Dispersed camping near Vass, North Carolina centers primarily in the Piedmont region where elevations typically range from 400-1,000 feet. The area experiences moderate rainfall year-round with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Most dispersed sites require campers to carry sufficient water supplies, as natural sources can be seasonal and unreliable during dry periods.
What to do
Paddle access camping: The Little River area provides secluded dispersed camping spots accessible by kayak. According to a camper at Uwharrie National Forest: "Me and my friends would always float our kayaks down the river to a place we called 'Bird Dog' and camp for the night. If you are looking for a place that has very little traffic, this is the place you want to go!"
Off-road vehicle trails: Four-wheel drive enthusiasts can access remote camping areas and trails throughout parts of the forest. A visitor noted: "This is a great area for dispersed campers with 4WD or AWD. It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot. Some of the sites may have a little trash left from the last user, so please try to leave it cleaner than you came to."
Wildlife observation: The forest provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and hunting in designated seasons. One camper at Dispersed Camping off Falls Dam Trail shared: "Had a good time camping and enjoyed the song of wind and birds."
What campers like
Seclusion and privacy: Many dispersed sites offer significant distance from other campers. A visitor to Uwharrie National Forest mentioned: "It's a huge area with several campgrounds. We stayed in 2 different dispersed primitive sites and they were both great. Plenty of space and trees and privacy!"
Water resources: Despite the primitive nature of camping, many sites offer access to streams for water filtering. A camper at Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area Dispersed noted: "Very nice trails. Well maintained. Not marked the best... signs at intersections. Plenty of creeks. Hike in for dispersed camping."
Diverse trail options: The area accommodates various recreational activities beyond hiking. As one visitor observed: "The State Forest has camping. We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations. There are hiking, horse, OHV, dirt bike, ATV, and mountain bike trails."
What you should know
Camping regulations: Specific areas have different rules regarding permits and length of stay. Some locations require overnight passes that can be purchased locally. A camper explained: "There are a 6 different stores/gas stations that have the overnight passes available for purchase. We got our passes from Eldorado outpost and the attendants there were very knowledgeable and helpful!"
Trail markings: Navigation can be challenging in certain sections. According to a camper at Robbins Branch Trail: "The trailhead is kind of hard to follow sometimes, sections of the trail are prone to flooding and creek crossings can become difficult following heavy rains."
Site conditions: Prepare to clean up after previous visitors. One camper advised: "It's pretty popular so head out early to secure your spot. Some of the sites may have a little trash left from the last user, so please try to leave it cleaner than you came to."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for primitive conditions: Most dispersed sites have no facilities. A camper shared: "This is not an RV camping area, at least not the dispersed camping area. You cannot drive up to the campsites. There are no electric, water, or sewer hookups."
Bring sufficient water: Natural water sources require treatment before consumption. As one camper at Anderson Creek County Park- Dispersed Camping noted: "Since I was close to a stream, I had to take my own water and a water filter."
Consider noise levels: Some sites experience road noise. A visitor explained: "I hiked along the creek at what was marked as campsite 1 along the Uwharrie Trail. It was a short hike and easy to moderate. Unfortunately, it wasn't far enough away to hear distant noises from Hwy 24, so if you want to get away from traffic noise completely, hiker farther in."
Tips from RVers
Generator use: Some areas permit generator use for pop-up campers and small RVs. A camper reported: "We used our pop-up with a generator in rustic locations."
Limited facilities: RVers should prepare for fully self-contained camping. One visitor noted: "The tent sites nice and clean and level. The host drove through many many times in the 3 days I was there. Bathrooms are what you can expect from a state park clean with little bugs here and there but nothing you can do about that in the middle of the woods."
Local resources: Gas stations and supply stores are available in surrounding communities. A camper mentioned: "There's a store/gas station (Eldorado Outpost) right down the road and they also have an air compressor for inflating tires (which is handy for off-roading)."
