1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Salisbury, North Carolina provide a mix of primitive and established options for campers seeking forest and lakeside settings. Lake Curriher Wilderness offers tent sites with varying levels of privacy, with some sites arranged in an open field setting and others requiring a hike to more secluded locations. Deep Water Trail Camp in the Uwharrie National Forest provides free primitive tent camping with access to the Yadkin River and Badin Lake area, approximately 30 miles southeast of Salisbury.
Access to tent campgrounds varies significantly, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. Deep Water Trail Camp features rough, rocky roads that can become challenging after rain, making 4WD vehicles recommended for reaching the waterfront sites. East Morris Mountain offers three primitive tent sites at the end of a fire road with no amenities beyond basic fire pits. Most walk-in tent locations in the region lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Lake Curriher Wilderness provides more amenities than most, including picnic tables, toilets, and a small camp store.
The Uwharrie National Forest area offers some of the most secluded tent camping experiences in the region. One camper noted, "If you want to get away, this is where you go. Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground." Sites along the water at Deep Water Trail Camp provide tent campers with fishing opportunities and riverside locations, though several reviews mention issues with previous campers leaving trash. Areas farther from established campgrounds offer deeper seclusion but require true primitive camping skills. Walk-in tent sites at Lake Curriher Wilderness provide a balance between amenities and natural setting, with access to hiking trails and fishing. The terrain throughout the region features rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests, creating natural shade for most tent sites.
"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."
from $10 - $30 / night
"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."
"It is a amazing area to visit if you are into OHV(Off Highway Vehicle) trail riding, mountain biking or hiking."
"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."
"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."
"This area is popular for the Off Highway Vehicle trail systems which are open April through December."
"Too much trash left by previous campers"
"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."
"A nice campsite off of Tower Road with is also part of the TransAmerica Trail. It is a flat site with a with a great fire pit."
from $25 - $50 / night
"I went up the vertical mile trail to get to the upper campsite, it was dry, beautiful and not too steep of a hike"
from $13 / night
"Location is private and secluded, yet within reasonable driving distance to stores and other attractions like hiking/biking/kayaking."
from $25 - $190 / night
"What a magical experience floating in the trees surrounded by fire flies! Elizabeth and Mark were exceptional hosts. There is so much to do on property, and they are working on more!"
from $40 - $200 / night
GuideDriving 14 1/2 hrs I was cooked called and had the most easiest booking. There was a sites available so I booked it. Needless to say I got there in the dark and a kind person helped me to my site and got me backed in. Soo exhausted I hooked up electric only hit the bed passed out
ScoutGreat location , clean bathhouse
GuideStopped here after our fiasco with holly bluff. Beautiful campground with trees. Very quiet during the day and peaceful. The only thing we found curious was the vehicle in and right back out activity between 10:30-pm and 1am back and forth to campers that were long term stays. Made nighttime hard to sleep in site 3 with vehicles back and forth for hours .
GuideStopped in to get a spot for a few nights nights because it said they had available rv spots Unfortunately they didn’t know which end was up and tried to squeeze us into a spot that might have hookups that maybe worked but they couldn’t be sure. It was a joke. We left after waiting several minutes waiting while they were looking for a place to maybe squeeze us in because we had a small camper. No thanks. Would not recommend staying here til they get there act together
ScoutThis is not a resort type campground. It is a place for people to bring old campers to live full time and long term. The electric and water utilities are original from the 50's and there are constant problems with both. There is a lot of unrecognized potential because the owners do not reinvest any money into anything for the campground.
ScoutLooking for a nice place for a camping getaway? We highly recommend checking out the Deep River Campground in Asheboro, NC. The location itself is beautiful. It is literally on the Deep River and features a hiking trail that runs along the river past the remnants of a historical damn, where a small area of rapids gently swirls around the big rocks spanning the river. There’s also a large lake with a nice grassy expanse for picnics, playing games or just lazing around lakeside. This campground has been around for a while, but it has new owners now and they are breathing some for real new life into the place. They have already made lots of repairs and improvements, and you can see more in progress. There are sites for RVs with all the hook-ups, and great primitive sites for tent camping, several located right on the river. If you don’t have an RV and sleeping on the ground doesn’t spark joy, they have a few small rustic but nicely-appointed cabins. You’ll find two pools, several covered picnic shelters, a playground for the small ones, and several options for older kids and adults to play, like a horseshoe pit and a nice game room. They also have planned activities like movie nights and weiner roasts most evenings to entertain and create community among campers. They are pet friendly and have their own pet mascots on site— a flock of ducks including beautifully colored teals and mallards. We were just there for 2 nights, but I have a good feeling we’ll be visiting there again soon. Definitely worth a visi
RangerWas a monthly Camper when I came in to the campground. Nobody was cleaning the men’s room. No one was trying to collect the fall leaves. This is an old run down campground. I cleaned the men’s room for free because there was no staff to clean. I regret helping the owner for free on multiple occasions.
