Best Campgrounds near Richfield, NC

Camping near Richfield, North Carolina centers around the Uwharrie National Forest, with several established campgrounds situated along Badin Lake. The area includes a mix of state park facilities, national forest campgrounds, and limited dispersed camping options. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground in nearby Albemarle provides year-round camping with full hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabins. The Uwharrie National Forest offers multiple camping experiences through Arrowhead Campground and Badin Lake Campground, both highly rated for their spacious sites and access to water recreation. These campgrounds are approximately 10-15 miles from Richfield, making them convenient bases for exploring the region's natural resources.

Most campgrounds in the Richfield area are open year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer and fall weekends. According to visitors, Badin Lake Campground sites fill quickly, particularly those with lake views in the lower loop. Access roads to some campgrounds can be rough in places, with campers noting that smaller vehicles may need to navigate carefully on unpaved sections. Cell service varies throughout the area, with Verizon reported to work reasonably well at Badin Lake, while T-Mobile coverage is spotty. Weather conditions can affect trail accessibility, particularly after heavy rains when creek crossings may become difficult and some trails prone to flooding.

The camping options near Richfield cater to different outdoor interests. Arrowhead Campground is particularly popular with off-road enthusiasts, offering electric hookups and access to the forest's extensive OHV trail system. Badin Lake Campground provides more primitive lakeside camping with spacious sites that offer privacy through natural vegetation. The El Dorado Outpost, located near the forest entrance, serves as a convenient supply stop for campers, offering essentials like ice, firewood, and food. During hunting season (typically fall), campers should wear bright colors when hiking, as the national forest is open to hunters, especially during dawn and dusk hours.

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Best Camping Sites Near Richfield, North Carolina (73)

    1. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 982-4402

    $17 - $107 / night

    "Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone.  Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "

    "Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."

    2. Badin Lake Campground

    26 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    10 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Awesome location, very remote and the sites are Huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 easy access to the water and great views."

    "I preferred the lower loop as nearly every outer site was on the lake with great views and lake access and sites are spread out. The inside sites of the lower loop are pretty spacious and deep."

    3. Arrowhead Campground

    18 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    $20 - $54 / night

    "Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. "

    "The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "

    4. Dan Nicholas Park

    19 Reviews
    Southmont, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 216-7803

    "Nice lake to walk around, but paddle boats and center were closed. Lots of ducks that were used to human presence and feeding. Located in a nice sized park. Would definitely go back."

    "Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue."

    5. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    11 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "First of all.. this place is FREE to camp at and surrounded by beautiful water, beautiful trees and the ancient rock of Uwharrie. A lovely place that we are so lucky to have access to... BUT. People."

    6. Art Lilley Campground

    5 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    11 miles
    Website

    "Other camp ground near by with dump an showers fee 3 bucks for showers unsure on dump fee. Ovh area so can get some dust an noisy atv utv an trail rigs."

    7. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April. "

    "After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."

    8. Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake Group Camp

    3 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    11 miles
    Website

    $75 / night

    "And it you are an off road enthusiast, they have made some fantastic off road trails south of the Forrest."

    "While at Uwaharrie NF stayed at Biden Lake campground. Beautiful place with great views. Clean facilities close to sites."

    9. Basecamp Outdoors

    1 Review
    Richfield, NC
    6 miles
    +1 (336) 314-6564

    $80 - $145 / night

    10. Cross Winds Family Campground

    9 Reviews
    Salisbury, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 853-4567

    $50 - $53 / night

    "We booked it online last minute, while driving & let ourselves in that evening (everything is clearly marked). The laundry & bathrooms are immaculate!!"

    "Large camper sites, walking trails, pool, playground, laundry facilities, store, and showers. Everything was very clean. Literally 5 minutes off the interstate, but very peaceful and quiet!"

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Recent Reviews near Richfield, NC

481 Reviews of 73 Richfield Campgrounds


  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Greensboro KOA

    Noisy- Ok for one night

    This campground is only 100 yards from the Interstate! Lots of road noise all night. Very noisy especially in a tent. The sites are large enough for most RVs. Adequate space between sites, and some grass. There are a few trees around the campground but not in the RV sites. Full hookups (30/50 amp) Pool, playground and camp store with basics. Shower and bathroom were clean.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Cobble Hill RV Campground (Formerly) Carolina Rose

    good stop & stay

    campground being remodeled so bathhouses were a little walk away but not too inconvenient. pool was also closed for now BUT overall cute location. did park on site 59 (pull through) but was SUPER unlevel. cute pond and amphitheater too! has laundry as well.

    coolest part about this spot is that it’s about a 10 min drive into Catawba college town which was a super nice area for us being younger. perfect mix of Boulder & Philly :)

    hosts were SUPER friendly and nice :)

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Asheboro

    Great stay

    Campground has many things to do for the Littles. I would recommend renting the “off road” golf cart for fun. The only negative is the lack of bath houses. Although we have a full bathroom in our camper we typically use the showers at the campgrounds. There were only 2 bathhouses in the campground. Our site was well shaded and enough space between the sites.

