Best Tent Camping near Rockwell, NC

Tent campgrounds near Rockwell, North Carolina provide access to scenic landscapes in the central part of the state, with options ranging from established sites to primitive camping areas. Lake Curriher Wilderness offers tent sites in both an open field setting and more secluded areas, while Deep Water Trail Camp provides free primitive tent camping in a more remote location. The Uwharrie National Forest region contains several tent camping options within driving distance of Rockwell.

Tent campsites at these locations vary significantly in terms of access and amenities. Lake Curriher Wilderness features an open tent loop with limited privacy between sites, though an ADA tent site is available that offers more seclusion. Most tent areas have fire rings and picnic tables, with bathrooms but limited or no shower facilities. Deep Water Trail Camp requires careful planning as the road can be challenging with some visitors reporting "a rough road in" and noting that "the drive down/up is a little sketchy." Several reviews emphasize that high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for accessing the more remote tent sites near the water.

The tent camping experience in the Rockwell area features notable differences in privacy and natural settings. Lake Curriher sites provide basic amenities but one camper noted it's "the quietest stay we've had yet." Primitive tent sites at Deep Water Trail Camp offer greater solitude with visitors mentioning "we stayed 3 days and 2 nights and there was only 1 other vehicle down there with us the entire time." These primitive areas provide direct access to hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and water activities, though campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Several reviewers expressed frustration with previous campers leaving garbage behind, with one visitor noting they "bagged up 4 large bags of garbage that some college aged kids just left."

Best Tent Sites Near Rockwell, North Carolina (9)

    1. Lake Curriher Wilderness

    4 Reviews
    China Grove, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 857-4114

    $10 - $30 / night

    "It’s the quietest stay we’ve had yet, and we go camping nearly every weekend. I will say, having the ADA tent site makes a huge difference."

    "Very close to my home. I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen and trash since the scum can’t seem to pick up after themselves. The cabins here are also great."

    2. Deep Water Trail Camp

    8 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    21 miles
    Website

    "I’ve got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out. Road posted 25 mph but recommend 10 mph. Was also narrow in spots. Very bumpy. Last 1/2 mile don’t go."

    "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."

    3. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

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

    "Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails."

    "My husband and I took our two dogs backpacking for a weekend at Uhwarrie Park. After a long drive trying to find my husbands original spot we found a new one. Beautiful scenery."

    4. Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "Too much trash left by previous campers"

    "Thankfully some campers nearby helped me rearrange my direction and get me out of the mud, but I still don’t know how I’m going to make it back out of here 😬. This might be my forever home?!"

    5. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

    6. East Morris Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    "Only three sites on this little out of the way fire trail. We go to the end of the road for complete privacy. No amenities other than a fire pit."

    7. Lake Tillery Family Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 985-3700

    $35 - $65 / night

    8. Woodrun

    Be the first to review!
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    9. Hiddenite Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Stony Point, NC
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 838-3579

    $25 - $50 / night

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Tent Camping Reviews near Rockwell, NC

409 Reviews of 9 Rockwell Campgrounds


  • A
    Oct. 27, 2021

    West Morris Mtn.

    Individual campsites

    Several individual campsites. Has trash bins located throughout the loop. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. No electric and no water. All spots are full shade.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Badin Lake Campground

    A relaxing lakeside atmosphere

    Uwharrie National Forest-Badin Lake Campground, New London, NC.

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48934 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368418.pdf

    Campground Overview: 34 sites, two loops...upper loop and lakeside loop. Relatively large sites with vegetation that blocks constant view of neighbors. 

    Each site has a gravel parking pad and separate gravel tent pad, a standing charcoal grill, firepit with adjustable grate, a picnic table and a metal pole for hanging lanterns, etc. I would advise securing online reservations, but they do have an Iron Ranger to drop your payment in should you find an empty site. Note: There are warnings that online reservations take precedence, so if you use the Iron Ranger payment drop chute and someone reserved the same campsite...you will be required to move to a different location when the online reservation campers arrive. Just so you know.

    No electric. 

    Oddly, no firewood for sale...although scrounging produced plenty of things and fallen branches to keep a fire going.

    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. Water spigots were spaced out around the loop, so a short walk as we were equal distance between two. 

    Restroom/showerhouses were quad door buildings. Separate men’s and women’s restrooms and two separate shower rooms. Facilities were kept clean and stocked by resident hosts. 

    With Verizon, I never lost signal...a plus for a National Forest!

    The upper loop appeared to offer a little more solitude than the lower lake loop...but no lake views. 

    The lake loop trail crosses the main campground roadway between the two loops. This trail is relatively flat and meanders around the lake and it’s many fingers...offering lovely lake views and some nice fishing locations. 

    During my midweek visit it was quiet day and night. The sunset across the lake was gorgeous and relaxing. Loud powerboat noise was minimal as only a couple bass boats thought it essential to travel at high speeds from location to location. Next visit my canoe and mountain one will accompany me. 

    What I enjoyed: as much as I dislike tree rats, I was entertained by two feuding squirrels that chased each other relentlessly and knocking each other out of tree tops. Woodpecker and Turkey wake up calls. 

    For a National Forest, I was surprised by the level of daytime industrial noise nearby. 

    Overall, a fantastic location relatively close to Raleigh/Durham and Fayetteville for a great camping getaway. I was only able to stay one night as the campground was booked, all reserved in advance. So plan ahead.

