Dispersed camping near Asheboro, North Carolina centers around the forest's eastern sections and adjacent public lands. The Uwharrie National Forest region spans approximately 50,000 acres of mixed hardwood forest with elevations ranging from 350 to 1,000 feet. Winter primitive camping options remain accessible when higher-elevation wilderness areas in western North Carolina become inaccessible due to snow and ice conditions.
What to do
Trail access options: The Robbins Branch Trail area offers drive-in access for dispersed campers with suitable vehicles. According to one visitor, "It's a huge area with several campgrounds. We stayed in 2 different dispersed primitive sites and they were both great. Plenty of space and trees and privacy!"
Wildlife observation: The Uwharrie National Forest attracts wildlife enthusiasts year-round. One camper notes, "This area was a place that I went often to deer hunt in the fall. I have never came across another camper/hunter at this location. It is a good location if you are looking for an area that is away from camp grounds and heavy traffic."
Water activities: Multiple access points exist for paddle sports enthusiasts. A regular visitor explains, "The area can be accessed by boat on the Little River, or by hiking in. Me and my friends would always float our kayaks down the river to a place we called 'Bird Dog' and camp for the night. If you are looking for a place that has very little traffic, this is the place you want to go!"
What campers like
Natural water sources: The primitive camping areas feature multiple stream access points. One visitor to the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area Dispersed observed the "Very nice trails. Well maintained. Not marked the best... signs at intersections. Plenty of creeks. Hike in for dispersed camping."
Privacy options: The dispersed camping areas offer significant separation between sites. A camper reports, "It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot. Some of the sites may have a little trash left from the last user, so please try to leave it cleaner than you came to. No toilets for dispersed areas."
Seasonal ambiance: The primitive camping experience changes significantly with seasons. One recent visitor to Dispersed Camping off Falls Dam Trail shared, "Had a good time camping and enjoyed the song of wind and birds."
What you should know
Terrain navigation challenges: Several trail networks intersect without consistent signage. A backpacker explains, "The trailhead is kind of hard to follow sometimes, sections of the trail are prone to flooding and creek crossings can become difficult following heavy rains. Overall, however, the forest is a good place for backpacking in this region of the state."
Hunter presence: During hunting seasons, backcountry campers should take precautions. Campers report significant hunter activity, particularly in autumn months.
Primitive conditions: Basic camping skills are essential. One experienced visitor to the Shallow Ford Natural Area describes their experience: "This campsite is on the Mountains to Sea Trail for those that are doing that. There's lots of shade and it is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings. Someone left me a bundle of wood. I hear the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels."
Tips for camping with families
Pack-in essentials: No facilities exist at most primitive sites. A camper advises, "The streams, provided one has filtration or iodine tablets, provide ample sources of drinking water."
Noise considerations: Road noise affects some sites more than others. One visitor mentioned, "I hiked along the creek at what was marked as campsite 1 along the Uwharrie Trail. It was a short hike and easy to moderate. Unfortunately, it wasn't far enough away to hear distant noises from Hwy 24, so if you want to get away from traffic noise completely, hike farther in."
Safety protocols: Multiple activities occur simultaneously in the forest. One camper advises about primitive camping near Asheboro, "The State Forest has camping. We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations. There are hiking, horse, OHV, dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike trails."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed areas cannot accommodate larger vehicles. One visitor points out, "This is not an RV camping area, at least not the dispersed camping area. You cannot drive up to the campsites. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups."
Access requirements: Vehicle capability determines available sites. A camper explains, "This is a great area for dispersed campers with 4WD or AWD. Most sites have rock fire pits and room to set up."
Site maintenance responsibility: Campers must manage their own waste and site condition. A visitor observes, "There was evidence that others had been at this site because of the trash, but as always, I left the site cleaner than I found it."
