tent pad for setting up your shelter. There are also on-site showers and bathrooms to make sure roughing it doesn’t become too rough. “The park is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts wanting a full weekend adventure,” said Superintendent Greg Schneider. Visitors will find areas to swim, fish, hike, ride bikes, and rent boats, all within the park’s 1900-acre property. “You can get it all over here on Lake Norman,” said Schneider, who added that they hold educational programs and discovery hikes on the weekends. The park also has areas for groups of 10-25 and larger parties to eat and set up camp. The park advertises free Wi-Fi, but you won’t find power or television hookups. It’s the perfect excuse to let your cell phones die and reconnect with the world around you.
There’s a Camp for That If you’re looking for proof that no aspect of modern life is safe from technology’s rapid advancement, even the old-fashion art of camping has been turned into an app. And in this case, it seems like a suitable tool for those looking to pitch their tents somewhere new. Hickory resident Jacob Faltermayer owns Living the Dream Farm in Hickory, a large piece of property with a barn and horseback riding ring. Eventually, Jacob wants to turn the land into a dude ranch. As a way to give the hospitality industry a try, he’s on Hipcamp.com, a property-sharing app that lets landowners rent out campsites. Faltermayer’s listing, called Sunset Hill, typically books for $20 per night, per tent. The concept, said Faltermayer, is the same as staying at a listing on Airbnb, a room-sharing app that he prefers to use over staying at a hotel. “I’ve stayed at other sites on Hipcamp,” he said. “If I’m traveling, I’d prefer to stay at an Airbnb, because I know the care people put into the property where you’re staying.”
What S’more Could you Ask For? While Schneider said most campers come prepared, he has been asked to help when vital items have been left at home. “I’ve had people knock on my door at two in the morning asking me for marshmallows,” Schneider said with a laugh. “More than anything, it’s important to bring the right expectations. You’ll see deer wandering through your campsite and raccoons sniffing around your coolers. Just be well aware that you’re going to see wildlife.”
Photos:
Above–Lake Norman State Park’s Visitor Center, on-site shower and bathrooms, and campsite with a lake view (Photos by Aaron Garcia) 32
IREDELL LIVING • MAY 2019
With so many campsites popping up across Iredell and Catawba counties these days, it’s easier to experience the great outdoors now more than ever. “You don’t need to wander too far from home,” said Faltermayer.