Best Dispersed Camping near Franklinville, NC

Dispersed camping near Franklinville, North Carolina centers primarily in the Uwharrie National Forest, where primitive sites are available along trails and forest roads. The Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area provides additional hike-in dispersed camping opportunities on public land. Several dispersed sites can be found along the Uwharrie Trail and near the Little River area, with campsites often situated near streams or along forest service roads.

Access varies significantly across these dispersed camping areas. Many sites in the Uwharrie National Forest require hiking in from trailheads, particularly along the Uwharrie Trail and in the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness. Some areas permit drive-in access on forest roads, though these may require high-clearance vehicles. No amenities exist at these primitive sites - campers must pack in all water or filter from streams, and pack out all waste. During hunting seasons, wearing bright colors is essential for safety. Camping permits are not required for most dispersed sites, though some areas may have stay limits.

The terrain features rolling hills with modest elevation changes, making it accessible for most backpackers. One camper described the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area as having "very nice trails, well maintained" though "not marked the best." For those seeking seclusion, deeper forest sites provide greater privacy, as reviews note that areas closer to roads can experience traffic noise. Multiple campers mentioned establishing sites near water sources, with one noting they "found a nice spot near a stream" with an existing fire ring. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, and seasonal considerations include potential flooding of creek crossings after heavy rains. During fall months, hunters frequent the forest, so camping pressure may increase during hunting seasons.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Franklinville, North Carolina (5)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Franklinville, NC

10 Photos of 5 Franklinville Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Franklinville, NC

18 Reviews of 5 Franklinville 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 Franklinville

Dispersed camping near Franklinville, North Carolina includes multiple free primitive sites throughout the Uwharrie National Forest. This area features elevations between 500-800 feet with mixed hardwood forests and pine stands. Many dispersed sites require 4WD or AWD vehicles to access, particularly during wet weather when forest service roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate.

What to do

Off-road adventures: The Uwharrie National Forest offers extensive OHV trails for Jeeps and off-road vehicles. A camper noted, "We 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." Passes for overnight use can be purchased at several local stores.

Backpacking trails: The 20-mile Uwharrie Trail spans north-south through the forest and connects numerous dispersed camping areas. "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," reports one backpacker at Uwharrie National Forest.

Watercraft exploration: Paddlers can access remote camping spots by kayak or canoe along the Little River. "Me and my friends would always float our kayaks down the river to a place we called 'Bird Dog' and camp for the night," explains one regular camper. The boat ramp where Pekin Road crosses the Little River provides convenient water access.

What campers like

Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy found at Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area Dispersed, where one visitor noted, "Very nice trails. Well maintained. Not marked the best... signs at intersections. Plenty of creeks. Hike in for dispersed camping."

Established primitive amenities: Despite being dispersed camping, many sites feature basic amenities created by previous visitors. "Most sites have rock fire pits and room to set up," mentions one camper about free camping areas near Franklinville. These established fire rings make primitive camping more convenient.

Wildlife viewing: The forest provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities. One hunter-camper shares, "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."

What you should know

Water availability: No potable water exists at dispersed sites. "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," explains one backpacker at Dispersed Camping off Falls Dam Trail.

Site selection timing: Popular dispersed camping areas fill quickly on weekends. "This is a great area for dispersed campers with 4WD or AWD. It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot," advises one regular visitor. Arriving Thursday or early Friday provides the best chance at securing preferred locations.

Trail markers: Navigation challenges exist on some trails. Several campers mention poor trail markings, with one noting that while the trails are well-maintained, they're "Not marked the best... signs at intersections." First-time visitors should bring detailed maps or GPS.

Tips for camping with families

Stream-side sites: When camping with children, sites near shallow streams provide both entertainment and water access. At Shallow Ford Natural Area, one camper shares, "I hear the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels. I would highly recommend this place." These water features provide natural play areas.

Trash management: Teaching leave-no-trace principles is essential as some sites may have previous camper debris. "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," notes one forest visitor. Bringing extra bags to pack out found trash creates a teaching moment.

Noise considerations: For better family sleeping conditions, venture deeper into forest areas. "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, hike farther in," advises one camper who found roadway sounds disturbed their experience at sites closer to highways.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most true dispersed camping areas near Franklinville cannot accommodate standard RVs. "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," cautions one camper at Robbins Branch Trail.

Pop-up options: Small, maneuverable campers work best for forest road camping. "We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations," reports one camper who successfully brought a compact camper into areas where larger RVs couldn't access.

Restroom planning: No sanitation facilities exist at dispersed sites, requiring complete self-sufficiency. One camper notes that "Bathrooms are what you can expect from a state park clean with little bugs here and there but nothing you can do about that in the middle of the woods," referring to developed campgrounds, while true dispersed sites have no facilities whatsoever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Franklinville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Franklinville, NC is Uwharrie National Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Franklinville, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Franklinville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.