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Best Dispersed Camping near Albemarle, NC

17 Reviews

Uwharrie National Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities northwest of Albemarle, North Carolina. The forest allows primitive camping along trails and in designated areas, with sites typically featuring established fire rings. Visitors should obtain permits for overnight stays, which can be purchased at several local stores including Eldorado Outpost. Camping areas vary from roadside pull-offs suitable for tent and small RV camping to remote trail sites requiring hiking in.

Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area offers free primitive camping with hike-in access only. Dispersed sites require no facilities, and campers must pack out all trash. Falls Dam Trail area provides free tent, RV and cabin camping opportunities with drive-in access and fire rings, though no amenities are available. During hunting seasons, campers should wear bright colors for safety. According to one visitor, "There are a ton of great campsites that are private and secluded." The forest features numerous creek access points for water filtration, though campers should camp at least 200 feet from water sources. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Albemarle, North Carolina (4)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Albemarle, NC

9 Photos of 4 Albemarle Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Albemarle, NC

17 Reviews of 4 Albemarle Campgrounds

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2021

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Truly Primitive Camping in a National Forest

    Personally, I would give dispersed camping here four or five stars, but I have to be objective from the point of view of many campers. This is not an RV camping area, at least not the dispersed camping area. You cannot drive up to the campsites. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups. There might be at the more developed campgrounds, but if you are camping along the Uwharrie Trail or the Dutchman’s Creek Trail, it is completely primitive. With that said, I have enjoyed camping in the Uwharrie National Forest. 

    This makes my third time in the Uwharrie National Forest. The first time was with a Royal Ranger Junior Training Trails group when I was a Royal Ranger leader. We camped along the Dutchman’s Creek Trail. The second time was with the Boy Scouts when we were preparing the boys for a longer backpacking trip to Philmont in New Mexico. This time was my third time, and I was by myself. I hiked along the creek at what was marked as campsite 1 along the Uwharrie Trail. It was a short hike and easy to moderate. Unfortunately, it wasn’t far enough away to hear distant noises from Hwy 24, so if you want to get away from traffic noise completely, hiker farther in. 

    Obviously, there are no facilities, so I had to take my own water and a water filter. Since I was close to a stream, I had to take care of personal business about two hundred feet farther away. There was evidence that others had been at this site because of the trash, but as always(and I am not patting myself on the back), I left the site cleaner than I found it. I am sure there are other views, but my favorite view was from Dennis Mountain, which is only about 700 feet above sea level. I didn’t make it to Dennis Mountain this time, and I wish I had taken pictures when I was there before. On my previous trips, I also wish I had taken more photos. Nevertheless, backpacking and camping in the Uwharrie Mountains gives you a sense of being in the wilderness.

  • Marvin D.
    Nov. 11, 2022

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Good challenging hiking, and plenty of campsites along the trails. This is a good place for a 'shakedown hike' if you ever plan on through hiking the AT. There are a few different trailheads, so you are never too far from your car or civilization. 23/27 trailhead has a decent sized parking lot and allows for overnight parking for backpacking etc. Rt 109 trailhead has slightly smaller parking.

    If you are car camping, there are established campsites for that, and you can basically disperse camp anywhere there is a site in the Uwharrie.

  • Wyatt M.
    May. 22, 2019

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Little River National Forest Area

    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. Me and my friends would always float our kayaks down the river to a place we called "Bird Dog" and camp for the night. If you are looking for a place that has very little traffic, this is the place you want to go! This area would be limited to dispersed camping due to no campsites. It is a National Forest so be mindful of rules and regulations while visiting!

    link: 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd485941.pdf

     There is a boat ramp where PEKIN ROAD crosses the Little River.  PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH ROAD pretty much cuts right through the area on the PDF.

  • b
    May. 22, 2021

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Uwharrie campground

    The State Forest has camping. We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations. There are hiking, horse, OHV, dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike trails.

