Best Tent Camping near Mount Gilead, NC
The Uwharrie National Forest provides several tent camping options near Mount Gilead, North Carolina, with both established campgrounds and primitive sites. Deep Water Trail Camp offers free tent camping with riverside access, while Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides more developed sites with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables. East Morris Mountain Camp features three secluded tent-only sites along a fire trail, offering a more private backcountry experience.
Most tent sites in the area feature basic dirt or gravel pads with minimal improvements. Deep Water Trail requires high-clearance vehicles to access the riverside tent sites, with several campers noting the rough, rocky road conditions. Primitive tent camping areas typically include simple fire rings but lack amenities like running water or modern restrooms. Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides more facilities with drinking water spigots and pit toilets that are regularly maintained. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies, including water for the more remote walk-in tent locations.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring the extensive trail networks throughout the Uwharrie region. The backcountry tent sites at Deep Water Trail Camp offer direct river access, making them popular for fishing and paddling. Sites vary from open areas that can accommodate multiple tents to more secluded spots surrounded by trees. According to one visitor, "It was a nice spot, big open camping spots that are first come first serve. There's a few campsites surrounded by trees but also a large open area." East Morris Mountain provides complete privacy for tent campers seeking solitude, with one reviewer noting, "We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."
