U.S. National Forest Campground Guide

Nantahala National Forest

North Carolina



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CAMPGROUND NAME: Cable Cove

VISIT DATE: 05/16/1997

UPDATE DATE: 2/18/2022

STATE: North Carolina

REGION: Southern

RANGER DISTRICT: Cheoah

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Fontana Village

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
From Fontana Village, NC, take State Rt. 28 south 5.5 miles to
Cable Cove sign.  Turn left at sign and go 1 mile to campground
on the right.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 1,620 ft.

The campground is adjacent to a stream and 0.5 mile from Fontana 
Lake.  It is located in mature hardwood with most of the understory 
cleared out.  Sites are spacious and nicely shaded.  The lake is very 
popular with canoeists.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No

Seasonal Comment:
Open April through October - weather dependent

NOTE:  2022 - Due to a lack of funding for maintenance issue, this
campground will not be open.  Contact Ranger District office 
for status.

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $15 per day
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 26
   
   Total Sites: 26

Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 26
No. Grilles on Sites: 26
Equestrian Camping: No

RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: No
Largest Parking Apron Size: 16' X 74'

Comments:
Some parking aprons are grass, others are gravel.

BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No

OTHER FACILITIES
Playground: No
Public Phone: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 3
  No. Threaded: 0
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No

WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: Yes
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: No
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: Yes
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Lake Fontana is 10,000 acres.

HIKING
Unnamed interpretive trail

FISHING   
Rainbow Trout in stream.  Trout, Walleye, varieties of Bass,
Bream and Crappie are in the lake.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Cheoah Point VISIT DATE: 05/16/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Cheoah NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Robbinsville RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation DIRECTIONS: From Robbinsville, NC, take U.S. Rt. 129 north 6.8 miles to Cheoah Point Recreation Area sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.1 miles to Cheoah Point campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.7 miles to campground entrance. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 1,760 ft. The campground is situated in mature hardwoods on a peninsula of Lake Santeetlah. The lake can be seen through the dense woods some 150 feet away. To help keep campers, especially with young children, from harm in the campground's steep topograph fences have been installed. The campground is close to beach and boat ramp and has numerous terraced campsites. The campground includes two primitive cabins (not included in this survey) which are available for rent on Recreation.gov. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open April through October - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $20 per day - no hookups $25 per day - electric hookups Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 23 Total Sites: 23 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 23 No. Grilles on Sites: 23 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0 No. Water and Electric Only: No. Water Only: 0 No. Electric Only: 6 No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 18.5' X 40' Comments: Parking aprons are fine gravel. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets:Yes Hot Showers: Yes OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 3 No. Threaded: 0 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): Yes Sailing: Yes Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: Yes Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Lake Santeetlah is 2,800 acres. HIKING - No FISHING Trout, Walleye, variety of Bass, Bream and Crappie.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Horse Cove VISIT DATE: 05/16/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Cheoah NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Robbinsville RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Robbinsville, NC, take U.S. Rt. 129 north 7.9 miles campground sign (Joyce Kilmer Rd. - State Rt. 1147). Turn left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd. and go 0.5 miles to a "T" intersection. Turn right at intersection (over bridge), staying on Joyce Kilmer Rd., and go 5.5 miles to campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 1,820 ft. The campground is situated in mature hardwood and Spruce trees with some sites adjacent to Santeetlah Creek. Rhododendrons are abundant too. Nearby, is the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Some of the Yellow Poplars are over 400 years old, 20 feet in circumference and 100 feet tall. To enjoy this virgin splendor, there are two easy loop trails - one is 1.25 miles and the other is 0.75 miles. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open April through October - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $15 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 7 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 11 Total Sites: 18 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 18 No. Grilles on Sites: 18 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 17.5' X 36.5' Comments: Parking aprons are gravel and dirt. Sites 12 and 13 are not accessible for RVs. Interior campground roads are narrow and rough. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: No Comments: Wheelchair friendly vault is located near site 6. OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 3 No. Threaded: 3 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS - None Comments: Wading is possible in Santeetlah Creek HIKING Horse Cove Trail FISHING Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and Brown Trout. Rainbow Trout is stocked.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Jackrabbit Mountain VISIT DATE: 05/17/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Tusquitee NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Hayesville RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation DIRECTIONS: From Hayesville, NC, take US Rt. 64 east 4.7 miles to Jack Rabbit sign. Turn right at sign and go 0.9 miles to another Jack Rabbit sign (State Rt. 175). Turn right onto Rt. 175 and go 2.5 miles to Jack Rabbit Recreation Area sign (Jack Rabbit Campground Rd.). Turn right onto Jack Rabbit Campground Rd. and go 1.4 miles to campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 1,860 ft. The campground, comprised of three loops, is lightly wooded and nicely manicured. Some sites are adjacent to or overlook Chatuge Lake. The topography of the campground is pleasantly varied making the interior roads a neat "playground" for bikes and roller blades. Amphitheater is currently used only for Sunday services. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open May 1 through September 29 RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $20 per day - single $40 per day - double Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 10 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 90 Total Sites: 100 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 100 No. Grilles on Sites: 100 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 5 Waste Station: Yes Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes Largest Parking Apron Size: 12.5' X 56' Comments: The parking aprons are paved. Some of the aprons are "V" or wedge shape. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes Comments: State-of-the-art bathhouse that includes a separate family room. OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 14 No. Threaded: 14 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): Yes Sailing: Yes Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: Yes Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Lake Chatuge is 6,950 acres. Beach is sandy. HIKING Jackrabbit Mountain trail #384 (foot only) - 2.4 miles Jackrabbit Mountain Connector trail #384A (foot only) - 0.5 miles Central Loop trail #750 (foot and mountain bike) - 3.1 miles Upper Ridge trail #751 (foot and mountain bike) - 1.5 miles Sneaking Creek trail #752 (foot and mountain bike) - 2.7 miles Burnt Tree Peninsula trail #753 (foot and mountain bike) - 1.0 miles Yotee's Run trail #754 (foot and mountain bike) - 1.5 miles High Point trail #755 (foot and mountain bike) - 1.0 mile Burrell Cove trail #756 (foot and mountain bike) - 1.7 miles Saba Beach trail #757 (foot and mountain bike) - 0.5 mile FISHING Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted and Striped bass; crappie; bream; and catfish

CAMPGROUND NAME: Standing Indian VISIT DATE: 05/18/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Nantahala NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Franklin RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation DIRECTIONS: In Franklin, NC, at the intersection of of US Rts. 23/441/64, take US Rt. 64 west for 12 miles to Wallace Gap/Standing Indian campground sign (Old Murphy Rd.). Turn left onto Old Murphy Rd. and go 1.9 miles to Standing Indian campground sign (Forest Rt. 67). Turn right onto Rt. 67 and go 1.8 miles to "Y" intersection. Bear right into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 3,160 ft. The campground, loaded with Rhododendrons, is bisected by the Nantahala River and Kimsey Creek. There are five loops. Sites 1 through 54 are located on open flats with paved aprons and wide interior road. Sites 55 through 84 are along a hillside, nestled among Rhododendrons and hemlocks, with a steep gravel access road. Motorhomes and large travel trailers are not permitted in this part of the campground. The campground is ituated in what is considered one of the best hiking destinations in the southwest mountains. It is one of the few places where ne can actually take a loop hike, a part of which is the Appalachian Trail. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open April 1 through October 30 RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $20 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 30 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 81 Total Sites: 81 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 81 No. Grilles on Sites: 81 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 4 Waste Station: Yes Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes Average Parking Apron Size: 10.5' X 52' Comments: The parking aprons are paved and gravel. Sites 55 through 84 are not recommended for motor homes and trailers. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: Yes No. Water Spigots (non-site): 20 No. Threaded: 0 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS - None Comments: Wading is possible in Kimsey Creek. HIKING Lower Ridge Trail Kimsey Trail Park Creek Trail Park Ridge Trail Long Branch - 24.2 miles Blackwell Gap Loop One or more connect to Appalachian Trail FISHING Rainbow and Brown trout - Native Brook trout

CAMPGROUND NAME: Tsali VISIT DATE: 05/16/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Cheoah NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Bryson City RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Bryson City, NC, take US Rt. 19 south 7.2 miles to Robbinsville/Fontana sign (U.S. Rt. 28 North). Turn right onto Rt. 28 and go 3.5 miles to Tsali campground sign. Turn right at sign and go 1.6 miles to campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 1,620 ft. The campground is located at base of paw-shaped peninsula on Fontana Lake. The area is covered with a network of horse and mountain bike trails. At the time of visit, almost every site was occupied by mountain biking campers. There is even an area to wash bikes. The campground is heavily wooded with little understory making for minimal privacy between sites. Horses are not allowed in the campground, but stalls and trailer parking are provided in a separate horse users area, a short distance above the campground. Trail use alternates between horse and mountain bike riders. Contact the Ranger District Office for specific days. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open April through October RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $20 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 12 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 29 Total Sites: 41 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 41 No. Grilles on Sites: 41 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 14.5' X 47' Comments: Parking aprons are gravel. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: Yes No. Water Spigots (non-site): 8 No. Threaded: 0 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): No Sailing: Yes Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: Yes Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Fontana Lake is 10,000 acres. The boat ramp is about 300 feet long with no turn-around. This requires backing all the way to the ramp. HIKING Fontana Lake Trail (horse, foot & mountain bikers) Right Loop - 11 miles Left Loop - 11.9 miles Mouse Branch - 6.5 miles Thompson Loop - 7.7 miles Trails are used by bikers and horseback riders on alternating days. See schedule posted at campground. FISHING Trout, Walleye, varieties of Bass, Crappie and Bream

CAMPGROUND NAME: Van Hook Glade VISIT DATE: 05/15/1997 UPDATE DATE: 8/25/2020 STATE: North Carolina REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Nantahala NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Highlands RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation DIRECTIONS: From Highlands, NC, take US Rt. 64 west for 4 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 3,240 ft. The campground is situated in a grove of mature Rhododendrons, hardwood and some Spruce. Sites are secluded and well screened from one another - very picturesque campground. US Rt. 64 is a spectacular scenic byway through Cullasaga River Gorge. At time of visit, public phone was inoperable. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open April 1 through October 31. RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $20 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 6 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 14 Total Sites: 20 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 20 No. Grilles on Sites: 20 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 1 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 10.5' X 57' Comments: Parking aprons are gravel. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: Yes No. Water Spigots (non-site): 4 No. Threaded: 0 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No WATER SPORTS - None Comments: Swimming is available at Cliffside Recreation Area, 0.1 miles from campground on US Rt. 64. HIKING Van Hook Glade Trail - 0.3 miles (connects to Cliffside Recreation Area) Cliffside Recreation Area offers 6 trails ranging from easy to moderate and 0.5 miles to 1.5 miles in length. FISHING - No Comments: Fishing available at Cliffside Recreation Area, 0.1 miles from campground on US Rt. 64




Fred and Suzi Dow