  • Misery C.
    Nov. 3, 2021

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Primitive camping

    We primitive camping here at least every other weekend. We love it. Great trails, beautiful scenery. A peaceful experience

  • Sean R.
    May. 30, 2019

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Backpacking In Uwharrie

    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. Notwithstanding, as much of the higher elevations are impassable during the winter months, the forest offers backpackers an opportunity to stay on the trail a few days. 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. Overall, however, the forest is a good place for backpacking in this region of the state. Th streams, provided one has filtration or iodine tablets, provide ample sources of drinking water.

  • Zachary S.
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Dispersed camping

    This is a great area for dispersed campers with 4WD or AWD. It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot. Some of the sites may have a little trash left from the last user, so please try to leave it cleaner than you came to. No toilets for disperesed areas. Most sites have rock fire pits and room to set up. Love it here. Plenty of OHV trails as well.

  • Wyatt M.
    May. 22, 2019

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Dispersed camping/hunting area

    This area was a place that I went often to deer hunt in the fall. I have never came across another camper/hunter at this location. It is a good location if you are looking for an area that is away from camp grounds and heavy traffic. I never shot a deer here but they are in the area.  The area is just SW of Troy, NC down HWY 109/24. On the map below, it is the most western forest area. 

    Link to Map: 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd485941.pdf

  • Erica
    May. 26, 2019

    Uwharrie National Forest

    Great off-roading

    First time at Uwharrie and we drove about 5 hours to get there but it was worth it! It’s a huge area with several campgrounds. We stayed in 2 different dispersed primitive sites and they were both great. Plenty of space and trees and privacy! There are a 6 different stores/gas stations that have the overnight passes available for purchase. We got our passes from Eldorado outpost and the attendants there were very knowledgeable and helpful! We also took our Jeep on the OHV trails and had a blast. There are several places you can take a canoe or kayak on and the scenery on the lake was beautiful as well. They also have several hiking trails throughout. Canebrake horse camp is located in Uwharrie and has horse trails throughout. We didn’t come across a park store but they did have showers and bathrooms in the actual campgrounds. There’s a store/gas station (Eldorado Outpost) right down the road and they also have an air compressor for inflating tires (which is handy for off-roading). It was definitely a long drive but we will definitely be making the trip again. We really liked the secluded primitive campsites and the various trails we were able to take our Jeep on.

Guide to Albemarle

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Albemarle, North Carolina, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots to unwind and explore the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy everything from hiking trails to peaceful water views.

Scenic Hiking Trails for Dispersed Campers

  • Explore the challenging hiking trails at Uwharrie National Forest, which features multiple trailheads and established campsites along the way.

Tranquil Waterfront Spots for Relaxation

Beautiful Scenery and Wildlife Encounters

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Albemarle, NC?

Uwharrie National Forest offers numerous free dispersed camping opportunities near Albemarle. The forest has multiple access points and established primitive sites throughout. Many campers access sites via 4WD/AWD vehicles, though some areas require hiking in. Popular areas include spots along the Little River, accessible by kayak or hiking. The forest has multiple trailheads with parking, including the 23/27 trailhead which provides good access to camping areas. Arrive early on weekends to secure your preferred spot, as the area is quite popular with dispersed campers.

What amenities or facilities are available at dispersed camping sites near Albemarle?

Dispersed camping at Dispersed Camping off Falls Dam Trail and Robbins Branch Trail offers a true primitive experience with minimal amenities. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups available. Most sites feature basic rock fire rings but no constructed facilities. No toilets, potable water, trash services, or designated picnic areas exist at dispersed sites. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal bags. The nearby area has approximately 6 different stores/gas stations where supplies can be purchased, so it's advisable to stock up before heading to your campsite.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest near Albemarle?

When dispersed camping in Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area Dispersed, you must follow Leave No Trace principles. Campers are expected to pack out all trash and leave sites cleaner than they found them. Existing fire rings should be used where available, and campfires must be fully extinguished before leaving. The forest has quiet hours, though enforcement can be limited. Stays are typically limited to 14 days. No permits are required for basic dispersed camping, but larger groups may need special use permits. Vehicles must remain on designated roads and cannot drive directly to many dispersed sites.

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