Epic Family RV Trip to Carowinds Theme Park

Ahh, the great outdoors and an RV road trip: a match made in heaven. Thankfully, Charlotte and North Carolina have these in abundance. You’ll find countless parks, beauty spots, and attractions around the state — not to mention one of America’s best amusement parks. Carowinds theme park showcases world-class rollercoasters, events, and activities all year long and has attracted guests for decades creating epic family trips. 

While RV road trips aren’t typically associated with theme park visits, Carowinds amusement park is an exception. Fantastic RV-friendly campgrounds, natural attractions, and facilities surround this theme park, just a short drive from uptown Charlotte; all the ingredients for a memorable family RV trip. 

Before heading out, you need to consider where to stay and where to rent an RV. Then, determine your route and choose the best things to do at Carowinds! 

Thankfully we’ve curated this guide on how to have the best family RV trip to Carowinds, so you spend less time planning and more time enjoying. Here’s everything you need to know.  

How to Get to Carowinds Amusement Park 

Carowinds theme park is located 20 minutes outside uptown Charlotte. You should take exit 90 off Carowinds Blvd on Interstate 77. Or pop “300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273” into Google Maps. The park straddles the border of North and South Carolina and is the only amusement park in America based in two states. This unique setting means you can also access the park on the southern side of the border, at Fort Mill. There are many ways to reach the park, but all directions are signposted. 

Best Time to Visit Carowinds 

As you’d expect from such a fantastic park, the place gets crazy busy. Super busy. We’re talking thousands upon thousands with hour-long queues, especially during summer weekends. When kids and parents are on vacation, the park can become packed, meaning you may spend more time queuing than riding the best roller coasters. 

To truly maximize your time and enjoy all the spoils of Carowinds, you could visit in July anytime after the July 4th weekend. Better still, choose a weekday, and you’ll almost have the place to yourself. The combination of perfect weather and subsiding crowds is the ideal recipe for a fun-filled day at Carowinds. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the park experiences its lowest visitor volumes. And with the park opening between 9 and 10 a.m. daily, you can be on your second ride before anyone else gets in! 

Best Things to Do at Carowinds Amusement Park 

Carowinds is 55 square miles — a large area with a lot to offer. From countless rides to fun events and exciting activities, you’d be hard-pressed to do it all in several trips, let alone one day. If you don’t have all the time in the world to chase coasters, don’t sweat it. We’ve narrowed it down, handpicking the best things to do at Carowinds. 

Fury 325 

An incredible roller coaster in every sense of the word, Fury 325 is one of the world’s fastest and tallest Giga Coasters. Yep, it’s that good! With an elevation of almost 400 ft and speeds of up to 95 mph, Fury will have you whizzing through the Carolina skies and maxing out your adrenaline levels. A large loop with a nerve-racking build-up, Fury 325 plunges downhill and fires you around a 360-degree loop of adrenaline-fueled excitement. A must-do ride for anyone visiting Carowinds. 

Copperhead Strike

Copperhead Strike is one of the newest rides in Carowinds and a fantastic addition. The Copperhead begins on a slow winding track, meandering through “Old Grannies Farm” and creating an eerie start to a ride. Suddenly, your pace explodes as you are shot unexpectedly out of a cannon. With a massive burst of speed, you go up and around the loop, coming back before you realize what’s happened. It is another must-ride and one of the best things to do at Carowinds. 

Nighthawk 

One of the park’s most unique rides, the Nighthawk has you lying 180 degrees on your back, looking up at the sky. It then takes you on a magical ride that feels like flying through the air. This unique ride is a top attraction you can’t afford to miss. If you’re staying at one of the many excellent RV parks surrounding the park, you might even score it with no queues. 

Hurler 

While the name suggests otherwise, the Hurler is the oldest ride in Carowinds. It is a wooden roller coaster that provides an incredibly unique riding experience. The Hurler has also stood the test of time and is still as fun to ride as it was 25 years ago. But don’t let the old-school style fool you; the Hurler is just as nerve-racking and fun as any other ride. While the speeds are technically slower than the new rides, the wooden construction will make you feel like you’re flying faster than ever. Either way, your adrenaline levels won’t know the difference. 

Events & Occasions 

In addition to the fantastic coasters, Carowinds showcases numerous events throughout the year. If you’re done with adrenaline-boosting activities for the day, check out the many cafes, restaurants, and daily activities throughout the park. There are always things to do at Carowinds. You can learn more about the Carowinds event schedule to find fun activities during your visit. 

Big events happen at different times. For example, the festive period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve sees the park transformed into a winter wonderland, a truly magical experience. WinterFest, the annual winter event, creates an incredible festive experience while providing all the features of the regular park. Put this event on your schedule if you’re visiting during winter!

Where to Camp in an RV at Carowinds

With so many RV parks in proximity, there are many places to stay to combine your Carowinds visit with a fantastic RV road trip. Here are the three best places, all a stone’s throw from the Carowinds entrance. 

Carowinds Camp Wilderness 

Part of Carowinds itself, the Carowinds Camp Wilderness is the best and most convenient RV camping spot. Within walking distance of the rides and with a separate entrance, this RV camping spot puts you in the perfect position to enjoy the park’s spoils at your leisure. 

Along with cabins and RV platforms, Carowinds Camp Wilderness offers a beautiful natural setting that complements the busy park grounds. The camp has all the necessary amenities, including free Wi-Fi, hot showers, and electric hookups. 

Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA Journey 

A mere 20 minutes from uptown Charlotte, the KOA Journey campground is another excellent spot when visiting Carowinds. With amenities including mini golf, hot showers, toilets, and a picnic pavilion, KOA has it all. There’s even an onsite pizza oven. Pull-through RV sites and after-hours check-ins make this spot a simple, easy, and stress-free Carowinds RV stay.  

Crown Cove RV Park 

With 166 sites, Crown Cove puts you in a natural setting where you can dip in and out of the park’s hustle and bustle. The area is quiet, and the park has outstanding facilities. The pet-friendly sites are also conveniently nestled between the amenities with easy access to Carowinds. Oh, and you’re close to some of the other best things to do in Charlotte, NC. 

P.S. No RV? No Problem. Rent an RV With RVnGO 

Without a doubt, Carowinds is a fantastic day out and is one of the best things to do in North Carolina. With numerous places to stay just a skip away from the action, you can enjoy a perfect mix of RV camping and fun-filled amusement park activity. 

If you’re looking to hire a luxury RV to make your family RV road trip to Carowinds fabulous, discover our range of luxury RVs, or give us a call.