Best Tent Camping near China Grove, NC

State parks and national forests surrounding China Grove, North Carolina provide several options for tent camping enthusiasts. Lake Curriher Wilderness, located within a short drive from China Grove, offers tent-only camping areas with both walk-in sites and ADA-accessible options. Further southwest, Crowders Mountain State Park provides backcountry tent camping via a one-mile hike from the Sparrow Springs access point. For those seeking more primitive tent camping experiences, the Uwharrie National Forest, approximately 30 miles east of China Grove, contains multiple tent campgrounds including Deep Water Trail Camp and Uwharrie Hunt Camp.

Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. At Lake Curriher Wilderness, the tent loop consists of an open field with limited tree cover and privacy, though dedicated tent pads are available. Crowders Mountain requires all gear to be packed in along a moderately challenging trail, with pit toilets and drinking water available at the campground. Deep Water Trail Camp offers primitive tent camping with no potable water, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. Road conditions vary significantly, with Deep Water Trail Camp requiring high-clearance vehicles to access the best riverside sites. Fire rings or stone fire circles are common at most locations, and campers should check seasonal fire restrictions before arrival.

In early spring and fall, tent campers frequently report more comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at these locations. According to reviews, Lake Curriher Wilderness provides "the quietest stay" for tent campers, though the regular tent area lacks privacy between sites. At Crowders Mountain, one camper noted that "the site was very private with a fire ring, picnic table, and two pads for tents," making it suitable for first-time backpackers. The walk-in tent sites at Uwharrie Hunt Camp cost only $5 per night and feature "rustic, grassy and comfortable" sites with clean pit toilets and water spigots. Tent campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as several reviewers mentioned issues with trash at some of the more remote backcountry tent camping areas.

Best Tent Sites Near China Grove, North Carolina (13)

    1. Lake Curriher Wilderness

    4 Reviews
    China Grove, NC
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (704) 857-4114

    $10 - $30 / 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."

    2. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "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."

    3. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    30 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."

    4. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "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."

    5. Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Too much trash left by previous campers"

    "Thankfully some campers nearby helped me rearrange my direction and get me out of the mud, but I still don’t know how I’m going to make it back out of here 😬. This might be my forever home?!"

    6. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 853-5429

    $17 - $47 / night

    "This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead."

    "I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing."

    7. East Morris Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    "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."

    8. Hiddenite Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Stony Point, NC
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 838-3579

    $25 - $50 / night

    9. Hippie Holler

    1 Review
    Bessemer City, NC
    46 miles

    $40 - $60 / night

    10. Self Sufficient Holler

    1 Review
    Moravian Falls, NC
    48 miles

    $40 - $200 / night

    "What a magical experience floating in the trees surrounded by fire flies! Elizabeth and Mark were exceptional hosts. There is so much to do on property, and they are working on more!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near China Grove, NC

434 Reviews of 13 China Grove Campgrounds


  • A
    Oct. 27, 2021

    West Morris Mtn.

    Individual campsites

    Several individual campsites. Has trash bins located throughout the loop. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. No electric and no water. All spots are full shade.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Badin Lake Campground

    A relaxing lakeside atmosphere

    Uwharrie National Forest-Badin Lake Campground, New London, NC.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48934 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368418.pdf

    Campground Overview: 34 sites, two loops...upper loop and lakeside loop. Relatively large sites with vegetation that blocks constant view of neighbors. 

    Each site has a gravel parking pad and separate gravel tent pad, a standing charcoal grill, firepit with adjustable grate, a picnic table and a metal pole for hanging lanterns, etc. I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site. Note: There are warnings that online reservations take precedence, so if you use the Iron Ranger payment drop chute and someone reserved the same campsite...you will be required to move to a different location when the online reservation campers arrive. Just so you know.

    No electric. 

    Oddly, no firewood for sale...although scrounging produced plenty of things and fallen branches to keep a fire going.

    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. Water spigots were spaced out around the loop, so a short walk as we were equal distance between two. 

    Restroom/showerhouses were quad door buildings. Separate men’s and women’s restrooms and two separate shower rooms. Facilities were kept clean and stocked by resident hosts. 

    With Verizon, I never lost signal...a plus for a National Forest!

    The upper loop appeared to offer a little more solitude than the lower lake loop...but no lake views. 

    The lake loop trail crosses the main campground roadway between the two loops. This trail is relatively flat and meanders around the lake and it’s many fingers...offering lovely lake views and some nice fishing locations. 

    During my midweek visit it was quiet day and night. The sunset across the lake was gorgeous and relaxing. Loud powerboat noise was minimal as only a couple bass boats thought it essential to travel at high speeds from location to location. Next visit my canoe and mountain one will accompany me. 

    What I enjoyed: as much as I dislike tree rats, I was entertained by two feuding squirrels that chased each other relentlessly and knocking each other out of tree tops. Woodpecker and Turkey wake up calls. 

    For a National Forest, I was surprised by the level of daytime industrial noise nearby. 

    Overall, a fantastic location relatively close to Raleigh/Durham and Fayetteville for a great camping getaway. I was only able to stay one night as the campground was booked, all reserved in advance. So plan ahead.

  • Todd S.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Great place to stay

    We enjoyed our stay. The park office had everything well taken care of. We arrived late almost at sundown but they had an envelope waiting with instructions, a parking tag and a map. This is a hike in campground so we were in a hurry. The campground had lockers with firewood and you could leave the money in the envelope at the trailhead. The site was very private with a fire ring and picnic table and two pads for tents. The only complaint (and this isn’t the parks fault) is you aren’t far off the beaten path so car exhaust and jet noise was prevalent throughout the night. All in all happy with the stay and it served us perfectly as we were just passing through the area!

