Tent camping options surrounding Badin, North Carolina include several primitive sites within the nearby Uwharrie National Forest. Deep Water Trail Camp offers free dispersed tent camping with several sites on both sides of a narrow access road. This primitive campground features fire rings made of rocks and provides access to hiking trails and the Yadkin River, making it popular for fishing and swimming.
Access to several tent campsites requires careful planning and appropriate vehicles. The road to Deep Water Trail Camp becomes increasingly challenging with the last half-mile featuring steep, rocky, and sometimes muddy conditions. A camper noted, "You need a truck or something big to get down to the water unless they re-did the road." Most tent areas lack basic amenities, with no drinking water, picnic tables, or toilet facilities available. Visitors must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash, with multiple reviewers mentioning problems with litter at some sites.
Secluded tent locations within the Uwharrie National Forest provide peaceful camping experiences away from crowds. Sites at Deep Water Trail Horse Camp and East Morris Mountain Camp accommodate tent campers seeking solitude. The terrain varies from open areas to wooded sites, with some offering direct water access. Areas near the lakes provide opportunities for swimming and fishing, while nearby trails support hiking and wildlife viewing. According to one visitor, "If you want to get away, this is where you go. Secluded but still able to get into town for supplies." Fall and spring typically offer the best tent camping conditions with fewer insects and moderate temperatures, though summer remains popular despite higher humidity.
"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."
"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."
"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
"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."
from $35 - $65 / 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
"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."
"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."
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
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.
GuideThere was other people camping and running their generators all night. Some low lifers on ATV blasted in and out of the parking area and blasting music at 2 am. Good luck getting any sleep here. But enjoyed the trail to it and the forest. Got at least 2 hours of sleep before I packed up.
ScoutThe spots are alright but first night got ate up by ants so hadda move and the other spots are good but have no shade and no signal and not mutch to take pictures of so if you wanna have some survival type camping this is a great location.
TravelerThis quiet gem was just what I needed. It’s close enough to shoppes, diners, and other activities. It’s also close to the NC Zoo. With dedicated and mixed spots, it’s perfect for tents and RVs. Did I mention the staff? They’re friendly and helpful.
Zooland is a great place for solo, family, or group. The campground offers a pool, activities, walking trails, as well as laundry facilities and 2 bath houses. There’s also a dog park for your K9 family member(s).
Most sites have water and electrical hook ups. But one word of caution; you may or may not have cell service. But there is wi-fi throughout the property.
Primitive camping sites within Uwharrie National Forest serve as the primary option for tent camping near Badin, North Carolina. The forest encompasses 51,000 acres with elevations ranging from 350 to 1,000 feet throughout the Piedmont region. Campers face variable terrain with rocky outcroppings and mixed pine-hardwood forests that create natural boundaries between dispersed sites.
Fishing at multiple access points: The Yadkin River and surrounding lakes provide fishing opportunities for channel catfish and other species. At Deep Water Trail Camp, one visitor noted, "Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing. My friends both caught a couple of channel cats."
Wildlife observation: Forested areas throughout the region support diverse wildlife populations. A camper at Uwharrie Hunt Camp shared, "This is a beautiful campground with good facilities. There is a good trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake."
Rock collecting: The area features interesting geological formations with quartz deposits. One camper reported, "The big pieces of quartz we found were gorgeous, and so was the view at the water! It's nestled in fall's reservoir, but the little road in looked to be washed out."
Affordability and accessibility: Many sites in the area require minimal or no fees. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, a visitor highlighted, "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."
Privacy options: For those seeking solitude, several locations offer secluded camping areas. At East Morris Mountain, a camper noted, "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."
Scenic water views: Campsites near rivers and lakes provide scenic settings. At Deep Water Trail Horse Camp, visitors mentioned, "Awesome view" despite challenging access conditions.
Vehicle requirements: Access to many primitive sites demands appropriate vehicles with sufficient clearance. One camper at Lake Curriher Wilderness advised, "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."
Road conditions: Seasonal changes affect accessibility of forest roads. 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."
Campsite selection strategy: Finding level ground requires careful site selection. One camper suggested, "Choose your campsite wisely. The one to the left by the bad spots in the road wasn't as flat as we'd hoped, but it was still manageable."
Best locations for kids: Some areas provide better amenities for family camping. At Sandhills Campground B, a camper noted, "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. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
Swimming opportunities: Several locations offer safe swimming areas during warmer months. One visitor mentioned, "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water! We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend, not on the actual Deep Water Trail, because it got super bumpy."
Site preparation: Setting up camp on uneven terrain requires planning. According to a camper, "The campsites are rustic, grassy and comfortable, though no privacy in between. Most sites are a short walk from the parking lot, so you might have to do a little bit of schlepping, but not much."
Size limitations: Many forest roads restrict access for larger rigs. One RVer at Uwharrie Hunt Camp stated, "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."
Hookup availability: Most dispersed camping areas lack traditional RV amenities. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Supply planning: Limited resources in the immediate area require advance preparation. One camper warned, "There is a small convenience store in Uwharrie, offering sandwiches and made-to-order food, but not much in the way of groceries. Another 10 miles and you'll be in Troy which has a bigger grocery store."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Badin, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Badin, NC is Deep Water Trail Camp with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Badin, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Badin, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
