National Forests in North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway, Nantahala National Forest

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.

Rhododendrons in foreground on mountainside, Pisgah National Forest

Rhododendrons, Pisgah National Forest

Hodgdon Meadow Campground

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Forest Supervisor's Office 160 Zillicoa St. Suite A Asheville, NC 28801 828-257-4200

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Lake Powhatan Glamping Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan Glamping is the perfect, all inclusive getaway. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping, breweries, restaurants, and scenic drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Onsite you'll enjoy numerous hiking and biking trails as well as lakeside recreational opportunities. Learn more about Lake Powhatan .

The custom designed glamping sites are brand new at Lake Powhatan! Choose one of 12 fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure. Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Learn more about glamping near Asheville .

Recreation

Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, wading and tubing is also nearby. The use of personal watercraft in the lake is STRICTLY PROHIBITED due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem.

The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails (44 miles of them!), several of which are located near the campground.

Facilities

Check-in time begins at 4pm. Check-out time is 11am. Glamping check-in is two hours later and check-out an hour earlier than regular campsites. This is to ensure proper cleaning of the glampsites.

The shaded, private campsites are organized into four loops, all within walking distance of the lake. The 12 glamping sites are available in the upper Hardtimes Loop. The facility provides fully furnished platform tents, picnic tables, charging station, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Visitors can purchase ice and firewood at the gatehouse.

The power units have approximately 1000Wh (12.0V, 1,000Ah). They are excellent for recharging phones, laptops, and tablets, illuminating small lights, etc. They are not intended for heavy uses of heaters, large fans, cooking equipment or other heavy electronics. Units cannot be recharged quickly (once the power unit is drained it takes 18 hours to re-charge), so guests should use the power available conservatively. Charge times for various devices are located on the units and if damage or impairment of the normal operation of the unit occurs guests will be liable.

Group parties or special events are not permitted. Be aware that quiet hours begin at 10:00 p.m.

Due to the natural outdoor environment and the fabrics and canvas of the tent, as well as comfort for future guests, we do not allow smoking inside the tent or on the tent porch.

Please also be considerate and remove dirty/muddy shoes or boots on the tent porch.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a heavily wooded area on the banks of Lake Powhatan in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The elevation is 2,200 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods and conifers.

Nearby Attractions

Among the more popular nearby destinations are Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, The NC Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-7278.

Wolf Ford Horse Camp Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Wolf Ford Horse Camp is a reservation only campground located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, near the town of Brevard. The campground is designed and intended for equestrian use. This campground provides access to a comprehensive network of multiple use trails, as well as creeks, streams, and waterfalls, which the Pisgah is known for. In addition to its many waterfalls, Pisgah Ranger District is famous for its scenic vistas and the Cradle of Forestry, which is located only a short 4 mile drive from the campground itself.

Wolf Ford Horse Camp is located 3.2 miles down Yellow Gap Road, gravel Forest Service Road 1206, therein providing a serene escape from the main visiting traffic on Highway 276. Consequently, this campground provides the perfect launching point to explore many different destinations in the Forest, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, 276 Corridor, and countless other waterfalls accessed off of the district's many gravel Forest Service roads.

After you make your reservations online, we highly reccomend a stop to our visitor center located right off Route 276 near the forest entrance for help in creating your itinerary. The visitor center provides a wide variety of resources and local experts happy to answer any of your questions.

Recreation

Pisgah Ranger District contains over 100 miles of equestrian use trails. Beyond trails, there are also plenty of Forest Service roads that enable miles more of recreational use. Wolf Ford provides the perfect access point for many of these trails and roads, enabling a variety of lengths and difficulty levels.

The forest provides a perfect blend of natural and cultural history, best seen through the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway and a trip to the Cradle of Forestry, the first school of forestry in America. In addition, the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway affords hundreds of miles worth of scenic views, including long mountain vistas, roadside waterfalls, and pastoral farmland.

Finally, all National Forests in North Carolina property is considered North Carolina gamelands. See the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for rules and restrictions.

Facilities

This campground is remote with pit toilets. No water or electricity is available.

Natural Features

This campground is located near the confluence of many creeks, as well as the South Fork of the Mills River. Additionally, the area is home to a wide variety of bird species and animal species ranging from chipmunks to black bears. Finally, the campground affords plenty of shade with large trees including maples, oaks, poplars, birches, and pines, that create a patchwork quilt of beauty in the fall season.

Nearby Attractions

Wolf Ford Horse Campround is within a short distance of the Cradle of Forestry, Pisgah Inn & Restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina Wildlife Education Center and Fish Hatchery, Dupont State Forest, and the town of Brevard just down the mountain from this strategic location. Within Brevard one can enjoy blocks of shops and restaurants on Main Street, or seek out guides for fishing, riding, hiking, or floating expeditions in and around Pisgah National Forest.

Charges & Cancellations

If Yellow Gap Road (FSR 1206) is administratively closed, all reservations will be refunded.

Mortimer Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Mortimer Campground is a small campground nestled within the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Corridor south of Grandfather Mountain. Located at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, the 17-site campground is surrounded by lush forests, gentle streams, and a large scenic river popular for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

Recreation

Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, picnicking, and scenic driving. Swimming holes along Thorps Creek provide wading opportunities on hot summer days. Nearby Wilson Creek, designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 2000, is well known for its excellent trout fishing, swimming, kayaking, and rugged features. History buffs will enjoy exploring the remnants of the once booming timber town of Mortimer as well as an old CCC work center. Two Forest Service trails depart from the campground. The Thorps Creek trail provides a short (approx. 1/4 mile) hike to Thorps Creek Falls. The more strenuous Schoolhouse Ridge Trail connects to the campground via the .2 mile Bill Vines trail and provides a 3 mile ridgeline excursion with beautiful views before connecting to the Wilson Ridge Trail. Many other Forest Service trails are within a short drive of the Campground, including Hunt Fish Falls, North Harper Creek Falls, and Little Lost Cove Cliffs. The area also boasts a network of scenic mountain biking trails.

Facilities

The campground provides a variety of campsites. There is an upper and lower loop. The lower loop features 5 tent-only walk-in sites with a central parking lot. The upper loop includes 14 fully accessible, barrier free sites which can accommodate small RVs up to 35ft. Most sites include a tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. Flush toilets, hot showers, running water, and bear-proof trash and recycling receptacles are provided. A Campground host is on site to provide visitor assistance.

Natural Features

Located in a rich mountain hardwood forest at an elevation of 1,400 ft., Mortimer Campground provides a secluded streamside setting shaded by large hemlocks and pine trees. Thorps Creek runs along the east side of the campground before feeding into the Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek, a popular destination for a variety of activities. Hardwood forests cover the mountain peaks on either side of the valley and multiple mountain feeder creeks can be found nearby. The Mortimer area provides beautiful scenery year-round, from stunning fall foliage displays to abundant spring and summer wildflowers.

Nearby Attractions

The Wilson Creek Visitor Center is 3.2 miles from the Mortimer Campground and provides information on the Wilson Creek area and has a photograph and artifact collection that tells the history of the area. The towns of Blowing Rock and Morganton are located within an hour’s drive of the campground, to the north and south respectively. Both towns offer a variety of restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and medical facilities. The Julian Price Memorial Park and Campground is located 24 miles north of Mortimer Campground and is a well-known destination for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. Mortimer Campground is 21 miles away from Linville Falls, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. The Gorge offers breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails. The Campground is 17 miles from the popular Grandfather Mountain State Park, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

contact_info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (828) 652-2144.

