Dispersed camping opportunities exist in the Uwharrie National Forest near Troy, North Carolina, particularly along the Falls Dam Trail. The area sits at elevations between 500-1,000 feet with rolling terrain typical of the central Piedmont region. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, while summer camping often means dealing with humidity levels above 70% and temperatures in the 90s.
What to do
Fishing at Dan Nicholas Park: The 95-acre park features a lake stocked with fish throughout the year. "Great place to camp with your family. The park has more to do other than the campground it is a wonderful place if you have young kids," notes a Dan Nicholas Park visitor.
Hiking trails: Morrow Mountain State Park offers multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do! Nice sites with electric hookups. Firewood available. Will definitely be back!" shares a camper from Morrow Mountain State Park Campground.
Off-road adventures: The southern section of Uwharrie National Forest contains vehicle trails for off-road enthusiasts. "There is plenty to do like hiking, fishing, swimming, and even horse back riding. And if you are an off road enthusiast, they have made some fantastic off road trails south of the Forrest," explains an Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake Group Camp visitor.
What campers like
Natural water features: Creeks and lakes provide cooling spots during hot months. "This park has a wonderful creek running through the middle of it and most short-term sites back up to it. There are also benches throughout even in the creek to put your feet in," mentions a Moonshine Creek Campground reviewer.
Wooded sites: Most cabins near Troy, North Carolina feature shade coverage. "Vintage without being run down. The owners have done a great job of retaining the 'old school' charm of the place while keeping up with utilities and overall functionality. We particularly appreciated the intact tree canopy; many rv parks these days are sun baked parking lots but not here," notes a Norwood Campground camper.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses at several campgrounds receive regular maintenance. "The bathhouse for this area has two toilets and two showers. Each is completely private. There are outlets and sinks in all four. There is also a very nice sink and counter on the end for dishwashing. It's all in excellent condition."
What you should know
Varying bathroom conditions: Quality of bathroom facilities differs significantly between campgrounds. "This campground is not well-maintained. The bathhouses are in very poor shape. There appears to be suspect, microbial growth all over the men's side (black mold). The bath houses also aren't cleaned on a regular basis."
Seasonal operations: Several cabin rental options close during winter months. "No full-timers, as the park is closed during the winter. The campground is conveniently located between Sylva and Waynesville and very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway."
Cell service variability: Coverage can be surprisingly good despite wooded settings. "Surprisingly good cell reception for being in the mountains and having lots of tree cover. Got 1-3 bars ATT depending on where I was within the campground, and we had no issues using our TMobile hotspot to stream videos/tv," reports a visitor to Sycamore Lodge.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Dan Nicholas Park offers numerous child-friendly activities. "They have a mini train ride, sprinkler playground, a big regular playground, carousel, panning for gems, paddle boats, nature center, and shelters and picnic areas. Park is free to enter but the rides are $2 or so."
Pool access: Several campgrounds maintain swimming pools for summer use. "Great little gem in the area to avoid the chaos and calamity with the other Uwharrie area campgrounds. Very quiet and peaceful. Spacious lots in a wooded setting, includes a pool, walking trails, and access to Lake Tillery."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe local animals safely. "We enjoyed our stay and were able to see several deer. The kids take their bikes, but even without them, they stay plenty busy. The lake offers fishing, paddle boating and feeding the ducks and it's only a short walk from any campsite."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. "Site 98 in the electric loop is for tent and pop up campers, but is not pop up camper friendly. The ground is very uneven."
Campground access: Roads within certain properties can present difficulties. "The campground road is sort of narrow and the sites can be a little tight, making it awkward to back in if you have a large TV and full-size camper - but once you're in it's all good."
Hookup configurations: Dual connections provide flexibility. "Site was clean and lots spacious. Dual hookups for sewer connections. Nice water pressure."
