Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Uwharrie Mountains, Morrow Mountain State Park is a nature lover's paradise, featuring over 1,000 acres of canyons, streams, and lakes. Located near Albemarle, North Carolina, this state park is a must for your next RV adventure. You'll have endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in a unique mountain landscape. From hiking and backpacking to birding and boating, Morrow Mountain State Park offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures.
The mountain views of Morrow Mountain State Park are jaw-dropping, rising over 900 feet. You will love soaking in the mountain air while being surrounded by unique plant life. There are a variety of birds in the park and tons of native wildlife, from scarlet kingsnakes to chorus frogs. Historians will love the chance to set their eyes on the homestead of the first medical doctor to settle and practice medicine in North Carolina's southern piedmont area.
Once you park your camper at Morrow Mountain State Park, you can wander out on one of the many nature trails located throughout the park. The 16-mile Bridle Trail is great for horseback riding and hiking, while the Hattaway Mountain Trail is a more strenuous two-mile loop, where you can hike straight uphill after passing through deep woods. Morrow Mountain State Park is a great RV destination no matter what time of the year you visit.
Morrow Mountain State Park is easy to access by RV or car since it is located just six miles from Albemarle, NC, off of North Carolina highways 24/27, 73, and 740. The park is about an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Charlotte and an hour and a half south of Greensboro. Local roads will take you anywhere you wish to go inside the park, from the Park Office and Museum to the campground and trails. There are no driving restrictions for RVs or trailers within the park, so you will be able to get around easily, whether you're in your rig or another vehicle. If you want to take a quick walk around the area, the local roads are paved, and the Museum and Park Office are close by for your exploring pleasure.
There are several options for parking RVs and trailers, with five lots throughout the park. You will be able to find spots at the Park Office, Kron House, boat launch, picnic area, and near the Bridle Trail. Of course, you can also park at the campground if you are staying overnight.
Morrow Mountain State Park offers 106 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents year-round. The campsites are divided between Loops A, B, and C. All the campsites are close to the Park Office, and each loop is within walking distance to one another. Campsite size varies, but some sites can accommodate RVs or trailers up to 57 feet long.
Each site has a gravel or paved pad, picnic table, and grill. Amenities at this campground include drinking water, showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Loop C is the most popular for RVers since the 22 campsites here offer electric hookups, and six sites are ADA-accessible. No water and sewer hookups are available at any campsite, however. Generator use is permitted except during quiet hours at night.
No matter which loop you choose, you'll be near the trails and parking. The front gate is closed and locked nightly with no entry out or in during this time. There is a two-night minimum stay on holiday weekends, and reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
If you are visiting Morrow Mountain State Park on a whim, you might be able to snag a campsite. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis if there are any open that haven't been reserved ahead of time. However, reservations are highly recommended, especially during the peak season.
If you want to spend a relaxing afternoon soaking in the true beauty of North Carolina, you should get out of the RV and head to one of the picnic areas where you can unwind. You can have a lovely picnic while enjoying panoramic views of the summit of Morrow Mountain at any time of year. Another great spot for a quiet meal is at the picnic area by the swimming pool, which offers easy access to Quarry Trail. If you are looking to host a get together while camping at Morrow Mountain State Park, you can reserve one of the picnic pavilions, where ample seating and grills are available, and bathrooms are nearby.
Morrow Mountain State Park is home to 170 unique species of birds, so you will want to ensure you pack your binoculars in your RV. Some of the many birds that you can see include pileated woodpeckers, northern parula, belted kingfisher, bald eagles, and eastern kingbird. Sugarloaf and Hattaway Mountain Trails offer pristine opportunities to spot woodland birds. Other hotspots for birding are the waterways located throughout the park. Take an adventurous hike along the Mountain Loop Trail in search of eastern wood-pewee and scarlet tanagers. See how many you can spot during the late fall migration. You might even want to pack a telephoto lens in the trailer with the opportunity of seeing this many bird species.
Morrow Mountain State Park features a historical site just waiting to be explored during your RV road trip. Located at the foot of Fall Mountain, the Kron House showcases what life as a doctor looked like during 1870. Doctor Francis Kron, one of the first physicians of the region, lived right here in this enchanting mountain setting that you still see today. Tour the home, doctor's office, infirmary, and greenhouse as you learn about the site's historical importance to the area. Tours are offered regularly throughout the year. Historians of all ages won't want to miss this tour.
If you are an avid backpacker and wish to camp in a wilderness-type setting, you may want to stay at the primitive campground, which is located about two miles from the park office. You'll need a backpack camping permit, which you can purchase in the office. But don't worry, it's not completely primitive. There is a pit toilet and drinking water available. You'll need to pack in everything else you will need, though, and you'll have to pack out everything you brought in, including trash.
If all the RV sites are full or you want to get out of the campervan for a while, you can stay in one of the six rustic cabins in the woods at Morrow Mountain State Park. Your group of up to six people will be quite comfortable in these accommodations that include a kitchen, dining area, living room with a fireplace, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. You'll have to bring your pillows, towels, and bedding, and no pets are allowed. A handicap-accessible cabin is available to reserve as well.
The fishing is perfect year-round at Lake Tillery and in the Pee Dee River. Launch your boat from the convenient boat ramp and fish from the depths of the lake for crappie, largemouth bass, or some catfish. Another option is fishing the shallows in a canoe, where you’re sure to reel in some perch or bluegill. You can even fish from the pier and dangle your line for some white bass. The boathouse is open on weekends through October if you need anything, including canoe rentals, but the park is open year-round. Fly casters may want to cast their flies in the Pee Dee River and try for some river or striped bass, which are even more plentiful in the cooler autumn months. There’s something for every angler on an RV vacation in Morrow Mountain State Park.
Don't forget to pack your bathing suit in your camper so that you can enjoy a lap in the Olympic size swimming pool. You will find restrooms and showers in the nearby bathhouse, where you can also buy cold drinks and snacks. The bathhouse was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration. There is also a pool close by for those that are not yet able to enjoy the Olympic-sized pool. Swimming is not permitted from the lakeshore or from rental boats as there may be strong currents and undertows.
If you are an avid equestrian, you will love the opportunity to hit the trail during your RV trip to Morrow Mountain State Park. This state park has 16 miles of horse trails for your riding enjoyment. Bridle Trail is split into three different trails like the Long Loop trail that circles the Morrow Mountain area and the northern section of the park. There's nothing quite like seeing a southern mountain landscape from horseback.
You will want to be sure to pack a great pair of hiking boots in your RV since there are 12 hiking trails to choose from at Morrow Mountain State Park that vary in their difficulty level. If you are seeking an easy hike or stroll, check out the Laurel Trail. This is a half-mile loop trail through tall undergrowth, enchanting creeks, and deep forest.
If you are looking for a more difficult hike, head out on the 2.5-mile Sugarloaf Mountain Trail, which will take you through winding hills. Once you arrive at the top, the trail drops 500 feet in a quarter of a mile. Sugarloaf's summit is one of the park's most scenic viewpoints. This hike will be one to remember on your RV adventure to the Carolina wilderness.
If you want to get up close and personal with Lake Tillery, you have a variety of options. You can launch your traditional boat from the boat launch near the pier and leave your rig in the parking lot, or you can launch from several points along the edge if you have a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Lake Tillery is a great place to float on a lazy afternoon or get some exercise with those oars for the more athletically inclined. Either way, you will enjoy the awesome views of the surrounding landscape from the water. If you didn't bring your own, you can rent a canoe or kayak from the park marina. After a sun-soaked day on the lake, you'll be ready to hit the hay back in the camper.
