Badin Lake

Badin Lake is one of a series of lakes created by the damming of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River in the Uwharrie Lakes Region of the United States. The Badin Lake Dam was built in 1917 to support local aluminum smelting plant, Alcoa, and the associated community of Badin was named for the founder, Adrien Badin. The power generation unit was sold to Cube Hydro Carolinas in February 2017. Badin Lake is in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. It is contained by Narrows Dam at the town of Badin, North Carolina. Sitting within a valley, the lake is very deep, with a maximum depth of 190 ft (58 m). The lake occupies 5,350 acres and has 115 miles of shoreline. Its waters have an average summer temperature of 84.4 °F and an average winter temperature of 50.6 °F. No ferries cross Badin Lake. The northernmost point of Morrow Mountain State Park is roughly 2 miles downstream from Narrows Dam. The lake lies within Stanly, Davidson, Montgomery, and Rowan counties. Much of the lake's eastern shoreline lies within the Uwharrie National Forest.

Badin Lake Recreation Area, located in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County, is a focal point for campers, hikers, anglers, hunters, boaters, swimmers and picnickers. King's Mountain Point day-use area has picnic sites, swimming beach, fishing piers and four campgrounds. Primitive camping sites are available throughout the UNF and are free. Fee for developed campgrounds, which are: Badin Lake Campground, Arrowhead Campground, Canebrake Horse Camp (for horse-back riders), and also Badin Lake Group Camp for large groups. The developed campgrounds have showers/flush toilets/tent pads/grill rings/lantern hooks, and some sites have power hookups. There are also sites available right on beautiful Badin Lake.

The biggest fishing hole in the Uwharrie National Forest is Badin Lake. This 5,350-acre impoundment of the Yadkin River was built in 1917 by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) to generate hydroelectric power for the aluminum plant at Badin. The eastern shore borders the National Forest and the lake is well stocked with catfish, bream, largemouth, white and striped bass.

Badin is a beautiful, quiet, peaceful get away where you can take your family for some good, clean fun or you can go for some outdoor adventure. You can camp and hike at the Uwharrie State Park and there are lots of activities around that get you on and around the water.

Boat Ramps at Badin Lake

Cove Boat Ramp - 400 Cove Rd. Eldorado, NC on Badin is perfect for launching trailered boats. It is near the Arrowhead Campground and the Badin Lake Hiking Trail.

Circle Drive Boat Ramp - 724 Shoreline Dr. New London, NC has 40 boat trailer spaces and 5 single vehicle spaces. 3 universal access spaces with dock handrails, a paved walkway and restrooms.

Whip-o-Will Boat Ramp - 241 Lakemont Road, New London, NC has 51 boat trailer spaces and 2 universal access spaces.

Lake Forest (Fish Tales) - 700 Lake Forest Dr., New London, NC for a $3.00 fee includes launch and vehicle/trailer day parking.