Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
North Carolina
52

North Carolina State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
North Carolina
Heartland - Central Region
Uwharrie National Forest
start slideshow
Uwharrie National Forest Badin Boat Dock © Jim Oakley
Uwharrie National Forest Mountain Biking © Terry T. Warner
Taken with Canon G12 on June 1, 2016. Mountain biking on supertree trail with joepye weeds in left foreground.
Uwharrie National Forest Joepye Weed And Tiger Swallowtail © Terry T. Warner
Photo taken with Canon G12 on Super Tree Trail in Uwharrie National Forest on July 27, 2016.
Uwharrie National Forest Jack-in-the Pulpit © Terry T. Warner
Taken with Canon G12 on May 20, 2017. Near Supertree trail in Uwharrie National Forest.
Uwharrie National Forest Wild Easter Lilly © Terry T. Warner
Taken with Canon G12 on April 22, 2017. Near Supertree trail in Uwharrie National Forest.
Uwharrie National Forest Arrowhead Campground © Jim Oakley
Uwharrie National Forest Arrowhead Campground © Jim Oakley
Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake © Jim Oakley
Uwharrie National Forest © Rita Tickle Hodges
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST
UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST
The Uwharrie National Forest, located's Piedmont region, is a vast expanse of natural beauty spanning over 50,000 acres. This forest offers an array of recreational activities including hiking on its extensive trail system that includes the renowned Uwharrie Trail and Dutchman's Creek Trail; camping at developed campgrounds or dispersed campsites; hunting for deer and turkey among other game species; fishing in clear streams teeming with bass and trout. The landscape features rolling hills covered by mixed hardwoods interspersed with pine forests while also boasting rich biodiversity which makes it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It holds historical significance as well due to remnants from gold mining operations dating back to the late 1800s scattered throughout this serene wilderness area.

Camping
1. Badin Lake Campground: This is a popular camping spot with 34 sites for tent or RV camping, all of which come equipped with grills and picnic tables.

2. Arrowhead Campground: It has 48 campsites that are suitable for both tents and trailers/RVs, each site comes complete with outdoor grills, lantern posts and picnic tables.

3. Uwharrie Hunt Camp: A primitive campsite designed specifically to accommodate hunters during hunting season but open to general public as well when it's not hunting season.

4. West Morris Mountain Primitive Camping Area: Ideal place if you're looking for more remote experience in the forest; there are no amenities here so be prepared!

5. Canebrake Horse Camp: If you have horses this campground offers horse:friendly facilities including stalls & riding trails.

6. Yates Place: Another primitive option located near several trailheads making it an ideal basecamp location.

7. Kelly's Kitchen Hunt: Located on Dutch John Road off NC Hwy109 North about two miles from Troy.

8. Art Lilley Memorial (Camp): The Art Lilley Memorial Complex consists of three separate areas within close proximity offering different types of recreational opportunities such as hiking,horseback riding etc.

9. Alcoa Game Land Ponds: These ponds offer fishing opportunity along side beautiful views . There aren't any designated spots but dispersed camping is allowed around these area.

10. Badin Group Site: Perfect choice if traveling in large group since its capable accommodating upto fifty people at once time.


Location
Uwharrie National Forest is located near Albemarle, Asheboro and Monroe

Trails
1. Uwharrie National Recreation Trail: This is the longest trail in the forest, stretching over 20 miles from north to south through a variety of terrains and ecosystems. It's well-marked with white blazes and offers moderate difficulty levels.

2. Dutchman's Creek Trail: A moderately difficult loop trail that spans around 12 miles, it intersects with part of the Uwharrie National Recreational Trail offering hikers beautiful views of creekside scenery as well as dense forests.

3. Badin Lake Hiking Trails: These trails are located near New London consisting mainly two loops - one about six miles long (Lake Shore Loop) which follows along lake shorelines providing stunning water vistas; another shorter loop called King Mountain Loop for those looking for less strenuous hikes but still want to enjoy nature beauty.

4. Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area Trails: The area has three main hiking trails - Hannahs Creek, Robbins Branch and Thornburg Farm- totaling approximately ten miles combined length traversing old homestead sites while showcasing diverse flora & fauna native to North Carolina Piedmont region.

5. Supertree Topo Bike/Hike Pathway: An easy-to-moderate level pathway spanning roughly five-mile round trip ideal both bikers or walkers who can take pleasure in observing wildlife habitats created by man-made structures known Supertrees designed mimic natural tree cavities used various species nesting purposes.


6. Densons Creek Nature: Located at Yates Place Campground this short yet scenic interpretive path meanders alongside Denson's creek perfect families young children elderly individuals seeking leisurely stroll amidst serene surroundings.

7. Wood Run Road Multi-use: A network interconnected multi-purpose paths including Keyauwee White Tail Woodrun totaling nearly fifteen mile stretch suitable mountain biking horseback riding addition regular trekking activities.

8. Fall Mountain: The Fall Mountain trial provides challenging terrain for experienced hikers and mountain bikers. It is a 4.7 mile loop that offers scenic views of the lake.

9. Morrow Mountain Trails: Located in Morrow State Park, which lies adjacent to Uwharrie National Forest, these trails offer additional hiking options with varying degrees of difficulty and length.

10. Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area Trail: This easy trail circles around Badin Lake providing beautiful water vistas along its two-mile stretch ideal picnics family outings.

11. Sugarloaf Mountain Nature: A three miles long trial located within Morrow Mountains state park offering panoramic view from summit including Pee Dee River valley.


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 8 Lost Dog at Uwharrie National Forest
park review stars; one to five Reward if found: https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyAnimalControlNC/photos/a.529076060477815.1073741826.474137712638317/982282595157157/?type=1&theater
October 1 Back Country Horse Riding at Its BEST by Lynn
park review stars; one to five I have been riding the horse trails in Uwharrie for 17 years. Yes, they are challenging, but that is the backwoods experience that most horseback Trail Riders are craving, not the manicured trails like at other parks and forests. Always something new to see every time I camp. Canebrake Horse Camp is a very nice facility. Have noticed some nice upgrades in the last year or two. Found that there is now a chapter of Back Country Horsemen in the forest helping to maintain the campground and the trails. WAY TO GO!
February 14 best ever by larry of clinton
park review stars; one to five everytime we go we find something new to do. Fishing off pier, camping in woods, hiking, now for some gold panning next trip. then the atvs. peaceful untouched forest, GREAT place to go.
write a review read more reviews
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Norwood Camping Resort
1216 Berry Hill Drive
Norwood, NC
704-474-3800
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
1. Start by heading onto I:85 South if you are coming from the north or I-73/74 if you are traveling from the south.
2. Take Exit 61 for NC Highway 49 towards Asheboro and go east on NC:49.
3. Continue driving on NC:49 East for approximately 12 miles until you reach a roundabout intersection with US Highway 220 Business (North Fayetteville Street).
4. Enter the roundabout and take the second exit to stay on NC:49 East / US Hwy 220 Bus N.
5. Drive straight through another small roundabout after about half a mile, continuing along this road.

At this point, there will be multiple access points depending on which area of Uwharrie National Forest you wish to visit:

For Eldorado Outpost Access:
6a: After passing Badin Lake Road (SR1134), continue straight ahead for around two more miles before turning right into Eldorado Outpost entrance.

For Wood Run Trailhead Access:
6b: Instead of taking SR1134/Badin Lake Road turnoff mentioned above, keep going straight past it while staying on Old State Route Rd S/Pee Dee Church Rd/SR1150/Old Salisbury-Concord Rd SE/E Main St/Morrow Mountain Park Rd/Cove Boat Ramp Dr/Woodrun Trl - all part of one continuous route that leads directly into Wood Run Trailhead parking lot.

For West Morris Mountain Campground & Trails Access:
7c: Keep following signs indicating "West Morris Mtn CG" as they appear intermittently alongside roads previously described under step #6b; eventually leading visitors toward campground/trailheads located within western section(s)of national forest property itself!

state route ranger badge
North Carolina
52

North Carolina State Parks

X