North Carolina Transportation Museum
Facility · North Carolina ·
Managed by the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program
- 744 ft
- Elevation
The North Carolina Transportation Museum at Historic Spencer Shops is located on the site of what was once Southern Railway Company's largest steam locomotive servicing facility. Begun in 1896 at a point roughly half-way between Washington and Atlanta, Spencer Shops and the town of Spencer, NC, were both named for Samuel Spencer, the first President of Southern Railway. It now houses examples of a variety of forms of transportation, including an antique automobile exhibit, and a 120,000 square foot locomotive roundhouse that has recently undergone a major restoration. Please note that Senior Access passes can not be picked up at the North Carolina Transportation Museum.
Getting there
35.68716, -80.43392 · 35°41'13.8"N 80°26'2.1"W
Typical weather
Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 50°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50 | 54 | 62 | 72 | 78 | 85 | 88 | 86 | 81 | 72 | 61 | 53 |
| Low °F | 29 | 32 | 38 | 48 | 56 | 65 | 69 | 67 | 61 | 48 | 37 | 32 |
| Precip in | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about North Carolina Transportation Museum
- Can you reserve a site at North Carolina Transportation Museum?
- No. North Carolina Transportation Museum is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near North Carolina Transportation Museum
- King's Mountain Point Picnic Pavilion (NC) 25.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Badin Lake Campground 25.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Badin Lake Group Camp 26 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Arrowhead Campground 26.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Canebrake Horse Camp 27.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Badin Lake Recreation Area 26 mi · Facility
- Cove Boat Ramp 26.6 mi · Facility
- Flintlock Valley Shooting Range 27.3 mi · Facility
- Art Lilley Campground 28 mi · Campground
- Uwharrie Hunt Camp 29.1 mi · Campground
- West Morris Mtn. Campground 30.5 mi · Campground
- The Graylyn Estate 32 mi · Facility
Contact
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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