Cliffside Lake Shelters Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is a large Day Use area outside of Highlands, NC in Nantahala National Forest. The site offers access to Cliffside Lake where visitors can fish and swim. Cliffside is also home to several trailheads, including the popular Ranger Falls Trail. A $5 per car parking fee is charged for all visitors. Picnic shelters are available for reservation and are the perfect venue for a family reunion, school group, or church outing.

Recreation

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Boating is not permitted. Cliffside is a short drive from Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Rainbow Falls. Cliffside is also adjacent to the well maintained and secluded Van Hook Glade Campground. The nearby Cashiers Valley offers recreationalists a plethora of activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, and whitewater. Nearby Whiteside Mountain is the perfect hike for an adventurous family with young children.

Facilities

The Cliffside Lake Picnic shelters offer visitors a large covered area with picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. These shelters must be reserved in advance.

Visitors can utilize the beach and swimming area (no lifeguard on duty), a fishing pier, flush toilets near the beach, and several small uncovered picnic areas complete with tables and grills.

Natural Features

Cliffside Lake is located adjacent to the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge where visitors can see several large waterfalls a short walk from Highway 64. The site is nestled between three beautiful mountains, all of which can be explored on the extensive trail system. At 4,118 feet elevation, visitors will enjoy the cooler temperatures that the unique temperate rainforest ecosystem brings to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The calm waters of Cliffside Lake offer anglers of all ages a unique opportunity to catch multiple species including trout, bass, and bream.

Nearby Attractions

A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and several fantastic restaurants, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, grocery stores and performing arts.

Glamping sites are now available at Lake Powhatan! Experience nature and outdoor recreation without sacrificing the comforts and luxuries of home. Choose one of 12 custom designed, fully furnished canvas platform tents in the heart of the national forest for your next mountain adventure, only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. Learn more about glamping near Asheville . To book your glamping site, click here.

Located just minutes from the popular city of Asheville, North Carolina, Lake Powhatan has something for everyone. The campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music venues, shopping and dining in Asheville, scenic driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, numerous hiking trails and lakeside recreation.

Recreation

Visitors have a number of different activities to choose from. Kids love the lake's sandy swimming beach and anglers enjoy the calm waters for trout fishing. The French Broad River, popular for fishing, is also nearby. Note that use of personal watercraft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the lake due to potential introduction of foreign material to the Lake Powhatan riprarian ecosystem.

The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are located near the campground.

Facilities

The shaded, private campsites are organized into four loops, all within walking distance of the lake. The facility provides picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, in addition to restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. A few sites have full hookups. 12 glamping tents are available in the upper Hardtimes Loop. Campers can purchase ice and firewood from the gatehouse.

The campground is located just 4 miles from the scenic and cultural attractions of Highlands, North Carolina, offering shady campsites in a heavily wooded and secluded area situated on rolling hills. The elevation is 4,118 feet, and the calm waters of Cliffside Lake sit adjacent.

Nearby Attractions

A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and various attractions, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, a casino, grocery stores and performing arts.

COVE CREEK LOWER GROUP CAMP Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Cove Creek Lower Group Camp is one of two group campsites nestled along Cove Creek in the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina. The facility can accommodate large groups of up to 60 people and offers year-round opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing and picnicking in one of the most scenic areas in the state.

Facilities

The campground has four loops with sites available first-come, first-served or by reservation. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, grills, lantern posts and picnic tables, and are in close proximity to drinking water, flush toilets and showers. A dump station is nearby. The campground also has a group camping area, Kimsey Creek.

Natural Features

The campground is surrounded by 5,000' peaks and crossed by several natural streams. It sits at an elevation of 3,880 feet at the headwaters of the scenic Nantahala River, amidst lush forests of evergreen trees and rhododendrons.

Charges & Cancellations

There is not a premium type site available but there is some nonelectric double site that is $40.00 per night.

SWAN CABIN Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Charges & Cancellations

There is a $10.00 fee to cancel Reservations. Reservations canceled within the 3 days of arrival may result in the loss of the fee for one or more nights stay.

Fontana Area Facility

Pisgah National Forest Facility

The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east. The Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts are scattered along the eastern edge of the mountains of western North Carolina and offer visitors a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains.

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 Pisgah National Forest can be found here

Recreation Maps

Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

Directions to Frequently Requested Places

NC Arobretum and Bent Creek Area

Blue Ridge Parkway South

Blue Ridge Parkway North

Pisgah Ranger District

Cradle of Forestry

Cradle of Forestry (Scenic Route)

The Biltmore House

Mt. Mitchell

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.

Cradle of Forestry In America Heritage Site Facility

Nestled below the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Pisgah National Forest is the birthplace of forestry in America - the Cradle of Forestry.

The Cradle abounds with ways to have fun while learning about the forest, traditional Blue Ridge culture, and forest management.

Paved trails - perfect for strollers and wheelchairs - put the forest at your fingertips.

Check out the brochure.

Dixon Fields Canoe Launch Facility

Primitive, low-impact canoe launch that offers dispersed camping.

Big Tom Gap TR 191A Facility

The trail provides good views including Maple Camp Bald to the northeast. It offers loop opportunities with the Buncombe Horse Range Trail, Mount Mitchell Trail and the Black Mountain Crest Trail. This narrow trail is extremely steep and follows unsteady rock debris.

Total Elevation Change: 520 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Buncombe Horse Range Trail

Ending Point: Black Mountain Crest Trail

Average Hiking Time: 1 hour (one way)

Amount of Use: Moderate

Blaze Color: Blue

Area Trail Map: South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

USGS Quad Maps: Celo and Mt. Mitchell

Elk Falls Area-Big Falls TR 172 Facility

This is a rocky trail to a popular scenic spot that has a 65 foot high waterfall along the Elk River. **Use extreme caution near the falls as fatalities have occurred at this site.**

Total Length: 0.5 mile

Total Elevation Change: 40 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Moderate

Beginning Point: Elk Park Parking Lot

Ending Point: Big Falls

Average Hiking Time: 15 minutes (one way)

Amount of Use: Heavy

Blaze Color: Yellow

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Map: Elk Park

Roundtop Ridge TR 295 Facility

This trail offers a walk through oak-hickory hardwood forests. The trail provides access from Hot Springs to the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. There is loop opportunity with the Appalachian Trail.

Total Length: 3.1 miles

Total Elevation Change: 1,400 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Appalachian Trail

Ending Point: Reservoir Road, Hot Springs

Average Hiking Time: 3 hours (one way)

Amount of Use: Light

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: Harmon Den/Hot Springs Trail Map

USGS Quad Map: Hot Springs

Fork Ridge TR 285 Facility

This trail steadily climbs through upland hardwood forests and rhododendron thickets. After the initial ascent, the trail mostly follows ridge tops offering views of Big Creek drainage. The best viewing times are early spring, late fall and winter. The trail can be combined with the Appalachian, Green Ridge or Jerry Miller trails to form a loop. No water is available on the Fork Trail.

Total Length: 2 miles

Total Elevation Change: 2,040 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Forest Service Road # 111

Ending Point: Appalachian Trail

Average Hiking Time: 3 hours (one way)

Amount of Use: Light

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Map: Greystone

Green Ridge TR 287 Facility

This trail begins at the gate on FR 3509 and follows gravel road for one mile. At this point, the trail leaves the gravel road and follows an old wooded road into a cove. The path then steadily climbs Green Ridge and crosses Dry Creek headwaters. The trail eventually reaches Green Ridge Mountain's crest, which it follows to its terminus with the Appalachian Trail.

