Uwharrie National Forest provides several equestrian camping options near Kernersville, North Carolina, situated in the Piedmont region at elevations between 500-1,000 feet. The forest spans approximately 50,000 acres with a mix of hardwood and pine forest terrain. Seasonal weather patterns make spring and fall ideal for horse camping, with temperatures ranging from 60-85°F during these peak seasons.
What to do
Trail riding access: At Canebrake Horse Camp, riders enjoy direct trail connections without trailer transport. "The camp host was so kind. He always made sure me, my horses and my grandson were comfortable and safe!" notes Jackie S., highlighting the staff support for equestrians.
Mountain biking: The Uwharrie trail system offers routes suitable for various skill levels within minutes of camping areas. "There is a 4 mile paved exercise path with mountain bike trails in the middle," explains Dave B. about trails near Tanglewood Park.
Swimming and water activities: Many Uwharrie area campgrounds feature lake access for cooling off after trail rides. At Morrow Mountain State Park, Sara C. appreciates the variety: "We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do! Nice sites with electric hookups."
What campers like
Varied terrain: The Uwharrie region features both flat areas and rolling hills suitable for different riding abilities. "I didn't stay in Hunt Camp proper, but just up the road. It is very quiet and enjoyable," says Wesley R. of Uwharrie Hunt Camp, which provides access to trails hugging the lake.
Clean facilities: Horse campgrounds maintain regularly serviced restrooms and camping areas. At Badin Lake Group Camp, John L. appreciated the "clean facilities close to sites" with "beautiful place with great views."
Wildlife viewing: Forest camping provides opportunities for animal sightings during morning and evening rides. "Deer roam throughout the park and campground," shares Brandon about Tanglewood Park, adding that it has "clean bath/shower. Easy check in with multiple host on site."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most horse campgrounds near Kernersville require advance bookings, especially during spring and fall weekends. At Arrowhead Campground, Mambo M. advises: "Great sites but hardly any are level so be prepared to manage that. Nice fire pits and grills - love having both."
Water availability: Not all sites have water hookups directly at campsites. "Dump station was open, but did not have water to flush tanks or fill water tanks as water was shut off for the winter. There were water spigots throughout the campground that we could use," reports Jody B. about winter camping at Arrowhead.
Campsite selection: Many equestrian sites accommodate various camping styles from primitive to more developed. "We had a crowd of 12 and booked one of the 'double' sites, which was well worth it. Massive fire ring, two picnic tables, flat ground for 6 tents," explains Sam F. about site 29 at Arrowhead Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Beyond riding, families can enjoy additional recreation. "The park has great trails around it, they can be pretty challenging when it comes to elevation gain. The lake is wonderful," writes Keith F. about Fairy Stone State Park, which offers swimming areas suitable for children.
Educational programs: Some parks provide nature programs specifically for younger visitors. Russell C. reports from Fairy Stone: "The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!"
Site spacing: When camping with children, look for areas with adequate room between sites. At Cedarock Park, Tara T. notes: "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. We used the fire pit and the kids played in the creek."
Tips from RVers
Leveling preparation: Many horse campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. Tiffany D. cautions about Tanglewood Park: "Negatives are unlevel lots (we had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level, but couldn't adjust anymore)."
Electrical connections: Check amperage availability at equestrian sites, as not all provide equal power. "Wide spaces with lots of room under big shade trees. This campground is a muni but is is very well maintained," describes Dave B., mentioning that Tanglewood provides full hookups despite being a municipal facility.
Parking configurations: Horse trailer parking requires specific layouts. Mambo M. explains that Arrowhead offers "terrific paved trail that is awesome for walking, biking, strollers, wheelchairs. Plenty of hammock trees! Zero noise except from other campers/vehicles and the occasional aircraft passing over."
