Uwharrie National Forest

Quick Facts

North Carolina

(910) 576-6391

Map

Things To Do

Overview

The Uwharrie National Forest provides timber, wildlife, water, recreation opportunities, and a natural setting. Uwharrie Forest is located within a 2-hour drive from the largest population centers in the North Carolina. Recreational use is growing, especially in the Badin Lake area and along the 20-mile Uwharrie National Recreation Trail.

Badin Lake is one of the largest bodies of water included in the series of reservoirs within the Yadkin-PeeDee River drainage system. The entire watershed is known as the Uwharrie Lakes Region.

Though small, at only 50,189 acres, the Uwharrie provides a variety of natural resources, including clean rivers and streams, diverse vegetation for scenery, and wildlife habitat. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed these federal lands in Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson Counties the Uwharrie National Forest. It is one of the most recently formed in the National Forest System.

Map of Uwharrie Forest

Latitude, Longitude: 35.366310, -79.964030

Bicycling
Over 20 miles of mountain bike trails are available in the Wood Run Area of the forest.
Camping
Three developed campgrounds are located in the forest.
Fishing
Lake and pond fishing is available in many areas.
Hiking
Numerous trails are located throughout the forest.
Horseback Riding
Canebrake Horse Camp has 29 sites with parking spurs for horse trailers. Five of these sites are double camp sites. Each site has a picnic table, grill, lantern post, and hitching post. Up to two vehicles are allowed at each site. The camp also provides water spigots for drinking water, showers, and flush toilets. Electric hookups available, but no water/sewer hookups at each site. A sewage dump station and horse washing rack are centrally located. The Equestrian Trail System can be accessed from Canebrake using the Home Trail, which skirts the campground. There are 32 miles of horse trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to more difficult.
Off Highway Vehicles
Uwharrie offers a trail system for riding off-highway vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, 4-wheel-drive and trail bikes. Within this area, you must stay on signed routes marked with symbols showing the kind of vehicle you're driving. Some routes are badly eroded and are closed. Help nature restore these trails by not riding on them. For the most fun, choose trails that match operating limitations of you and your vehicle. Most areas have maps that show trail difficulty. Ask at a ranger station for more information.