Explore

Embark on a journey through scenic rivers, serene lakes, and a majestic mountain, each offering its own unique adventure. Uncover the beauty of our county’s natural landscapes, from tranquil hiking trails to lush, inviting parks. Your exploration of nature’s wonders starts here.

Rivers & Lakes

Lake Tillery

Lake Tillery was created in the 1920’s and is the second largest lake in the region with more that 5,000 acres and 104 miles of shoreline. This is a popular recreation, watersports and fishing lake with many homes lining the shores. Parts of Morrow Mountain State Park and the Uwharrie National Forest border the lake with numerous boat launches and marinas. Some lakefront homes are listed as Air B&Bs. Fishing tournaments occur regularly with large mouth bass, stripper, crappie, white bass and catfish often being the anglers choice to catch. Water levels are generally very stable on this beautiful lake with the Uwharrie Mountains as a backdrop.

Badin Lake

Badin Lake is mostly undeveloped on the Stanly County side with large portions bordering the Uwharrie National Forest and Morrow Mountain State Park. The lake covers 5,350 acres with 115 miles of shoreline. Several boat launches are available which makes this a popular lake for recreation, watersports and fishing. There are picnic areas, public beaches, and swimming areas. Formed in the 1910s to support hydroelectric power for aluminum production, Badin Lake is a popular location for fishing tournaments. Some of the largest blue catfish caught in North Carolina have come from Badin Lake. Portions of the lake approach 200 feet deep and water levels remain mostly stable year-round.

Rocky River

The Rocky River is part of the Pee Dee River Basin, and forms portions of the boundaries between Cabarrus, Stanly, Union and Anson Counties. The Rocky River’s headwaters begin in southern Iredell county and terminate at the confluence with the Pee Dee River at Southfork Ranch. Three Rivers Land Conservancy has a conservation easement on this property. The Rocky River is believed to be the longest undammed river in North Carolina. The Rocky River Blueway of the Carolina Thread Trail network is nearly 50 miles in length where paddlers can experience varying degrees of difficulty depending on the amount of precipitation. On this stretch of blueway, you will experience what the Piedmont floodplain forest habitat has to offer. Over 50 species of birds call this area home, including some imperiled species. Birders will enjoy the opportunity to see prairie warbler, prothonotary warbler, red-headed woodpecker, great blue heron, eastern meadowlark, pileated woodpecker, and kingfisher. Paddlers may also hear the calls of the Cope’s gray tree frogs, cricket frogs, spring peepers and upland chorus frogs or see over 10 species of butterflies like the Carolina satyr. The shoreline is trimmed with numerous floodplain trees, including the bitternut hickory, sourwood, cottonwood, swamp chestnut oak, and the black walnut. Little Meadow Creek, a tributary of the Rocky River in nearby Cabarrus County was the site of the first documented gold discovery in the United States.

Pee Dee River

The Pee Dee River originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course, above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood control and hydroelectric power. The lower part of the river is named Pee Dee after the Native American Pee Dee tribe. The first Europeans believed to have navigated part of the river was a party sent by Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón in 1521. They named it “River of St. John the Baptist.” It is an important source of electric power and public water supplies, as well as recreational use. While the Pee Dee is free-flowing in South Carolina, upstream in North Carolina, several dams have been constructed on it. These dams have created four beautiful lakes on the eastern edge of Stanly County - Lake Tillery, Badin Lake, Falls Lake and Tuckertown Reservoir. The river and it’s lakes are excellent for recreational fishing and boating. There are numerous boat launches for our lakes. Herons can be seen along the way, and a lucky sighting of a bald eagle is possible.

Falls Reservoir

Falls Reservoir is the lake created between the Narrows Dam, holding back Badin Lake, and Falls Dam which marks the beginning of Lake Tillery. The lake is approximately 2 miles in length and fairly narrow. The lake covers 604 acres and has approximately 6 miles of shoreline. This is a little known treasure of central North Carolina. There are only two access points, one on each side of the southern end of the lake. The access near Badin is the only one that is paved and has a boat ramp suitable for powerboats. This, combined with the lack of knowledge of the lake, keep traffic down to a minimum. The scenery at Falls Reservoir is unmatched in the area and visitors may witness Bald Eagles fishing for their next meal. The shores of the lake are filled with exposed rock formations. While not recommended, a few of the formations are suitable for cliff jumping and repelling. There are even waterfalls to explore along the western shore. Visitors may paddle up to the base of Narrows Dam and picnic on the rocks below the spillway. Falls Reservoir rests atop what was once known as the “Narrows of the Yadkin” which was a rough section of the river. Most of the eastern shore is a vertical drop-off. Most of the land to the east of Falls Reservoir is in the Uwharrie National Forest. There are several campsites scattered along the shores that are obvious and established. The western shore is undeveloped private land.

Tuckertown Reservoir

Tuckertown Reservoir is a 2,500 acre lake created by the construction of the Tuckertown Hydroelectric Dam along the Yadkin River in 1962. This is a beautiful lake which is accessed from Stanly County through a boat launch and scenic overlook located on NC 49. Located north of Badin Lake and south of High Rock Lake, this reservoir covers around 2,500 acres with 75 miles of shoreline. Tuckertown Reservoir is known as a great fishing lake and is one of the main water sources for county and municipal water systems in Stanly county. It has a mostly undeveloped shoreline which actually borders four different counties. Bait and tackle shops are located on NC 49 near the boat launch.

The Mystery of the World War II B-25 and Badin Lake

Since World War II, a B-25 bomber and the bodies of its pilot and co-pilot have rested at the bottom of Badin Lake in Stanly County. The stories and conspiracy theories surrounding the crash and the fact that the wreckage and bodies were never recovered have made the lake a popular spot for history buffs.

