Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:
Dispersed Camping
Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:
Backcountry/Disbursed/Primitive Camping
If you are seeking to disburse camp other places, there are no permits nor costs required. This is also referred to as “disbursed” and “primitive”. It is “first come, first serve” basis. The rules and policies are as follows:
o Hike ¼ mile from trailhead
o 100 ft from the trail itself
o 100 ft from a water source
o ¼ mile away from any developed rec area
o 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/Disbursed 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 (Closed weekdays due to landslide beginning 5/2020)
• 74 Big Ivy- Barnardsville
• 2074 Neals Creek- Burnsville
• 472- South Toe River Road (Southern) – Burnsville (Closed due to storm damage)
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 100 ft from any water source
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.
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:
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:
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
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Plan ahead and prepare.
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Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
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Dispose of waste properly.
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Camp away from trails and water.
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Minimize campfire impacts.
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Respect wildlife. Don't feed them.
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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
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Map & compass (know how to use them)
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Sharp knife
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Small flashlight
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Whistle (outlasts your voice in an emergency)
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Waterproof matches
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First aid kit, includes sunscreen
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Water (2-3 quarts per person per day)
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Space blanket or poncho
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Nylon cord (for emergency shelter among other uses)
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Extra food & clothing
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".
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".
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