Harmon Den Area

Dispersed Camping

Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:

Roadside camping is generally allowed beside most gravel roads. However, along Cold Springs Road (NFSR 148) in Harmon Den, roadside camping is permitted only at sites with a camping symbol.

These sites are designated to minimize damage to Cold Springs Creek. At primitive camps, you must provide your own water, bury all human waste and toilet paper, and take out your trash. Use existing fire rings, and never wash in a creek.  

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

• Harmon Den Horsecamp

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

• Harmon Den Horsecamp

Harmon Den in Haywood County, NC has miles of cold mountain streams and some ponds offer trout fishing. While the US Forest Service manages stream quality, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regulates fishing seasons and limits. A state license is required for fishing. Every angler should get a copy of the Regulations Digest from the commission by calling (919) 662-4381 or from the website: www.wildlife.state.nc.us, select "regulations".

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

• Buckeye Ridge TR 304
• Cherry Creek TR 300
• Cherry Ridge TR 301
• Cold Springs TR 302
• Groundhog Creek TR 315
• Harmon Den Horsecamp
• Robert Gap TR 303
• Rube Rock TR 314

Trail Difficulty

Easy: Route is easy to find and follow; trail has 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:

General Notes

Leave No Trace

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Camp away from trails and water.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife. Don't feed them.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

For more information on Leave No Trace, contact: (800) 322-4100 or visit www.int.org

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, includes sunscreen
• Water (2-3 quarts per person per day)
• Space blanket or poncho
• Nylon cord (for emergency shelter among other uses)
• Extra food & clothing

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

• Buckeye Ridge TR 304
• Cherry Ridge TR 301
• Cold Springs TR 302
• Harmon Den Horsecamp
• Robert Gap TR 303

No trace horse hints:

• Take only fit, calm, experienced animals.
• Stay on the trail, and ride in a 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.

Horse Camping

Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:

• Harmon Den Horsecamp

No trace horse hints:

• Take only fit, calm, experienced animals.
• Stay on the trail, and ride in a 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.

Game Bird/Waterfowl

Recreation areas with activity Game Bird/Waterfowl:

Harmon Den in Haywood County, NC is popular for hunting wild turkey and grouse. While the US Forest Service manages wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regulates hunting seasons and limits. A state license is required for hunting. Every hunter should get a copy of the Regulations Digest from the commission by calling (919) 662-4381 or from the website: www.wildlife.state.nc.us, select "regulations".

Big Game Hunting

Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:

Part of Harmon Den in Haywood County, NC and the area north of US 25/70 to the Tennessee State line are bear sanctuaries where bear hunting is not allowed. Outside the sanctuaries, hunting is popular for bears as well as for deer. While the US Forest Service manages wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regulates hunting seasons and limits. A state license is required for hunting. Every hunter should get a copy of the Regulations Digest from the commission by calling (919) 662-4381 or from the website: www.wildlife.state.nc.us, select "regulations".

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

• Buckeye Ridge TR 304
• Harmon Den Horsecamp

Viewing Plants

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

• Harmon Den Horsecamp