The Uwharrie National Forest is one of the premier destinations for horseback riding on the eastern seaboard. That’s because it’s one of the few places where you can ride through beautiful forest trails and along the river and lakes, all under the welcome shade of lush tree canopies. The Badin Lake Recreation Area has two well-equipped horse camps with restrooms and spaces for tents, RVs and horse trailers. In total, there are 25 named paths that form more than 40-miles of horseback trails. The Equestrian Trail System can be accessed from Canebrake Horse Camp or the Badin Lake Horse Camp, with individual trails varying in length from 0.3 mile to 3.6 miles and ranging from easy to difficult.
Click here to preview the trail system and make sure to stop by the Uwharrie Welcome center for the best and most current maps.
Carolina Mule Association Ride in the Uwharrie National Forest Video
Located on McLeans Creek Rd. off of Mullinix Rd. in Troy, NC, Canebrake is a premier horse camp with 28 sites with parking spurts for horse trailers. Four sites are double campsites. Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire ring, lantern post, tie posts, tack tables and electrical hook ups ($7 surcharge for electric.) Up to two vehicles are allowed at each site. The camp has water spigots for drinking water, hot showers and flush toilets. There are no water/sewer hookups at each site, but a sewage dump station and a horse washing station are centrally located in the camp.
Open year round, reservations can be made calling 1-877-6777 or 1-877-833-677 or at www.recreation.gov. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance and can be made up to 240 days in advance. Check-in is 4pm with check-out at 2pm.
Address: 488 McLeans Creek Rd, Troy, NC 27371
Phone: (910) 576-6391
Click here for reservations at www.recreation.gov
Near Canebrake Horse Camp (above), this site is open when needed, as overflow for Canebrake. It is an open field with horse tie outs but no water or bathrooms. No reservations needed. First come, first serve.
Address: 488 McLeans Creek Rd, Troy, NC 27371
Phone: (910) 576-6391
This is a primitive camping area where you can camp in self contained RV/Horse trailers. Badin Horse Camp is located in an open field with tie outs for the horses. No amenities are available.
The campground is open year round, on a first-come basis.
Directions: From Troy, take 109 N through Uwharrie to Mullinix Rd. just past Macedonia Church. Turn left onto Mullinix Rd. Go past a small bridge and the Horse Camp will be on the right.
