Tent camping near Robbins, North Carolina centers primarily around the Uwharrie National Forest, which covers over 50,000 acres in the ancient Uwharrie Mountain range with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 feet. The area experiences mild winters and warm summers with average July temperatures around 90°F, making April-October the most popular camping season. The forest contains numerous unmarked, dispersed campsites alongside established campgrounds, providing options for various camping preferences.
What to do
Fishing on the Yadkin River: Deep Water Trail Camp offers excellent fishing access with spacious sites along the river. A camper reported, "Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing. One enormous female catfish we released because she had eggs on board."
Hiking the forest trails: Uwharrie Hunt Camp provides access to multiple trail systems. One visitor noted, "Love the trails that hug the lake in the area. Lots of camping off the beaten path and outside the normal camp grounds." The trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with several options under 5 miles.
Disc golf and recreational activities: Cedarock Park offers two disc golf courses with 36 holes total, plus hiking and equestrian trails. A camper mentioned, "While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf. It was a great time!" The park also features canoe and kayak rentals, basketball courts, and volleyball areas.
What campers like
Complete privacy: East Morris Mountain Camp features just three sites on a remote fire trail. According to one camper, "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy." Sites are basic with only a fire pit for amenities.
River access: Deep Water Trail Camp provides direct access to the Yadkin River with several shoreline camping spots. A visitor shared, "We stayed at a campsite next to the river bend, not on the actual Deep Water Trail, because it got super bumpy & didn't want to damage our car. But it gave us a nice path downward to get to the Yadkin River."
Spacious sites: Chalk Banks in Lumber River State Park offers extremely roomy tent sites. A camper observed, "Probably the biggest spots to camp I've ever seen gives you the feel of basically being way off the beaten path." Another added, "Extra large and private campsites. One of the campsites has a hammock stand."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Deep Water Trail Camp, a visitor warned, "PLEASE take something with a little ground clearance and better than 2 wheel drive to get here. My Honda Element was on two wheels at one point but the AWD handled it like a champ."
Gate closing times: Several parks lock entrance gates at night. At San-Lee Park, "the ranger came by and greeted us and gave us the code for the front gate since it is locked from 8 pm to 8 am." Make sure to obtain gate codes when checking in.
Trash management: Pack-in, pack-out principles are essential at primitive sites. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp observed, "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites? I bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."
Water availability: Most primitive sites lack potable water. For Sandhills Campground B, a visitor noted, "No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: San-Lee Park offers facilities suitable for families. A visitor described, "This park has lots of hiking trails, a fantastic park for the kiddos, Nature Center, a gorgeous lake perfect for a day of fishing, mountain bike trails, paddle boat rental and a pretty impressive campground!"
Easy access sites: Lumber River State Park provides accessible camping with convenient facilities. "The area is clean and well maintained. There is a lot of wood to gather for your fire but if you want to buy firewood then you'll have to drive to the speedway about 10 minutes down the road," shared one camper.
Tent-only camping options: San-Lee Park restricts camping to tents only, creating a more family-friendly atmosphere without large RVs. "It's an okay place, great of you are with a large group, as the sites are open but situated somewhat close to each other," noted a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited hook-up options: Uwharrie Hunt Camp allows RVs but with minimal services. A camper mentioned, "The campground is a quaint, and only $5 per night! With only 6 sites and what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it, the lot accommodates the OHV trailers."
Size restrictions: Most primitive sites can't accommodate larger RVs. At Deep Water Trail Horse Camp, a visitor cautioned, "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites. I attempted in my van and made it down to a sweet spot, but was stuck in the mud."
Weather considerations: Challenging road conditions can worsen after rain. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp noted, "Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don't go. Steep rocky Muddy."
