Wind through one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth along the Uwharrie Scenic Road in central North Carolina. The ancient Uwharrie Mountains, worn smooth by hundreds of millions of years of weather, create a landscape of gentle, forested ridges and quiet valleys that feels worlds apart from the surrounding Piedmont.

This state-designated scenic byway carries you past towering hardwoods, historic homesteads, and the vast Uwharrie National Forest, where black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys roam freely. Stop at Morrow Mountain State Park for panoramic views from the summit, or pull over to explore one of the many trailheads leading into deep woodland hollows. The Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery offer waterside breaks with fishing and paddling opportunities.

Small communities along the route preserve a rich gold mining heritage — North Carolina’s first gold rush happened right here in the early 1800s. Visit the Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site nearby to pan for your own nugget.

Fall delivers the most spectacular drive, when the hardwood canopy blazes with color from mid-October through early November. Allow a leisurely half day to soak in every overlook, trail, and roadside discovery along the way.

Explore Nearby

• Uwharrie National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina
• Morrow Mountain State Park — State Park in North Carolina
• Pisgah Community Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina
• Unity Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Oregon
• Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve — State Park in North Carolina