Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, the Albemarle area offers a mix of established and dispersed camping options primarily centered around Morrow Mountain State Park and Uwharrie National Forest. The park features three camping loops with both electric and non-electric sites suitable for tents and RVs, while cabins provide an alternative for those seeking more amenities. Several campgrounds like Badin Lake, Arrowhead, and Norwood accommodate various camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces, with most sites offering fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms with showers.
Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience throughout the year, with all-season accessibility at most established campgrounds in the region. Morrow Mountain State Park maintains clean facilities with newly renovated bathhouses, though the campground lacks Wi-Fi and cell service in many areas. Campsites vary in levelness, with some RV sites presenting challenges for larger rigs. Water access points are available throughout the campgrounds, though water hookups are limited to specific sites. As one camper noted, "When we arrived at our site at 8:50pm, we were greeted by a super nice park ranger. We felt welcomed and safe."
Campers consistently highlight the spacious, wooded sites that provide privacy between neighbors. The natural setting attracts wildlife, with several visitors reporting deer sightings directly in their campsites. The Albemarle camping area offers excellent sites for both tent and RV camping with convenient access to hiking trails and water recreation. The popular campgrounds near Albemarle feature well-maintained facilities and scenic locations that make them ideal for weekend getaways or longer stays. Hiking opportunities range from easy to strenuous trails throughout Morrow Mountain's varied terrain, while water activities center around Lake Tillery and Badin Lake. A recent review noted, "The campground has three loops, some with no hookups and some with electric hookups. One of the best things about this campground is that there is plenty of space between the campsites, so you don't feel as if you are on top of the other campers." Historical features including Dr. Kron's homestead and museum add educational value to the camping experience, making the area suitable for families seeking both outdoor recreation and cultural activities.
$17 - $95 / night
"Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone. Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "
"Nestled up to the Uwharrie National Forest and Albemarle. Plenary of camp sites and home to a Native American mining operation."
$20 - $40 / night
"Awesome location, very remote and the sites are Huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 easy access to the water and great views."
"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."
$20 - $54 / night
"Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. "
"The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "
"The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you’re in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks."
"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."
$42 - $70 / night
"The pool doesn’t have normal steps that you walk down into the pool on, they only have the ladder steps which make it a little tricky getting in with a small child."
"Spacious lots in a wooded setting, includes a pool, walking trails, and access to Lake Tillery. Ice and firewood available onsite. Bath-houses are dated."
"We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April. "
"There is a good trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake. Pretty good fishing too."
"It should be no shock to those familiar with North Carolina’s geography that if one is seeking higher altitudes and breathtaking overlooks, Uwharrie is not the place he should go."
"This area was one of my favorite ares for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest while living in North Carolina. The area can be accessed by boat on the Little River, or by hiking in."
"Nice lake to walk around, but paddle boats and center were closed. Lots of ducks that were used to human presence and feeding. Located in a nice sized park. Would definitely go back."
"Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue."
"Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground. https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs](https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs)"
"It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left."
"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?!"
LegendA nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit. There is are more sites in the field but we ended up not staying because it was hunting season and this area was open to hunting. It would be a nice place to stay if you are hunting in the area or if it is out of season.
Check it out in our video
https://youtu.be/Fv-DYCm_qXY
LegendI was able to map out 41 free dispersed campsites on Moccasin Creek Road; Forest Service Road 576. It is a 7.5 mile drive to the end at what is referred to as Deep Water Trail Camp. But you'll only need to go about a mile before you find the first campsite on the left. Many of the sites are able to accommodate large groups of campers. This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December. We first came here on opening weekend for the OHV trails so it was pretty busy and the weather was dry so it was really dusty. We also come back at the end of December and camped near the Deep Water Trail Camp. This time instead of nearly every site being occupied, only 5 other sites had people for that weekend. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
All sites are shown and GPS coordinates listed in our video description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe have been down here a few times and camped in a different site each time. It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. It gets pretty busy sometimes and a few sites had trash but all in all a large majority of the sites were well kept. I would definitely recommend this area for dispersed camping. There are a few sites that you need a truck to get into but for the most part all of them are accessible by car. A couple of them are walk in sites.
I was able to map 41 sites on Moccasin Creek Road. All sites are shown in our video and GPS coordinates listed in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dJ268F1uw
LegendWe pulled into Lake Norman State Park around 6 PM on New Year’s Eve, mainly because we didn’t want to drive a couple more hours to our original destination. We only planned to stay one night, but the campground surprised us—in the best way—and we ended up staying three nights instead.
There were plenty of available campsites, and every site we saw was at least decently spaced, with several feeling nicely secluded. The campground was quiet and well laid out. The bathhouse was clean and modern, and having water spigots available in the no-hookups loop was a big plus.
One of the highlights was riding our e-bikes on the Hawk, Hicks, Norwood Creek, and Monbo loops. These are the easier sections of the Itusi Trail system and were a lot of fun—though still a bit too unpaved for my wife’s taste😄. Even so, the hiking trail access from the campground made it easy to get out and explore.
This stop wasn’t planned at all, but it turned into one of those stays that makes you glad plans changed. We’ll definitely be coming back to Lake Norman State Park.
