Best Tent Camping near Albemarle, NC

Tent camping near Albemarle, North Carolina provides access to several primitive and established campgrounds within the Uwharrie National Forest, located approximately 20 miles southwest of town. Deep Water Trail Camp in Troy offers free walk-in tent sites along the Yadkin River, while Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides rustic tent camping with basic amenities. East Morris Mountain Camp features tent-only sites on a secluded fire trail, making it ideal for those seeking a more remote backcountry tent camping experience. Lake Curriher Wilderness, situated north of Albemarle, offers tent campsites in a quieter setting with access to fishing and hiking trails.

Most primitive tent camping options near Albemarle require visitors to bring all necessary supplies. Deep Water Trail Camp has no potable water, requiring campers to pack in their own drinking water. The access roads to many of these tent sites are unpaved and can be challenging during wet conditions. According to reviews, vehicles with higher clearance are recommended for reaching the waterfront sites at Deep Water Trail Camp. Fire rings constructed of rocks are available at most primitive sites, and fires are permitted when conditions allow. Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides more amenities with drinking water, toilets, and trash disposal for a $5 nightly fee. East Morris Mountain Camp is only open during hunting season and offers minimal facilities beyond fire pits.

The tent camping experience in this region is characterized by secluded sites and proximity to water recreation. One camper noted that Deep Water Trail Camp is "really remote and FREE" with "lots of trails and wildlife." The terrain varies from open fields to wooded areas, with some tent sites offering riverside locations ideal for fishing. Sandhills Campground B, located further south, provides another primitive tent-only option where campers must "bring all your own EVERYTHING." Lake Curriher Wilderness offers a more developed tent camping experience with an open field tent loop, though privacy is limited. Visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles, as several reviews mention issues with trash left at the more remote tent campsites.

Best Tent Sites Near Albemarle, North Carolina (9)

    1. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    7 miles
    Website

    "I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go."

    "First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."

    2. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails."

    "My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park. After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."

    3. Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Too much trash left by previous campers"

    "Thankfully some campers nearby helped me rearrange my direction and get me out of the mud, but I still don’t know how I’m going to make it back out of here 😬. This might be my forever home?!"

    4. East Morris Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."

    5. Lake Tillery Family Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 985-3700

    $35 - $65 / night

    6. Woodrun

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    7. Lake Curriher Wilderness

    4 Reviews
    China Grove, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 857-4114

    $10 - $30 / night

    "It’s the quietest stay we’ve had yet, and we go camping nearly every weekend. I will say, having the ADA tent site makes a huge difference."

    "Very close to my home. I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can’t seem to pick up after themselves. The cabins here are also great."

    8. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

    9. Sandhills Campground B

    1 Review
    Pinebluff, NC
    45 miles
    +1 (910) 281-3917

    "This is a campground located in the Sandhills Gamelands in NC. If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Albemarle, NC

416 Reviews of 9 Albemarle Campgrounds


  • A
    Oct. 27, 2021

    West Morris Mtn.

    Individual campsites

    Several individual campsites. Has trash bins located throughout the loop. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. No electric and no water. All spots are full shade.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Badin Lake Campground

    A relaxing lakeside atmosphere

    Uwharrie National Forest-Badin Lake Campground, New London, NC.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48934 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368418.pdf

    Campground Overview: 34 sites, two loops...upper loop and lakeside loop. Relatively large sites with vegetation that blocks constant view of neighbors. 

    Each site has a gravel parking pad and separate gravel tent pad, a standing charcoal grill, firepit with adjustable grate, a picnic table and a metal pole for hanging lanterns, etc. I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site. Note: There are warnings that online reservations take precedence, so if you use the Iron Ranger payment drop chute and someone reserved the same campsite...you will be required to move to a different location when the online reservation campers arrive. Just so you know.

    No electric. 

    Oddly, no firewood for sale...although scrounging produced plenty of things and fallen branches to keep a fire going.

    I preferred the lower loop as nearly every outer site was on the lake with great views and lake access and sites are spread out. The inside sites of the lower loop are pretty spacious and deep. Water spigots were spaced out around the loop, so a short walk as we were equal distance between two. 

    Restroom/showerhouses were quad door buildings. Separate men’s and women’s restrooms and two separate shower rooms. Facilities were kept clean and stocked by resident hosts. 

    With Verizon, I never lost signal...a plus for a National Forest!

    The upper loop appeared to offer a little more solitude than the lower lake loop...but no lake views. 

    The lake loop trail crosses the main campground roadway between the two loops. This trail is relatively flat and meanders around the lake and it’s many fingers...offering lovely lake views and some nice fishing locations. 

