4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Cedar Grove area of North Carolina provides access to several mixed-use campgrounds within the Uwharrie National Forest region. Badin Lake Campground and Arrowhead Campground offer established sites with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities. The Uwharrie National Forest also contains dispersed camping areas such as Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area, which provides free primitive camping without developed facilities. Campgrounds in this region typically accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Deep River Campground offering cabin options for those seeking additional comfort.
Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles. Most established campgrounds maintain gravel parking pads and tent sites, though many campers note that finding level ground can be challenging. Water access points are common features at campgrounds like Badin Lake, where shoreline camping is popular. Permits are not required for most dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest, but established campgrounds typically require reservations, especially during peak seasons. Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in more remote areas. A visitor to Uwharrie National Forest noted, "The Uwharrie Trail, which pretty much spans the park north/south is about 20 miles point to point. 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."
Lakefront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the area. Badin Lake Campground's lower loop features sites with direct lake access, making it popular for fishing and water activities. Campers frequently mention the privacy between sites due to abundant vegetation. Several reviewers highlighted the clean facilities at Arrowhead Campground, which features paved roadways and newer restrooms compared to other campgrounds in the area. Off-road enthusiasts frequently use these campgrounds as base camps for exploring the extensive trail systems throughout Uwharrie National Forest. Noise levels remain relatively low at most campgrounds, particularly during weekdays when occupancy is lower. One camper described Badin Lake as having "relatively large sites with vegetation that blocks constant view of neighbors" and noted that "the sunset across the lake was gorgeous and relaxing."
"We explored the creek and walking path. The kids loved the jumping pillow."
"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."
from $25 - $47 / night
"I would recommend renting the “off road” golf cart for fun. The only negative is the lack of bath houses."
"Your close to stores and restaurants if you want but far enough out that it doesn’t feel close."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $40 / 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. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $54 / night
"Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone. Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "
"Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."
Available this weekend
from $17 - $107 / night
"The location itself is beautiful."
"Located minutes away from multiple trail heads. We were on lot 20, which is a double space designed for a larger rig, very private with lots of shade. packupandgo_rv"
from $35 - $850 / night
"Great location, many trails to walk, shelters to rent, and you can kayak on the pond. Lots of wildlife. There is a gate at the entrance too. A very safe, nice location."
"There is a huge beautiful lake at the center and miles of gravel and dirt trails surrounding it. The facilities are decent, although bringing your own TP might be a good idea."
from $15 - $60 / night
"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."
"Very nice trails. Well maintained. Not marked the best... signs at intersections. Plenty of creeks. Hike in for dispersed camping."
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
RangerThis is a newer campground. It has a stocked pond with beautiful woods surrounding it.
RangerThis is a newer campground. It is peaceful.
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
TravelerThis property should not be advertised. It was next to a cow pasture and the flies were horrible. We could not even get out of our van. The other trailers there were obviously long term and not well maintained. The inn had n the property was dilapidated and closed. Nothing in the description was anything like our experience. We decided to leave after seeing the condition of everything. Real bad.
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.
Uwharrie National Forest features a unique topography of ancient mountain remnants dating back 500 million years. Located in central North Carolina, this area contains elevations ranging from 350 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Campgrounds near Cedar Grove operate primarily from March through November, with some locations offering year-round access depending on weather conditions.
Recreational paddling: Badin Lake's shoreline camping provides excellent water access. "We kayaked right from our campsite and didn't experience a lot of motorized traffic," notes a visitor to Badin Lake Campground. For families with children, the calm water conditions create safe environments for swimming and fishing.
Trail exploration: The forest contains multiple trail systems catering to different users. "Plenty of hiking, offroading/overlanding, mountain biking, horseback riding nearby," reports a camper at Arrowhead Campground. Most hiking trails are rated easy to moderate, making them accessible for most ability levels.
Zoo visits: Camping sites serve as convenient bases for visiting the North Carolina Zoo. One visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park shared, "We were 15 mins from the zoo which was amazing. Your close to stores and restaurants if you want but far enough out that it doesn't feel close."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistently positive reviews at several locations. A camper at Morrow Mountain State Park noted, "The camp host was very helpful and checked on everybody, every day. The bathhouse is brand new." Several campgrounds have recently upgraded their facilities.
Family activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated children's programs. "The kids loved the jumping pillow," writes one visitor to Zooland Family Campground, while another mentioned, "We initially thought we'd have to go off site to entertain our son when we booked the reservation but we spent our full day at the campground doing everything they had to offer and it took all day long."
Seasonal flexibility: Several camping options remain available during off-peak times. A winter camper shared, "Looked like it would be a lot of fun in the warm weather too!" Spring visitors report fewer crowds with temperatures averaging 65-75°F during April and May.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Looking forward to the expansion to be completed and to see the entire campground up and running," noted one visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Pack leveling blocks and be prepared to spend time setting up.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking. "Reserve well in advance if you desire a site...these campgrounds fill quickly," advises a camper about Arrowhead Campground. Weekends from May through September typically book 2-3 months in advance.
Primitive options: For those seeking more remote experiences, Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area offers hike-in dispersed camping. A visitor reports, "Very nice trails. Well maintained. Not marked the best... signs at intersections. Plenty of creeks. Hike in for dispersed camping."
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. One family at Zooland Family Campground commented, "My daughter begs to come back because of all the amenities - playground, mini-golf, arcade, gem mining, etc." Most family-oriented campgrounds offer weekend activity schedules.
Wildlife watching: The forest provides opportunities to observe local animals. A camper at Morrow Mountain State Park shared, "Saw several deer while I was there," while another mentioned hearing "a symphony of birds" during their visit.
Safety considerations: Choose campgrounds with security features if traveling with children. A parent staying at Hagan-Stone Park appreciated that "There is a gate at the entrance too. A very safe, nice location." Park rangers typically patrol established campgrounds every 2-3 hours.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. A camper at Morrow Mountain State Park mentions, "Nice sites with electric hookups." Water connections at some locations serve multiple sites, so bring extra hose length.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. According to a visitor at Hagan-Stone Park, "Loop B did appear to have fire pits had very few sites that would hold a rig of our size (39' Travel Trailer) and would be very difficult to navigate." Call ahead to confirm site dimensions before booking.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. Arrowhead Campground users note the "bathrooms are excellent" but seasonal water shutoffs may impact dump station availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cedar Grove, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Grove, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 79 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Grove, NC and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Grove, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Grove, NC is Zooland Family Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedar Grove, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Cedar Grove, NC.
What parks are near Cedar Grove, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Cedar Grove, NC that allow camping, notably Uwharrie National Forest and B. Everett Jordan Lake.
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