Total Length: 3.6 miles

Total Elevation Change: 2,040 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Forest Service Road # 3509

Ending Point: Appalachian Trail

Average Hiking Time: 4 hours (one way)

Amount of Use: Light

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Maps: Greystone and Flag Pond

Hickey Fork TR 292 Facility

This trail provides views of waterfalls and cascades in higher elevations. The trail crosses Hickey Fork Creek on a wooden bridge and ascends the ridge adjacent to Hickey Fork Creek. Crossing the ridge into Hickey Fork Creek west prong drainage, the trail ends at Pounding Mill Trail.

Total Length: 2.3 miles

Total Elevation Change: 1,120 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Forest Service Road # 465

Ending Point: Pounding Mill Trail

Average Hiking Time: 2 hours (one way)

Amount of Use: Moderate

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Maps: White Rock and Greystone

Jerry Miller TR 286 Facility

This trail is formerly known as Whiteoak Flats Trail. The trail is especially scenic in late spring when the rhododendron and mountain laurel are in bloom. While on the trail you will be able to view a 100 foot high waterfall.

Total Length: 4.5 miles

Total Elevation Change: 2,524 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Forest Service Road # 111

Ending Point: AT at Camp Creek Bald

Average Hiking Time: 5 hours

Amount of Use: Light

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Map: Greystone (Trail #290)

Rocky Bluff Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Rocky Bluff Campground offers solitude in a wooded setting located just 3 miles south of the quaint town of Hot Springs and the majestic French Broad River. The campground is conviently located off of NC Scenic Byway 209 in the Spring Creek Gorge Area.

Recreation

Recreation opportunities abound in and around the Hot Springs area. Located on the Appalachian District of the Pisgah National Forest, Rocky Bluff Campground itself is host to three different trail heads. If you are looking for longer-distance hiking opportunities, the famous Appalachian Trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs. Other popular recreation in the area include white water rafting, kayaking, tubing and fishing on the French Broad River.

Facilities

The campground offers 18 rustic campsites that are designed for passenger car and tent camping. Accessories include picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. There are restroom facilities with flush toilets on-site, as well as potable water sites located throughout the campground.

Natural Features

Rocky Bluff Campground located near Spring Creek, a North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Water . Winding it's way through deciduous oak forests, stocked with Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout, this creek is touted as a trout angler's paradise, making Rocky Bluff a perfect destination for your fishing camp.

Nearby Attractions

Hot Springs has been a well-known relaxation destination for centuries. The natural hot springs are a main draw for the town, along with the abundance of recreation. Visitors can also find several restaurants, art galleries, shopping, live music and festivals here.

Special Day-Use Areas Facility

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/connections/pisgah_day_use.pdf

River Ridge Loop TR 281 Facility

This trail offers scenic views of the French Broad River year round. Picnicking, fishing and vault toilets are available at Murray Branch Picnic Area.

Total Length: 1.3 miles

Total Elevation Change: 200 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Moderate

Beginning Point: Murray Branch Recreation Area

Ending Point: Murray Branch Recreation Area

Average Hiking Time: 1 hour (one way)

Amount of Use: Moderate

Blaze Color: Yellow Rectangle

Area Trail Map: Harmon Den/Hot Springs Trail Map

USGS Quad Map: Hot Springs

Rocky Bluff Picnic Area Facility

Picnic Area is closed for repair/maintenance.

Nantahala National Forest Facility

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.

Nantahala Ranger District Facility

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 By-way 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

Blue Valley Dispersed Camping Facility

Dispersed camping in the Blue Valley area. Approximately 22 dispersed sites are available, and most have fire rings and picnic tables. A pit toilet is available. Please pack in and pack out. Wilson Lake is a short distance away offering fishing, swimming, a short trail, and wildlife viewing and birding.

Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Facility

The Chattooga River originates in the mountains of western North Carolina and runs 57 miles from North Carolina into Georgia and South Carolina. Designated as a Wild and Scenic River the Chattooga River corridor includes 15,432 acres. A section of the river also runs through the Ellicott Rock Wilderness.

Click Here for more information.

Slickrock TR 11 Facility

Slickrock TR 11

Cliffside Loop TR24 Facility

This 0.75-mile trail encircles the lake, passes through the campground and crosses over the dam and beach area.

Clifftop Vista TR 24a Facility

This 1.5-mile trail follows the same path as the Clifftop Vista Nature Trail. At the ridgetop is a gazebo, the trail offers a panoramic mountain view. After the gazebo, this more-difficult trail continues along the ridge.

Potts Memorial TR 24b Facility

This easy 0.5-mile trail travels to a white pine plantation.

Van Hook TR 24c Facility

This 0.5-mile trail is located between Van Hook Glade and Cliffside Lake. An additional 0.5-mile walk is next to a road that leads to Cliffside Lake.

Skitty Creek TR 24e Facility

This 0.5-mile trail runs between Cliffside Lake Road and U.S. 64. The trail leads to Dry Falls. To get to the falls from the trail's end, take a short walk along U.S. 64. Watch out for cars along this easy trail.

Clifftop Nature TR 24f Facility

This trail travels one mile through pine-hardwood forest and climbs to a ridgetop. Signs give trail descriptions along this trail, rated as more difficult.

Chinquapin TR 3 Facility

Chinquapin TR 3

Hurrah Ridge TR 4 Facility

Hurrah Ridge TR 4

Chattooga River TR432 Facility

Chattooga River TR432

Silver Run Falls TR435 Facility

Silver Run Falls TR435

Whitewater River TR437 Facility

Whitewater River TR437

Tuckaseegee Gorge TR438 Facility

Tuckaseegee Gorge TR438

Wolf Creek Gorge TR439 Facility

Wolf Creek Gorge TR439

Ammons Branch TR441 Facility

Ammons Branch TR441

Bearpen Gap TR442 Facility

Bearpen Gap TR442

Homesite Road TR443 Facility

This easy 1.5-mile trail starts near Cliffside Lake Dam, follows Skitty Creek and connects with a road that meets U.S. 64 halfway between Dry and Bridal Veil Falls.

Big Creek Loop TR 492 Facility

Big Creek Loop TR 492

Blue Valley Route TR493 Facility

Blue Valley Route TR493

Brush Creek Route TR 494 Facility

Brush Creek Route TR 494

Clear Creek Loop TR 495 Facility

Clear Creek Loop TR 495

Moss Gap Route TR 496 Facility

Moss Gap Route TR 496

Round Mountain Gap TR 497 Facility

Round Mountain Gap TR 497

Stewart Cove/Yellow Mountain TR498 Facility

Stewart Cove/Yellow Mountain TR498

Yellow Mountain TR5 Facility

Yellow Mountain TR5

Stewart Cove TR 5a Facility

Stewart Cove TR 5a

Little Yellow Mountain Gap TR651 Facility

Little Yellow Mountain Gap TR651

Scaly Mountain TR67a Facility

Scaly Mountain TR67a

Jones Knob TR67b Facility

Jones Knob TR67b

Whitewater Falls TR 7 Facility

Whitewater Falls TR 7

Whiteside Mountain TR70 Facility

Whiteside Mountain TR70

Glen Falls TR 8 Facility

Glen Falls TR 8

Dry Falls TR 9 Facility

Dry Falls TR 9

Panthertown Valley TR474 Facility

Panthertown Valley TR474

Wilderness Falls TR490 Facility

Wilderness Falls TR490

Greenland Creek TR488 Facility

Greenland Creek TR488

Deep Gap TR 449 Facility

Deep Gap TR 449

Overlook TR491 Facility

Overlook TR491

Big Green TR487 Facility

Big Green TR487

Turkey Knob TR 469 Facility

Turkey Knob TR 469

Mac's Gap TR482 Facility

Mac's Gap TR482

Blackrock TR447 Facility

Blackrock TR447

Riding Ford TR 450 Facility

Riding Ford TR 450

Devils Elbow TR448 Facility

Devils Elbow TR448

Powerline Road TR451 Facility

Powerline Road TR451

Rattlesnake Knob TR452 Facility

Rattlesnake Knob TR452

North Road TR 453 Facility

North Road TR 453

Granny Burrell Falls TR486 Facility

Granny Burrell Falls TR486

Appalachian TR1 Facility

This trail follows the mountain crest from Maine to Georgia and passes through Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests for more than 200 miles. Open to hikers only, the trail boasts a chain of shelters about 10 miles apart.