Check out all the sites in 360° in our video:
https://youtu.be/UzYublJ-BZg
LegendWe stayed one night at Arrowhead Campground while checking out some of the nearby trails, including the Badin Lake Trail, which is just a short drive away and offers great views of the lake and surrounding forest. The campground itself is well laid out, with sites nicely spaced apart so it doesn’t feel crowded. The paved campground loops are in great shape and make driving through easy, even for larger rigs. Several areas offer pleasant views of Badin Lake, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, Arrowhead Campground felt quiet, clean, and well maintained—an excellent base camp for exploring Uwharrie National Forest, even if just for a quick overnight stay.
Check out our 360° video to see all the sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4AjjkcB4o
LegendOlder national forest campground without electric at the sites. It is nice enough and less crowded then Arrowhead. But is older and not as well kept as Arrowhead with is about the same price and right up the road. I like it since it is usually not crowded.
Check out the campground and all the sites in our 360° video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJctFFUhIs
LegendWe were coming through the area and wanted an alternative to the dusty camping over in the OHV area of the forest. We where happy with the West Morris Mountain Campground. Not a lot of people and everything was clean.
Check out the walk through video in 360° to get a real feel for the National Forest Campground.
https://youtu.be/NsKiCNFALVs
GuidePeaceful and well-maintained area. I encountered a few people on the trail, which was reassuring without disrupting the solitude. I camped near the river and had a great experience. As a person of color, I felt safe at all times, including during brief interactions with other campers.
ScoutNice park with lakes, aquatic center and trails,
The Albemarle area sits in the rolling Piedmont region with elevations ranging from 400-1,000 feet. Uwharrie National Forest forms the backbone of camping opportunities, with ancient mountains weathered down to gentle hills. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range, making these seasons popular for camping in the region.
Kayaking and fishing access points: At Badin Lake Campground, campers can launch directly from their sites. "We have stayed at Badin Lake campground a couple times and would recommend it to anyone that likes to kayak and fish. Being able to camp on the water and just slide the kayaks in and out is great," notes Ruth O.
Off-road vehicle trails: The Uwharrie Forest OHV trail system offers over 16 miles of designated routes ranging from easy to extremely difficult. "We also took our Jeep on the OHV trails and had a blast. There are several places you can take a canoe or kayak on and the scenery on the lake was beautiful as well," shares one visitor to Uwharrie National Forest.
Hiking with varying difficulty levels: The Lake Loop Trail at Arrowhead Campground provides a paved, accessible path ideal for all abilities. "Terrific paved trail that is awesome for walking, biking, strollers, wheelchairs," notes a camper at Arrowhead. For more challenging terrain, the forest offers numerous unpaved trails through hills and alongside streams.
Private, spacious campsites: Arrowhead Campground offers sites with good separation between neighbors. "We had a double site that was huge... we'll definitely go back," shares Logan S. Many sites include hammock-friendly trees, fire rings, and grills.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds in the Uwharrie Forest offer primitive camping at minimal cost. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, campers pay just $5 per night. "The campground is a quaint, and only $5 per night! With only 6 sites and what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it, the lot accommodates the OHV trailers," reports one visitor.
Lake access and water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer direct water access. "These lakeshore sites within the forest were simply stunning. We spent three nights enjoying our campground on Badin Lake. The sites were large and could accommodate most sizes of trailers in addition to tents," shares Shari G. about their experience at Badin Lake.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. At Arrowhead Campground, "Cell signal is pretty spotty but passable. Would need a booster or satellite internet in order to work or attend school," according to Mambo M.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Water systems at some campgrounds shut down during winter months. "Dump station was open, but did not have water to flush tanks or fill water tanks as water was shut off for the winter. There were water spigots throughout the campground that we could use," notes Jody B. from their visit to Arrowhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in and around Albemarle, NC?
The Albemarle area offers several excellent camping options. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground is located near Albemarle with electric and water hookups, shaded sites, and a dump station. Norwood Campground provides family-friendly amenities including a fishing pond and swimming pool. Other nearby options include Badin Lake Campground in the Uwharrie National Forest, Deep River Campground and RV Park near Asheboro, and Dan Nicholas Park near Salisbury. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Uwharrie National Forest offers multiple dispersed camping locations.
Are there any mountain camping areas near Albemarle?
While Albemarle isn't in high mountains, there are elevated camping areas nearby offering that mountain feel. Uwharrie National Forest provides dispersed camping with some elevation changes, though it doesn't feature dramatic overlooks or high peaks. Badin Lake Campground offers spacious remote sites with lake views and nearby hiking trails. For a more mountainous experience with elevations over 900 feet, Morrow Mountain State Park delivers hiking trails with a true mountain atmosphere despite its modest elevation. The Uwharrie region offers a taste of mountain camping without requiring a long drive to western North Carolina.
What amenities are offered at Albemarle camping sites?
Camping amenities around Albemarle vary by location. Uwharrie National Forest Yates Place offers primitive dispersed camping with no fees or reservations required – perfect for those seeking a back-to-basics experience. For more facilities, Arrowhead Campground in the Uwharrie National Forest provides developed sites. Many campgrounds in the area feature electrical and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits. Some locations like Deep River Campground offer swimming pools, while others provide access to fishing, hiking trails, and boating. Most developed campgrounds have restrooms, and some include dump stations for RVs.
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