Uwharrie: A Quiet Nature Escape Near Raleigh

If you want to get out of Raleigh for a day or a weekend without spending the whole trip in the car, the Uwharrie region is worth a look. The Uwharrie National Forest sits in central North Carolina, spread across parts of Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson counties. At roughly 51,000 acres it's one of the smallest national forests in the country. The land is made up of some of the oldest mountains in the state, worn down over time to hills that mostly average no more than 1,000 feet, so the terrain stays gentle. According to The Dyrt's camping guide for the area, the forest is a natural fit for a short getaway, and the canopy, creeks, and lake views are the main draw.

The trail network is the easiest way to see it. The Uwharrie Trail runs about 20 miles north to south inside the forest, with designated camping spots along the way and a popularity with backpackers. Creek water needs to be filtered or treated with iodine tablets before drinking. For shorter outings, Dutchman's Creek Trail is a loop system of about 9.5 to 11.5 miles, marked with yellow blazes, and Denson's Creek Trail runs 2.2 miles with an inner loop of 0.75 miles, starting behind the forest office on NC 24/27. The Badin Lake Hiking Trail follows the shoreline for 5.6 miles and is rated easy. Fall Mountain Trail covers 4.1 miles, climbing to a ridgeline before dropping down to the Yadkin River. Hikers who want something more remote can head into the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, a 5,160-acre area with the Hannah's Creek, Robbins Branch, and Thornburg trails. Mountain bikers have the Wood Run network, which offers about 20 miles of single-track.

Camping is open year-round, but you'll need a camping permit for any overnight stay, and reservations are recommended for weekends. Arrowhead Campground has 48 tent and RV sites, a paved 0.75-mile loop, and a bathhouse with showers, with rates between $20 and $54 a night. Badin Lake Campground has 35 sites without electricity, priced at $20 for a single site or $40 for a double, and it's a good base if you bring a canoe or kayak, since you can launch from the shore. Uwharrie Hunt Camp has eight sites and a lake loop trail with views and fishing. If you prefer to rough it, dispersed camping is allowed in most of the forest at no cost, as long as you follow Leave No Trace principles and stay at least 100 feet from water sources and trails. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the forest.

Just outside the forest, Morrow Mountain State Park near Albemarle covers 5,881 acres and has its own network of trails, including the 2.8-mile Sugarloaf Mountain route and the 2.6-mile Morrow Mountain trail, along with a fishing pier and boating on Lake Tillery. Guided tours of the Kron House at the base of Fall Mountain are offered, and the park museum is open daily from 10 to 5. For permits, trail maps, and gear, the Eldorado Outpost at 4021 NC Highway 109 in Troy is the local hub, and it's open until 8:00 PM today. It sells the Forest Service OHV day pass for $5 and the annual pass for $30. Timing matters here: spring and fall bring highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s, summer can reach the 90s with heavy humidity, and winter nights can drop below zero. Hunting season runs from fall into winter, so bright clothing is recommended, especially at dawn and dusk.