Detailed guidebooks for the Appalachian Trail are available at national forest offices of from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 25425. For more information call toll-free at (888) AT-STORE 287-8673 or visit the Appalachian Trail website at www.appalachiantrail.org.

Mooney Gap TR12 Facility

Mooney Gap TR12

Pickens Nose TR13 Facility

Pickens Nose TR13

Wildcat TR14 Facility

Wildcat TR14

Stewart TR15 Facility

Stewart TR15

Locust Tree TR16 Facility

Locust Tree TR16

Camp Branch TR 16a Facility

Camp Branch TR 16a

Shot Pouch TR17 Facility

Shot Pouch TR17

Rocky Bald TR18 Facility

Rocky Bald TR18

Junaluska Gap TR19 Facility

Junaluska Gap TR19

Hickory Branch TR19a Facility

Hickory Branch TR19a

Appletree TR19b Facility

Rated as difficult, the Appletree Trail climbs 1,640 feet and connects with four other area trails. With two stream crossings, the 2.2-mile trail meanders through an array of flowering plants, such as flaming azalea and rosebay rhododendron.

To access, park and walk acros the road from Appletree Branch and follow the blue blazes to the right of the branch.

London Bald TR19c Facility

Nine miles in length one-way, the London Bald Trail climbs and contours a side slope at a high elevation and travels through a fern-covered forest floor. This difficult trail connects with the Appletree and Bartram Trail, accessed from the campground. The trailhead starts from Junaluska Road (SR 1401).

Diamond Valley TR19d Facility

Diamond Valley TR19d

Laurel Branch TR19f Facility

Laurel Branch TR19f

Nature Walk TR19g Facility

Nature Walk TR19g

Little Indian TR21 Facility

Little Indian TR21

Bear Pen Gap TR22 Facility

Bear Pen Gap TR22

Kimsey Creek TR 23 Facility

Kimsey Creek TR 23

Wesser Creek TR26 Facility

Wesser Creek TR26

Big Laurel Falls TR29 Facility

Big Laurel Falls TR29

Mooney Falls TR31 Facility

Mooney Falls TR31

Park Ridge TR32 Facility

Park Ridge TR32

Park Creek TR33 Facility

Park Creek TR33

Beech Gap TR35 Facility

Beech Gap TR35

Hurricane Creek Loop TR36 Facility

Hurricane Creek Loop TR36

Blackwell Gap Loop TR366 Facility

Blackwell Gap Loop TR366

Betty Creek Gap TR 367 Facility

Betty Creek Gap TR 367

Wilson Lick TR369 Facility

Wilson Lick TR369

Camp Shortcut TR 36b Facility

Camp Shortcut TR 36b

Cullowhee TR370 Facility

Cullowhee TR370

Rough Fork TR371 Facility

Rough Fork TR371

Grap Cove TR 372 Facility

Grap Cove TR 372

Siler Bald Shelter TR 373 Facility

Siler Bald Shelter TR 373

Siler Bald Vista TR373a Facility

Siler Bald Vista TR373a

Wayah Bald TR 374 Facility

Wayah Bald TR 374

Thomas Branch TR375 Facility

Thomas Branch TR375

Walton Interpretive TR376 Facility

Walton Interpretive TR376

Rocky Bald Loop TR 379b Facility

Rocky Bald Loop TR 379b

Long Branch TR86 Facility

Long Branch TR86

Tusquitee Ranger District Facility

This 158,900-acre district lies in the far southwestern tip of North Carolina in Cherokee and Clay Counties. The Tusquitee District has three large lakes that offer a variety of recreation. Two major rivers, the Hiwassee and Valley, provide canoeing. Three reservoirs in beautiful mountain settings provide a playground for recreation enthusiasts. Hiwassee Lake, Chatuge Lake, and Appalachia Lake offer boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming, as well as a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature’s wonders. Chatuge Lake is excellent for sailing. The Hiwassee and Appalachia Lakes are located west of Murphy, along the Hiwassee River. Chatuge Lake spans the Georgia-North Carolina State line, south of Hayesville. For camping and picnicking, four areas are available.

Rattler Ford Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Rattler Ford has four units that accommodate 25 people per unit. Showers, horseshoe pits, and a volleyball court are available. A trout stream and hiking trails are nearby.

Cable Cove Recreation Area Facility

This area offers camping and hiking, with boating access on Fontana Lake. Cable Cove is 4 miles from Fontana Dam and the Appalachian Trail. The 26 campsites are set in a wooded area near a stream.

Uwharrie National Forest Facility

There are approximately 51,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Montgomery, Randolph and Davidson Counties. The Uwharrie National Forest includes the Uwharrie Ranger District Office, located at 789 NC Highway 24/27 East, Troy, NC 27371.

At the district office you can obtain information about the area, get brouchures, camping information, trail passes, and permits. You can also obtain a Senior pass, Disabled Pass. We also have USGS Topo maps for sale.

Primitive dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Forest, except in those areas that are posted "No Camping". These sites can be found along most of Forest Service roads and trails. Please remember when using these sites to be careful with camp fires and carry out your trash and debris. Please leave your campsite in good clean condition so that others who follow you may also enjoy the Forest.

The Uwharrie National Forest is part of the 2 million acres of public lands managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for public hunting, trapping and fishing, and are designated as Game Lands. In addition to the appropriate basic annual hunting license, a Game Lands Privilege license must be obtained to hunt on the Uwharrie National Forest. Information concerning seasons, bag limits, and special Game Lands Restrictions are found in the annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest, available where licenses are sold.

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 Uwharrie National Forest can be found here.

You may enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest.

OHV Trail Vendors.

Shooting Range Vendors.

Recreation Maps

Uwharrie National Forest map

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...

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.

Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 18^th at 8:00 am
OHV Trails will reopen April 1^st in the morning
OHV annual passes will be available from the Uwharrie Ranger District office or the Eldorado Outpost

Uwharrie Ranger District Facility

Grandfather Ranger District Facility

The lands that make up the Grandfather Ranger District are those public lands that run from the McDowell/Buncombe county line on Black Mountain just east of Asheville over to US 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. The Blue Ridge Parkway forms the northern boundary of the district. The Grandfather Ranger District began under the Weeks Act with the purchase of an 8,100acre tract in 1912. Now, the district covers over 192,000 acres.Enjoy your visit!

Curtis Creek Campground Campground

List of Campsites

RV and tent camping, campground host on site.

FSR 482 Facility

8 mile gravel road

Jarrett Creek Road Facility

12 mile gravel and natural surface road.

Old Fort Picnic Area Facility

Day use area; picnic shelter, tables and grills available.

Linville Gorge Info. Cabin Facility

The Linville Gorge Information Cabin, located at the north end of Old Hwy 105 (Kistler Memorial Highway), provides visitors with area information as well as maps and camping gear for sale.

Spence Ridge 233 Facility

Trail begins on FSR 210 and intersect Trail 231

Table Rock Facility

Day use area, picnic shelter, tables and grills available. Short trails travel rim of Linville Gorge to Table Rock's summit and to the Chimneys.

