Explore Arrowhead Campground in National Forests in North Carolina, North Carolina with Recreation.gov. Arrowhead Campground lies in the Badin Lake Recreation Area, a hub for outdoor activities in central North Carolina's Uwharrie National Forest. The variety of s
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I haven't been to Arrowhead in quite a few years; back then, the sites were $15/night (2000). A couple of sites, on the left (25-28, not sure which two) were classified as 'double sites' and were charged as doubles ($30/night) but they are showing now as singles ($27/night current rate). The high-demand site was always 37. Big as a double, but charged as a single, and closer to the shower facility.
Given the location; it's worth a pre-trip recon to check out the forest, campground and surrounding area. There is a main turn-in off of 109 at the big Uwharrie sign, but the 'civilized' route is the turn just past the Eldorado Outpost that keeps you on asphalt much longer. The dust on the gravel roads inside the forest is tough if you get caught behind another vehicle.
Uwharrie/Arrowhead is relatively close to Troy, which makes it convenient to travel in for food/meals (The usual 'go-to' was always Zeno's Italian, ymmv......). The area is also relatively close to the Seagrove area known as the 'pottery capital' of North Carolina so not too far up the road is a lot of pottery shops/potters just south of Asheboro.
https://discoverseagrove.com/ <This is how you sell the trip to the spouse...
As far as 'off-roading', Wolfs Den, which starts at the Art Lilley Memorial campground, is the easiest trail to get started on and get an idea of what's involved. I took the BIL and his wife through there years ago in their Geo Tracker (me: 1991 ISUZU Trooper, locked front and rear) and it came through with some minimal cladding issues but otherwise they did fine. The difficulty goes up from there in terms of vehicle capability/obstacles. If there's been rain, there will be some serious mud which increases difficulty exponentially. Snorkels are not necessary but lockers/LSD are definitely required. Open diffs will be a hindrance once you go 'off-camber' and wheels go airborne.
A couple of comments about the map -- It's vintage 2017 and I don't believe I've been up there since then. The trail showing closed is a loop trail around the mountain top. So whether that trail has reopened after six years; I don't know, maybe someone can chime in on that. As well, the lake view trail showing under construction as of 2019 is an unknown also, and probably supplants Wolf Den as the beginner trail. Behind the closed trail graphic is another graphic noting 'Double Ledge'. If coming uphill to the ledge, it's a tough climb up and I've lost a tie-rod there before. Just beyond the ledge is a sharp switch-back that starts the climb up to the mountain top. It's worth the trip up as the views are awesome and a good place to stop and have lunch.
