A Week of Day Trips from Kings Mountain

Monday morning, the rig is level, the hookups are connected and there is nothing to haul anywhere. That is the best moment of an RV week, and the best use of it is to leave the trailer where it sits and drive off with a thermos and a plan. Bull Run RV Park in Kings Mountain sits right outside Charlotte, in Cleveland County, so a week-long stay opens up a surprising number of day trips. Here is one way to spread them out.

Day one: stay put

Resist the urge to sightsee on arrival day. The drive in is about half a mile of paved road past cattle pastures, and the park sits on 112 acres with hiking and mountain bike trails, so a first-evening walk is a fine way to stretch out after a tow. Check in, level up, hook up, and look around the grounds. Trails, picnic shelters and fire pits are all part of what the park lists. Campfires are allowed in the designated fire pits and rings, and chainsaws, axes and splitting firewood are not.

Day two: Crowders Mountain State Park

The park lists Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County as one of its nearby attractions: more than 5,000 acres with hiking, climbing and the Ridgeline Trail. It is a good first outing because it is outdoors and it keeps the day simple. Pack water, wear real shoes, and check the park's own site for trail conditions and hours before you go, since conditions change.

Day three: Carowinds

Carowinds is an amusement park with more than 60 rides and a waterpark. It is the kind of place that rewards a full day and a plan: go early, eat before the lines peak, and pick two or three rides that matter most to the group. Ticket prices, hours and seasons belong to Carowinds, so look them up before you commit a whole day.

Day four: two Charlotte museums

Charlotte puts a great deal within a short span. The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Discovery Place Science are both on Bull Run's list of nearby attractions, and they pair well on a single day, particularly a gray or wet one. The Hall of Fame suits the racing fan in your rig. Discovery Place Science is a better fit for anybody who travels with kids, or likes to poke at things. Both have their own hours, so check ahead.

Day five: U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte covers about 1,300 acres and lists more than 30 activities, so the main decision is how much to attempt. Pick a couple, leave time for the rest to be a maybe, and bring a change of clothes if there is any chance of getting wet. Reserve what needs reserving ahead of time through the center itself.

Day six: a slower day

Seven days in a row of sightseeing wears everyone out. Day six can be a short Charlotte stop at the Billy Graham Library, then home in time for supper. Or it can be a visit to Catawba Two Kings Casino, which the park says is just 8 minutes from Bull Run and lists with more than 900 slots. That is the only drive time the park gives, so for everything else, use your own map. If you are curious about the Foothills Public Shooting Complex in Cleveland County, keep in mind that Bull Run itself does not allow fireworks, weapons, hunting or target shooting on the property. The public complex runs on its own rules.

Day seven: back to the trails

Save the last day for the property itself. The park describes three miles of trails and a one-acre spring-fed pond. Be aware that the pond is not open for fishing yet, and the park says updates will come later, so plan your walk around the trees and pasture instead. Bring the dog if you have one. The park allows up to two cats or dogs per site, on a leash, and it asks for shot records at check-in.

Small things that keep a week running smoothly

• Check each place's hours and tickets before you drive, since seasons and closures change
• Charlotte traffic can slow down a trip, so leave earlier than you think you need to
• Keep a cooler and a full water bottle in the truck, because day trips often run long
• Mind the quiet hours when you come home late: 11 PM to 7 AM, with a 5 MPH limit inside the park
• Tell the park if anyone in your group will arrive separately, as each site allows two vehicles besides the RV

None of these outings needs to be rigid. Treat the week as a menu, order what sounds good, and leave the weather room to rearrange things. The advantage of a base camp is that tomorrow can always change. To plan your own stay, call the park at (704) 685-6437 and ask about open dates.