Small Game Hunting

Fishing and hunting are permitted throughout the national forests in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, any lands open to public hunting are “game lands.” Many game animals thrive in the national forests. The Forest Service is emphasizing equal access to hunting. Hunters must have the proper licenses or permits needed to hunt. Practice hunting safety at all times. Visit the maps and publications page for maps listing open roads at national forests. For information on licenses and more, contact the Wildlife Resources Commission at www.ncwildlife.org or call 888-248-6834.

Small Game Hunting Areas

Croatan National Forest
Welcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East. The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water.

All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant.

The Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District. Please contact the District for more information.

Camping and Day-use Information

Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Croatan National Forest can be found here.

Recreation Maps

Croatan National Forest Maps

Be Safe

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. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.
Croatan Ranger District - Gamelands
Neusiok Trail
Nantahala National Forest
Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC. All district names come from the Cherokee language. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon day sun," a fitting name for the Nantahala Gorge, where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act provided authority to acquire lands for national forests to protect watersheds, to provide timber, and to regulate the flow of navigable streams. In the Nantahala National Forest, visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities from whitewater rafting to camping. With over 600 miles of trails, opportunities exist for hikers, mountain bikers, horse-back riders and off-highway vehicle riders.

Camping and Day-use Information

Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Nantahala National Forest can be found here.

Recreation Maps

Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

Be Safe

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. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

Waterfall Safety for the Summer.
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.

Check out the brochure.
Nantahala Ranger District
The Nantahala Ranger District stretches 250,000 acres across Macon, Jackson and Swain counties offering a variety of recreational opportunities from camping to off-highway vehicle riding. This District is a diverse, rugged, and mountainous area with raging rivers, granite walls, and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, a scenic drive along the Mountain Waters Byway or a view Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. The Nantahala is also home to four long distance trails, the Appalachian, Bartram, Foothills, and Mountains-to-Sea Trails. Come experience the outdoors and explore the Nantahala! Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828) 524-6441
Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground
Standing Indian Campground
Appalachian Ranger District
This page was last updated 6/16/2022

Current Notes of Interest:

Roan Mountain: Rhododendron blooms are almost at peak 6/16/2022. Full bloom expected before 6/22/2022.

4/25/2022: Ginseng Harvest Permit Suspension for 2022: The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will not issue American ginseng harvest permits until further notice due to low population levels observed through monitoring and surveys. For more information call 828-257-4200

2/24/2022 Temporary Rock Cliff Closures to Protect Peregrine Falcons

11/9/2021- NC Department of Transportation state road closure in Haywood County Click for the detour Map.

8/28/2021- FOREST CLOSURE ORDER- BIG IVY AND SOUTH TOE AREAS: ORDER NO. 08-11-08-21-119

A formal closure order was signed 8/28/2021 prohibiting use of select roads on the Appalachian District.
These roads are closed to all uses, including camping. Hikers, runners, cyclists, and equestrian trail users are prohibited from being on these closed roads,except when using an open trail that intersects with a closed road, as stated in the closure order. Due to underlying road structure damage from Tropical Storm Fred,these road closures do not have reopening dates at this time.
1. FSR 63 - Stony Fork Road (Barnardsville)
2. FSR 74 - Big Ivy Road (Coleman Boundary- Barnardsville)
3. FSR 472 - South Toe Road beyond Black Mountain Campground to the Blue Ridge Parkway (Burnsville)
Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest is 52,000 acres in Montgomery, Randolph & Davidson Counties. Uwharrie National Forest map

Ranger District Office, 789 Biscoe Road, Troy, NC 27371, (910) 576-6391, uwharrie@usda.gov. America the Beautiful Passes and USGS Topo maps for sale at https://store.usgs.gov/.

Firewood permits available by phone and mail starting October 5 for $20. Call (910) 576-6391 and provide Name, Address, Mailing Address for permit, Phone Number, Driver's License or National ID Number, Payment (Money Order or check payable to: USDA Forest Service). After purchase is complete, we will mail permit, restricted areas map, and policies. This process is temporary until operations return to normal.

Hunting

Uwharrie NF is designated Game Lands and part of 2 million acres of public lands for public hunting, trapping and fishing managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The appropriate basic annual hunting license and Game Lands Privilege license is needed to hunt on Uwharrie NF. Seasons, bag limits, and special restrictions are in the annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.

Camping & Day-use

Picnic at a day-use area. Camp at developed campgrounds for a fee. See list here. You can only camp for 14 days in a 30-day period at a developed campground or dispersed camping. Primitive dispersed camping is allowed except in those areas posted "No Camping" or a developed campground or day-use area. Find sites along most Forest Service roads and trails. Be careful with campfires and only use dead and down wood. Do not bring wood from outside the area to protect from invasive plants and insects.

Enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest.

OHV Trail Vendors.
- Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 15 at 8:00 am
- OHV Trails will reopen April 1 in the morning
- OHV annual passes are available from the Eldorado Outpost
Flintlock Valley Shooting Range

25-yard pistol and 100-yard rifle ranges open year-round Tuesdays through Saturdays including all Holidays on those days except Thanksgiving & Christmas. Passes required but not sold on site and must be purchased in advance. Contact the office or vendors: Shooting Range Vendors.

Be Safe

We offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation. All outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Your safety is your responsibility.

Trail Strategy Documents, Presentations and Maps

Badin Lake Area map, Morris Mountain Area map, North Eastern Portion map, South Eastern Portion map, Wood Run Area map

Documents...

Presentations...
Badin Lake Group Camp
Canebrake Horse Camp
Uwharrie Hunt Camp
West Morris Mtn. Campground