North Carolina is an absolutely gorgeous state. The hiking trails here are some of the best in the country, and we can’t get over the views found within the mountains and on the beautiful beaches. Another fantastic thing about this state? North Carolina amusement parks!
There are a huge number of fabulous amusement parks in North Carolina—so many, in fact, that one could easily plan an entire trip around the theme parks there. Hoping to do just that? We’re here to help!
North Carolina Amusement Parks
Let’s start by narrowing down your North Carolina amusement park options. You see, there are so many amusement parks in North Carolina that choosing just a few for your trip is probably going to be overwhelming.
To make things easier, we’ve narrowed the list down to the top 10 amusement parks in the state. Choose from this list and you’re sure to have an amazing trip:
- Carowinds
- Deadwood
- Frankie’s Fun Park
- Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
- Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
- Tweetsie Railroad
- Great Wolf Lodge Concord
- Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark
- H2OBX Waterpark
- Lions Water Adventure
Of course, you will want to know more than just the names of the parks you plan to visit. Below, we’ve given more information on each of these North Carolina amusement parks so you can go in well prepared for your theme park adventure!
Carowinds and Carolina Harbor
The biggest amusement Park in North Carolina, Carowinds in Charlotte is run by Cedar Fair, and it is just as amazing as the rest of the Cedar Fair parks out there. From thrilling coasters to adorable kiddie rides, you’re sure to find something for everyone at this fantastic park.
Some of the best attractions in Carowinds are Afterburn, Carolina Cyclone, Nighthawk, and Carolina Goldrusher. All of them are amazing roller coasters that thrill seekers are sure to love. Gentler favorites include The Grand Carousel and the Zephyr swings.
Looking for something for the little ones in your group? Be sure to check out the many Peanuts-themed rides. We also love the “Charlie Brown’s Wind Up” swings, as well as the Flying Ace Balloon Race. Brave kids also appreciate the Kiddy Hawk coaster.
Finally, we must mention Carolina Harbor, a water park located right next to Carowinds. Admission to the water park is included with your Carowinds tickets, and the place boasts water slides, a lazy river, kid water play areas, and more.
RV Camping Near Carowinds
One of the best things about visiting Carowinds is the ability to camp right on park property. That’s right, Carowinds runs their own campground, meaning you can park your RV right in the middle of the action! This gives you the opportunity to have theme park fun from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.
Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort — This park offers large, full-hookup sites. There are shuttles to Carowinds park, meaning you won’t have to drive at all during your getaway. Other campground amenities include a pool, a volleyball court, an arcade, clean restrooms with showers, and more.
Planning Your Trip to Carowinds
Day tickets to Carowinds start at just $35. As mentioned before, these tickets include access to both the traditional rides at Carowinds itself as well as the water rides in Carolina Harbor. Discount tickets are available for members of the military, and season passes are an option for those who will visit regularly.
Outside food and drink are not allowed in the park, but in-park dining options are available. Rental strollers and wheelchairs are available if needed. Parking costs $20 per car.
Deadwood
An interesting sort of amusement park, Deadwood is a unique family-run attraction that we absolutely recommend adding to your North Carolina itinerary. This Western-themed park is located in Williamston and includes several interesting touches.
First, we must mention the dinner theater attraction at this park. This is probably the most popular part of the park, and for good reason. Attendees are treated to a wonderful meal and an interactive performance of an Old West trial, which requires the audience to act as jurors.
Of course, the dinner theater is far from the only thing to do in Deadwood. There are also train rides, a roller coaster, and mini golf. Themed train rides are available for Halloween and Christmas. Additionally, there is an amazing steakhouse and a saloon with live entertainment onsite.
RV Camping Near Deadwood
We think RV camping is the best lodging option no matter where you’re going. That said, when you’re visiting a Wild West theme park, it really does make sense to stick with the theme and make your trip a camping adventure.
Farm Country Campground — Of course, you will need someplace to park your RV while you’re there. That’s where Farm Country Campground comes into play. This lovely little campground is clean, green, and a wonderful place to stay. You’ll have full hookups, friendly staff that are happy to help, and more. Best of all, the rates cannot be beat!
Planning Your Trip to Deadwood
There is no admission fee at Deadwood. The dinner theater performance is a very reasonable $30 for adults and $15 for kids aged 12 and under. Meanwhile, the rides and mini golf are just $3 per person. Want to experience the Halloween- or Christmas-themed train rides? You’ll pay a bit more for those, but they are well worth it.
Frankie’s Fun Park
A small local chain of family fun centers, Frankie’s Fun Park is an excellent place to go for a good time. The chain has locations in Raleigh, Charlotte, and three different South Carolina cities, and all five are worth visiting.
