk, water balloons permitted.
Fires must be confined to designated grills or fire rings. Moving of fire rings is prohibited. Fires are not to be left unattended and must be completely extinguished prior to checkout.
Only treated firewood is permitted for burning in campfires. No Tiki Torches allowed
McDowell Nature Preserve and Campground is a tobacco-free park.
Consumption of alcohol is not allowed.
Acting in a disorderly manner or creating any noise which would result in an annoyance to others is prohibited.
Operating vehicles in a reckless manner, or in excess of the posted speed limits, or in areas other than those specifically intended for vehicular traffic is prohibited.
Dumping any refuse or waste, including grey water, from any trailer or other vehicles, except in places or receptacles provided for such use, is strictly prohibited.
The Nature Preserve is not accessible after sunset. Entering the Preserve after hours is unlawful and considered trespassing.
REFUND POLICY
Refunds will be given (minus a 10% administrative fee) if cancellation notice is given at least thirty (30) days in advance for Facility, Field and Shelter rentals OR at least ten (10) days in advance for Campground rentals and Activities.
There will be NO REFUND if less than thirty (30) days' notice is given for Facility, Field and Shelter rentals.
There will be NO REFUND if less than ten (10) days' notice is given for Campground rentals and Activities.
NO REFUNDS will be given in the event of inclement weather.
In the case of inclement weather, Facility, Field, and Shelter reschedules may be given for another time or location (of equal or lesser value) but must be requested within seven (7) business days after the event.
Campground reschedules must be made at least three (3) days prior to the rental camping date.
Only one (1) Camping reschedule is allowed per reservation.
All refunds must be submitted via the Refund Request Form provided by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.
Customers should be aware that refunds take twenty-one (21) days to process.
In the event of a State of Emergency or Natural Disaster for non-departmental activities, athletic field reservations, facility rentals, etc., the department or patron may initiate a request for a full refund. In lieu of a refund due to a State of Emergency or Natural Disaster, the department/patron reserves the right to issue a credit for a future reservation for the same type of facility at a later date, up to 11 months in the future.
If requesting a refund, please complete the Refund Request Form at least 10 days prior to your arrival date. Email form to McDowellCampground@MeckNC.Gov
FISHING
All North Carolina state regulations apply.
No bank fishing is permitted after the Preserve is closed.