Uwharrie National Forest offers diverse camping experiences near Mount Gilead, with terrain rising about 700 feet above sea level. The forest sits in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Water access remains available through most seasons at Lake Tillery and surrounding waterways, though winter temperatures can drop below freezing.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: The Uwharrie area provides multiple lake and river access points for anglers. At Badin Lake Campground, campers can fish directly from shorelines. "Great access to Badin Lake for kayaking, swimming and fishing. Our group explored the trails which were scenic and easy to transverse," shares Andrew K.
Hiking the forest network: The Uwharrie Trail spans approximately 20 miles north to south through the forest. "The Uwharrie Trail, which pretty much spans the park north/south is about 20 miles point to point. 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," notes Sean R. from Uwharrie National Forest.
Off-road vehicle exploration: The forest maintains designated OHV trails popular with Jeep and side-by-side enthusiasts. "Great place to camp! Quite, clean campground," mentions Debi G. about Morrow Mountain State Park Campground, though many visitors also use the park as a base camp for exploring nearby OHV trails.
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: At Badin Lake Campground, many sites have direct lake views. "Being able to camp on the water and just slide the kayaks in and out is great. There are trails around the lake to explore and the sites are nice size so you don't feel like you are on top of other campers," explains Ruth O.
Affordable camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the free or low-cost options. "FREE. large size nobody else here in March but I'm sure as summer rolls around it fills up more," reports Kyle about Hunt Camp, while others note West Morris Mountain recently increased rates from $5 to $10 per night.
Convenience to urban areas: Many campers value proximity to Charlotte and other population centers. "Glad to finally find a nice campground just over an hour away from Charlotte. Easy trek for a short weekend trip," states Sara C. about her experience at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground.
What you should know
Hunting season considerations: During hunting seasons, especially fall deer seasons, extra precautions are necessary. "Make sure to wear bright colors during hunting season because there are a ton of people out deer hunting in this area. That being said there are a ton of great campsites that are private and secluded," advises Brandon D. about Uwharrie National Forest.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some areas requires appropriate vehicles. Vincent S. from Deep Water Trail Camp explains, "Short but steep walk down to the river. I would be careful when the river is swollen, but otherwise it is gorgeous."
Bathhouse conditions vary by campground: While some campgrounds have updated facilities, others offer more basic amenities. "The bathrooms are perfect for our pandemic times because they are single use, both toilets and showers. We found them clean and comfortable, and even heated during the early spring," notes Shari G. about Badin Lake facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Norwood Campground provides dedicated children's recreation areas. "Great playground, pool and relaxing time!" mentions C R. about the family-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: Both developed pools and natural swimming areas exist throughout the region. Jen P. notes about Norwood Campground: "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest provides natural educational experiences for children. James H. shares about Morrow Mountain State Park: "The park is gorgeous and full of life. I saw plenty of frogs and tadpoles in the creeks, listened to a symphony of birds, and I'm pretty sure heard a few coyotes throughout the night."
Tips for RVers
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. Jennifer R. advises about Morrow Mountain State Park Campground: "So, if you end up in a crap site you might drop those 4 stars to 3. Its going to be impossible to determine a great site from a bad without going there... C loop, site 48, is where we stayed this trip. Its a good site."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Mount Gilead: Most campgrounds welcome pets with standard leash requirements. Katrin M. shares about pet-friendly Arrowhead Campground: "I camped here with a friend and the dogs over the weekend. It's a short walk over to the lake where the dogs enjoyed their swimming."
Limited hook-up availability: Full service sites are scarce in the national forest. "No hookups and 10 dollars a night but decent sites fairly level only 14 sites but not on top of each other. Great for a short stay," notes Scott S. about West Morris Mountain.