Mini golf is one of the many things to do at these parks. The courses are unique and tons of fun, making this an ideal family activity. Go-karts are another great option, and there are a variety of different go-kart experiences to choose from.
Other fun things to do in the parks include bumper cars, batting cages, bumper boats, ropes courses, arcade games, and kiddie rides. Laser tag is available for older kids and teens, and the Hyperdeck and the XD Dark Ride both offer immersive experiences unlike anything you’ve seen before.
RV Camping Near Frankie’s Fun Park
The best place to stay while visiting either of the North Carolina Frankie’s Fun Park locations? In an RV, of course! Staying in your RV means you’ll be comfortable no matter where you land. It also means you can hop from one Frankie’s location to the other in the blink of an eye!
North Carolina State Fairgrounds — We mentioned a Charlotte RV campground above, but what if you want to visit the park in Raleigh? In this case, we actually recommend staying at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. This is a basic park, but it offers grassy sites with shade and full hookups. Plus, the price is right, making this a great place to park if you aren’t looking for anything fancy.
Rent an RV near Frankie’s Fun Park!
Planning Your Trip to Frankie’s Fun Park
While you won’t pay to enter Frankie’s Fun Park locations, you will have to pay for the attractions individually. These range in prices from $3–$10. We actually prefer this because it means we can have fun without breaking the bank.
Food is available onsite. In fact, there are two dining locations in each park. These include a cafe and a lounge. Guests are expected to eat at these onsite restaurants if they plan to dine while at the park, and outside food is not allowed.
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
How about some water park fun? Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park in Wilmington is the place to go for swimming, sliding, and a wonderful time keeping cool while soaking up the sun. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or someone who likes to chill beside the pool, there is something for you in this park.
The Superbowl, the Sidewinder, the Rapid Racer, and the Volcano are the main water slide attractions at this park. There are also two body slides for those looking for even more thrills. Families love the lazy river and the wave pool, and little ones appreciate the kiddie play areas.
Want more than just water park attractions? Jungle Rapids has you covered. Other activities at the park include laser tag, an arcade, mini bowling, mini golf, a rock climbing wall, and more!
RV Camping Near Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Obviously, you will want to bring an RV along on your Jungle Rapids adventure. This will ensure you’re nice and comfy at the end of a long day of water park fun. The only question? Where to park the rig while you play and sleep.
Wilmington KOA Holiday — Our favorite Wilmington RV park is the Wilmington KOA Holiday. This is an awesome KOA park with plenty of activities and amenities, ensuring the whole family is happy to be there. The pool is beautiful and inviting, the sites are large and offer full hookups, and there are planned activities put on by the park throughout the year.
Rent an RV near Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park!
Planning Your Trip to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Admission to just the water park is $44 ($34 for those under 48 inches tall). That said, there are package deals that are perfect for those who want to do other activities in addition to the water park.
We especially like the “all in” deal which gets you the water park, two activities, two slices of pizza, and a 16 oz drink for $55. Another good deal? The “after 4” deal that gets you water park access from 4pm–6pm for only $25.
No outside food or drink is allowed in the park, but there is a picnic area available in the parking lot for those who want to leave for a quick picnic lunch. There is also food available onsite. Parking is free!
Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park in Greensboro is another fantastic North Carolina water park option. In fact, many locals claim this is their favorite water park in the state, and once you visit you’ll understand why. It is clean, well kept, and offers plenty of fun to fill an entire day. What’s not to love?
Some of the best attractions in this park include a vertical drop slide called Bombs Away, as well as the well-themed Dragon’s Den slide. Families love riding the Runaway Raft Ride together, and friends enjoy racing down the Riptide Racer. Of course, you can’t miss Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, which includes a 40-foot drop, vertical banks, 360-degree spins, and some awesome visual effects!
Have kiddos with you? You’ll want to make sure to check out Splash Island, the Soak Zone splash pad, and Happy Harbor. Additionally, the whole family will want to meet up for some time in the Shipwreck Cove play area, the Thunder Bay wave pool, and the Lazee River.
RV Camping Near Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Pack up the RV because you’re going to want to bring it along on your North Carolina getaway! This will allow you to see more of the state without unpacking and packing every few days, and it’ll ensure you feel comfortable and at home in each and every place you park.
Oak Hollow Family Campground — When it comes to places to park an RV in Greensboro, we have to recommend Oak Hollow Family Campground. This is a wonderful campground with friendly staff. The sites are large and shaded, and the amenities include full hookups, a pool, and a pond onsite.
Rent an RV near Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park!
