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Tsali Recreation Area
Tsali Recreation Area: Open year round
Tsali Campground: Open April 15 - October 31
Enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, motorized boating, kayaking or camping at Tsali Recreation Area, all located within steps of Fontana Lake.
Follow the Trail. The Tsali (pronounced “SAH-lee”) Recreation Area’s four-loop trail system has become a popular destination for mountain bikers and horseback riders. It is best known as a challenging mountain bike course.
- The Right Loop, rated moderately difficult, offers 13.9 miles of single track, with shorter 4- and 8-mile loops possible.
- The Left Loop, rated moderately difficult, is 11.9 miles of single track with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Lake.
- The Mouse Branch Trail, rated moderately difficult, is 8.7 miles of single track and includes old logging roads.
- The Thompson Loop, rated moderately difficult, is 7.3 miles of single track.
Hikers may travel the trails on any day, but mountain bikers and equestrians–the primary users–are kept separated by alternating days on the trails. Be sure to follow the trail schedule:
Jan./Feb./March/April/June/Sept./Nov./Dec.
Right Loop and Left Loop:
- Horses – Tuesday , Thursday, & Saturday
- Mountain Bikes –Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop:
- Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
- Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
May/July/August/October
Right Loop and Left Loop:
- Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
- Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop:
- Horses – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
- Mountain Bikes – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
There is a per-person day use fee for trail use. Fees can be paid at either the Tsali Bike or Horse Trailheads.
Sleep under the Stars. Open early April through October, Tsali Campground offers 42 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. Many sites accommodate small RVs, but no hookups are available. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Accessible flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are available. Campers pay fees at the campground fee station.
Get in the Water.Fontana Lake offers flatwater paddling and motor boating. One boat launch is located at Tsali, while another is located nearby on FR 2553 at Lemmons Branch. Ample parking is available at either launch. Fishing is permitted year-round, and anglers will find some of the best fishing for walleye in the state. Anglers can also catch black bass, crappie, catfish and white bass.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | First Come First Served |
|---|---|
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | $20 fee per night per site. |
| Usage: | Light |
| Closest Towns: | Robbinsville; Bryson City |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Flush |
General Information
Directions:From Asheville, NC: Take I-40 west to exit 27 onto U.S. 19/74. Stay on U.S. 74 west to NC 28 west. Turn right and go 5 miles, look for sign on right.
From Knoxville, TN: Take U.S. 129 south through Maryville. Stay on U.S. 129 to Deals Gap. Take left onto NC 28 east. Sign is 25 miles on left.
From Bryson City: Take U.S. 19 south for 9 miles to NC 28 west. Turn right on NC 28. Go 5 miles and look for sign on right.
General Notes:
Cheoah Ranger District
1070 Massey Branch Road
Robbinsville, NC 28771
(828) 479-6431
Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:- Mouse Branch Loop #152A
- Thompson Connector #152B, Tsali
- Thompson Loop #152
- Tsali Left Loop #38A
- Tsali Right Loop #38
.
| Fees: | Daily Recreation User Fee |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation: | Year Round. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:Tsali offers 42 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis for tents, RV's, and trailers. No hookups are provided. A seperate camping fee is charged. Showers and flush toilets are available April 15 -October 31. Accessible restrooms and campsites are located in the lower loop.
| Fees: | A seperate camping fee is charged |
|---|
Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:Lake fishing is permitted year-round at Fontana Lake, offering some of the best fishing for walleye in the state. Anglers can also catch black bass, crappie, catfish and white bass.
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Mouse Branch Loop #152A
- Thompson Connector #152B, Tsali
- Thompson Loop #152
- Tsali Left Loop #38A
- Tsali Right Loop #38
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:Big Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:The Tsali area is known for its deer, grouse, small game and turkey. Hunting seasons begin in September and end in February. Turkey season opens the second Saturday in April and runs for 4 weeks.
Small Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Small Game Hunting:The Tsali area is known for its deer, grouse, small game and turkey. Hunting seasons begin in September and end in February. Turkey season opens the second Saturday in April and runs for 4 weeks.
Game Bird/Waterfowl
Recreation areas with activity Game Bird/Waterfowl:The Tsali area is known for its deer, grouse, small game and turkey. Hunting seasons begin in September and end in February. Turkey season opens the second Saturday in April and runs for 4 weeks.
Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:Fontana Lake offers flatwater paddling and motor boating. No fee is charged to use the two boat launches located near Lemmons Branch. Ample parking is available
| Fees: | No fee is charged to use the two boat launches located near Lemmons Branch. |
|---|
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Fontana Lake offers flatwater paddling and motor boating. No fee is charged to use the two boat launches located near Lemmons Branch. Ample parking is available.
| Fees: | No fee is charged to use the two boat launches located near Lemmons Branch. |
|---|
Amenities
| Picnic tables: | Available |
|---|---|
| Tent camping: | Available |
| Parking: | Trailhead parking lot is for day trail use. Upper parking lot reserved for horse trailers. |
| Toilets: | Showers and Flush toilets available at the Tsali Campground from April 15 - October 31 |
| Accessible: | Accessible restrooms and campsites in the Tsali Campground are located in the lower loop. |
| Boat ramp: | Available |
| Drinking water: | Available |