The range's foothills stretch into Cabarrus, Anson, Union, and Richmond counties.

The Uwharries were once a coastal mountain range;[2] isostasy has slowly raised the eastern seabed until today they lie in the Piedmont of North Carolina over 150 miles (240 km) from the coast.

Once entirely cleared for timber and farmland, the mountains were designated a U.S. National Forest in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

The woodlands have since returned, providing a haven for a diversity of wildlife, recreational facilities, and numerous Native American archeological sites.

The Caraway Mountains, a segment of the Uwharries, are located in western Randolph County, west of Asheboro.