Mortimer Campground near Lenoir

Granny

Granny

One day at a time...
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Location
Cabarrus County (Rimertown)
Can anyone give me some first-hand info on this place? I only know what I have read, and some of it sounds sketchy at best. I have read the dirt road going in is nine miles long, rough as a cob and as bad or worse than Uwharrie for dust. Also, no room to pass another vehicle. The place sounds primitive which I definitely like. Any and all feedback welcomed! Thanx! :)
 
I've stayed there. Campground was fine. I think they had a centrally located bathhouse. The road was rough and long, but I was there in a civic si so it wasn't too bad.
 
@ramjo and I were there a couple months ago and it was enjoyable. It's an interesting place for sure, but I would go again. Our cousin has a cabin so I can't speak to what it's like to camp there. It is a loooooong dirt road. Was fairly hard packed and not too dusty when we went. Just make sure you send any texts or calls before you get too close, because there's no cell service even before you turn off the main road. I somehow got random service the day after we got there....just long enough to tell my wife I was alive ;)
 
It's beautiful up there!! Idk what y'all talking about the road is mostly wide enough to pass comfortable but there isn't much traffic either unless the fish stock truck is scheduled to show up. The road (Brown MTN Beach Rd) follows Wilson's creek which is a beautiful ride.
Me and my boys spend a lot of time up in there. Mainly riding dirt roads on my
dual sport bike.
Me and Mason stopped in that campground last summer to do some hiking. There is a beautiful little waterfall just a few hundred yards in the woods. Met the campground host and was a super nice older gentleman.
There is bath houses but is primitive.
It's actually better I would say to go in from the morganton side off hwy181. It would be a loooong ride from Lenoir side especially if you went out hwy 90 cause alot of it is rough gravel road with lots of switch backs.
There is one little store 1/10 mile from the campground but I'd pack everything you need cause they are proud of their stuff. They do have good hotdogs though.
I've heard that whole area up in there is sketchy my whole life but to talk to the locals it's not bad at all. But if I know you Don you have protection most anywhere you go.
It's a great area to explorer.
I like the area enough I'm looking at possibly buying a cabin in Edgemont which is just above Mortimer.
 
lockedup5 said:
It's beautiful up there!! Idk what y'all talking about the road is mostly wide enough to pass comfortable but there isn't much traffic either unless the fish stock truck is scheduled to show up.... It's a great area to explorer......I like the area enough I'm looking at possibly buying a cabin in Edgemont which is just above Mortimer.
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I agree...its beautiful and the road is plenty wide.

@lockedup5 our cousin's cabin is in Edgemont....and for sale :huggy: I wouldn't mind owning the old store that is up in Edgemont...that is a cool old building.
 
Worth the trip. 10 years ago a group of friends had a private campsite on the river. Never had any trouble but everyone was prepared if it come knocking. All the stories you hear are from trouble makers up by the original campground. It's now a well taken care of place.

Go see Bruce, get an ice cream, sit on the porch and people watch. Try to find Charlie and his guitar, odd to see that voice coming out of such a hillbilly. Tell'em a creek boy sent you. ;)
 
OK... from Google Maps: > Take Abington Rd and Brown Mountain Beach Rd to NC-90 W in Wilson Creek

Coming from Salisbury, I would go 70 to Statesville, then 64 to Lenoir. I know that route and I think it's a nice drive. From Lenoir is where I am in unfamiliar territory. If I understand lockedup5 correctly, this is a nice ride all the way to the campground? FWIW: I am interested!!! Sounds like I just need to jump in my old Camry and take the wife for a Sunday afternoon ride.
 
jcramsey said:
I agree...its beautiful and the road is plenty wide.

@lockedup5 our cousin's cabin is in Edgemont....and for sale :huggy: I wouldn't mind owning the old store that is up in Edgemont...that is a cool old building.
Click to expand...
Maybe we can get together and go check it out!
Yeah I've always liked the old store and the owner is a nice guy what little I've talked to him. He really knows the area.
 
Granny said:
OK... from Google Maps: > Take Abington Rd and Brown Mountain Beach Rd to NC-90 W in Wilson Creek

Coming from Salisbury, I would go 70 to Statesville, then 64 to Lenoir. I know that route and I think it's a nice drive. From Lenoir is where I am in unfamiliar territory. If I understand lockedup5 correctly, this is a nice ride all the way to the campground? FWIW: I am interested!!! Sounds like I just need to jump in my old Camry and take the wife for a Sunday afternoon ride.
Click to expand...
I was actually recommending going to morganton-hwy 181 to Brown MTN Beach Rd.
But the way you described is paved til you turn up BM Beach Rd. Just don't be tempted to go 90 through the globe.
I just recommend the morganton way if you're pulling the new camper trailer. IIRC correctly Abington/adko Rd is pretty curvy.
 
When are you planning on making the trip to the campground? I drove by about a month ago and it was gated. Laws, laws and more laws have taken over that whole area and aren't showing any signs of slowing down. Wouldn't be suprised if I live to see all the permanent residents removed and the whole area become seasonal use only:shaking:
 
Today the Mortimer mystery got solved... this morning I grabbed my old not-so-trustworthy GPS (Gertrude), jumped in my old very-trustworthy Camry and headed out to find the place. Gertrude had no clue as to where we were going other than Collettsville. I went via 70 & 64 from Salisbury through Statesville and Lenoir. Gerty took me to Collettsville via Fairview Dr, Abington Rd, and Collettsville RD (90). From Collettsville via Adako Rd and Brown Mtn Beach Rd. The trip was slightly over 100 miles, and the ride was pleasant and easy with reasonably light traffic. The 7 miles of dirt road was slightly damp and not too dusty, but I would not care to travel it when it is dry and in heavy use (think Uwharrie). I did not see Bruce at the store, but a lady working there told me the road (both directions) is a dusty mess on the weekends during the in-season. I may go there some day, but for now I think I will have to get very tired of my other favorite spots first.

ThanX to all who contributed to this thread! :)
 
Went up and scouted with a friend last Wednesday the side of the forest service road that turns into Old House Gap RD according to the Google maps. The forest service road t's into edgemont road close to grandfather mountain. It is a beautiful ride with plenty of camping and hiking spots along it. At some point it gets rough in some of the turns. It goes from narrow about one lane to two lane in some spots. Its a beautiful drive. One day i want to drive the entire length of it.
 
A group of us college kids from Lee's Mcrae went camping up there this past weekend it is beautiful place to go camping. The road isn't bad at all or at least to the spot we went to. The worse thing is the washboards in some of the turns.
 

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