TravelerThis is/was marked as dispersed camping but this is primarily an OHV area, with a shooting range nearby that can be heard from some campsites. Most, if not all, of the campsites are intended to be large group sites. The empty site we found was filled with trash, discarded tents, air mattresses, and trashed electronics from OHVs. There's so much trash we would not even be able to take it all out with us if we wanted to. This may be a national forest, but it is not peace and quiet as one would expect from "dispersed and primitive" camping.
GuideGreat spot to visit, with pool fishing ect. Very nice people and clean.
Tent campsites near Salisbury, North Carolina offer primitive to fully-equipped options in woodland settings with easy access to water features. The Uwharrie National Forest region sits at elevations between 300-1,000 feet with a moderate climate that allows camping nearly year-round. Winter nights can drop below freezing between December and February, with summer bringing humidity and temperatures often above 85°F during peak camping season.
Fishing at riverfront sites: Lake Tillery Family Campground provides access to one of the most productive fishing areas near Salisbury, with bass, crappie, and catfish available year-round.
Hiking forest trails: At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, campers can explore trails around the lake with varying difficulty levels. One camper noted, "There is a good trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake. Pretty good fishing too."
Gem hunting expeditions: Campsites near Hiddenite Family Campground provide access to the famous gem mining area. "This campground is close to its namesake town of Hiddenite, which is a famous gem mining area known for gemstones such as hiddenite (spodumene), emeralds, sapphires, etc."
Natural water features: The sound of flowing water creates a peaceful atmosphere at camping areas. A camper at Homeplace Recreational Park shared, "The pond dam was really close to our site and the rushing water will really lull you to sleep at night."
Seclusion options: Campers seeking privacy have multiple options. "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," reports a camper at East Morris Mountain.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to spot local wildlife. A reviewer at Uwharrie Hunt Camp mentioned, "This is a beautiful campground with good facilities. There is a good trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake."
Budget-friendly options: Several primitive camping areas are free or low-cost. "FREE. Large size nobody else here in March but I'm sure as summer rolls around it fills up more," notes a camper about Hunt Camp.
Seasonal limitations: Some camping areas have restricted availability. "This camp site is only open during hunting season," warns a camper about East Morris Mountain.
Road conditions vary significantly: Many primitive camping areas require careful driving. A camper at Deep Water Trail Camp 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."
Cell service limitations: Most primitive sites have minimal connectivity. "Cell service is about 1 bar for Verizon and ATT," reported a Deep Water Trail camper.
Bathroom facilities: Availability ranges from none to basic. "No showers, which we didn't know until after we got here, saw the one bathroom, and realized there was not a shower. There is an outdoor shower," noted a camper at Lake Curriher Wilderness.
Water recreation: Self Sufficient Holler offers unique camping experiences with family-friendly amenities. "Not only do you have a fully equipped camp kitchen and fire pit, but there is also a rocket stove in the earth next to the pit. This is a wet area, but the rocket stove will give you a fire no matter what."
Pet-friendly options: Many camping areas welcome four-legged family members. A camper at Deep Water Trail noted, "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water!"
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. A visitor to Homeplace Recreational Park shared, "Great park with one of the best pools in the area."
Kid-friendly activities: Some sites offer additional entertainment. "Elizabeth has thought of EVERYTHING when it comes to her property!... There are hidden surprises in every nook and cranny. Tiny fairy gardens and hammocks, and variegated plants! Elizabeth even has a rock painting kit at the campsite," reported a camper at Self Sufficient Holler.
Limited hookups at primitive sites: Most wilderness camping areas offer no hookups. "It had water, electricity, and sewer, as most of the sites do, and it was close to the creek," noted a camper at Hiddenite Family Campground about their established site.
Site conditions vary by season: Weather impacts accessibility. "It had rained quite a bit a few days ago, so the grassy site was soft with ruts," reported an RVer at Hiddenite.
Size restrictions at forest camps: Many primitive areas cannot accommodate larger RVs. "Not for bigger rigs. I've got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out," advised a camper at Deep Water Trail Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salisbury, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salisbury, NC is Lake Curriher Wilderness with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Salisbury, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Salisbury, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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