Uwharrie National Forest offers multiple dispersed camping options approximately 80 miles from Laurinburg, North Carolina. The forest encompasses over 50,000 acres in the ancient Uwharrie Mountains with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 feet. Winter and early spring provide favorable conditions for backpacking when higher-elevation destinations are inaccessible due to snow.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: Access remote camping areas via the Little River with boat ramps available where Pekin Road crosses the waterway. According to a visitor, "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" (Uwharrie National Forest).
Off-road vehicle trails: The forest contains extensive OHV routes for Jeeps and other 4WD vehicles. One camper reports, "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."
Backpacking: While not offering dramatic mountain views, Uwharrie provides accessible backpacking opportunities. A hiker notes, "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."
What campers like
Secluded campsites: The dispersed areas provide significant privacy from other campers. One visitor explains, "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" (Uwharrie National Forest).
Multiple water sources: Streams throughout the forest provide reliable water sources when properly filtered. A backpacker states, "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. The streams, provided one has filtration or iodine tablets, provide ample sources of drinking water."
Variety of camping styles: From primitive hike-in sites to more accessible dispersed areas. A reviewer shares, "We stayed in 2 different dispersed primitive sites and they were both great. Plenty of space and trees and privacy!"
What you should know
Hunting season awareness: Visitor safety requires wearing high-visibility clothing during active hunting periods. A camper advises, "There are a tong of people out deer hunting in this area. That being said there are a ton of great campsites that are private and secluded" (Uwharrie National Forest).
Vehicle requirements: Many sites require appropriate vehicles for access. One camper states, "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."
Trail conditions: Weather affects trail passability and water crossings. A hiker notes, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose areas with space for children to explore safely. A reviewer recommends, "The tent sites nice and clean and level. The host drove through many many times in the 3 days I was there" (Uwharrie National Forest).
Water planning: No facilities exist at primitive sites, requiring sufficient water transport or filtration equipment. A camper advises, "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."
Noise considerations: Some sites near highways experience traffic sounds. One visitor notes, "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."
Tips from RVers
Generator usage: RVs can access some rustic locations with proper planning. An RVer shares, "We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations. There are hiking, horse, OHV, dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike trails" (Uwharrie National Forest).
Permit information: Purchase overnight passes from nearby vendors. A camper explains, "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!"
Services availability: Limited facilities exist for waste disposal and supplies. A reviewer notes, "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."
