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."
$25 - $47 / night
"We explored the creek and walking path. The kids loved the jumping pillow."
"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."
$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. "
$17 - $95 / 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."
$15 - $60 / 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."
$35 - $850 / night
"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"
"Great location, a minutes away from the NC State Zoo, Asheboro Downtown, gas stations, post office, grocery stores, big shopping malls and great restaurants! Friendly Owners and Staffs!"
"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."
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 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,
GuideThis is a nice campground. Water issues in the ladies bathroom and spotty/weak Wi-Fi. Most amenities were closed due to short staffing. They are planning to refurbish a lot and staff more in the new year. When that happens this place will be a strong 5 stars!
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 76 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 12 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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