Overnight passes for dispersed camping in Uwharrie National Forest are sold at nearby outfitters and gas stations rather than at a ranger station, so picking one up before heading in is a necessary first step. The forest sits near sites around Troy, North Carolina, and covers a large enough footprint that it holds both primitive backcountry sites along the Uwharrie Trail and Dutchman's Creek Trail and more developed campgrounds with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Those two experiences are quite different. Dispersed sites along the trails are fully primitive, with no toilets, no hookups, and no drive-up access.
Road conditions are a recurring subject in reviews. Reaching dispersed sites often requires a high-clearance vehicle, and several campers specifically recommend 4WD or AWD. Some pull-offs along forest roads already have rock fire pits in place, which cuts down on setup time. Sites near the water tend to fill early on weekends, so arriving on a Friday morning rather than afternoon gives campers a better shot at a riverside spot. "Plenty of space and trees and privacy," notes Erica, who camped two different dispersed sites in a single visit.
The forest has real variety in how people use it. Paddlers access sites along the Little River by floating in via kayak or canoe, with a boat ramp where Pekin Road crosses the river. OHV trails draw a separate crowd entirely. Hikers using the Uwharrie Trail, which runs roughly 20 miles north to south, should know that some sections flood after heavy rain and creek crossings can become difficult. Streams are available for water resupply with a filter. The dispersed areas near Uwharrie National Forest vary considerably in character depending on which trail corridor or road you use.
Cleanliness at dispersed sites is inconsistent. Multiple reviewers mention finding trash left by previous campers and encourage packing out more than you bring in. Developed campgrounds within the forest have bathrooms and reportedly receive regular attention from camp hosts. During deer season, wearing bright colors is worth noting given the volume of hunters active in the area. Zachary S. puts it plainly: "Some of the sites may have a little trash left from the last user."
Nearby options for those who want established sites include Uwharrie National Forest Yates Place and East Morris Mountain, both within the same forest system. For backpackers using Uwharrie as a shakedown trip before longer routes, the 23/27 trailhead has a larger parking lot with overnight parking available. Bring a water filter regardless of which area you choose, and confirm current pass requirements at Eldorado Outpost or another local vendor before setting out.
Description
There are approximately 51,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Montgomery, Randolph and Davidson Counties. The Uwharrie National Forest includes the Uwharrie Ranger District Office, located at 789 NC Highway 24/27 East, Troy, NC 27371. At the district office you can obtain information about the area, get brouchures, camping information, trail passes, and permits. You can also obtain a Senior pass, Disabled Pass. We also have USGS Topo maps for sale. Primitive dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Forest, except in those areas that are posted "No Camping". These sites can be found along most of Forest Service roads and trails. Please remember when using these sites to be careful with camp fires and carry out your trash and debris. Please leave your campsite in good clean condition so that others who follow you may also enjoy the Forest. The Uwharrie National Forest is part of the 2 million acres of public lands managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for public hunting, trapping and fishing, and are designated as Game Lands. In addition to the appropriate basic annual hunting license, a Game Lands Privilege license must be obtained to hunt on the Uwharrie National Forest. Information concerning seasons, bag limits, and special Game Lands Restrictions are found in the annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest, available where licenses are sold. Camping and Day-use Information Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Uwharrie National Forest can be found here. You may enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest. OHV Trail Vendors. Shooting Range Vendors. Recreation Maps Uwharrie National Forest map Trail Strategy Documents, Presentations and Maps Badin Lake Area map Morris Mountain Area map North Eastern Portion map South Eastern Portion map Wood Run Area map Documents... Presentations... Be Safe The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility. Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 18th at 8:00 am OHV Trails will reopen April 1st in the morning OHV annual passes will be available from the Uwharrie Ranger District office or the Eldorado Outpost
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsUwharrie National Forest is located in North Carolina near Troy
Coordinates
35.36344229 N
79.86283197 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Uwharrie National Forest needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 51 min from Greensboro, NC
- 1 hr 3 min from Burlington, NC
- 1 hr 10 min from Charlotte, NC
- 1 hr 16 min from Fayetteville, NC
