Carowinds
With 57 amusement rides, including thrilling roller coasters and fun kiddie rides, Carowinds is one of the best RV vacations in North Carolina.
Event information
There is something fun for everyone at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. They have packed so many activities in their 407 acres that you won’t have time to do it all in one day. So, they offer a campground for RVs as well as a hotel and cabins for you to stay overnight. That way, you can get up and do some more before heading on to your next adventure.
Located on the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina, the park is actually in two different states. It was built in 1973 as a way of bringing the two states closer together.
For the little tots, Carowinds has 14 different rides in their own section of the park called Camp Snoopy. You’ll find mild rides from Woodstock Whirlybirds to Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies. They even have two roller coasters, the Woodstock Express and Wilderness Run.
The waterpark also has some rides for the young’uns, including the Kiddy Hawk Cove, Myrtle Turtle Beach, and Pirate’s Landing. The big kids will enjoy some of the others like the Kiddy Hawk, Pelican Plunge, and Tidal Wave Bay.
You’ll work up an appetite enjoying all the rides and walking around the park, so pick up a map or download an app to find the best food places. Over 30 food vendors in the park serve up all kinds of food, such as pizza, burgers, and chicken, as well as hot dogs, popcorn, and fries.
For dessert, there are five different funnel cake kiosks, several ice cream shops, and a candy store with more colors than you can imagine. Quench your thirst with a soft drink, smoothie, or even a beer if you are over 21. Take a breather while watching a show at Carowinds Theater and then get back to the rides.
Tickets
If you get your Carowinds tickets in advance online or by phone, you will likely pay much less. In recent years, you could typically get a one-day pass online for $40. They have other deals where you can bring a friend and get two tickets for $40, a buy one, get one free option. If you buy tickets at the gate, plan on paying at least $20 more. Tickets do not include parking or camping.
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Transportation
Driving
Carowinds is just 12 miles southwest of Charlotte off of I-77 on the border of North Caroline and South Carolina. In fact, half of the park is in South Carolina, while the other half is in North Carolina. Rock Hill is only 14 miles from Carowinds to the southwest, which is the largest city in York County. The roads taking you into the park are generally easy to maneuver and should not have too much traffic, especially if you can avoid the area where I-77 and I-277 converge.
Parking areas
The parking lot at Carowinds is enormous, it is unlikely you won’t be able to find a spot to park. The parking attendants will tell you where you can park if you are in a big motorhome or are pulling a trailer. Camping is a much better choice, but if you do choose to park, be sure to get there early so you can get a good spot.
Public Transportation
The City of Charlotte has a bus that is part of the Charlotte Area Transit System. This bus service has more than 70 routes with several that will take you to Carowinds from all over the Charlotte area. However, the bus only goes to Carowinds on the weekends. Other options include a taxi service or a rideshare app.
Where to stay
Onsite
Rather than having to drive to your campground after a long day of fun at Carowinds, you can catch a shuttle to Camp Wilderness right on site. There are 199 campsites with full hookups that can accommodate rigs up to 45 feet long. Picnic tables and BBQ grills are included so you can cook and eat outside. There is also a pool, shuffleboard, cornhole, and a volleyball court.
You can bring your pooch along too! Carowinds has a kennel service on the park grounds if you need a dog sitter. This is especially good when it is hot outside. Even if you have A/C, if there is a power failure or you’re A/C cuts out, your furbaby could overheat.
Nearby
For a quieter and less crowded option, check out the Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA less than four miles to the south. They have 145 campsites for RVs up to 60 feet in length with full hookups. The Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA also has a pool, free Wi-Fi, mini-golf, showers, and even a dog park. The kids will love the game area and playground.
If you would rather have a more rustic setting, head to McDowell Nature Preserve just six miles to the west. They have two campgrounds with over 50 sites on more than 1,100 acres. If neither of these is to your liking, there are several other campgrounds within about 15 miles of Carowinds.
