Uwharrie Sign
Uwharrie - Open April 1 to December 15

Uwharrie National Forest is the closest public OHV areas open to vehicle. It is about 250 miles taking about 5 hours drive time. The trails range from easy to moderate with a couple of extreme obstacles that can be easily bypassed. However, if you add some water to the trails, the red clay becomes like ice making the trails become harder. Some of the trails that could have been done with a locked 2wd rig when dry become nearly impassable for even a 4wd dual locked rig.

Uwharrie is a favorite of many folks since most of the trails can be done in a stock vehicle with care, some bottom side scratches, and a good spotter. While at the same time, those with modified rigs have enough obstacles to break up the easy stuff to give thier rigs a chance to be proven. A lot of times, the club makes a run on the opening weekend to give folks a chance to prove their rigs before making trips to harder locations.

Uwharrie Trail Map

Lodging

The preferred campground is Arrowhead Campground located only minutes from the Wolf Den trail head. It has a nice bath house with showers, paved sites, and electricity at all but the five tent sites. On a typical weekend you will see a number of OHV groups. A few mile further up the road is Baldin Lake Campground. This campground also has a nice bath house plus wonderful views of the lake, but lacks any electricity. If you feel you need some real comforts of a soft bed and continental breakfast, recommend you check out one of the nice hotels in Albemarle, about 30 minutes away.

Directions from Charleston to Arrowhead Campground

1. Take I-26 West
2. Take I-95 North at exit 169B
3. Take Hwy 52 North at exit 164B
4. Use Hwy 52 Bypasses when available.
5. Once arriving in Wadesboro, NC turn right onto Hwy 109. Note, folks with trailers will need to swing into left hand lane before and possibly after the turn. Hwy 109 is a narrow road made worse by a telephone pole tight to the corner.
6. As you enter Troy, NC, take Hwy 109 Bypass (left fork at Mcdonalds).
7. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn let onto Hwy 109.
8. After crossing the river, you will see the Outpost. This is the most convinient place for trail passes, snacks and gas.
9. After passing Outpost, take next left, Road 1154. Should see signs for Uwharrie and Badin Lake Campground.
10. At stop sign, turn right on FS 544.
11. At stop sign, turn left on FS 597. Should see sign for Arrow Head Campground.
12. Take next right and continue til you see campground about 1/2 mile ahead. Campground is where gravel turns to pavement and is on the right.

Notes

1. ATVs and non-licensed vehicles are prohibited on gravel roads. These vehicles must be trailered to the trail head.
2. For those using hotels, follow directions 1-4, then stay on Hwy 52 til you reach Albemarle.
3. If the trails are wet, make sure you have at least one winch in the group.