Guides/OHV areas/North Carolina
OHV areadifficulty: difficult

Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)

RegionNorth CarolinaAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Uwharrie Ranger District, Uwharrie National ForestLast verified—
Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest) — ohv area near Troy, North Carolina, North Carolina
U.S. Forest Service (public domain)
Area vitals5 facts
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle
Full-size 4x4 and OHV. Terrain ranges from graded surface to steep, loose-rock climbs; the Daniel trail is rated extremely difficult and the Cotton Place approach is not recommended for stock vehicles.
Best months
Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Permit
Required
Cell coverage
Spotty
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The Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex is the designated off-highway-vehicle system inside Uwharrie National Forest, about 90 minutes from Charlotte near Troy, North Carolina. Nine named trails cover roughly 17 miles, from the easy Wolf Den loop to Daniel, rated extremely difficult, over red clay that turns slick after rain and stretches of loose, ledgy rock.

An OHV pass is required and has to be bought in advance from a local vendor, not at the trailhead. The system runs April 1 through December 15 each year and closes over winter.

Hazards

Read before you go

Red clay gets slick and heavy in wet weather. Steep climbs and loose rock ledges are common on the harder trails, and Daniel and the Cotton Place approach are not beginner terrain. No official wet-weather closure policy is published; call the Ranger District at (910) 576-6391 to check conditions before a trip.

Area facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Uwharrie Ranger District, Uwharrie National Forest
Nearest townTroy, North Carolina
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/badin-lake-ohv-trail-complex
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Getting there

Directions

From Charlotte, take US 52 or NC 24/27 toward Troy, North Carolina, home to the Uwharrie Ranger District office at 789 Biscoe Road. Trailheads for the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex, including Dutch John, Wolf Den, and Falls Dam, are signed off forest roads near Badin Lake.

Photos

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Field notes

Getting Oriented

Uwharrie National Forest sits in the low, old Uwharrie Mountains of Montgomery County, about 90 minutes east of Charlotte near Troy. The Forest Service's designated OHV riding area here is the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex, managed by the Uwharrie Ranger District.

Trail Overview

Nine named trails cover about 17 miles: Wolf Den (easy), Slab Pile, Rocky Mountain Loop, and Sawmill (moderate), Dutch John and Dickey Bell (difficult), and Daniel (extremely difficult). Falls Dam, a moderate 2.8-mile trail, is one of the system's better-known routes. Red clay dominates the surface and gets slick and heavy after rain; the harder trails add steep climbs and loose rock ledges. The Cotton Place approach is called out separately as extremely difficult and not recommended for beginners or stock vehicles.

Points of Interest

  • Falls Dam, a moderate 2.8-mile trail and one of the system's signature routes.
  • Daniel, the system's hardest rated trail at extremely difficult.
  • Trailheads at Dutch John, Flatwoods, Wolf Den, Falls Dam, Art Lilley, and Cotton Place.

Where to Camp

Arrowhead Campground at the Badin Lake Recreation Area has 50 developed sites, some with electric hookups, a bathhouse, and a dump station, reservable through Recreation.gov. Art Lilley Campground is free, primitive, gravel-lot camping directly at a trailhead, open the same April-to-December season as the trails.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Buy your OHV pass before you arrive. It is not sold at the trailhead: the Ranger District office, Eldorado Outpost, Swift Island BP, and the Uwharrie Trails General Store all sell them, at $5 a day or $30 for the season.
  • Red clay turns slick fast after rain. Plan around the forecast, especially on the harder trails.
  • The system closes mid-December through March. Call the Ranger District ahead of a visit to check for closures.
  • Cotton Place is the toughest way in. Don't start there in a stock vehicle.

Fuel and Water

Troy has fuel, food, and the Ranger District office where passes are sold. Nothing is available at the trailheads themselves.

Nearby

Morrow Mountain State Park sits nearby along the same Uwharrie range. The Uwharrie National Forest guide covers the forest's broader camping and hiking beyond the OHV complex.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)?
Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest) is rated difficult.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)?
Full-size 4x4 and OHV. Terrain ranges from graded surface to steep, loose-rock climbs; the Daniel trail is rated extremely difficult and the Cotton Place approach is not recommended for stock vehicles.
When is the best time to visit Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)?
The best months are Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Do you need a permit for Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service, Uwharrie Ranger District, Uwharrie National Forest — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex (Uwharrie National Forest)?
Spotty

Resources

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