    During my midweek visit it was quiet day and night. The sunset across the lake was gorgeous and relaxing. Loud powerboat noise was minimal as only a couple bass boats thought it essential to travel at high speeds from location to location. Next visit my canoe and mountain one will accompany me. 

    What I enjoyed: as much as I dislike tree rats, I was entertained by two feuding squirrels that chased each other relentlessly and knocking each other out of tree tops. Woodpecker and Turkey wake up calls. 

    For a National Forest, I was surprised by the level of daytime industrial noise nearby. 

    Overall, a fantastic location relatively close to Raleigh/Durham and Fayetteville for a great camping getaway. I was only able to stay one night as the campground was booked, all reserved in advance. So plan ahead.

  • Sarah G.
    May. 30, 2018

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Lots of activities for family camping

    We had 4 families with children on 1 RV and 3 non-electric tent sites over Memorial Day weekend. Even though the park was at max capacity, it didn’t feel crowded or swarming. The facilities and activities at Morrow Mountain are awesome - a huge, clean pool; canoe rental from a well-maintained boathouse; hikes of various lengths; slightly aged but clean and cared for bath houses; and (our favorite) a gorgeous mountain top picnic shelter (A), which we rented due to a rainy forecast. Great place for family camping. Sites are nicely spaced, but by no means are they private or secluded. Staff were very friendly, but the no alcohol rule is a bummer. If you want to be alone in the woods, Morrow Mountain is not for you. Its also worth noting the climate is much more like south central NC (hot and super humId) and nothIng like the cool mountain air in Western NC. But if your looking for a fun, interactive family or group camping weekend, it’s the perfect spot!

  • R
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Moonshine Creek Campground

    Top Notch

    This is an excellent campground! It’s really woodsy and the creek is fabulous. Nice laundry facilities. Especially nice are the tent sites. They seem to have some of the most scenic spots. The Sanctuary area is awesome and the tent sites are right on the creek. It is for those with no pets or kids and is limited to 2 people per site. It’s a quiet zone. There is one tent cabin and 4 tent sites with water and electric. You CAN park at your sites. We weren’t sure before if it was a walk in area. The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers.Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing. It’s all in excellent condition. Very nice picnic tables too. They were easy to wipe off. Sites S1-3 have an awning/ shelter. S4 does not but is much larger. S4 is higher up so you look down on the creek. It is more off by itself. S1 even has access to a 2nd picnic table close to the creek. It is the smallest as far as tent space. We would love to visit again!

  • Marlene L.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Badin Lake Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Great spot, really calm and quiet and right on the lake. Perfect for non-partying types (no alcohol allowed). Showers, bathrooms, trash, fire pit, and grill all available. The host was professional and kind to us, even brought us some extra fire wood.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2017

    Cane Creek Park

    Cane Creek county Park

    This review is probably not representative of what will be many people’s experience or opportunity, as I visited in November in the off season, albeit an unusually warm weekday! Cane Creek Park is a county park that is of state park caliber. It is located south and east of the town of waxhaw, and an easy drive from Charlotte. It is a large park on both sid s of a large lake, beautifully maintained, clearly with a variety of family recreational activities that are surely heavily used in the high season. The park offers everything from day use, to car and rv camping, to hike in tent sites and wilderness group areas, to cabins. This review is for the hike in tent sites, which are large, well spaced, heavily wooded and private, with lake access for good fishing and paddling. There are restroom and shower facilities in walking distance, though not at the campsites themselves. This is a simpler and quieter camping opportunity than the drive in sites. In fact, no one else was in this section of the campground on this fine autumn day, yet the weather was beautiful and the setting so peaceful. I would recommend this campsite location for fall camping

  • L
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Oak Hollow City Campground

    We enjoyed our stay

    We tent camped on Aug 28. This was our first time setting up on a platform and it was very easy. Our site had a great view of the beautiful lake. There was a pool our kids could swim in until 7:00pm. They let us borrow a metal fire pit so we could make s’mores. The restrooms and showers were very clean.