Mountains & Trails

Stanly County Hiking Trails

Stanly County Bike Routes

Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain State Park is located about six miles east of Albemarle. The park is bordered on two sides by Lake Tillery and covers 5,881 acres in the Uwharrie Mountains, the oldest mountain range in North America.

Morrow Mountain’s facilities include family campgrounds, vacation cabins, a large swimming pool and bathhouse, picnic areas, rental boats, a natural history museum, hiking and nature trails, an amphitheater, and a recreation of the historical Kron House where Dr. Frances J. Kron lived in the early 1800’s.

Recreation

Immerse yourself in Morrow Mountain’s vibrant tapestry of recreation, where each trail offers a new discovery and the waters beckon to those seeking adventure, ensuring every moment is filled with the pulse of nature’s playground.

  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Horseback trails
  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Boat rentals
  • Fishing
  • Natural History Museum

Camping

Nature lovers can pick from miles of trails to travel on foot or horseback. For those who want to stay and take it all in, cabins and camping are available. Use the family car or RV, ride horseback or in a canoe, put on a pair of hiking boots, dip bare feet in the river, or bait your favorite fishing pole—a visit to Morrow Mountain lets you choose your kind of adventure.

  • Tent, trailer and RV camping
  • Backpack camping
  • Group camping
  • Vacation cabins

Click below or call 1-877-7-CAMP-NC to make reservations.

Parks & Natural Attractions

New London Town Park

Children’s playground, picnic shelters, walking trails

City Lake Park

Fishing, amphitheatre, trails, children’s playgrounds, picnic shelter, dock

Darrell Almond Community Park

Fishing, walking trail, park amenities, amphitheatre

Oakboro District Park

Children’s playground, two picnic shelters, Pond with walking gazebo on the bridge, walking trail, amphitheatre, two baseball fields, two soccer fields

Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park

Playground, basketball court, walking trail, state-of-the-art playground and facilities.

Albemarle

Park Amenities
Morrow Mountain State Park
49107 Morrow Mountain Rd.
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-982-4402
Group and family camping, family cabins, hiking, fishing, canoe rental, swimming, equestrian trails, 3 picnic shelters
Albemarle Parks & Recreation Department
114 Rock Creek Dr.
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-984-9560
Chuck Morehead Memorial Park & Pool
211 N. E. Connector
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-983-3607
#8 disc golf course in the state, swimming, park, tennis, volleyball, hiking trails, Athletic field, basketball court, dog park
City Lake Park
Hwy 73
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-984-9560
Fishing, amphitheatre, trails, children’s playgrounds, picnic shelter, dock, kayak rental, disc golf course
Don Montgomery Memorial Park
500 Us 52 North
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-984-9571
Athletic field, children’s playground, picnic shelter, trails
EE Waddell Center
621 Wall St.
Albemarle, NC
704-984-9568
Gym, function rooms, walking path, softball field
Rock Creek Park
Hwy 52 South
Albemarle, NC 28001
704-982-1910
Swimming, hiking, ball fields, pickleball courts, Carolina Tree Top Challenge, park amenities, picnic shelter, bocce courts, trails

Badin

Park Amenities
Badin Memorial Park
Firehouse Museum, Badin Museum
Falls Rd.
Badin, NC 28009
704-422-3470
Badin Recreational Park
Hwy. 740
Badin, NC 28009
704-422-3470
Baseball field, Soccer field
Pine St. Park
Pine St.
Badin, NC 28009
704-422-3470
Picnic tables
West Badin Park
Sherman St.
Badin, NC 28009
Playground, basketball court, picnic tables, permanent grill
Badin Waterfront Park
(Coming Soon)
Walking paths, benches, waterfront views, amphitheater, town commons

Locust

Park Amenities
Locust City Park (encompassing) Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park
Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Drive
Locust, NC 28097
704-888-5260
Sports Complex four baseball/softball fields, football field, tennis court, two soccer fields, dog park, camping, playground, basketball court, walking trail, state of the art playground and facilities.

Oakboro

Park Amenities
Long St. Park
626 N. Long St.
Oakboro, NC 28129
704-485-3351
Community building, nutrition center, soccer field, children’s playground, baseball field
Oakboro District Park
423 S. Main St.
Oakboro, NC 28129
704-485-3351
Children’s playground, picnic shelters, pond, gazebo, walking trail, amphitheatre, two baseball fields, two soccer fields, community building
Oakboro Main St. Park
309 N. Main St.
Oakboro, NC 28129
704-485-3351
Fountain, concrete benches, walkway

Stanfield

Park Amenities
Pete Henkel Park
Park Drive
Stanfield, NC 28163
704-888-2386
Basketball court, tennis court, children’s playground, two baseball fields, soccer field, disc golf course
Stanfield Barn Park
(Donated by Pike family)
Hwy. 200
Stanfield, NC 28163
704-888-2386
Barn, rest area, facilities to come

Richfield

Park Amenities
Richfield Community Park
245 N. Hwy 49
Richfield, NC 27137
704-463-1308
Soccer fields, baseball fields, picnic shelter, walking trail, children’s playground, fishing pond, connection to Falcon Trail

New London

Park Amenities
New London Town Park
220 N. Main Street,
New London, 28127

704-463-5423
playground, shelter, picnic tables

Norwood

Park Amenities
Darrell Almond Community Park
Hwy 52 North
Norwood, NC 28128
704-474-3416
Fishing, walking trail, park amenities, amphitheatre
Norwood Memorial Park
Turner St.
Norwood, NC 28128
704-474-3416
Basketball court, baseball field, community building

© 2024 Visit Stanly County. All rights reserved.