Tent camping opportunities in the Uwharrie National Forest dominate the landscape surrounding Asheboro, North Carolina. Several primitive tent campgrounds including Deep Water Trail Camp, East Morris Mountain, and Uwharrie Hunt Camp offer secluded forest settings approximately 30-40 miles southwest of Asheboro. These established sites provide access to the rolling terrain and woodland trails characteristic of the Piedmont region.
Many tent sites require moderate preparation due to minimal facilities. The road conditions at Deep Water Trail Camp can be challenging, especially for low-clearance vehicles. According to one visitor, "You need a truck or something big to get down to the water unless they re-did the road." Most tent camping areas feature basic fire rings constructed of stones but lack potable water sources. Campers should pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, as multiple reviews mention concerns about previous campers leaving garbage behind. East Morris Mountain offers only three primitive sites with fire pits and no other amenities, providing complete seclusion for tent campers seeking solitude.
Tent-specific camping areas in the region deliver varying levels of privacy and natural features. The Deep Water Trail Camp sits adjacent to Falls Reservoir, providing waterfront access for fishing and swimming opportunities. Campers frequently mention enjoying the distinctive quartz rock formations found throughout the Uwharrie area. During spring and summer months, sites fill quickly on weekends while remaining relatively quiet midweek. One visitor noted that "If you want to get away, this is where you go. Secluded but still able to get into town for supplies." For walk-in tent camping closer to Asheboro, Cedarock Park offers tent-only sites scattered along Rock Creek, which require a quarter-mile hike from the parking area. These sites feature level ground for comfortable tent setup with nearby access to hiking and fishing.
"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."
"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."
"It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking."
"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."
"A 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."
"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
from $10 / 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."
from $10 - $30 / night
from $35 - $65 / night
"Contrary to what has been written, I would highly recommend San-Lee Park to anyone looking for a short and easy escape from the nearby Raleigh-Durham area."
"There are hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there."
from $15 / night
GuideDriving 14 1/2 hrs I was cooked called and had the most easiest booking. There was a sites available so I booked it. Needless to say I got there in the dark and a kind person helped me to my site and got me backed in. Soo exhausted I hooked up electric only hit the bed passed out
GuideStopped here after our fiasco with holly bluff. Beautiful campground with trees. Very quiet during the day and peaceful. The only thing we found curious was the vehicle in and right back out activity between 10:30-pm and 1am back and forth to campers that were long term stays. Made nighttime hard to sleep in site 3 with vehicles back and forth for hours .
GuideStopped in to get a spot for a few nights nights because it said they had available rv spots Unfortunately they didn’t know which end was up and tried to squeeze us into a spot that might have hookups that maybe worked but they couldn’t be sure. It was a joke. We left after waiting several minutes waiting while they were looking for a place to maybe squeeze us in because we had a small camper. No thanks. Would not recommend staying here til they get there act together
GuideStayed in the C loop right on the water. Bathrooms are up the hill at the entrance to the loop. Sites along the lake aren’t private but are spacious.
ScoutLooking for a nice place for a camping getaway? We highly recommend checking out the Deep River Campground in Asheboro, NC. The location itself is beautiful. It is literally on the Deep River and features a hiking trail that runs along the river past the remnants of a historical damn, where a small area of rapids gently swirls around the big rocks spanning the river. There’s also a large lake with a nice grassy expanse for picnics, playing games or just lazing around lakeside. This campground has been around for a while, but it has new owners now and they are breathing some for real new life into the place. They have already made lots of repairs and improvements, and you can see more in progress. There are sites for RVs with all the hook-ups, and great primitive sites for tent camping, several located right on the river. If you don’t have an RV and sleeping on the ground doesn’t spark joy, they have a few small rustic but nicely-appointed cabins. You’ll find two pools, several covered picnic shelters, a playground for the small ones, and several options for older kids and adults to play, like a horseshoe pit and a nice game room. They also have planned activities like movie nights and weiner roasts most evenings to entertain and create community among campers. They are pet friendly and have their own pet mascots on site— a flock of ducks including beautifully colored teals and mallards. We were just there for 2 nights, but I have a good feeling we’ll be visiting there again soon. Definitely worth a visi
RangerWas a monthly Camper when I came in to the campground. Nobody was cleaning the men’s room. No one was trying to collect the fall leaves. This is an old run down campground. I cleaned the men’s room for free because there was no staff to clean. I regret helping the owner for free on multiple occasions.
