Primitive tent campsites dot the landscape around Lexington, North Carolina, offering wilderness experiences within reach of town. Lake Curriher Wilderness provides established tent sites with a mix of lakeside and wooded areas. The Uwharrie National Forest, a short drive southeast of Lexington, contains multiple tent camping options including Deep Water Trail Camp and East Morris Mountain Camp where tent campers can find seclusion in a natural setting.
Tent sites typically feature basic dirt or packed-earth surfaces with little site preparation. Most primitive areas require campers to pack in all supplies including drinking water. According to one visitor, "The road in can be a bit much if you're in a smaller car because of all the rocks." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent sites, particularly at Deep Water Trail Camp where muddy conditions can make access challenging after rain. Fires are generally permitted in established fire rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply. Few locations provide potable water, and trash removal is the camper's responsibility at most primitive sites.
Areas farther from main roads offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. The Deep Water Trail Camp provides waterfront tent sites with fishing opportunities directly from camp. A camper noted that "If you want to get away, this is where you go. Secluded but still able to get into town for supplies." Many tent sites feature partial to full shade from the forest canopy, providing natural cooling during summer months. East Morris Mountain Camp offers just three tent sites along a fire trail, with the site at the end of the road providing complete privacy. Fall camping is particularly rewarding with pleasant temperatures and colorful foliage. Most locations have minimal light pollution, creating excellent stargazing conditions for tent campers who prefer primitive experiences away from developed facilities.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
from $10 / 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
from $25 - $50 / night
from $35 - $65 / 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.
GuideGreat spot to visit, with pool fishing ect. Very nice people and clean.
Primitive camping opportunities abound within a 30-mile radius of Lexington, North Carolina. The region's rolling piedmont terrain offers numerous secluded tent camping locations with elevations ranging from 500-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-75°F range.
Fishing from shoreline sites: At Deep Water Trail Camp, campers access excellent fishing spots directly from their campsites. One visitor reports, "Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing." The camp provides direct access to both river and lake fishing opportunities.
Gem hunting excursions: The area around Hiddenite is known for gemstone discoveries including emeralds and sapphires. As one camper noted, "It is out in the country... close to its namesake town of Hiddenite, which is a famous gem mining area known for gemstones such as hiddenite (spodumene), emeralds, sapphires, etc."
Wildlife observation: Uwharrie Hunt Camp offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities during quieter seasons. A camper shared, "It is very quiet and enjoyable. Hung my hammocks from nearby trees and slept very well." The surrounding forest provides habitat for deer, turkey, and numerous bird species.
Private tent sites: East Morris Mountain offers exceptional seclusion with minimal site development. A camper explains, "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."
Affordable camping options: Camping costs are generally low, with many primitive tent campsites near Lexington available at minimal expense. As one camper at Uwharrie Hunt Camp noted, "$5 per night...What? What?" The campsites are described as "rustic, grassy and comfortable," though without privacy between sites.
Water features: Cedarock Park provides tent sites along Rock Creek with water access. A visitor shared, "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." The park also features "a picturesque waterfall over an old mill dam."
Vehicle limitations: High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing many primitive camping areas. At Deep Water Trail Camp, a camper warned, "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you're in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks." Another visitor advised, "PLEASE take something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here."
Trash management issues: Primitive sites often suffer from improper waste disposal by previous visitors. One camper at Deep Water Trail Horse Camp reported, "Rough road in. Too much trash left by previous campers." Similarly, at Deep Water Trail Camp, a frustrated visitor noted, "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites? I bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lexington, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lexington, NC is Lake Curriher Wilderness with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lexington, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Lexington, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
