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.
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.
Uwharrie National Forest is located near Albemarle, Asheboro and Monroe
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.
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!