  • Sarah G.
    May. 30, 2018

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Lots of activities for family camping

    We had 4 families with children on 1 RV and 3 non-electric tent sites over Memorial Day weekend. Even though the park was at max capacity, it didn’t feel crowded or swarming. The facilities and activities at Morrow Mountain are awesome - a huge, clean pool; canoe rental from a well-maintained boathouse; hikes of various lengths; slightly aged but clean and cared for bath houses; and (our favorite) a gorgeous mountain top picnic shelter (A), which we rented due to a rainy forecast. Great place for family camping. Sites are nicely spaced, but by no means are they private or secluded. Staff were very friendly, but the no alcohol rule is a bummer. If you want to be alone in the woods, Morrow Mountain is not for you. Its also worth noting the climate is much more like south central NC (hot and super humId) and nothIng like the cool mountain air in Western NC. But if your looking for a fun, interactive family or group camping weekend, it’s the perfect spot!

  • Marlene L.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Badin Lake Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Great spot, really calm and quiet and right on the lake. Perfect for non-partying types (no alcohol allowed). Showers, bathrooms, trash, fire pit, and grill all available. The host was professional and kind to us, even brought us some extra fire wood.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2016

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Hike, Climb, Fish by Day or Backcountry Camp by Night

    I visited Crowders Mountain in December, and the weather only required a sweatshirt. My brother and I spent the day rock climbing. It was his first time climbing, and we were able to set up some beginner-friendly routes.

    As for the camping, your only option is a walk-in campground, about a mile-long hike. Drinking water and outhouses are available though.

  • Crystal D.
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Moravian Falls Family Campground

    Ever See Friday the 13th?

    If you can get past the fact that the building with the camp store looks like something out of Hoarders, there's piles of stuff stacked up all over inside & out & abandoned boats you'll find that this is North Carolina's Crystal Lake. The pool & water slide have been neglected sitting unused for many years & a haunting reminder of better days. It's creepy, run down, a lawsuit waiting to happen & either needs an overhaul or they need to close. The upper campground looks like it's mostly full timers & getting a rig up there would be a challenge to say the least. The ones that are occupied have stuff piled up outside it & that's also where you find the cabins but considering the state of disrepair the rest of the place is in I'd be worried about falling through the floor. There's an old abandoned camper that's obviously been neglected from the 60's & I didn't even want to know what was waiting on the other side of the bathroom door up there. The lower campground was close to deserted complete with a old van & hippie, a pop-up camper with tent & another pop-up camper with a tarp over it. The only way to distinguish between the overgrown grass & the campsites are the pole with a number on it. If you have more than 2 people you have to put picnic tables together & the fire rings are car rims without the tire. The shower house is cinder block tombs with rotting bedroom doors & the bathroom is several porta potties sitting around. In the back part of the lower campground there was an old building half enclosed/half open & stuff piled up around it. The only good thing about here is the waterfall. I don't make a habit of writing reviews this negative but this place should come with a warning label.

  • L
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Oak Hollow City Campground

    We enjoyed our stay

    We tent camped on Aug 28. This was our first time setting up on a platform and it was very easy. Our site had a great view of the beautiful lake. There was a pool our kids could swim in until 7:00pm. They let us borrow a metal fire pit so we could make s’mores. The restrooms and showers were very clean.

  • phillip L.
    Jul. 30, 2016

    Canebrake Horse Camp

    No horses here

    Site is so good. This site i stayed at was site 18 and it was so clean and had everything i needed such as the restroom showers, picnic table and fire ring. the site here do fill up fast so you should make reservations. It costed me 25 dollars and I called ahead 2 weeks. At the visitor center they said the weather here is unpredictable and sometimes it starts raining out of nowhere. There is electric hookups here and there is a lot of RVs which is pretty noisy from the t.v and radio. I came in the summer and the temperature was around the 80's. During the night it is around 60 which is pleasant. They do sell for 6 dollars for a bunch of firewood


Guide to China Grove

Tent camping near China Grove, North Carolina, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tips for tent camping near China Grove

  • Lake Curriher Wilderness provides a peaceful environment with clean facilities and friendly hosts, making it a great last-minute camping option.
  • Deep Water Trail Camp is ideal for those seeking adventure; just be prepared for a rough ride in and choose your campsite wisely for the best experience.
  • Uwharrie Hunt Camp offers a rustic experience with free camping and a chance to enjoy the beautiful trails of the Uwharrie National Forest.

Tent campers should check out Lake Curriher Wilderness

  • At Lake Curriher Wilderness, you can enjoy amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and the option for campfires, enhancing your camping experience.
  • This campground allows pets, making it a great choice for families who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.
  • With both drive-in and walk-in access, Lake Curriher Wilderness caters to various camping styles, whether you prefer a quick setup or a more secluded spot.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $40

  • Deep Water Trail Camp is a free camping option that allows you to enjoy nature without breaking the bank, though be ready for some rugged access.
  • Badin Recreational Area offers affordable camping with lots of amenities, including picnic tables and toilets, for just $40 a night.
  • At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, you can camp for only $5 per night, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice for tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near China Grove, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near China Grove, NC is Lake Curriher Wilderness with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near China Grove, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near China Grove, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.