Recreation
The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. We strongly encourage you to visit our regional Outdoor Safety in the South website before planning your trip. This site provides valuable information on weather safety, wildlife safety and much more. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Ammons Branch Campground | Open | |
Appalachian Trail Shelters | None | The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is open. Trail shelters are available. Hikers are advised to bring a personal tent and face coverings. Shelters might not be frequently maintained at all locations. Dispersed camping is also available. Not all privies are open or maintained. Guidance is available on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for trip planning, hiking safety and COVID-19 precautions. |
Appletree Group Campground | Closed | |
Arrowhead Campground | Open | |
Art Lilley Campground | Closed | |
Badin Lake Campground | Open | |
Black Mountain Campground | Closed | |
Black Swamp OHV Trailhead | Open | |
Boone Fork Campground | Closed | |
Briar Bottom Group Campground | Closed | |
Cable Cove Recreation Area | None | The campground and restrooms are closed. The Cable Cove Boat Launch provides year-round access to Fontana Lake for boating and fishing activities. |
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area | Closed | |
Cedar Point Campground | Open | |
Cheoah Point Recreation Area | None | |
Cold Springs TR 302 | None | |
Coontree Picnic Area | Open | |
Cove Creek Group Campground | Open | |
Curtis Creek Campground | Closed | |
Davidson River Recreation Area | Open | |
Flanners Beach/Neuse River Campground | Open | |
Hanging Dog Recreation Area | None | Hanging Dog Campground will not re-open. For more information see this news release. Day use facilities on Hiwassee Lake remain open. |
Harmon Den Area | Not Cleared | 1/9/2024 Cold Springs Road #148 and Brown Gap Road #148A in Haywood County due to a rock slide that occurred during storms on 1/9/2024. Please contact the main office at 828-689-9694 for condition report. |
Horse Cove Campground | Open | |
Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground | Open | |
Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area | Open | |
Kimsey Creek Group Campground | Open | |
Kuykendall Group Campground | Open | Only accessible via south Cathey's Creek Rd. |
Lake Powhatan Campground | Open | |
Looking Glass Falls Scenic Area | Open | |
Max Patch | Open | Forest Closure Order regarding camping and other activities extended to 2026 |
Mortimer Campground | Closed | Reservations required |
North Mills River Campground | Open | |
Oyster Point Campground | Open | |
Rattler Ford Campground | Closed | |
Roan Mountain Day Use Area | Closed | |
Rocky Bluff Campground | Closed | |
Sliding Rock Recreation Area | None | |
Standing Indian Campground | Closed | |
Sunburst Campground | Closed | Open March 23th – November 15th |
Sycamore Flats Picnic Area | Open | |
Tsali Recreation Area | None | |
Van Hook Glade Campground | Open | |
West Morris Mtn. Campground | Open | |
White Pines Group Campground | Open | |
Wolf Ford Horse Camp | Open | |
Yates Place | Open |
Spotlights
Rocky Bluff Campground
Page last updated: 9/19/2023
Rocky Bluff Campground is CLOSED Labor Day through Memorial Day, yearly.
Season begins Memorial Day Weekend. Reservation portal for 2024 will open November 27, 2023.
When Open, campsites are available by reservation only and must be made at least 2 days in advance of desired arrival date. Combination gate code given upon reservation, through email. District office cannot give out code in the event of loss of number. *Please make note- unavailable campsites are listed as "FF" on recreation.gov. This does not mean there are any "first come, first served" campsites. There are no FF campsites on Rocky Bluff. To make reservations call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov.
Rocky Bluff Campground offers solitude in a wooded setting and is located 3 miles south of Hot Springs. The 1.2 mile Spring Creek Nature Trail circles the campground and meanders beside the creek, an excellent trout stream. Open during the weekend of Memorial Day-during the weekend of Labor Day. Please see www.recreation.gov for actual opening and closure dates.
Stackhouse Boat Launch
Page last updated 11/8/2023
Provides boating access to the French Broad River.
Roan Mountain Day Use Area
Famous for its spectacular natural gardens of Catawba rhododendrons, Roan Mountain shelters a rich diversity of life, from spruce-fir forests to vast grassy balds.
Roan Mountain is actually not one mountain, but a high ridge about 5 miles long. It ranges from a height of 6,286 feet at Roan High Knob to a low of 5,500 feet at Carver’s Gap. No one knows the origin of the mountain’s name. Some claim the name refers to the roan or reddish color of the mountain when rhododendrons bloom in June,
or the mountain ash berries appear in September. Others say the name comes from Daniel Boone’s roan horse, because he and his horse were frequent visitors.
Please visit http://www.roanhighlands.org for more information.
Roan Mountain Day Use Area, and the gate, CLOSED season on September 29, 2023.
Page last updated: 10/6/2023
Black Swamp OHV Trailhead
Area to reopen on March 2nd 2024
This trail offers eight off-highway-vehicle trail miles for riders. The trail is designated for all-terrain vehicles and trail bikes. ATVs are defined as having seat to be straddled by the operator and a handlebar for steering, with three, four, or six wheels and under 60 inches in width.
Riding off-highway vehicles at Black Swamp OHV Trail on the Croatan National Forest requires a pass sold only on Recreation.gov.
At the website, search on Black Swamp OHV and select the 1-day pass for $5 or the annual pass for $30.
You don’t need to print a copy of the day pass. You can store the pass on your smart phone or other device and show it to confirm your purchase. If you buy an annual pass, you can print the pass to display on your tow vehicle.
- Each OHV needs a pass.
- You must enter the names for each rider and a license plate for each tow vehicle that will be at the trailhead. A state driver’s license must be available to show during a law enforcement compliance check.
- Passes can be downloaded to each rider’s phone or printed at home and carried on the trail. You can email and text passes to each rider if one person is making purchases for multiple riders.
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