State Parks near Matthews, NC

Aiken State Park can be found in the Midlands region of South Carolina, around a thirty-minute drive east of Aiken. Sitting halfway between the busy cities of Augusta, GA, and Columbia, SC, the state park has become a popular retreat for city folk and nature enthusiasts alike.Built during the early 1900s, Aiken State Park was one of the first state parks to grace the state of South Carolina. Its history traces back to the times of the Great Depression when two Civilian Conservation Corps combined efforts to create an area of isolated natural beauty. For over 100 years now, the park has provided the general public with a picturesque and fun motorhome camping spot. With more …

Andrew Jackson State Park in South Carolina is located in Lancaster County, and just north of the city of Lancaster. The state park is obviously named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. Born near Lancaster in 1767, Jackson is the only president to be born in South Carolina. His political home was Tennessee, but he was raised in South Carolina.Lancaster County has a humid subtropical climate, which means that its summers are hot and humid while its winters are fairly mild. The high elevation in some of the upstate areas such as Lancaster means that they have fewer of the subtropical characteristics. Summers are not as hot and humid as they might be further south …

This summer, plan a motorhome camping trip to Blue Ridge Parkway, considered America’s longest linear park that runs through the two states of North Carolina and Virginia. Referred to as ‘America’s Favorite Drive,’ Blue Ridge Parkway is an All-American Road and National Parkway that is known for its stunning scenic beauty. Extending over 469 miles, the parkway runs from north to south, passing through Asheville and Boone in North Carolina, and three major cities in Virginia - Waynesboro, Roanoke, and Galax. Following the ridge of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains for most of the parkway, the recreational motor road is a sheer delight for outdoor enthusiasts. The parkway also connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia on the northern …

Private landowners and farmers purchased a large swath of sandy dunes with the hopes of turning the land into farms during the early 1900s. However, due to the sandy soil and poor management of the already-thin topsoil, the efforts were unsuccessful. The state of North Carolina purchased the land from desperate farmers during the height of the Great Depression and set it aside as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1939. The Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, paved several miles of roads and nurtured fragile plants and grasses to restore the original habitat. Thanks to the organization’s efforts, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is a thriving dune biodome in South Carolina.The closest large town is …

The banks of Rock Creek make an ideal setting for Cedarock Park, a nature preserve spread over 400 acres, and a great spot for a motorhome camping trip. Located near the town of Bellemont in North Carolina, the park sits on the northwestern side of the Cane Creek Mountains. Not too far from Cedarock Park will bring you to the cities of Graham, Burlington, and Greensboro, and you can easily access these cities by renting an RV; you’ll find a range of affordable RV rentals in Alamance County. Cedarock Park came into being in 1975 when it was established on the historic farm of a local couple, John and Polly Garrett. Today, the park welcomes over …

As you are heading into the wilderness of beautiful South Carolina on a motorhome camping trip, consider cruising over to Chester State Park, a 523-acre green oasis and haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Located near the town of Chester, just fifteen minutes off Interstate 77, and aptly located midway between the cities of Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC. Book an RV in Chester County to explore the state park and its neighboring towns and cities.Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, the park is one of 16 parks commissioned to be built by the CCC in South Carolina, in an attempt to provide employment to the youth. This move also hugely popularized the outdoors and went on …

North Carolina’s western region is famous for its stunning mountains, many of which form part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Hidden away in the southern realms of these mountains is the picturesque Chimney Rock State Park. The park’s beauty is easily accessible, thanks to nearby highway 64 running past its boundaries, that adjoins to Interstate Route 26. So, when you book an RV in Rutherford County, you’ll be an easy hour’s drive away from both Charlotte and Asheville.Should you manage to take your eyes away from the sheer beauty of the park, you’ll unveil a fascinating history too. In 1902, a man named Dr. Lucius B Morse acquired 64 acres of Chimney Rock and continued to purchase …