Wisemans' View Facility

Overlook featuring spectacular view of Linville Gorge. Paved accessible trail to the overlook. Vault toilets available

Mortimer Campground Campground

List of Campsites

RV and tent camping, campground host on site. Flush toilets and shower are available. Picnic shelter on site.

FSR 45 Watauga Turnpike Facility

A 4.5 mile gravel road.

FSR 981 Roseboro Edgemont Facility

A 4.5 mile gravel road.

Wilson Creek Visitors Center Facility

A visitors center for the Wilson Creek National Wild and Scenic River; also has interpretive displays and historical information about the towns of Edgemont, Mortimer and the Mortimer CCC camp.

Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area Facility

With fantastic vistas, ridges more than 4000 feet high, whitewater rapids and trails that travel to spectacular waterfalls, Wilson Creek offers great adventures for hiking, scenic viewing, mountain biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding and backpacking.

Schoolhouse Ridge FSR 4068 Facility

A 4 mile gated road, suitable for horseback riding.

Boone Fork Campground Campground

List of Campsites

This site is not maintained but can still be used. Campers must hike in to the developed areas, and all sites are primitive. No electric hook ups, no toilets, no running water available.

Badin Lake Recreation Area Facility

Badin Lake Recreation Area offers swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking trails, equestrian trails, four-wheel drive trails, mountain biking trails & camping opportunities. Please pick up your trash! Trash cans are at all recreation sites.

Camping in Badin Lake Recreation Area

There are 4 developed campgrounds for tents, camping trailers, & RVs with flush toilets and showers & 1 tent only campground within the Badin Lake Recreation Area. For people that want electricity, flush toilets, showers & a dump station there are 2 campgrounds with these amenities. Arrowhead Campground has 48 sites for the public to use with electrical hookups at sites 12-45. These sites have 50 amp, 30 amp & 110 volt outlets. Sites 1-11 & 46-50 do not have power. Canebrake Horse Camp has 28 sites available to the public. All sites have electrical hookups with 50 amp, 30 amp & 110 volt outlets. This campground has amenities for horse use but is not exclusive to horseback riders. Some of these horse amenities are a horse washing station, hitching posts, tack tables & direct access to the trails.

Badin Lake Campground offers 34 sites for tent, camping trailer or RV camping. There are several campsites on the lakeshore of Badin Lake, which can be accessed via boat, canoe, or kayak. This campground offers flush toilets, showers & drinking water hydrants. There is no electricity and no dump station at this campground. Badin Lake Group Camp offers 3 sites for up to 50 people each. There are flush toilets, vault toilets, showers & 3 drinking water hydrants. There are no electrical hookups and there is no dump station. This campground is available by reservation only. To make reservations for any of the above listed campgrounds please call Recreation.Gov at 877-444-6777; TDD: 877-833-6777; International: 518-885-3639; or go to their website: www.recreation.gov.

The last campground in the Badin Lake Recreation Area is called Uwharrie Hunt Camp. This campground is rustic & it has 8 tent only campsites that can be accessed by a very short walk from the parking lot. There are 2 vault toilets & drinking water hydrants. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, grill, & lantern post.

Recreating in the Badin Lake Recreation Area

The Badin Lake Recreation Area offers a myriad of recreational opportunities. There are 17 miles of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) or motorized trails available for dirt bikes, ATVs, and full-sized 4-WD vehicles with the purchase of a trail pass. Primitive camping or dispersed camping can be done along the trails & at the Art Lilley Campground that is located in the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex.

Additionally, there are approximately 40 miles of non-motorized trails available for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. These trails range from easy to difficult as they traverse beautifully wooded areas, rocky outcrops, follow the Uwharrie River & many of its tributaries.

The Cove Boat Launch is located on Cove Road near Arrowhead Campground & offers access to Badin Lake for trailered boats. There is a vault toilet. There are 2 day use areas for picnicking & fishing. The King's Mt. Point Day Use Area offers 34 picnic sites, a picnic pavilion, 4 accessible fishing piers and 4 vault toilets & 2 flush toilets. Holt's Picnic Area is more rustic with a vault toilet, fishing from the shore, grills & picnic tables available.

Bald Springs #78 Facility

Bates TR 723 Facility

Bates Trail is 1.7 miles in length. It is blazed with yellow. It is rated as moderate. Also available to hikers and mountain bikers.

Bee Cove #421 Facility

The Bee Cove Trail is part of the Fontana system of trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use. Accessed off the Fontana Loop Trail (TR157), this section is a loop trail east of the village. Known for great views of the Fontana Dam, it is also famous for the spring wild flower displays along its length.

Trail Length: 2.7 Miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Usage: Moderate

Average Hiking Times: 90 Minutes

Beech Creek #378 Facility

Berner TR 721 Facility

Berner trail is .06 tenths of a mile long. It is blazed with yellow blazes. It is rated as an easy trail. Open to hikers and mountain bikers also.

Big East Fork 357 Shining Rock Wilderness Facility

Big Rock Loop TR 705 Facility

Big Rock Loop is 1.2 miles in length. It is blazed with Dark Green blazes. It is rated as a moderate trail. Hikers and mountain bikers are also allowed on this trail. You can also use this trail to get to the Nifty Rocks site. You have a view of the lake in the winter months.

Big Scaley #638 Facility

Big Snowbird Creek Facility

Big Stamp #520, Fires Creek Facility

Billy Top #637, Near Andrews Facility

Blackburn TR 701 Facility

Blackburn trail is 2.2 miles in length. It is blazed with Green blazes. It is rated as easy.

Bly Gap #84 Facility

Bristol #76, Fires Creek Facility

Britton Creek #280 Facility

Buck Creek Facility

Burl Tree Way TR 717 Facility

Burl Tree Way is 1.7 miles in length. It is blazed with salmon blazes. It is rated as easy.

Burnt Tree Peninsula #753, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Burrell Cove #756, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Buttermilk TR 720 Facility

Buttermilk trail is 1 mile in length. It is blazed with salmon blazes. It is rated as moderate.

Calderwood Reservoir Facility

Carroll Knob #633, Fires Creek Facility

Central Loop #750, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Cheoah Point Beach Facility

Cheoah Reservoir Facility

Cherokee Lake #83, Cherokee Lake Recreation Area Facility

Cherokee Lake Recreation Area Facility

On Cherokee Lake.

Choga #634, Near Andrews Facility

Cove Boat Ramp Facility

Cove Boat Ramp offers access to Badin Lake for both motorized and non-motorized craft. A large parking area is available for vehicles and trailers.

Fishing Badin Lake

The biggest fishing hole in the Uwharrie National Forest is Badin Lake. This 5,350-acre impoundment of the Yadkin River was built in 1917 by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) to generate hydroelectric power for the aluminum plant at Badin. The eastern shore borders the National Forest and the lake is well stocked with catfish, bream, largemouth, white and striped bass.

The Forest Service has one launching site at the Cove Boat Ramp. The State has two ramps on the lake. Marinas offer easy access for everything from jon-boats to pontoons. The lake is crowded with pleasure boats on spring and summer weekends. Well attended bass tournaments are usually held every weekend from March through October.

In early spring, fish are spawning and feeding well. Look for bluegill beds. These are circular depressions in the shallows. Catch them with crickets, worms or artificial bait. Fish along downed trees or stumps in the water for crappie and bass. Crappies will take minnows or jigs. For largemouth bass, you are going to have to work at it and try different lures. Look for largemouth around the rocky points.

