Tent campgrounds in the Uwharrie National Forest offer multiple primitive options near Cedar Grove, North Carolina. The Deep Water Trail Camp provides free walk-in tent sites along the Yadkin River, while East Morris Mountain Camp features more secluded tent camping with basic amenities. Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, offers hike-in camping with sites scattered along Rock Creek.
Most primitive tent sites in the Uwharrie Forest require campers to navigate unpaved roads, with some areas demanding high-clearance vehicles. Deep Water Trail Camp has particularly rough access roads that can become challenging in wet conditions. One camper noted, "The drive down/up is a little sketchy but if your vehicle doesn't sit super low you should be able to make it." Fire rings are typically constructed of gathered stones rather than metal fixtures. Campers must pack in all supplies, including drinking water, and pack out all trash, as garbage service is not provided at most primitive sites.
The tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional seclusion and direct water access at several locations. Areas farther from main roads provide deeper quiet, especially at East Morris Mountain where only three primitive sites exist along a fire trail. Sites near the Yadkin River and Badin Lake provide opportunities for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Despite the remote feel, the forest's trail system connects many campsites, creating opportunities for hiking and exploration. A review from Cedarock Park mentioned, "We hiked down with our stuff and set up at campsite 4. We were the only ones there for the weekend and there was ample space for setting up." Tent campers should expect to find plentiful flat areas for pitching tents, though some sites lack shade during summer months.
"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.
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.
Tent camping in Cedar Grove, North Carolina features numerous primitive sites throughout the Uwharrie National Forest at elevations ranging from 300-1,000 feet. The region sits at the intersection of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, creating diverse camping terrain with a moderate climate allowing for year-round camping. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, while summer nights offer relief from daytime heat.
Fishing opportunities: The Yadkin River and surrounding lakes provide excellent fishing for catfish and other species. At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, campers report "Pretty good fishing" with one reviewer noting the "trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake."
Hiking trail exploration: The region offers extensive trail networks for day hikes from most campsites. A visitor to Lake Curriher Wilderness mentioned, "I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake," describing a less-known spot called "the Point" that requires "a decent hike in."
Mountain biking: Several trails accommodate mountain bikers looking for moderate to challenging terrain. San-Lee Park features "hiking and biking trails as well as kayaking and other water sports on the lake there," according to one reviewer who found it "an okay place, great if you are with a large group."
Privacy and seclusion: Most primitive sites offer considerable distance between campers. At East Morris Mountain, there are "only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy."
Affordability: Many sites in the area are free or low-cost. Woodrun Camp provides free tent camping, while another camper mentioned being surprised by Hunt Camp's affordability, noting "$5 per night...What? What?" and describing it as a "quaint" campground with "rustic, grassy and comfortable" sites.
Water access: Direct access to rivers and lakes ranks high among camper preferences. One visitor to Deep Water Trail Camp shared, "Great spot lots of trails and primitive at its best," while another noted, "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water!"
Vehicle requirements: Many roads to primitive sites demand appropriate vehicles. A camper at Deep Water Trail Camp 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."
Reservation systems: Policies vary by campground and season. At San-Lee Park, "Reservations are not taken, but rather, tent campers can book a campsite on a first-come, first-served basis." However, recent policy changes have caused confusion, with one visitor reporting they "were told you have to call and make a reservation... 72 hours ahead of time."
Weather preparedness: The region can experience sudden storms, particularly in summer. At Deep Water Trail Camp, one camper had to cut their trip short "due to a tropical storm coming in but the area itself is beautiful to walk around."
Accessible sites: Some areas offer more family-friendly terrain than others. At Cedarock Park, families appreciate that "The sites are all super flat, which makes finding some place comfortable to set up a tent that much easier."
Noise considerations: Traffic sounds can affect some campgrounds. One family at Cedarock Park mentioned, "The only downside is the road noise at night - it was very loud. Next time we will bring something to help quiet the noise."
Activities for children: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. A Cedarock Park visitor noted the park "offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek" and is "home to 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails," plus "a basketball court, volleyball court, and playground."
Site limitations: Most primitive sites cannot accommodate large RVs. At Hunt Camp, a reviewer described "what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it, the lot accommodates the OHV trailers," indicating smaller RVs may fit but space is designed primarily for off-highway vehicles.
Seasonal access restrictions: RVers should check seasonal limitations. One visitor to East Morris Mountain noted, "This camp site is only open during hunting season," limiting when RVs can access the area.
Water and power considerations: Few sites offer hookups. Lake Tillery Family Campground stands as an exception with certain amenities available, though most tent camping in Cedar Grove requires complete self-sufficiency for RVers as well as tent campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cedar Grove, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cedar Grove, NC is Uwharrie Hunt Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cedar Grove, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Cedar Grove, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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