9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Uwharrie National Forest in central North Carolina offer primitive camping experiences with varying levels of accessibility. Deep Water Trail Camp provides free tent sites with hike-in access along the Yadkin River, while Uwharrie Hunt Camp features more developed tent camping areas with amenities like drinking water and electric hookups. East Morris Mountain Camp offers more secluded tent camping opportunities near Troy, with only three established sites located at the end of a fire trail.
Access to tent camping areas in Uwharrie National Forest varies considerably depending on location and weather conditions. Many primitive tent sites require high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough, sometimes muddy roads. Deep Water Trail Camp features a particularly challenging access road that becomes increasingly difficult closer to the water, with several campers reporting getting stuck in mud or having to navigate steep, rocky sections. Most tent campsites have basic fire rings constructed from rocks, but campers must pack in all supplies including water and pack out all trash. One camper noted significant issues with previous visitors leaving garbage behind, stating "People. Why? Why are there piles of trash being left at campsites?"
Tent camping experiences in Uwharrie provide opportunities for seclusion and connection with nature not available at more developed campgrounds. Sites at East Morris Mountain offer complete privacy, especially those located at the end of the access road. The forest provides excellent trail access for hiking, with paths that hug lakes and traverse the ancient Uwharrie Mountains. Fishing opportunities abound at waterside campsites, particularly at Deep Water Trail Camp where the Yadkin River yields channel catfish. During off-season periods, especially before off-road vehicle season begins in April, tent campers can enjoy significantly quieter experiences. A visitor commented that Deep Water Trail Camp is "secluded but still able to get into town for supplies. Beautiful area, lots of space on the lower ground, gorgeous views from the higher ground, and some damn good fishing."
"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."
"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 $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
"This is a campground located in the Sandhills Gamelands in NC. If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that."
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
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.
GuideThere was other people camping and running their generators all night. Some low lifers on ATV blasted in and out of the parking area and blasting music at 2 am. Good luck getting any sleep here. But enjoyed the trail to it and the forest. Got at least 2 hours of sleep before I packed up.
ScoutThe spots are alright but first night got ate up by ants so hadda move and the other spots are good but have no shade and no signal and not mutch to take pictures of so if you wanna have some survival type camping this is a great location.
TravelerThis quiet gem was just what I needed. It’s close enough to shoppes, diners, and other activities. It’s also close to the NC Zoo. With dedicated and mixed spots, it’s perfect for tents and RVs. Did I mention the staff? They’re friendly and helpful.
Zooland is a great place for solo, family, or group. The campground offers a pool, activities, walking trails, as well as laundry facilities and 2 bath houses. There’s also a dog park for your K9 family member(s).
Most sites have water and electrical hook ups. But one word of caution; you may or may not have cell service. But there is wi-fi throughout the property.
TravelerI don’t have any complaints about this campground! Sites are nice and feel like you aren’t close to anyone else. Very pretty area, quiet. Newest bathhouse I have ever seen at a state park! Awesome showers.
Uwharrie National Forest sits on ancient mountain terrain in central North Carolina, with peaks once reaching 20,000 feet now weathered down to around 1,000 feet. The forest's camping areas often feature sandy, well-draining soil that stays relatively dry even after rain. March through May and September through November typically offer the most comfortable camping temperatures, with summer months frequently reaching 90°F with high humidity.
Horseback riding trails: Multiple designated trails accommodate equestrians throughout the forest, with Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp offering direct access to riding routes. One camper noted the access challenges: "I would highly recommend 4WD if you're going all the way to the water sites."
Fishing for channel catfish: Fish directly from shoreline camping areas or bring a kayak for deeper water access. A visitor to Lake Curriher Wilderness reported: "Very close to my home. I hike in to the remote campsite on the lake. Lots of fishermen... I generally tent camp at the Point, not many know of this location as it's a decent hike in."
Quartz hunting: The weathered mountains contain significant mineral deposits accessible to casual rockhounds. At Deep Water Trail Camp, one camper enthused: "The big pieces of quartz we found were gorgeous, and so was the view at the water!" The best locations for finding specimens are along water edges and recently disturbed soil.
Off-season quiet: Winter and early spring camping offers significantly more solitude before vehicle traffic increases. A camper at Uwharrie Hunt Camp observed: "We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April... we were the only campers in the area in early March."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide the best opportunities for spotting deer, turkey and other forest inhabitants. A regular visitor commented: "Lots of trails and wildlife. Stayed in 2 different spots."
Budget-friendly sites: Many camping areas in the forest offer very low or no fees. One camper at Hunt Camp pointed out: "FREE. large size nobody else here in March but I'm sure as summer rolls around it fills up more."
Vehicle requirements: Many sites require high-clearance 4WD vehicles, especially after rain. One camper at Deep Water Trail Camp shared: "My Honda Element was on two wheels at one point but the AWD handled it like a champ. My husband used his truck to pull a Jetta and a Camry back up the hill after they got stuck."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. A visitor to Sandhills Campground B explained: "If you're looking for primitive, this is it. No bathrooms, no water spigots, no camp store, nothing like that. Bring all your own EVERYTHING."
Seasonal restrictions: Some campgrounds operate only during specific seasons. At East Morris Mountain, a camper noted: "This camp site is only open during hunting season."
Accessible options: For families with young children, choose sites with easier vehicle access. At Lake Tillery Family Campground, developed facilities offer a more controlled environment than dispersed forest camping.
Pet-friendly areas: Most Uwharrie campgrounds welcome pets, making them suitable for camping with the whole family. A Deep Water Trail Camp visitor shared: "We brought our two pups & they had a blast playing & laying in the water!"
Safety planning: Cell service is spotty throughout the forest. One camper reported: "Cell service is about 1 bar for Verizon and ATT, so I will need to attempt to head out in the AM for work purposes."
Length limitations: Most forest roads cannot accommodate large trailers or motorhomes. A Deep Water camper advised: "Not for bigger rigs. I've got a 13 foot pull behind. Backed in mostly but a few could be pulled in an out."
Limited hookups: Even at more developed sites, expect minimal RV services. At East Morris Mountain, visitors find "no amenities other than a fire pit."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall provide the most comfortable RV camping conditions. Summer humidity can make camping without hookups uncomfortable, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing, requiring proper insulation and propane supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Uwharrie National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Uwharrie National Forest is Deep Water Trail Camp with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Uwharrie National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Uwharrie National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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