Getting around
For those with mobility issues, Carowinds provides special shuttles that can take you from the campgrounds or parking lots to the front gate. In addition, you can rent wheelchairs, electric convenience vehicles, and strollers from the Guest Services office. Guests who are camping get free shuttle service to and from the park as well.
What to pack
Clothing
Packing for a trip can be difficult if you don’t know what the weather is going to be like, so check local forecasts before departing. For Carowinds, you are probably going to want to have some shorts and t-shirts as well as a pair of long pants. It stays in the upper 80s all summer long and can even reach the 90s on occasion. Pack comfy shoes as well, and a swimsuit if you plan on swimming.
Gear
Go ahead and bring a purse, backpack, or fanny pack with your necessities. Each ride has a free locker to put your bags in during the ride. You can also rent a locker where you can leave your backpack or purse if it is too big to fit in the ride lockers. These are located in the Thrill Zone, Carolina Harbor, the south gate entrance, and the north gate entrance. Guests cannot bring food and drinks into the park, but you are allowed to have one unopened water bottle as long as it is not glass.
Health & Safety
Bring as little as you can when headed into Carowinds because you are going to be walking a lot. Also, guests cannot have sunglasses or a hat on the rides, so make sure you have somewhere to stash them while you are riding. Small travel-sized bottles of sunscreen and bug repellent are perfect to tuck into a pocket if you don’t want to bring a bag or purse. A first-aid kit with basic items like band-aids and antiseptic is always helpful.
Where to eat
Cooking
Go ahead and bring a camp stove and your own barbecue grill just in case. Even though the parks advertise full utilities, you never know what might happen. For example, if there is a power outage, you will need to cook outside, and if their fire ring does not appeal to you, a small camp stove on the picnic table or your own pit can be a blessing. Make sure you always have plenty of the necessities on-hand like aluminum foil, cooking spray, eating and cooking utensils, and trash bags.
Restaurants
Whether you are looking for a food truck that serves tacos and burritos or a fine dining establishment where you can sit down and enjoy a nice meal, you can find several choices in the Charlotte area. There is even a soul food restaurant about 14 miles to the northeast and Vietnamese cuisine a few miles from there. In fact, in that small area about 15 miles to the northeast, you’ll find over a dozen places to chow down with a wide variety of choices.
Vendors
If you are looking for burgers and fries, Carowinds has several places to get those and more, including one place that sells a variety of seasoned fries. There are also a few restaurants where you can sit down to a nice meal. And you can get Chinese food, pizza, seafood, and other carnival fare all over the park. There is a beach bar with beer and other drinks for the adults. Grab some candy or other sweets from the candy shop for dessert. Then head to some of the unique gift shops to see their selection of souvenirs and other unusual items.
Safety
Security
Carowinds takes safety seriously and has several security protocols to follow. The first is the metal detector at the front gate. If you don’t want to be slowed down, take your keys and other items out of your pockets first. Your bags will be searched as well. Make sure you check the list of prohibited items on Carowinds’ website so you know what you can and cannot have with you. They also have both uniformed and plainclothes officers throughout the park.
Weather
This part of North Carolina can be hot and sticky all summer long, so you are going to want to dress cool and keep plenty of water nearby. The highs are typically in the upper 80s but can easily reach the middle 90s from June through August. Lows are not very low in the upper 60s all summer long, so you may be running that air conditioner in the rig at night. Make sure it is not so noisy that it annoys your neighbors.
Medical
There are first aid stations in Carolina Harbor next to Harbor House and on Carolina Boardwalk across from the Goldrusher. Certified medical technicians and emergency personnel are available at all times. If you are feeling ill or incur an injury and cannot make it to the first aid station, try to get someone nearby to go for help at the nearest ride or concession stand. Or you can call 911. The general hospital is only eight miles to the east, and the clinic is nine miles to the north if you need to see a doctor.
