Camping opportunities near Wadesboro, North Carolina extend throughout Anson County and into neighboring Richmond and Montgomery Counties. The area features elevations ranging from 200 to 700 feet above sea level, with the Uwharrie Mountains providing a backdrop for outdoor activities. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing for extended periods, allowing for near year-round camping at most locations in the region.
What to do
Fishing access points: Cane Creek Park offers multiple fishing locations on its 350-acre lake. As one visitor noted, "Beautiful place to camp, hike, and kayak! I load up my kayak once a month or so and paddle around the lake for hours."
Mini golf and recreation: Norwood Campground includes free putt-putt golf among its amenities. According to a camper, "Wonderful campground! Vintage without being run down. The owners have done a great job of retaining the 'old school' charm of the place while keeping up with utilities and overall functionality."
Mountain biking trails: Several areas in Uwharrie National Forest maintain dedicated mountain biking routes separate from motorized vehicle trails. A visitor mentioned, "If you are looking for more isolation, then you may want to try this place off season. I had campers on either side of me and the trail was spitting distance from the campsite."
Swimming opportunities: Cheraw State Park Campground offers a swimming beach area across from the campground. "You can walk 10 minutes to a beachy area on the other site of the lake," reports one camper. Swimming facilities at Cane Creek typically operate limited hours, with a visitor noting, "The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Arrowhead Campground features well-spaced campsites. One camper shared, "Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers." Another noted, "It is laid out nicely with equal privacy between sites. You do not feel smothered by the camper next to you."
Well-maintained facilities: Morrow Mountain State Park Campground receives consistent praise for upkeep. A visitor commented, "I campground as well kept and clean. The bathhouse is brand new. The camp host was very helpful and checked on everybody, every day."
Affordable rates: Several campgrounds in the region offer competitive pricing, particularly during off-peak seasons. One camper at Cheraw State Park noted, "Super cheap. We stayed four nights for under $100. 30/50 hookups and water. No sewer but very close dump station in campground."
Seasonal advantages: Winter camping brings unique benefits to the area. A visitor reported, "Spacious sites that feel nicely private surrounded by evergreens which is a nice relief in winter to see trees with leaves. The lake is beautiful."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds and even between specific campsites. Have backup navigation options when traveling to campsites.
Seasonal water restrictions: At some facilities like Arrowhead Campground, winter camping involves partial water shutoffs. A camper noted, "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."
Campsite reservation requirements: Badin Lake Campground warns about reservation priorities. A visitor explained, "I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site. Note: There are warnings that online reservations take precedence, so if you use the Iron Ranger payment drop chute and someone reserved the same campsite...you will be required to move."
Off-season access benefits: Multiple campgrounds become less crowded outside summer months. One camper shared, "Barely anyone here in December, so it feels so nice to be out of our house but not needing masks constantly."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Cane Creek Park features dedicated play areas for children. A visitor shared, "Great playground, pool and relaxing time!" Another mentioned, "Larger camp ground than expected. Enjoyed our stay."
Nature exploration opportunities: Morrow Mountain State Park offers family-friendly hiking trails. A camper noted, "We went on the Big Rocks Trail. There wasn't much to see until we got to the end of it and went down the cliff. Then the views were amazing."
Wildlife viewing spots: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities to see local wildlife. A camper at Morrow Mountain mentioned, "Saw several deer while I was there. The family campground is separated from the road by some trees but there is still noise from cars, like in any family campground I suppose."
Family-friendly activities: Norwood Campground offers multiple recreation options. A visitor shared, "Decent campground with a pond for fishing, a swimming pool, and a store. The pool doesn't have normal steps that you walk down into the pool on, they only have the ladder steps which make it a little tricky getting in with a small child."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require careful setup. At Arrowhead Campground, one camper advised, "Great sites but hardly any are level so be prepared to manage that."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various hookup configurations. At Cheraw State Park, a visitor noted, "30/50 hookups and water. No sewer but very close dump station in campground."
Off-road accessibility: For those with specialized RVs, Uwharrie National Forest offers unique opportunities. A camper mentioned, "This area was one of my favorite areas for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest. The area can be accessed by boat on the Little River, or by hiking in."
Power reliability concerns: At some campgrounds, weather can impact services. One visitor at Cane Creek Park reported, "Only problem is that both times we visited there was a storm and power went out for hours. Can't really do anything about that!"
