From the excitement of racetracks to the natural beauty of state parks, North Carolina offers it all. The top three locations to rent an RV in the Tar Heel State include Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham. Class C motorhomes are popular with Charlotte renters. You can drive one to any attraction you want to visit and have space for up to seven or eight people. Class A motorhomes are larger and may have a slide-out that gives you even more space when you set up. Another option is a travel trailer as these vehicles are often more affordable and have lots of space.
The prices that you pay will depend on where you pick up your rental. Charlotte rentals range from $120 to $150 per night for a travel trailer to $200 or more for a motorhome. If you want to leave your car at home, a motorhome or campervan is a good option because these vehicles have their own motors. Durham rentals start at as little as $110 per night while Raleigh has rentals for $175 to $200 per night. All rentals provide beds for your family and friends along with basic appliances.
Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina and is named in honor of a German princess, which is also why many refer to it as "The Queen City." The NASCAR Hall of Fame is within the city limits and is close to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. If you're not a fan of racing, the Charlotte Museum of History or Billy Graham Library might appeal to you.
Nicknamed Bull City, Durham is in north-central North Carolina. Duke University is a popular draw in the city and sees thousands of fans come out for the men's basketball games. The Durham Bulls also play in the city and were a major plot point in the film “Bull Durham.”
Not far away from Durham is Greensboro, which is home to the Carolina Theater of Greensboro. This is where the Carolina Ballet performs, and you can see other shows. You can easily spend a few hours wandering through the Bicentennial Garden.
North Carolina visitors also head to Raleigh to see sites within the Research Triangle. The City of Raleigh Museum and Joel Lane House are some of its top attractions. You can also see the Carolina Hurricanes and Carolina Mudcats play at PNC Arena and Five County Stadium.
You will not want to travel through North Carolina without spending time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though the park sits within several states, it has an entrance in Cherokee, North Carolina. Park rangers are always available to answer your questions and give you directions. They host special programs and events that are open to all visitors such as tours that point out native wild animals and tours for stargazing.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has hiking trails that are open year-round such as a four-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail that takes you along cliffs. The Rainbow Falls Trail covers 2.7 miles and takes you to the falls of the same name where you can either turn back or continue another six miles to reach Mt. Le Conte. Other trails inside the park are suitable for kids and less experienced hikers.
Make sure that you stop by a visitors center to grab a map that helps you get around the park. The maps make it easy for you to find Clingmans Dome and other attractions in the park. You'll also find signs that direct you to the top sightseeing spots.
The most popular state parks in North Carolina include:
Jones Lake State Park: Covering more than 2,200 acres, this park features a small campground and has plenty of spots for picnicking and fishing.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: The reservoir in this park sits on 14,000 acres and offers numerous places to escape the crowds if you love swimming, boating, or fishing.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area: Kerr Lake Recreation Area also has a large reservoir that is close to seven campgrounds and acres of woods that you can explore.
Lake Norman State Park: You won't want to miss the scenic views of Lake Norman at this park, which boasts almost 40 miles of biking and hiking trails.
Medoc Mountain State Park: This park is easy to reach from Raleigh and has the challenging Pyrite Loop Trail and six other trails.
Merchants Millpond State Park: You might see alligators and other wild animals at this state park, which also has nine miles of trails that take you around the swamp and pond areas.
Morrow Mountain State Park: This park sits on land used by Native Americans for generations and provides access to both the Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery.
New River State Park: The New River is a National Wild and Scenic River that runs through this park and is a popular place to fish for trout and bass.
Pettigrew State Park: You can explore a restored plantation house at this park and see all of the plantation buildings before kayaking or canoeing down the river.
Pilot Mountain State Park: The mild climate and campsites for canoers and families make this park popular with many visitors.
The Tar Heel State has some great campgrounds such as Lake James State Park. Many of the spots in the Paddy's Creek Area are easy to reach and give you convenient access to the lake. The park also has 30 spots that you can only reach via canoe or kayak.
Lake Powhatan Campground is part of Pisgah National Forest and puts you close to attractions within the forest. This campground has some shady spots for tent campers and full hookups if you bring an RV along, with glamping options for those who prefer luxurious amenities.
The Cherokee KOA puts you close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has a year-round swimming pool and full hookups that help you get the most from your RV. A hot tub and sauna are great for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. You'll also find a camp store that sells propane and other essentials.
There are tons of things for your family to do in Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe's. With nearly 200 campsites, this campground accommodates all types of visitors and their vehicles. It has a water play park and miniature golf course as well as an ice cream stand and athletic complex.
Some of the top RV dump stations in North Carolina include the one at Triangle RV Park in Durham. You have the option of paying $10 to use the station if you aren't a guest or using it for free when you spend the night. The Lake Powhatan Recreation Area charges a small fee to use its dump station, which you pay when you pass through the entrance. When choosing a dump station, be sure to consider the hours of operation and whether they offer clean rinse water.
North Carolina State Fair: Taking place annually in October, this fair boasts tons of live entertainment and fun rides.
Statesville Pumpkin Festival: You'll find tons of pumpkin dishes on the menu at this October festival in Statesville, which also has live entertainment and contests.
Bank of America ROVAL 400: NASCAR drivers drive 400 miles on this track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, and fans can watch the excitement from their seats or check out the souvenir trucks.
Winter Wonderland Craft Show: This November show in Mebane makes it easy for you to find holiday gifts and decorations for your home.
Jacksonville Winterfest: Jacksonville comes to life in December with this winter festival that has ice skating and sledding. There is even a shuttle so that you can avoid traffic.
Community Holiday Light Show: Pay a small fee to drive through Danville and see all of the holiday lights and decorations on display with hot chocolate available at the end from the beginning of December through Christmas.
Christmas in the Country: Rocky Point welcomes guests to Old Homestead Farm from the end of November through the beginning of January to see Christmas light shows and meet Santa.
North Carolina has plenty of landmarks and monuments that are worth visiting on your trip such as Clingmans Dome. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, the dome has a path that you follow to reach an observation deck that takes you more than 4,000 feet in the air and greets you with stunning vistas in all directions.
The Biltmore Estate is a former private home that is now open to the public. At 8,000 acres, it ranks as the country's largest estate. Plan to spend some time walking through the museum in the house and just as much time exploring the landscaped grounds outside.
Mount Mitchell is North Carolina's highest point and is located in Mount Mitchell State Park. While you can hike to the top, you also have the option of climbing to the summit.
Pisgah National Forest is where you'll find Looking Glass Falls. Known as one of the most beautiful falls in the state, it has picnicking spots. Many visitors also like taking a dip in the water.
There's also Sliding Rock in Asheville where you can climb to the top and take a thrilling ride down the rock. Be sure to keep blankets nearby as the water is quite cold.
1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
+919196126767
8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed in October
On average expect to pay $142 per night in North Carolina.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in North Carolina?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in North Carolina from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in North Carolina?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in North Carolina?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in North Carolina.
