Black Mountain / South Toe River Area


The South Toe River area is on the Appalachian Ranger District near Burnsville, NC. This area includes the Black Mountains, the Blue Ridge, and the headwaters of the South Toe River. The Black Mountains, capped with a forest of red spruce and Fraser fir, are named for the resulting dark color. Along the South Toe River, you can camp, picnic, fish, swim, tube, bike, and horseback ride.

Page last updated 1/30/2024

At a Glance

Current Conditions:    
Operational Hours:    
     
Usage: Heavy

General Information

General Notes:

Appalachian Ranger District
(828) 689-9694


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

RV Camping

Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:

Dispersed Camping

Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:

 

Backcountry/Dispersed/Primitive Camping

If you are seeking to disperse/primitive camp other places, there are no permits nor costs required. This is also referred to as “dispersed” and “primitive”. It is “first come, first serve” basis. The rules and policies are as follows:

  • Hike ¼ mile from trailhead
  • 100 ft from the trail itself
  • 200 ft from a water source
  • ¼ mile away from any developed rec area
  • Keep campfires small, confined, and never unattended. Do not bring in outside wood. Be sure to completely and safely extinguish flames and coals before departure.

Roadside/Dispersed Camping

On the following USFS Roads, you may ONLY park in designated spots – these are denoted by a small brown wooden sign with a white triangle (representing a tent)

  • 148 Cold Springs Creek Road- Hot Springs
  • 74 Big Ivy- Barnardsville (Closed due to Tropical Storm Damage)
  • 2074 Neals Creek- Burnsville
  • 472- South Toe River Road  – Burnsville 

 

Roadside camping is allowed along any other FS road as long as:

  • The vehicle is completely off of the road
  • You are not imposing any natural resource or archaeological area
  • You do not stay longer than 14 days
  • You are at least 200 ft from any water source

 

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

This area is popular with trout fishing enthusiasts. The river has three fishing designations-hatchery supported, wild trout waters, and catch and release artificial flies only-to meet a variety of fishing desires and maintain healthy trout populations. Regulations are posted along the river. A North Carolina fishing license is required. For trout fishing regulations, please call the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at (919) 662-4381 or read on the Internet at www.wildlife.state.nc.us, under "regulations and "fishing".

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Trail Difficulty

Easy: Route is easy to find and follow; trail has a less than 8 percent grade; length is less than 3 miles; trail is mostly flat with few rocks.

Moderate: Route may or may not be blazed; most of the trail has a less than 20 percent grade; length is usually between 2 and 8 miles; trail may be rocky and have stream crossings.

Difficult: Route may require pathfinding skills; most of the trail has a 20 percent or steeper grade; length is usually more than 8 miles; trail is rocky and uneven and may have stream crossings.

General Info:

Safety Information

Carry Essentials

  • Map & compass (know how to use them)
  • Sharp knife
  • Small flashlight
  • Whistle (outlasts your voice in an emergency)
  • Waterproof matches
  • First aid kit, include sunscreen
  • Water (2-3 quarts per person per day
  • Space blanket or poncho
  • Nylon cord (for emergency shelter among other uses)
  • Extra food & clothing

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

No trace horse hints

  • Take only fit, calm, experienced animals.
  • Stay on the trail, and ride in single file.
  • Water horses at natural fords or from a bucket.
  • Keep stock tethered at least 200 feet away from streams and away from trails and campsites.
  • Avoid temporarily tying stock to trees. Use a highline with tree-saver straps to tether your animal. This prevents stock from trampling roots and chewing bark.
  • Break up and scatter manure and fill in pawed holes when breaking camp.
  • Pack some grain, since grazing is limited. Be certain that feed is weed-free to prevent noxious plants from spreading.

General Info:

Safety Information

Carry Essentials

  • Map & compass (know how to use them)
  • Sharp knife
  • Small flashlight
  • Whistle (outlasts your voice in an emergency)
  • Waterproof matches
  • First aid kit, include sunscreen
  • Water (2-3 quarts per person per day)
  • Space blanket or poncho
  • Nylon cord (for emergency shelter among other uses)
  • Extra food and clothing

Big Game Hunting

Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:

Many game animals, such as deer, black bear and wild turkey thrive in North Carolina's national forests. While the Forest Service manages the habitat in the national forests, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regulates hunting. Any lands open to public hunting, such as national forests, the commission calls "game lands." Every hunter should get the annual Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest by calling (888) 248-6834 or visit www.ncwildlife.org and select "regulations."

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

Viewing Plants

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

Swimming

Recreation areas with activity Swimming:

Swimming in the South Toe River is available. There is no "entrance", as the area is not a park, but a forest. Be sure to investigate your trip ahead of time to be sure you are not on private property. Maps can be found here: Pisgah National Forest Maps

Tubing

Recreation areas with activity Tubing:

Tubing on the South Toe River, however, tubes are not available to rent.

 

There is no "entrance", as the area is not a park, but a forest. Be sure to investigate your trip ahead of time to be sure you are not on private property. Maps can be found here: Pisgah National Forest Maps