Congaree National Park lies in central South Carolina, between the towns and cities of Columbia, Orangeburg, and Sumter. The forest was declared a national park in 2003 after a long campaign to preserve one of the last old-growth bottomland hardwood forests left in the United States. This ancient forest covers an area of over 26,000 acres, creating a picturesque and lush landscape of woodland, wetland floodplains. Congaree National Park has been designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a wilderness area, a testament to the natural beauty and rarity of the park.Alongside this idyllic wilderness, Congaree National Park is also home to campsites and offers opportunities for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and birdwatching. All of this makes it …

Crowder’s Mountain State Park, North Carolina, is a popular destination for those that rent an RV in Gaston County. Easily accessible to the nearby towns of Gastonia and Kings Mountain, as well as the city of Charlotte, it provides visitors with the perfect mountain escape. Offering challenging hikes, towering cliffs, and views that will take your breath away, Crowder’s Mountain is made for the adventure lover.Crowder's Mountain State Park includes the peaks of Crowder’s Mountain and The Pinnacle and was named after the creek that runs through the park, originating at the mountain’s peak. A stay at the park will give you the adventure to remember.

Conveniently located midway between Brevard, NC, and Hendersonville, NC, DuPont State Forest, or DuPont Forest covers 10,473 acres of land. It spread out over parts of Henderson and Transylvania Counties in Western North Carolina near North Carolina/South Carolina state line. It is home to dozens of spectacular waterfalls, which are the prime attractions in the area. The most popular ones include Wintergreen Falls, Hooker Falls, High Falls, Triple Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. There are five mountain lakes within the forest, including five-acre Lake Dense, 99-acre Lake Julia, one-acre Lake Imaging, and Fawn Lake.DuPont State Forest is a recreational haven for all ages and interests. The forest offers over 80 miles of recreational trails for walking, hiking, …

Elk Knob State Park covers over 4,227 acres and is one of North Carolina’s most recently created state parks. The park is best known for containing Elk Knob, which is one of the highest peaks in the area. Part of this state park also contains a section of the North Fork New River.The state park features an interesting mixture of flora and fauna, making it a popular spot for hiking and photography. Elk Knob State Park is situated near Johnson City and Asheville.

Eno River State Park lies in central North Carolina, a few miles north of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. The green land of Eno River State Park lies along the banks of the Eno River. Winding its way across the county, the Eno River cuts through some of the most idyllic scenery to see in this area of North Carolina. The state park creates the perfect escape for city dwellers who do not wish to travel to far from big cities such as Durham and North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh.Whether its the great fishing to be had on the river or the picturesque hikes that the park offers, Eno River State Park has something for everyone. This …

While Fairy Stone State Park might be famous for being home to the legendary stones after which it is named, there's much more for campers to enjoy in this beautiful area than just staurolite.Located 20 minutes northeast of Stuart in southern Virginia, this 4,700-acre park also boasts excellent swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting opportunities, as well as a scenic ten-mile trail network. If you like relaxing or getting active in the great outdoors, you'll find plenty to enjoy during your stay here.And with plenty of RV-friendly campsites to choose from, Fairy Stone State Park is the ideal spot for a magical RV camping getaway.

In the northwestern corner of North Carolina, Grandfather Mountain State Park is located on a mountain that was privately owned until 2008. The mountain can trace its literary history back to 1794 when Botanist Andre Michaux wrote that he’d climbed “the highest peak in all of North America.” Because of the mountain’s sharp edges and dramatic sweeping views, it often appears to be far taller than it actually is.When you book an RV in Avery County, you will find it is relatively easy to explore Grandfather Mountain State Park. Formed in 2008 after North Carolina acquired the 2,456-acre mountain, motorhome camping near the state park will give you access to the mountain, and many different ways to explore …

With spectacular mountain views and more outdoor activities than you can poke a stick at, Grayson Highlands State Park is one of Virginia's most-loved destinations. Located within the Jefferson National Forest, just a short drive from the North Carolina border, the park is a stone's throw from the highest peaks in the state: Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain.There's abundant natural beauty and breathtaking views seemingly everywhere you look, not to mention excellent hiking, stunning waterfalls, and great trout fishing. But the main attraction for many park visitors is the population of wild ponies — though they are technically wild, they're not shy about saying hello to the humans they meet.Grayson Highlands State Park also boasts an RV-friendly …