When it comes to mountain splendor in the Eastern U.S., North Carolina just may give the majestic ranges out West — like these mountain ranges you can drive through on this stunning road trip — a run for their money. After all, the rugged spine of the Appalachians runs right through the Tar Heel State, offering up all sorts of hilly havens, including this scenic mountain town that offers the best of nature without the crowds. North Carolina boasts woodsy getaways that make it one of the region’s great outdoor destinations, and high on that list is the Uwharrie National Forest.
Situated in a knot of mountains between Charlotte and Raleigh, this 51,000-acre preserve is one of the smallest national forests in the country, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in both beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Uwharrie National Forest (pronounced you-WARR-ee) is home to thick woods, verdant valleys, rivers, and lakes that can be explored on foot, by bike, on horseback, or off-highway vehicle (OHV) via a spider’s web of paths and tracks.
The forest is also a place of deep history (Indigenous people called the region home for thousands of years) as well as mystery: The Uwharrie National Forest is one of the nation’s hotspots for Sasquatch sightings. And whether you believe in the existence of a giant forest-dwelling hominid or not, the area is also home to a great deal of wildlife that gets around on four legs instead of two.
Experience North Carolina’s deep woods wonder
Established in 1961, the Uwharrie National Forest is made up of a patched-together quilt of lands with the Uwharrie Mountains acting as their backbone. The mountains are thought to be extinct volcanoes that once reached heights of 20,000 feet, eroded over millions of years to the low ridges and peaks in the 1,000-foot range we see today. Named for the Indigenous tribe that once called the mountains home, the Uwharrie is now one of North Carolina’s premier spots to soak up nature in its most unspoiled form.
The forest features dozens of hiking paths ranging from super short jaunts to the Uwharrie Trail — a 40-mile single-track route that is one of the longest in the Carolinas. Other popular routes include the Badin Lake Trail — a 5.6-mile round-trip path that follows the part of the lake’s shoreline before looping inland — and the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness. This 5,160-acre region at the northernmost end of the Uwharrie National Forest enjoys the highest status of protection offered to swaths of nature in the U.S., and is served by a whole system of paths that allow visitors to experience it the wilderness is its pure, raw form.
The area is especially known for its lakes. The Badin Lake Recreation Area is the most well-known, featuring picnic sites, a swimming beach, and four campgrounds, while Lake Tillery also offers plenty of opportunities for aquatic recreation, including boating and fishing. A number of rivers also flow through the forest, including the Yadkin and the Pee Dee, both of which are ideal for exploration by kayak or canoe, or (especially) a refreshing dip after a long, hot day on the trail.
Is there something mysterious lurking in the woods?