TravelerThis is/was marked as dispersed camping but this is primarily an OHV area, with a shooting range nearby that can be heard from some campsites. Most, if not all, of the campsites are intended to be large group sites. The empty site we found was filled with trash, discarded tents, air mattresses, and trashed electronics from OHVs. There's so much trash we would not even be able to take it all out with us if we wanted to. This may be a national forest, but it is not peace and quiet as one would expect from "dispersed and primitive" camping.
GuideThe sites are very large, long and wider at the back, plenty of room for a big group or family. The bathrooms look new and they are clean. Here during the week so it's very empty and quiet.
TravelerWe visited Crosswinds campground at Jordan Lake State Park on the worst heatwave of the year. The great thing about this area is that the sites a well shaded. We were about 50 yards from the lake, with the wind blowing we still were comfortable all day. We stayed on Loop A, which is my favorite loop at the park. There’s no electricity or water at the sites. There are water spickets throughout the loop with potable water. The site is awesome! There’s a small pond beside it. The neighboring sites are close, but regular conversations can not be heard.this loop is always quiet even when there are a lot of people, but it’s never been full when I’m there. I didn’t do good with photos except for the food.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Asheboro, North Carolina extend beyond the Uwharrie National Forest, with several primitive sites scattered throughout the region's rolling Piedmont terrain. The area sits at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between seasons. Camping is typically most comfortable during spring and fall when temperatures range from 50-75°F, while summer humidity can make tent camping more challenging.
Fishing at multiple access points: Lake Tillery Family Campground offers convenient shore fishing with several species available. Campers report: "Great spot, great fishing. Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing."
Disc golf courses: Cedarock Park features two complete disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes. A visitor notes: "The park is also home to 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. There are two fantastic disc golf courses (I personally enjoy the Wellspring course)."
Historical exploration: Visit the 19th-century farm recreation at Cedarock Park to understand regional farming history. One camper mentioned: "There is a historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period" with demonstrations of period farming techniques during special events.
Wildlife observation: The remote settings provide opportunities for wildlife sightings. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, a camper humorously noted: "Been camping here for about a year, still haven't seen big foot yet... but I'm still hopeful."
Affordability of campsites: Several locations offer extremely budget-friendly options. One visitor to Uwharrie Hunt Camp was surprised: "$5 per night...What? What? We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April."
Proximity to water features: Deep Water Trail Camp provides direct water access that campers appreciate. According to a review: "It was a nice spot, big open camping spots that are first come first serve. We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water!"
Mineral discoveries: The quartz formations in the region attract rock enthusiasts. A camper shared: "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!"
Private camping spots: For those seeking solitude, East Morris Mountain offers exceptional privacy. A visitor explained: "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."
Vehicle requirements: Many primitive sites require appropriate transportation. At Deep Water Trail Horse Camp, a visitor warned: "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites. I attempted in my van and made it down to a sweet spot, but was stuck in the mud."
Seasonal closures: Some camping areas have restricted availability. Regarding East Morris Mountain, a camper pointed out: "This camp site is only open during hunting season," limiting access during certain months.
Park closing times: Some campgrounds lock gates after hours. At Cedarock Park, a camper cautioned: "The downside is they lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't, you're literally stuck."
Trash management issues: Pack out all trash, as this is a common problem. A concerned visitor at Deep Water Trail Camp observed: "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites? I bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."
Kid-friendly amenities: Lake Curriher Wilderness offers a playground and paddle boat rentals that appeal to children. A visitor mentioned: "It's nice to have a little store (in the office) to grab bait, snacks, or other goodies."
Creek access for play: Several sites feature shallow water perfect for children. One family at Cedarock Park shared: "We used the fire pit and the kids played in the creek. While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf. It was a great time!"
Noise considerations: Some sites experience road noise that might disturb light sleepers. A family noted: "The only downside is the road noise at night - it was very loud. Next time we will bring something to help quiet the noise."
Security presence: Some campgrounds have staff nearby for added security. A camper at Lake Curriher Wilderness appreciated: "The gates close at 5pm during the fall/winter. Slightly around that time, the retired police chief came around to introduce himself and give his cell number."
Site access limitations: For RV campers, most tent camping sites near Asheboro have significant access limitations. At San-Lee Park, a visitor clarified: "Reservations are not taken, but rather, tent campers (no RV's welcomed here, just tents) can book a campsite on a first-come, first-served basis."
RV site spacing: The few campgrounds that do accommodate RVs typically have limited privacy. A visitor to San-Lee Park explained: "It's almost like one big group site. The sites have fire pits, grills, tables, and there are a couple of water spigots on the site."
Seasonal considerations: RV campers should plan around peak usage times. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, a visitor noted: "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Asheboro, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Asheboro, NC is Uwharrie Hunt Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Asheboro, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Asheboro, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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