Public lands surrounding Granite Quarry, North Carolina offer several tent camping options within an hour's drive. Lake Curriher Wilderness provides established tent campsites with varying levels of privacy. The regular tent loop consists of an open field with limited tree cover, while some walk-in tent sites offer more seclusion. Deep Water Trail Camp in the Uwharrie National Forest, approximately 30 miles southeast of Granite Quarry, features free primitive tent camping with sites positioned along the Yadkin River. East Morris Mountain Camp, also in the Uwharrie Forest, maintains three secluded tent-only sites along a fire trail.
Tent campsites at these locations typically feature basic amenities with varying access challenges. Lake Curriher provides drinking water, toilets, and fire rings at most sites, though some campers report non-potable water that requires filtering or boiling. Deep Water Trail Camp requires campers to bring all supplies including water, as it offers truly primitive tent camping with only rock fire rings. Access roads to many backcountry tent sites can be problematic for low-clearance vehicles. One camper noted their "Honda Element was on two wheels at one point" navigating to Deep Water Trail Camp, recommending vehicles with higher clearance for the rough, sometimes muddy terrain.
In early spring, tent campers often find greater solitude at Uwharrie Hunt Camp, which maintains six rustic tent sites for just $5 per night. According to reviews, March visits typically mean "nobody else here," though sites fill more during summer months. The campsites are described as "grassy and comfortable" but offer "no privacy in between." Lake Curriher Wilderness receives praise for being "the quietest stay" according to one frequent camper, though they caution that the ADA tent site provides better privacy than the main tent loop. Tent campers seeking seclusion should consider the remote walk-in site at "the Point" in Lake Curriher, which requires "a decent hike in" but rewards with lakeside privacy and fewer fellow campers.
"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
"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."
"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."
"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."
"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
"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."
from $25 - $50 / night
from $35 - $65 / night
"I went up the vertical mile trail to get to the upper campsite, it was dry, beautiful and not too steep of a hike"
from $13 / 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
ScoutGreat location , clean bathhouse
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
ScoutThis is not a resort type campground. It is a place for people to bring old campers to live full time and long term. The electric and water utilities are original from the 50's and there are constant problems with both. There is a lot of unrecognized potential because the owners do not reinvest any money into anything for the campground.
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.
Lake Tillery Family Campground and surrounding public lands offer cabin camping options near Granite Quarry, North Carolina, approximately 30-45 minutes from town. The Uwharrie National Forest maintains several rustic cabins at various price points throughout the region. The elevation in this area ranges from 400-1,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the seasons.
Fishing at riverside campsites: Deep Water Trail Camp provides access to prime fishing spots along the Yadkin River. Vincent S. reports "beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing...my friends both caught a couple of channel cats."
Gem mining trips: Hiddenite Family Campground sits near the famous gem mining area known for hiddenite, emeralds, and sapphires. Myron C. notes "the campground is close to its namesake town of Hiddenite, which is a famous gem mining area known for gemstones."
Hiking forest trails: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas with scenic forest views. Will B. from Uwharrie Hunt Camp says "Love the trails that hug the lake in the area. Lots of camping off the beaten path and outside the normal camp grounds."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable tent camping near Granite Quarry, with some sites available at minimal cost. Kyle mentions Uwharrie Hunt Camp is "FREE. large size nobody else here in March but I'm sure as summer rolls around it fills up more."
Waterfront cabin access: Lake Curriher Wilderness provides cabins with waterfront views. Shawn R. describes it as a "Perfect Cabin! Just needed a couple days away and was as good as I could hope for. Staff are great and helpful."
Primitive solitude: For campers seeking seclusion, East Morris Mountain Camp offers minimal amenities but maximum privacy. Dean S. notes "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."
Road conditions vary: Access roads to many campsites require careful navigation. At Deep Water Trail Camp, Michael W. advises "Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don't go. Steep rocky Muddy."
Seasonal crowd patterns: Visitor numbers fluctuate significantly by season. Shari G. observed Uwharrie Hunt Camp is emptiest "BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April" and that in "early March... we were the only campers in the area."
Water considerations: Some campgrounds require bringing your own water supply. Dan from Deep Water Trail Camp mentions "Me and my wife had such a blast the last few days camping here!" but notes that campers must "haul all your supplies and trash in and out to include water."
Select more developed sites: For families tent camping near the Granite Quarry area, East Morris Mountain Camp provides a quieter alternative with fewer visitors. Billy B. notes "This camp site is only open during hunting season" which limits crowding during that period.
Plan for weather changes: Spring conditions can shift quickly in the Uwharrie region. Ashley W. shares "My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park... The only issue is we couldn't find a good location near water so thankfully we brought our own in case."
Pet-friendly options: Most local campgrounds welcome dogs with proper supervision. Gabby A. recalls "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water! We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend."
Limited hookup availability: Many Uwharrie camping areas offer minimal RV services. Stephen R. from Yates Family Camping reports "Well not much here, no office or bathrooms. Water and electric and a dump station."
Communication importance: Call ahead to confirm reservations and availability. Mariah S. recommends Yates Family Camping "due to the flexibility and excellent communication of the owners. 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."
Seasonal operation: Check operating dates before planning RV trips. Tiffany A. advises "PLEASE take something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here" when accessing certain campsites in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Granite Quarry, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Granite Quarry, NC is Lake Curriher Wilderness with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Granite Quarry, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Granite Quarry, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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