Small spinners are always good for feeding bluegill. Fly rod experts can put a hurting on a bream bed. Most white bass anglers use a black and chartreuse jig rigged about three feet under a weighted bobber. This set-up takes crappie too. White bass and crappie are caught by the score, especially in the spring.

Carolina rigged plastic worms and lizards in assorted colors are local favorites for largemouth in the spring. Fishing live crawfish or minnows just off the bottom with a cork is an old fashioned, but effective, way to catch largemouth bass. An eight-pounder is a big'un at Badin but 3-to-4 pound fish are abundant.

The State stocks about 25,000 striper fingerlings every year and Badin is known as a dependable put-and-take striper lake. Anglers can limit-out on 5 to 12 pound fish with a rare 20-pounder. Trolling live shad is the best way to catch stripers. Bottom fishing with chicken livers or cut-up shad will land catfish and stripers. A good rule is, "bigger bait for bigger fish". Look for excited sea gulls working the water and you will likely find a school of frightened shad under attack by hungry stripers. Big, shiny top-water plugs are the way to go when that happens. Taking a striper on top water is probably the biggest thrill going on Badin Lake, unless it's winching up a 60-pound plus record catfish from the bottom.

When the turbines are running in the Tuckertown dam, shad and other fish are sucked in, chewed up and spit out downstream where hungry stripers and catfish gorge themselves on easy pickings. Anglers brave the turbulent waters and clean up while fishing cut-bait during these tailrace feeding frenzies. Thirty and forty-pound catfish are caught regularly here. Anglers may have to share the airspace with the bald eagles that have discovered this fishy feast, as the eagles are coming back to the Uwharries.

During the summer fish move to deeper water where it is cooler. The best times to fish are one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. Larger fish move deep because it's too hot for them in the shallows. That is when deep running crank baits work best for largemouth bass or aggressive stripers. Because fish are cold-blooded they move to deep, warm areas in the fall and will not bite as aggressively when the temperature cools down. Many largemouth bass and stripers are caught during those warm winter days that all Southern anglers appreciate.

Anglers looking to beat the crowds can fish the Uwharrie River.

Croatan Ranger District - Gamelands Facility

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has information on hunting on public lands in North Carolina.

Thompson Loop #152 Facility

Length: 7.3 miles
Highlights: Single track, potential views of wildlife, stream crossings, old logging roads.
Difficulty: Moderate.

Thompson Loop (#152) is part of the Tsali Recration Area.

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.

Davis Creek Facility

Deep Gap Branch #377 Facility

Dickey Bell TR 91 Facility

Dickey Bell is 3.5 miles in length. It is rated as Difficult. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers.

Dockery Creek Facility

Falls Dam TR 96 Facility

Falls Dam trail is 2.8 miles in length. It is rated Moderate. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers.

Farmer Top Overlook #622, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Fires Creek Access #635, Fires Creek Facility

Fires Creek Hunters Camp Facility

Stackhouse Boat Launch Facility

Provides boating access to the French Broad River. Open April 1st - October 30th

Woody Ridge TR 177 Facility

Steep hike along spine of the ridge that reaches an alpine opening at the junction with the Black Mountain Crest Trail.

Blaze: Yellow

Miles: 2.2

Difficulty: Difficult

Designated Activity: Hiking

Fraley TR 722 Facility

Fraley Trail is 2.5 miles in length. It is rated as difficult. It is blazed with Yellow blazes.

Franks Creek Facility

Greg's Loop TR 700 Facility

Greg's Loop is 1.7 miles in length. It is rated as Easy. It is blazed with Green blazes.

High Point #755, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Home TR710 Facility

Home Trail is 2.5 miles in length. It is rated as Easy. It is blazed with Magenta blazes.

Huskins Branch #385, Fires Creek Facility

Indian TR 708 Facility

Indian Trail is 1.1 miles in length. It is blazed with Magenta blazes. It is rated Easy.

Josh TR 702 Facility

Josh Trail is 1.6 miles in length. It is blazed with Green blazes. It is rated Easy.

Joyce Kilmer Road NCSR #1134 Facility

Junaluska Creek Facility

Larry TR 711 Facility

Larry Trail is 1.5 miles in length. It is blazed with Magenta blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Leatherwood Loop #73, Fires Creek Facility

Leslie TR 704 Facility

Leslie Trail is 1.2 miles in length. It is blazed with Dark Green blazes. It is rated as Moderate.

Little Buffalo Creek Facility

Long Creek Facility

Long Hungry FDR #2586 Facility

Megan TR 709 Facility

Megan Trail is 1.7 miles in length. It is blazed with Magenta blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Mingus #630, Fires Creek Facility

Morgan TR 718 Facility

Morgan Trail is 1.7 miles in length. It is blazed with Salmon blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Mountain Creek Facility

Mouse Branch Loop #152A Facility

Length: 8.7 miles.
Highlights: Single track and old logging roads, potential views of wild turkey, deer and grouse in wildlife openings, old home sites.
Difficulty: Moderate

Mouse Branch Loop (#152A) is part of the Tsali Recration Area.

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.

North Shoal Creek Falls #383 Facility

Nottely River Connector #623, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Omphus Ridge #75, Fires Creek Facility

Overflow Horse Camp Facility

Overflow Horse Camp is an open field with horse tie outs. There is no water or bathroom available.

Panther Creek Facility

Panther Creek FDR #2604B Facility

Panthertown Creek Facility

Phillips Ridge #388, Fires Creek Facility

Pine Ridge Road NCSR #1147 Facility

Ramsey Bend Connector #619, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Ramsey Bend North #620, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Ramsey Bend South #621, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Ramsey Bluff #81, Hanging Dog Rec Area Facility

Ramsey Bluff Mtn Biking System Facility

River TR 713 Facility

River Trail is 3.6 miles in length. It is blazed with Salmon blazes. It is rated as Moderate.

Robbins TR 724 Facility

Robbins Trail is 1.7 miles in length. It is blazed with Yellow blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Rockhouse Creek #387, Fires Creek Facility

Rocky Mountain Loop TR 92 Facility

Rocky Mountain Loop is 2.8 miles in length. It is rated as Moderate. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers.

Saba Beach #757, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Saba Beach Spur #757A, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Santeetlah Creek Facility

Santeetlah Creek FDR #81 Facility

Santeetlah Lake Facility

Sasafrass #632 Facility

Sawmill TR 93 Facility

Sawmill Trail is 1.1 miles in length. It is rated as Moderate. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers.

Sawyer Creek Facility

Shinbone #80, Fires Creek Facility

Shoal Creek Falls #85 Facility

Shortoff #631, Fires Creek Facility

Shuler Creek Facility

Slab Pile TR 79 Facility

Slab Pile Trail is 1.2 miles in length. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers. It is rated as Moderate.

Sledrunner #82 Facility

Sneaking Creek #752, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Snowbird Creek Facility

South Fork Squally Creek Facility

Squally Creek Facility

Stecoah Creek Facility

Swan Cabin #2816 Facility

Swan Meadows #81G Facility

Tanager TR 715 Facility

Tanager Trail is .07 tenths of a mile in length. It is blazed with Salmon blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Tellico River Facility

Thompson Connector #152B, Tsali Facility

Thompson Connector (#152B) is part of the Tsali Recration Area.

Todd TR 707 Facility

Todd Trail is 2.1 miles in length. It is blazed with Dark Green blazes. It is rated as Moderate.

Tony TR 706 Facility

Tony Trail is 1.8 miles in length. It is blazed with Dark Green blazes. It is rated as Moderate.