  • Sarah G.
    May. 30, 2018

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Lots of activities for family camping

    We had 4 families with children on 1 RV and 3 non-electric tent sites over Memorial Day weekend. Even though the park was at max capacity, it didn’t feel crowded or swarming. The facilities and activities at Morrow Mountain are awesome - a huge, clean pool; canoe rental from a well-maintained boathouse; hikes of various lengths; slightly aged but clean and cared for bath houses; and (our favorite) a gorgeous mountain top picnic shelter (A), which we rented due to a rainy forecast. Great place for family camping. Sites are nicely spaced, but by no means are they private or secluded. Staff were very friendly, but the no alcohol rule is a bummer. If you want to be alone in the woods, Morrow Mountain is not for you. Its also worth noting the climate is much more like south central NC (hot and super humId) and nothIng like the cool mountain air in Western NC. But if your looking for a fun, interactive family or group camping weekend, it’s the perfect spot!

  • Marlene L.
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Badin Lake Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Great spot, really calm and quiet and right on the lake. Perfect for non-partying types (no alcohol allowed). Showers, bathrooms, trash, fire pit, and grill all available. The host was professional and kind to us, even brought us some extra fire wood.

  • L
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Oak Hollow City Campground

    We enjoyed our stay

    We tent camped on Aug 28. This was our first time setting up on a platform and it was very easy. Our site had a great view of the beautiful lake. There was a pool our kids could swim in until 7:00pm. They let us borrow a metal fire pit so we could make s’mores. The restrooms and showers were very clean.

  • phillip L.
    Jul. 30, 2016

    Canebrake Horse Camp

    No horses here

    Site is so good. This site i stayed at was site 18 and it was so clean and had everything i needed such as the restroom showers, picnic table and fire ring. the site here do fill up fast so you should make reservations. It costed me 25 dollars and I called ahead 2 weeks. At the visitor center they said the weather here is unpredictable and sometimes it starts raining out of nowhere. There is electric hookups here and there is a lot of RVs which is pretty noisy from the t.v and radio. I came in the summer and the temperature was around the 80's. During the night it is around 60 which is pleasant. They do sell for 6 dollars for a bunch of firewood

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    One of the Best State Parks in North Carolina

    I guess my GPS needs updating since it took me down the wrong road to get to this state park, so if you haven’t updated your GPS, do it before you attempt to come here. Other than that, it’s not that difficult to find. 

    There are quite a few things to do at this state park. Hiking, horseback riding, and boating/kayaking are just some of the activities. The trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are lots of them. In addition to the typical outdoor activities, there is also an outdoor museum devoted to Dr. Francis Joseph Kron, one of the first doctors in the Piedmont.   There is also a history and geological museum located within the park.

    The campground has three loops, some with no hookups and some with electric hookups. Water access is a few steps away. I didn’t do my research and I got the campsite farthest from the bath house. However, it wasn’t so bad since the road was paved and there was a moon out. I think the tent pad at my campsite was one of the largest, even though part of it was used for the picnic table, the lantern pole, and the fire pit. It was fairly level, but it was fine gravel. Driving tent stakes in was a little difficult but not impossible. One of the best things about this campground is that there is plenty of space between the campsites(at least where I was), so you don’t feel as if you are on top of the other campers. I also liked that there were plenty of trees for shade. The only drawback is that this state park is close to the Fort Bragg Army Reservation, so you will hear an occasional jet or helicopter(s) flying overhead. 

    Even though the bath house has everything you need, including hot showers, it does need updating. Paint was peeling off the walls, but if that doesn’t bother you, it will be fine. Most campers are in their RVs, so I guess it doesn’t really matter. One thing I did not like was that the bath house is cleaned from 9:30– 10:30 am. Knowing that, however, I was able to work around it. If you decide to go exploring, you will want to go to the Morrow Mountain overlook. There are some pretty spectacular views from there. Overall, I enjoyed my stay here, and I wish I could have stayed longer.

  • Alexia H.
    Feb. 7, 2022

    Hagan-Stone Park

    Long Term

    Had a great experience staying here for several months for a work contract. I believe they only allow you to stay long term from November- March, otherwise the max stay is 14 days. You get a discount rate for the long term stay - 575 a month. Sites C are for campers & long term stays, sites B are usually for campers and more woodsy area, and sites A are for tents. Great location, many trails to walk, shelters to rent, and you can kayak on the pond. Lots of wildlife. There is a gate at the entrance too. A very safe, nice location.

  • Mike T.
    May. 31, 2018

    Hagan-Stone Park

    Nice family weekend.

    This park is close to our home, very affordable and was an excellent place to take my wife for her first tent camping experience. The tent sites were nice. I would scout ahead if possible because some are nicer than others. We stayed in site #7. The tent pad was level but ground around the area was mostly sloped. Was very close to the bath house. Bath house was ok. Wife said women's side was nice and clean. The men's side was a little outdated and could have had a few less spiders but wasn't terrible. There was a newer bath house a little further away from our site that seemed a little nicer. Campground was full but because there a limited sites it wasn't too crowded. Overall was a great weekend getaway with my family and friends. We will most likely go back at some point.


Guide to Rockwell

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, Rockwell offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Deep Water Trail Camp features free camping with no permit required, making it an accessible choice for spontaneous trips.
  • At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, campers can enjoy drinking water, electric hookups, and clean toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • For those seeking a more rustic experience, Lake Curriher Wilderness offers tent sites with picnic tables and firewood available for a cozy evening under the stars.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • The scenic trails at Deep Water Trail Camp provide excellent hiking opportunities, with beautiful views and the chance to explore the surrounding nature.
  • Fishing and boating are popular at Badin Recreational Area, where the clean lake offers a perfect spot for water activities.
  • Campers at East Morris Mountain can enjoy a secluded environment, ideal for a peaceful retreat or a hunting trip during the season.

Unique local attractions for campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rockwell, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rockwell, NC is Lake Curriher Wilderness with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rockwell, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Rockwell, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.