Best Tent Camping near Richfield, NC
The Uwharrie National Forest surrounding Richfield, North Carolina offers several primitive tent camping options with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Deep Water Trail Camp in Troy stands out as a free, walk-in tent campsite with direct access to water and hiking trails. Just a short drive away, Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides rustic tent campsites for only $5 per night with basic amenities like drinking water and pit toilets. East Morris Mountain Camp offers tent-only camping with complete seclusion on a remote fire trail, while Lake Curriher Wilderness features both walk-in tent sites and an ADA-accessible tent area approximately 20 miles northwest of Richfield.
Road conditions to these tent campgrounds vary significantly, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles. Deep Water Trail Camp's access road is particularly challenging, with steep, rocky sections that become muddy after rain. One camper reported their "Honda Element was on two wheels at one point" navigating to the waterfront sites. Most primitive tent camping areas have simple rock fire rings but no potable water sources, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. East Morris Mountain Camp offers just three tent sites with fire pits as the only amenity. Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides more facilities with clean pit toilets and water spigots, though the six tent sites offer minimal privacy between them. All sites allow pets and campfires when no burn bans are in effect.
Tent campers seeking backcountry experiences will find the seclusion worth the effort. According to reviews, Deep Water Trail Camp offers "super private" sites with "nice trails nearby for hiking and finding firewood." The area features abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and fishing access. Visitors to Lake Curriher Wilderness noted the regular tent loop is "one big open field with few trees," offering limited privacy, while the Point offers more secluded tent camping for those willing to hike in. Early spring visitors to Uwharrie Hunt Camp reported having the entire campground to themselves, though summer brings more crowds. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at all locations, with several campers noting concerns about trash left behind at the more remote tent sites.