Planning Your Trip to Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
The gate price for Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe tickets is $59.99. That said, you can save over 25% by selecting your dates and buying in advance online. Another way to save? Buy a season pass and visit multiple times over the summer.
Parking is $20 per vehicle at this park. You’ll also want to budget to eat at one of the onsite dining locations, as Wet ’n Wild Emerald Pointe does not allow outside food and drink. A changing area, lockers, and showers are all available.
Tweetsie Railroad
Another Wild West-themed park, Tweetsie Railroad is located in Blowing Rock and is perfect for train-lovers of all ages. If you’ll be in the area, don’t miss this fantastic and unique park that is sure to provide long-lasting memories for every member of your family.
The main attractions at Tweetsie Railroad are of course the train rides and the steam locomotive shop. There are two different historic trains that run on the tracks in the park, and both are worth learning about. Regular non-themed rides are offered on both trains all year long. During the Halloween season, ghost train rides are offered, and during the Christmas season there is a Christmas train ride that features hundreds of colorful lights.
Besides the train rides, Tweetsie Railroad also features plenty of live entertainment, a small zoo, opportunities for gem mining and panning for gold, an arcade, a playground, shopping opportunities, and lots of kiddie and family rides.
RV Camping Near Tweetsie Railroad
Where will you stay when visiting Tweetsie Railroad? In your trailer or motorhome, of course! Pack your RV up and get ready for an excellent adventure in Blowing Rock, NC.
Honey Bear Campground — One of the best places to park an RV while visiting the Blowing Rock area? Honey Bear Campground. This campground is just minutes from Tweetsie Railroad, features full-hookup sites, and has plenty of shade. Best of all the rates are very reasonable, meaning you can stay a while without breaking the bank!
Rent an RV near Tweetsie Railroad!
Planning Your Trip to Tweetsie Railroad
General admission to this park is $58 for adults and $39 for those aged 3–12. Kids under 3 years of age enter for free. General admission includes non-themed train rides. Season passes are available.
Parking at Tweetsie Railroad is 100% free! Outside food is allowed, but there are also dining location inside the park for those who prefer not to pack a meal.
Great Wolf Lodge Concord
Hoping to have some water park fun during the colder months? You’re in luck because Great Wolf Lodge Concord allows you to do just that! You see, this water park is 100% indoors and the pools are all heated to a very comfortable temperature. This means you can enjoy all the swimming and slides you like without ever feeling cold.
Looking for thrills while visiting this park? You’ll definitely want to check out the Howlin’ Tornado bowl slide. Meanwhile, those who prefer something a little bit milder might try the double tube slide called Alberta Falls. River Canyon Run is an awesome raft ride that is perfect for families and friends, and siblings enjoy racing one another down the Mountain Edge Raceway.
Young swimmers will love Cub Paw Pool, and slightly older kids will appreciate the massive Fort Mackenzie water play area. Be sure the whole family gets a chance to spend time in Chinook Cove together!
RV Camping Near Great Wolf Lodge Concord
You might think the only way to visit the Great Wolf Lodge water park is to stay in the onsite hotel. However, this isn’t actually the case. Day guests are totally welcome at the waterpark, and we find we much prefer staying in our RV and paying to play for the day.
Yates Family Campground — Not sure where to park the RV so you can play for a day at Great Wolf Lodge? Why not give Yates Family Campground a try? This awesome little campground has everything you need, including full-hookup campsites. The rates are incredible, the location is awesome, and the staff are always happy to help!
Rent an RV near Great Wolf Lodge Concord!
Planning Your Trip to Great Wolf Lodge Concord
As mentioned above, day passes passes for Great Wolf Lodge Concord are available. These can be bought online. Children aged 2 and under enter for free. All others can expect to pay between $50 and $115 for a full day of fun, or between $40 and $92 for a half-day beginning at 4pm. Promo codes are sometimes available to reduce the price of day passes.
Lockers are available to day guests, as are onsite dining locations. Keep in mind that outside food is not allowed.
Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark
An unusual water park that allows you to enjoy the great outdoors while also getting in some water park fun, Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark in Lake Lure is actually set on a natural lake. The lake includes a lovely beach that is perfect for relaxing, swimming, and sand play, but this is far from the only thing you’ll find there.
The most exciting attraction at Lake Lure? The two enclosed waterslides. These slides both zip riders quickly along and plop them right into the lake water. Riding one is an exhilarating experience and leaves you feeling cool, refreshed, and ready for more fun.
For little ones, there is a splash pad. This super fun water play area includes water sprayers, dump buckets, and some interactive elements. It is colorful and inviting, and kids love it.
Other fun attractions at this park include sand volleyball and Water Wars, a water balloon battle game that is sure to result in some laughs.