  • wesley L.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Tanglewood Park

    Shaded and clean

    No permanent sites so it's clean with no clutter, host greeted upon arrival, lots of access to hike/bike trails, near park with ponds, pool, ball courts. Several sites including mine very hard to level

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Arrowhead Campground

    Perfect spot

    Nicely spaced, shaded, and quiet camp ground. A lot of people camp here with their jeeps, sidexsides, and 4wheelers. The bathrooms and showers aren’t fancy but are clean. There’s a boat ramp right by the entrance. Overall an awesome camp ground!

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Cane Creek Park

    Always a great time when we go

    We have been here 3 times all for a week at a time and love it. Holidays usually have some activities for kids. The mini golf is free and a blast. The swim area is only open on Saturdays or you can drive to the day use side and be over there.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    We will be back for sure

    Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue.

  • D
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Dan Nicholas Park

    Beautiful campground

    Very limited wi-fi, dated bathrooms, most amenities closed

  • Chris K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    Superb Accommodations

    Always very clean, with meticulously maintained and picturesque grounds, the Camp Wilderness at Carowinds is well-appointed with amenities and attended to by helpful and friendly Carowinds staff. Providing shuttle service to the front gate for park entry, this is an excellent choice for overnight stays and Carowinds outings.


Guide to Richfield

Camping near Richfield, North Carolina, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Pilot Mountain State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The close proximity to the hiking trails up Pilot Mtn was a personal highlight."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Morrow Mountain State Park Campground, visitors enjoy lake access for fishing and boating. A review noted, "There are nice hiking trails, lake on site, and decent bathrooms with showers."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at McDowell Nature Preserve appreciate the chance to see deer and squirrels. One reviewer said, "The campground itself is very wooded with lots of trees for shade."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms. A visitor at Lake Norman State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse was an unexpected luxury and was immaculately maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers at Badin Lake Campground enjoy the spacious sites. One review stated, "They have really nice established spots with great views of the lake."
  • Friendly Staff: The helpfulness of campground hosts is often highlighted. A camper at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "Camp host is always very helpful and keeps things in order."

What you should know:

  • No Electric Hookups: If you're planning to camp at Badin Lake Campground, be aware that there are no electric hookups. A camper noted, "If I wasn’t paying for the facilities and was just paying for a gravel pad...this is not a 'cheap' place to boondock."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular campgrounds can get busy. A visitor at Cane Creek Park said, "The campground is county run so the park ranger regularly patrols, making it feel safe."
  • Limited Cell Service: Campers at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground warned about poor cell coverage. One review mentioned, "Cell/Internet coverage is non-existent, unless you can get to a high Vista lookout."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Hagan-Stone Park has multiple playgrounds and activities for kids. A camper shared, "There are trails around the whole park that my dogs loved."
  • Plan for Bugs: If you're camping at Pilot Mountain State Park Campground, be prepared for bugs. One reviewer humorously warned, "If you don’t love bugs, be warned that there are hundreds of daddy long legs."
  • Bring Extra Blankets: Nights can get chilly, especially at higher elevations. A camper at McDowell Nature Preserve suggested, "The sites were spacious and private."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: At Lake Norman State Park Campground, some sites can be uneven. A visitor noted, "The sites are paved, with a picnic table and fire ring on a compacted gravel base next to each site."
  • Use the Dump Station: If you're staying at Morrow Mountain State Park Campground, remember that while there are electric hookups, there are no water or sewer at the sites. One camper mentioned, "There is a water tank filling station and a dump station on site."
  • Plan for Limited Amenities: Campers at Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort found the amenities basic but sufficient. A review stated, "The campground overall is clean, safe and secure but we expected a little more from the theme park campground."

Camping around Richfield, NC, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to bustling campgrounds. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Richfield, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, Richfield, NC offers a wide range of camping options, with 73 campgrounds and RV parks near Richfield, NC and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Richfield, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Richfield, NC is Morrow Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 37 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Richfield, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Richfield, NC.