Tsali Left Loop #38A Facility

Length: 11.9 miles

Hightlights: Single track, creek crossings.
Difficulty: Moderate

Tsali Left Loop (#38A) is part of the Tsali Recration Area.

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.

Tsali Right Loop #38 Facility

Length: 13.9 miles.
Hightlights: Single Track, creek crossings, shorter 4- and 8-mile loops possible.
Difficulty: Moderately difficult.

Tsali Right Loop (#38) is part of the Tsali Recration Area.

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.

Tulula Creek Facility

Tusquitee Creek Facility

Upper Ridge #751, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Wauchecha Bald #47 Facility

The Wauchacha Bald Trail has not been maintained in many years and is likely impassible with fallen trees and vegetation growth.

West Buffalo Creek Facility

Wilson Lake Facility

Wolf Den TR 89 Facility

Wolf Den Trail is 1.3 miles in length. It is blazed with orange trail markers. It is rated as Easy.

Wolf Laurel Hunters Camp FDR#81F Facility

Wren TR 714 Facility

Wren Trail is .03 of a mile. It is blazed with Salmon blazes. It is rated as Easy.

Yellow Creek Facility

Yotee's Run #754, Jackrabbit Mtn Rec Area Facility

Art Lilley Campground Campground

List of Campsites

The off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in the Uwharrie offers a variety of topography and scenery. All trails are designated for all off-highway vehicles and marked with orange diamonds. Stay on the designated trail system to help prevent soil erosion and creek sedimentation, which occur as a result of illegal trail use. FS roads cannot be used as trail connectors, but all vehicles operating on the road system must be "street legal" meaning that the vehicles are fully licensed, inspected and registered. Persons violating these regulations will be fined according to the law. NCDOT approved helmets and eye protection are required. The trail system is subject to a seasonal closure during the winter months (from Dec. 15 - April 1) in order to prevent unacceptable soil erosion and stream sedimentation. Trail passes are also required for all vehicles on the OHV trails.

Dispersed camping is allowed around this area. Also RV's and campers are allowed in the area, there are no hook ups or water available on site, but there is a vault toilet available.

Pine Cliff Equestrian Trailhead Facility

No camping allowed in this area.

Southern Trailhead Facility

Mud Gap on the Cherohala Skyway. 4400 foot Elevation. At Mud Gap, the BMT heads southerly to Whigg Meadow and ultimately 161 miles to Springer Mountain, GA. To hike northerly, go right from the intersection near the parking area. The trail continues past a civil war era monument and then through a gravel quarry used in the construction of the Cherohala Skyway. Past the quarry, the trail follows an old roadbed and crosses Forest Service Road (FS 217), approximately 1.5 miles from Mud Gap. There, the trail enters a heavily eroded area for a short distance, then climbs for approximately 2.7 miles, at which point the trail crosses the Cherohala Skyway at the Unicoi Overlook parking area.

Shelton Laurel Area Facility

The Shelton Laurel Backcountry area located in Madison County, NC is a unique part of the Appalachian Ranger District. It consists of undisturbed hardwood forests, rhododendron thickets and is full of coves, tributaries and serene mountainsides. This area provides 14.7 miles of combined hiking on five different trails, many of which intersect with loop options, and access the Appalachian Trail, as well as, Jerry Cabin Shelter. Enjoyable during all seasons, the Hickey Fork and Jerry Miller trails provide views of waterfalls and cascades in higher elevations, and are especially scenic in the late spring when the mountain laurel and rhododendron are in full bloom. Whiteoak Trail travels through beautiful hardwood forests, and in the winter provides beautiful views of the Baxter Cliffs.

Black Mountain / South Toe River Area Facility

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.

Buckeye Ridge TR 304 Facility

This trail has panoramic views from open fields of Max Patch, follows both trail and old road. Park on SR 1182 at Cherry Ridge trailhead.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 5.4

Difficulty: Moderate

Designated Activity: Hiking/Horseback riding

Cold Springs TR 302 Facility

Follow Cold Springs Creek through the woods. Park at junctions of NFSR 148 and 3526, or SR 1182 and NFSR 148.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 3.6

Difficulty: Moderate

Designated Activity: Hiking/Horseback riding

Cherry Ridge TR 301 Facility

Good connector trail. Follow old logging road through hardwood forest. Park on SR 1182.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 1.1

Difficulty: Difficult

Designated Activity: Hiking/Horseback riding

Wolf Ford Horse Camp Facility

Located off Yellow Gap, about three miles east of the Cradle of Forestry in America Visitors Center, this 13-site camp provides access to many miles of equestrian trails in the South Mills River area.

Laurel Mountain Connector #110 Facility

0.3 mi - Easy - This is a short and fairly easy connector trail that joins the Laurel Mountain Trail (#121) with the Pilot Rock Trail (#321). The trail itself is fairly nondescript, but is significant because it gives hikers a nice 4-mile loop from the Pisgah Inn area. It also gives mountain bikers the opportunity to face the challenge of riding up Laurel Mountain Trail then down the Pilot Rock Trail (or the reverse).

Approximate Elevation Change: 140 feet
Blaze: Yellow

Bradley Creek Composite #C18 Facility

6.2 miles — Moderate

0.0 miles	Start at gated road FS5015 (Bradley Creek Road). Continue past the gate on FS5015
3.3 miles	Turn right onto Bradley Creek Trail (#351) (orange blaze)
5.1 miles	Turn right onto FS1206 (Yellow Gap Road)
6.2 miles	Return to parking

Old Field Gap Trailhead Facility

Old Field Gap Trailhead – This trailhead is located on Old Field Gap Road. The trailhead is signed, and parking is available, but the Burchfield Trailhead is much easier to find.

From the Old Field Gap Road Trailhead, the trail follows the gated Forest Service Road for approximately 0.5 miles to a sign post, and then continues uphill and onto a wooded ridge. The trail then crosses old forest roads, and continues to a generally heavily planted old road (FS 251C) and then west, staying at or near the top of the ridge. When that road ends, the trail drops down to a gap, then continues uphill to a major power line crossing with great views. This is a good camping area, but water on this entire section is problematic. After crossing under the powerline, the trail continues east, dropping into Kirkland Gap (the Kirkland Bushwhackers had a cabin in that area in civil war times), and continues over several small peaks to Yellow Creek Mountain, passing a large microwave radio repeater. Proceeding down from Yellow Creek Mountain, the trail continues past Lookout Rock, with some great views of the Smoky Mountain National Park, and then descends to Green Gap.

Wolf Laurel Area Facility

Unicoi Overlook Trailhead Facility

Unicoi Overlook Trailhead – 4400 foot elevation. The trail exits the parking area at the far western end, and descends over a bridge spanning another erosion gully, then a slight climb up to join the Forest Road just a few feet from the Beech Gap State Line. It is recommended that hikers not park at the Beech Gap area, but instead at the Unicoi Overlook Trailhead and follow the trail for 0.2 miles. This point is approximately 3.0 miles from the Mud Gap Trailhead.

Big Fat Gap Trailhead Facility

Big Fat Gap Trailhead – 3083 foot elevation.

The Big Fat Trail starts at the Big Fat Gap Trailhead, reached by a nine mile drive on the FSR # 62 Big Fat Gap Road, accessed from US Route 129 north of the Robbinsville area. This road is gated, and closed to the public from January 1 through April 1 annually.

The Big Fat Trail leaves the parking area near the information kiosk, descending steeply to Slickrock Creek in the valley below. This is a very steep trail, heavily used by fishermen and hikers to reach the valley floor. At 1.4 miles, the trail reaches a junction with the Nichols Cove Trail, then turns left, fords a small stream, and ends at the Slickrock Creek Trail junction.

