Uwharrie Ranger District
Uwharrie National Forest is a hidden gem in central North Carolina, known for its rolling hills, scenic trails, and rich history. Covering over 50,000 acres in Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson Counties, it’s one of the smallest national forests in the country but offers big opportunities for adventure—whether you’re hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, or off-roading on the popular Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a great spot for camping, fishing, and paddling along the Uwharrie and Yadkin Rivers. With a landscape shaped by some of the oldest mountains in North America, Uwharrie is the perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor explorers alike.
Ranger District Office, 789 Biscoe Road, Troy, NC 27371, (910) 576-6391, uwharrie@usda.gov.
Complexes
The Birkhead Mountains Wilderness was established by the 1984 North Carolina Wilderness Act.
Badin Lake Recreation Area offers swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking trails, equestrian trails, four-wheel drive trails, mountain biking trails & camping
The off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in the Uwharrie offers a variety of topography and scenery.
This is a primitive camping area where people camp in self contained RV/Horse Trailers. It is located in an open field with tie outs for the horses.
Bordering the lakeshore and under the shade of pines and hardwoods, Badin Lake Campground offers a year-round retreat for swimmers, boaters, and anglers.
Badin Group Camp was developed for use by clubs, families and other groups up to 50 people. The camp includes three separate areas each with tables, grills and tent pads.
Recreation Sites
Arrowhead Campground
Art Lilley Campground
Badin Horse Camp or Old Horse Camp
Badin Lake Campground
Badin Lake Group Camp
Badin Lake Recreation Area
Birkhead Mountains Wilderness
Uwharrie Ranger District
West Morris Mtn. Campground
Yates Place