RV Camping Near Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark
No visit to the lake is complete without at least a couple of nights of camping. This is why you really must take the RV when you visit Lake Lure. This will allow you to fully enjoy the outdoors during your getaway.
Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground — The best place to stay near Lake Lure? We really like Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground. This park is located on the river, offering awesome views. It’s also super close to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Sites offer full hookups and there are clean restrooms with showers available.
Rent an RV near Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark!
Planning Your Trip to Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark
One of the best things aboutLake Lure Beach and Waterpark is the admission fee. You see, this is one of the least expensive water parks around. Adults pay only $10, seniors pay $9, kids aged 4–12 pay $8, and those under 4 years old are free. This cost includes both the beach and the water park for the entire day.
There is an onsite beach house that sells towels, chairs, sunscreen, and more.
H2OBX Waterpark
Yet another wonderful North Carolina water park, we think H2OBX is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day. Located in Powells Point, it’s a great addition to an Outer Banks vacation, but can also be the destination all on its own.
Attractions at this park include thrill slides such as Paradise Plunge, The Plank, and Dune Runner. Family attractions like Queen Anne’s Revenge and the wave pool add to the fun, and the Endless Wave FlowRider is perfect for visitors looking for a challenge.
Have small children with you? They are sure to love Sand Pail Beach where they’ll find itty bitty slides just for them, and Calico Jack’s Cove is perfect for slightly older kids. Finally, those who just want to relax are sure to love the lazy river.
RV Camping Near H2OBX Waterpark
RV camping will always be the best way to visit the Outer Banks! Therefore, taking an RV with you to visit H2OBX is pretty much a must. That said, you will need a place to park. Enter the RV park listed below.
OBX Campground — Easily the best RV park in the Outer Banks, OBX Campground has large, level, full-hookup sites. The location is ideal, as it is near tons of awesome activities and attractions, including the beach and H2OBX Waterpark. Of course, the awesome staff make the campground even better!
Rent an RV near H2OBX Waterpark!
Planning Your Trip to H2OBX Waterpark
General admission tickets for those under 42 inches tall and those aged 65 and older are $28.99. Those under 65 years old and over 42” tall will pay $38.99. You can get discounted tickets if you start your visit after 3pm, and military and first responders are offered discounts as well.
No outside food is allowed in H2OBX Waterpark. There are restaurants in the park in case you get hungry. Parking is free and rental lockers are available.
Lions Water Adventure
Lastly, we must mention Lions Water Adventure in Kinston, NC. This is an awesome, African safari-themed water park that offers amazing attractions for all ages. It isn’t the biggest park in the world, but it is clean, easy to navigate, and has enough wonderful attractions that you could easily fill a day here.
Lions Adventure features three large water slides. The Zebra Slide is an open slide that twists and turns, sending you gently gliding into the water. Those looking for a more intense ride might prefer the Lion Slide, which features a large drop and a plunge through the lion’s mouth and into a pool. Finally, there is the low-splash slide, which is a little bit less intense but still just as fun.
Besides the water slides, Lions Water Adventure also features Kiddie Lagoon, a large water play area that your kids won’t want to leave. The lazy river is the perfect place to relax, and the lap pool gives you a place to do some serious swimming.
RV Camping Near Lions Water Adventure
Wondering where you’ll stay while visiting Lions Water Adventure? In your RV, of course! Choosing to take your RV with you means you can relax in the privacy of your own home-on-wheels after a long day of play.
Neuseway Nature Park — A great place to park your RV when visiting Kinston, Neuseway Nature Park offers RV sites in a lovely, green park setting. There are full-hookup sites and primitive sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, but sites are almost always available. The best part? These sites are very inexpensive, meaning a budget vacation and thus having more money for more adventures.
Rent an RV near Lions Water Adventure!
Planning Your Trip to Lions Water Adventure
Admission to Lions Water Adventure is totally affordable! Guests should expect to pay $10 per person Monday through Thursday, and $15 per person Friday through Sunday. Children aged 2 and under enter free of charge.
There are lockers and changing areas available in the park. Snacks and grilled food items are also available for purchase, so come hungry and budget for a meal!
Yes, there are a good number of amusement parks in North Carolina. In fact, the parks listed above are just the beginning. If you want more theme park fun, try searching “amusement parks near me” once you check into your North Carolina campground. We’re guessing you’ll uncover even more fantastic North Carolina amusement parks!
Hoping to visit more than just theme parks while in the state? Not to worry! There are tons of other things to do in North Carolina. The articles linked below offer a whole slew of great suggestions so you can plan an epic trip that you won’t soon forget:
