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Nantahala National Forest
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The Nantahala National Forest (C) Tim Treadwell

  SITE NO. and NAME FACILITIES COMMENTS

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1 - Lake Cherokee

Open all year. No fee. Accessible Fishing pier. Picnic shelter.

From MURPHY, take U.S.64-W for 8 miles, turn right on NC 294, go 3 miles.

2 - Hanging Dog
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)
On Hiwassee Lake
3 - Fires Creek area
(incl. Bristol Horse Camp)

Fires Creek area open all year. Hike the 0.7-mile loop to LeatherwoodFalls or explore 25 miles of trail open to hikers and horses.

Bristol Horse Camp. $5/site.

From HAYESVILLE, go 5 miles on U.S.64-W. Turn right on SR 1302 for 3.7 miles and left on Fires Creek Rd.(SR 1344).

4 - Jackrabbit Mtn.
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

May 1-Oct.31. Swimming beach on Chatuge Lake. Popular for watersports. Hot showers. Picnic shelters. Evening Programs in season. $3/car for day-use. $12/site for camping.

From HAYESVILLE, take U.S.64-E for 6.2 miles, turn right on NC 175 for 2.5 miles, turn right on SR 1155.

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5 - Appletree Group Camp
Click for official NFS Appletree brochure (PDF format)

4 group camp sites for groups up to 50 people. Open 4/1/-10/31. Call the Wayah Ranger Station for Reservations - 828-524-6441. Access to hiking trails.


From Franklin, take U.S. 64 west for about 3 miles. Turn right at LBJ/Wayah signs and take first left beside Loafer’s Glory Store onto Wayah Road (SR 1310), which goes over Wayah Gap and past Nantahala Lake. After passing Lake’s End Store, take first left onto Junaluska Road (SR 1401), toward Andrews for about 2.5 miles to AppletreeGroup Campground.

6 - Standing Indian & Kimsey Creek Group Camp
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

Standing Indian day-use area open April 3-Nov.30. $2/car. Walk many popular hiking trails,including several that connect to Appalachian Trail. Picnic shelter. Campground open 3/31-12/1. $14/site for camping.

For Kimsey Creek Group Camp, call the Wayah Ranger Station for Reservations - 828-524-6441. 3 sites for groups up to 25 people. Open 4/1-12/1.

From FRANKLIN, take U.S.64-W, for 9 miles, turn left onold U.S.64 and follow signs.

7 - Hurricane Primitive
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

Primitive camp. No water. $4/site. Open 3/15-1/1, weather permitting.

Go south from Standing Indian on FR 67 (gravel) for 2 miles.

8 - Arrowood Glade Swimming Pool at LBJ
9 - Wayah Crest Appalachian Trail nearby
10 - Wayah Bald

Open all year. Enjoy panoramic views from the historic fire tower. Crossed by Appalachian & Bartram Trails. No fee.

From FRANKLIN, take U.S.64-W, turn right on old U.S.64 toSR 1310 (Wayah Rd.). Turn right on FR 69 (gravel) for 4.5 miles.

11 - Nantahala Gorge

Popular rafting & kayaking area with 8.5 miles of whitewater. Local outfitters provide boats, guides, etc.

US 19, between ALMOND & TOPTON, travels through the gorge

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12 - Ferebee Memorial Limited picnicking.
13 - Snowbird On Snowbird Creek.
14 - Cheoh Point
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

On Santeetlah Lake. No charge for day-use. Open all year.

Campground open 4/15-10/31. One loop open all year. $8/site.

From ROBBINSVILLE, take U.S.129-N for 7 miles.Turn left at sign, go 0.8 mile.

15 - Horse Cove
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

Open 4/15-10/31. $8/site. 5 sites open all year. In winter no water or fee.

From ROBBINSVILLE, take U.S.129-N for 1 mile, turn left on NC 143-W. Turn right onto SR 1127 to FR 416, turn right.

16 - Joyce Kilmer
Click for the Official NFS Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest brochure (PDF Format)

Open all year. No fee. 2 loop trails (1.25 and 2 miles) through old-growth hardwood grove.

From ROBBINSVILLE, take 129-N for 1 mi. Turn left onto NC143-W. Turn right onto 1127, about 2 miles to Joyce Kilmer Rd.

17 - Cable Cove
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

Open 4/15-10/31. $8/site. Near Fontana Lake.

From FONTANA VILLAGE, take NC 28-E, 4.7 miles, turn left on FR 520 for 1.4 miles.

18 - Tsali
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)
Click for official NFS Tsali area brochure (PDF format)

Open all year. Multi-use area near Fontana Lake, especially favored by mountain bikers. 39 miles of bike/horse trails. $2/trail user.

Camping $15/site from 4/15-10/31. Off season $5/site, no water.

From BRYSON CITY, take U.S.19-S for 9 miles, turn right on NC 28 for 5.5 miles, turn right at the sign for 1.5 miles (gravel).

19 - Rattler Ford Group Camp

Open 4/6-10/31. Group camping by reservation (call 828-479-6431). 4 sites for up to 25/site.

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20 - Van Hook Glade
Click for Official NFS Camping Info (PDF format)

Open 5/1-10/31. $10/site. Reservations available (see PDF file). Campers may use Cliffside Lake Facilities and showers.

From HIGHLANDS, take U.S.64-W for 4 miles,turn right at sign.

21 - Highlands Visitor Center Information, exhibits
22 - Cliffside Lake

Fee area 5/1-10/31. 2 picnic shelters by reservation (828) 862-5960. Bathhouse with cold showers. Short trails. No fee in winter.

From HIGHLANDS, take U.S.64-W for 4.5 miles, turn right at sign

23 - Whiteside Mtn.
Click here for Official NFS Whiteside Mtn. brochure (PDF format)

Open all year. $2/car. 2 mile loop trail to 4930" high vista above sheer cliff face. Popular rock climbing area. Also a Peregrine Falcon nesting site.

From HIGHLANDS, take U.S.64-E about 5 miles.Turn right on SR 1680, follow signs.

24 - Balsam Lake & Balsam Lake Lodge
Click here for Official NFS Balsam Lake Lodge brochure (PDF format)

Balsam Lake day-use are open all year. Accessible trails and fishing along Wolf Creek. No water or restrooms in winter.

Balsam Lake Lodge is available to rent from 3/1-11/30. Lodge sleeps up to 16 people. See the brochure for more info.

From TUCKASEGEE, take NC 281-S 8.75 miles,turn left on SR 1756,go about 5 miles to the lodge and 1 mile farther for the day use area.

25 - Whitewater Falls
Click here for Official NFS Whitewater Falls brochure (PDF format)

Open all year. $2/car. Highest waterfall (411') east of the Rocky Mountains.

From CASHIERS, take NC 107-S for 10 miles to NC-SC Stateline. Drive 1 mile, take first paved road to the left. Follow signs.

26 - Blue Valley Prim. Camp & Backcountry area

Open all year. No fee. Primitive camping, no water.

From HIGHLANDS, follow NC 28 south 5.5 miles. Turn right at sign.

27 - Ammons Branch

Open all year. No fee. Primitive camping, no water

From HIGHLANDS, follow Main St. east out of town about 4.5 miles through Horse Cove. When pavement ends, bear right on Bull Pen Rd. and go 1.5 miles.


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