Eldorado OHV Complex

The Eldorado OHV Complex is the second designated off-highway vehicle trail system within the Uwharrie National Forest, a distinct riding area from the Badin Lake OHV Complex that serves as the other anchor of Uwharrie OHV recreation in the Uwharrie Range of the North Carolina Piedmont, located in Stanly County approximately 15 miles southeast of the Badin Lake system near the community of Norwood. The Eldorado complex occupies the southern portions of the Uwharrie National Forest on the same ancient, heavily eroded quartzite and slate formations that give Badin Lake its legendary technical reputation: the same exposed bedrock ridges, rocky descents, and boulder-strewn creek crossings that make Uwharrie the most technically demanding public-land OHV destination in the Piedmont Southeast. At approximately 22 miles of designated trail, Eldorado is somewhat smaller than the Badin Lake system but shares its fundamental character: narrow corridors on rocky quartzite terrain that rewards modified machines with lockers and skid plates and punishes stock ATVs attempting the hardest lines. The Eldorado complex complements Badin Lake for riders visiting Uwharrie for multiple days, the two systems are close enough to use a single base camp at Badin Lake Campground while accessing distinctly different trail networks across multiple ride days. ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles are permitted; full-size trucks find most corridors too narrow. A Recreation.gov day-use permit is required ($5/day, $30/season). The Uwharrie National Forest Ranger District office (910-576-6391) manages both Uwharrie OHV complexes and publishes current closure information after significant rain events.