Appletree Group Campground
Sleep under the Stars. Looking for a campsite for a group of people near the Nantahala River? The four sites at Appletree Group Campground accommodates two sites (A and D) for up to 25 people each and two sites (B and C) for up to 50 people each.
Each site has its own picnic shelter, outdoor group gathering area with a fire ring and lantern posts, restroom with flush toilets, water hydrant, designated parking area and a grassy field for tents and activities. The campground offers a shower house.
Open April 1 – October 31, the campground is most popular during summer weekends and quieter on the weekdays. Reservations are required at 828-524-6441. Only the occupants have access through a combination lock on the gate.
Follow the Trail. Hike near the campground on more than 20 miles of interconnecting loops. Nearby, catch a section of the long-distance Bartram National Recreation Trail, named for William Bartram, an American naturalist noted for his botanical expeditions in the late 1700s.
Get in the Water. Avid anglers can cast their lines for rainbow, brown and native brook trout that live in the cold mountain streams near the campground. State fishing regulations apply, and licenses are required for fishing in national forest streams. Nantahala Lake is 10 minutes away.
If you enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting, use your personal craft to raft the lower section of the Nantahala River or use local outfitters’ services.
Check out the Sights. From Appletree Campground, you can sightsee along the 61-mile Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. This scenic drive links U.S. 19 and U.S. 64, and it winds through the Cullasaja and Nantahala River gorges, passes Nantahala Lake, Wayah Bald’s restored fire tower, numerous waterfalls and the rural countryside.
Be Safe. Your safety is your own responsibility.
General Information
Nantahala Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6441
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 35.22686579
Longitude: -83.65808363
Directions
From Franklin: From Franklin/Clayton/Atlanta exit, 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 Appletree Group Campground.
From Asheville: Take I-40 west and Exit 27 (Waynesville) onto U.S. 23. Take U.S. 23 past Sylva Exits 85 & 83. At Exit 81, either: take U.S. 74 west and U.S. 19 through Nantahala Gorge to the Nantahala River Launch Site. Turn left onto SR 1310 (Wayah Road). Go about 8 miles and turn right onto SR 1401 (Junaluska road). Go approximately 2.5 miles, and the campground entrance is on your right, or: Take U.S. 441 south to Franklin. Stay on U.S. 441/64 past the Clayton/Atlanta exit, and you will be on U.S. 64 west. Follow directions “From Franklin.”
From Atlanta: Take I-85 north and exit onto U.S. I-985 north. Continue to Franklin, NC, via U.S. I-985 and U.S. 441. Take U.S. 64 west. From here, follow directions “From Franklin.”
From Knoxville: Take U.S. 129 south to Topton, NC. Turn left onto U.S. 19. Turn right at the Nantahala River Launch Site onto SR 1310 (Wayah Road). This will be at bottom of hill. Go about 8 miles and turn right onto SR 1401 (Junaluska Road). Go about 2.5 miles, and the campground entrance will be on your right.
From Murphy: Take U.S. 19 toward Andrews. Leave 4-lane and go through downtown Andrews. At outskirts of Andrews, road forks. Take right fork, SR 1505 (Junaluska Road). Follow this road about 12 miles to campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
