Driving into Badin Lake Recreational Area, the trailhead is on the right side just pass the Host Campsite and before the second privy. Look for the post marker and the white blaze markers at the beginning of the parking lot. The loop is a 5.6 mile moderate hike. Loaded up my backpack with water and yogurt bars, I grab my hiking pole and follow Bailey into the hardwood forest. The trail is well worn and marked but the terrain is a little rocky at times. It contours around the shoreline through several nice open primitive campsites. At one point a number of quartz rocks protrudes out of the ground imitating patches of snow reluctant to melt. The trail continues along the shoreline to an embayment with about five houses on the other side before going into the deciduous forest. The forest, during January at least, has very little underbrush, a thick carpet of leaves, and devoid of wildlife. After a solitude stroll through the pines and hardwoods, the trail pops out at the Arrowhead Campground where it mimics' the shoreline back to Badin Lake Recreational Area. In the summertime, this hike would provide very little if no solitude from the civilized world but it does provide many picturesque opportunities. After the day hike, I took advantage of the facilities by snacking on my granola bars and feeding Bailey at a picnic area while tossing a line the water for about 2 hours. No luck at catching dinner. Uwharrie National Forest offers many recreational activities including fishing, hiking trails, camping ( primitive, campgrounds & group camping ), bicycle trails, picnic areas, horseback trails and camping, hunting, OHV trails, and water activities. And only a little over 1 hour away from Charlotte down NC 49 N to 109. This was my first hike in 2013.
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| Badin Lake |
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| Quartz Rocks |
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| Quartz Rocks protruding from the ground |
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| A Cove at Arrowhead Campground |
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| Fishing on Badin Lake |
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| A Redheaded Woodpecker |
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