  • phillip L.
    Jul. 30, 2016

    Canebrake Horse Camp

    No horses here

    Site is so good. This site i stayed at was site 18 and it was so clean and had everything i needed such as the restroom showers, picnic table and fire ring. the site here do fill up fast so you should make reservations. It costed me 25 dollars and I called ahead 2 weeks. At the visitor center they said the weather here is unpredictable and sometimes it starts raining out of nowhere. There is electric hookups here and there is a lot of RVs which is pretty noisy from the t.v and radio. I came in the summer and the temperature was around the 80's. During the night it is around 60 which is pleasant. They do sell for 6 dollars for a bunch of firewood

  • Michael W.
    Jan. 14, 2021

    Deep Water Trail Camp

    Remote Grandure

    I loved the place. Really remote and FREE. Lots of spots on Botha sides of the road. Not for bigger rigs. I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go. Steep rocky Muddy. Photos show. Fire rings were rocks. No water all primitive. Will go back when warmer. Lots of trails and wildlife. Stayed in 2 different spots.


Guide to Albemarle

Tent camping near Albemarle, North Carolina offers outdoor experiences with varying amenities across the Uwharrie National Forest and surrounding areas. Most primitive sites have no water access and require visitors to pack in all supplies, with unpaved access roads that become challenging during rainy periods. Winter temperatures in the area typically range from 30°F to 50°F, making it a viable option for cool-weather camping with proper gear.

What to do

Fishing from shoreline spots: Deep Water Trail Camp provides access to multiple fishing spots along the Yadkin River. One visitor reported "great spot, great fishing" and mentioned catching "a couple of channel cats" including "one enormous female catfish we released because she had eggs on board."

Hiking forest trails: The Lake Curriher Wilderness area offers secluded hiking paths with access to remote campsites. A camper notes: "I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can't seem to pick up after themselves."

Rock hunting: Some areas near Deep Water Trail Camp contain significant quartz deposits worth exploring. A visitor mentioned "The big pieces of quartz we found were gorgeous, and so was the view at the water!"

Wildlife viewing: Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. One camper humorously noted they've "been camping here for about a year, still haven't seen big foot yet... but I'm still hopeful."

What campers like

Private waterfront sites: At Deep Water Trail Camp, campers appreciate the isolation and water access. One visitor described their experience: "We enjoyed our weekend at this fantastic spot! The big pieces of quartz we found were gorgeous, and so was the view at the water!"

Low cost camping options: Several campgrounds offer free or very affordable options. A camper at Uwharrie Hunt Camp was surprised by the value: "$5 per night...What? What?" noting the campground is "quaint" with "only 6 sites and what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it."

Pet-friendly areas: Deep Water Trail Horse Camp welcomes pets and offers trails for both hiking and horseback riding. A visitor shared: "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites" and noted their experience camping with pets.

Quiet atmosphere: Lake Curriher Wilderness provides a notably peaceful camping experience. One camper stated: "It's the quietest stay we've had yet, and we go camping nearly every weekend" though they cautioned the tent loop is "just one big open field with few trees around it, so there's absolutely no privacy."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many primitive sites require appropriate vehicles. At Deep Water Trail Camp, a visitor warned: "PLEASE take something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here. My Honda Element was on two wheels at one point but the AWD handled it like a champ."

Limited amenities: Most primitive sites have minimal facilities. At Sandhills Campground B, a camper emphasized: "If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."

Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds operate only during specific seasons. East Morris Mountain Camp has limited availability, with one reviewer noting: "This camp site is only open during hunting season."

Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging, particularly after rain. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp noted the "last 1/2 mile don't go. Steep rocky Muddy" and recommended driving "10 mph" despite the "25 mph" posted limit.

Tips for camping with families

Accessible sites: East Morris Mountain Camp offers a small, more isolated experience with just "three sites on this little out of the way fire trail," making it suitable for families wanting privacy, though amenities are limited to "a fire pit."

Pet-friendly options: Deep Water Trail Camp welcomes dogs and offers water access. A camper shared: "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water! We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend."

Supply planning: With limited facilities, proper planning is essential. For Sandhills Campground B, a reviewer advised that it "was originally for hunters during the season, but anyone can camp here" and reminded visitors to "bring all your own EVERYTHING."

Safety considerations: Some campgrounds offer additional security measures. At Lake Curriher Wilderness, a camper noted: "the retired police chief came around to introduce himself and give me his cell number. He is just up the street and was kind to offer this for extra safety."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most primitive sites lack RV amenities. At Yates Family Camping, a visitor noted: "There aren't really any extras here but if you're just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

Smaller RV access: Many campgrounds can accommodate smaller trailers but not large rigs. A camper at Deep Water Trail Camp mentioned: "Not for bigger rigs. I've got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out."

Dump station availability: While hookups may be limited, some facilities offer dump stations. A visitor to Yates Family Camping reported: "Well not much here, no office or bathrooms. Water and electric and a dump station."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Albemarle, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Albemarle, NC is Deep Water Trail Camp with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Albemarle, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Albemarle, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.