Benton Mackaye #2-02 Facility

The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) follows a route from Springer Mountain, Georgia nearly 300 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Signs are posted, but please exercise caution. Camping is allowed anywhere along the trail, except at trailheads. There are no shelters on the trail and it is considered more rustic and primitive than the Appalachian Trail. Expect to see few, if any, other hikers. Route finding skills are mandatory, as blazes are not allowed in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. On the Cheoah Ranger District, the BMT trail starts at the Mud Gap Trailhead on the Cherohala Skyway and heads northerly through a gravel quarry. Past the quarry, the trail crosses FS Road 217, then climbs until it crosses the Cherohala Skyway at the Unicoi Overlook parking area. The trail exits the parking area at the west end and descends over a bridge, then climbs to the Beech Gap State Line. The trail then follows the road to Strawberry Knob, then continues to Cold Spring Gap. At this point, follow Trail 54A, Stratton Bald Alternate to the western shoulder of Bob Bald. The trail then joins the Stratton Bald Trail, TR 54 and turns east to Bob Bald, an open area with great views to the south. The trail then continues east to the Haoe Lead Trail Junction, TR 53. The trail follows the Haoe Lead Trail to Naked Ground, a popular camping spot. Water is available a short distance down the hill on the Slickrock Creek Trail. The trail then follows the Haoe Lead Trail along the ridge to Haoe Knob. The trail continues on the Hangover Lead Trail TR 56 along the ridge and descends steeply to Big Fat Gap. From the Big Fat Gap Trailhead, the BMT exits on the Windy Gap Trail TR 400 to its junction with the Nichols Cove Trail TR 44, then continues downhill to Nichols Cove, a great camping area with water. The trail then follows the Yellow Hammer Gap Trail TR49 to its intersection with the Ike Branch Trail, TR 45. The trail continues uphill to Yellow Hammer Gap, and then follows the Tapoco Trail to the Tapoco Lodge. Leaving the Tapoco Lodge, the trail turns right, out the gate and southerly on Route 129 to Meadow Branch Road and the Burchfield Trailhead. About a mile from the trailhead is one of the most beautiful overlooks on the entire 300 mile long trail, providing views of the Hangover Ridge and the Cheoah River. The trail continues along the ridge, climbing to reach Old Field Gap Road, then follows a gated FS Road uphill and onto a wooded ridge. The trail then continues to an old road (FS 251C) and then west, staying at or near the top of the ridge. When that road ends, the trail drops down to a gap, then continues uphill to a major power line crossing with great views. This is a good camping area, but water on this entire section is problematic. The trail continues east, dropping into Kirkland Gap, and continues over several small peaks to Yellow Creek Mountain. Proceeding down from Yellow Creek Mountain, the trail continues past Lookout Rock, with some nice views of the GSMNP, and then descends to Green Gap. At Green Gap, the trail continues along the ridge to intersect the Appalachian Trail at Walker Gap. The BMT turns sharply left and descends the “Stairway to Heaven”, so named for the angle of the trail. At the bottom, it is approximately a mile to the Fontana Lodge, General Store and Post Office, and another three miles to intersect the Appalachian Trail just above the Fontana Marina Trailhead/Route 28. The BMT follows the AT through the Fontana Marina, across the Fontana Dam and up the access road to the Shuckstack Trailhead in the GSMNP.

Cheoah River Area Facility

The Cheoah River, located near Robbinsville, NC, is a nine-mile section of waterway between the Santeetlah Dam and Lake Calderwood. Typical water flows average 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), but approximately 20 times per year Brookfield Renewable Resources, Inc. releases water from the dam to mimic natural flood events to benefit a variety of endangered and threatened species that live in the river ecosystem. A secondary benefit of these releases is the recreational opportunity created by the release of approximately 1000 cfs of water, resulting in a Class IV-V whitewater run while water is being released. The US Forest Service currently permits three authorized outfitters to provide rafting opportunities during river releases, and many private boaters also use the river during these releases.

There is one primary put-in access site, two secondary access sites, and a river takeout site located at Magazine Branch on Calderwood Lake. The Cheoah River is unusual for rivers of its volume in the Southeast in that its gradient is relatively constant. This means that it is unusually continuous, more so than anything else with a similar volume of water in the Southeast. It is a whitewater run that should only be attempted by advanced to expert paddlers with the proper safety equipment and watercraft with a minimum of four internal air chambers or hard bottom canoes or kayaks, and only after careful consideration of all river hazards. The Cheoah River is one of the most difficult, technical rivers in the Southeast during high flow events. The rapids are large and continuous, with numerous hydraulics, rock ledges, vegetation, and other river features that can make self-rescue and extraction difficult. Do not attempt to float the Cheoah River during high flow release events unless you possess expert boating skills, are experienced in self-rescue in Class IV-V whitewater and using the proper gear and safety equipment, and only after a careful analysis of the river features and your own personal skill level.

Fishing on the Cheoah River is considered excellent for smallmouth bass by either fly-fishing or spinning reel with light tackle. The Cheoah River also offers brook trout, rainbow trout, and largemouth bass. Hiking trails in the vicinity include the Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, and numerous hiking trails in the nearby Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness. The Tapoco Lodge, built in 1930 by the Aluminum Company of America as part of hydroelectric efforts in Graham and Swain counties of North Carolina, is located on the banks of Cheoah River.

Additional information regarding Cheoah River high flow events can be found on the Brookfield Renewable Resources, Inc. website.

Cherohala Skyway Area Facility

Catawba Falls Facility

Follow this trail along the scenic headwaters of the Catawba River for a 4 mile round trip hike to the beautiful 100ft cascading waterfall. Historic buildings are scattered along the trail, remnants of the 1920's hydropower dam that provided power for the town of Old Fort. This hike does require several stream crossings. Be sure to wear solid boots to prevent from slipping and getting wet!

The trailhead can be accessed from Catawba River Road in Old Fort. For more information contact the Grandfather Ranger District at (828) 652-2144.

Lake TR 703 Facility

Lake Trail is 1.5 miles in length. It is blazed with Green blazes. It is rated Easy.

Curtis Creek Area Facility

Curtis Creek is a beatiful area in western North Carolina. It was the first tract of eastern forest acquired through the Weeks Act in 1911.

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area Facility

For hikers and backpackers, the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness presents a variety of recreational hiking opportunities. There is a relatively easy two-mile long Memorial Loop Trail in the Memorial Forest, which annually greets more than 35,000 visitors, or there is a complex of hiking trails that cater to more experienced hikers, such as the 13.3 mile long Slickrock Creek Trail, considered as one of the ten toughest trails in the United States. With a 3,700 foot climb overall and 13 stream crossings, this trail is seldom completely traversed, but used in conjunction with the other trails in the Wilderness to provide excellent backpacking trips.

Other than at trailheads, camping is allowed anywhere within the Wilderness using Leave No Trace principles, but given the steepness of the topography, there are a few relatively heavily used back country camping areas. Many fishermen enter the Wilderness from the north using the Slickrock Creek Trail, Ike Branch Trail or hike down to the creek from Big Fat Gap, camping along the creek. Backpackers use the area at Naked Ground on the southern ridge, and there is an area near the Hangover that offers excellent views, but an unreliable water source. Nichols Cove area has good camping spots with abundant water, and some hikers camp near Wildcat Falls, but long sections of the various trails lack suitable spots for camping.

As a designated Wilderness, there are no trail blazes, just signs at trail junctions, so it is essential that hikers carry maps and compass, and know how to use them. It is not uncommon for very experienced hikers to get “confused” for a while in the creek area due to the multiplicity of real trails, unofficial trails, old logging trails, etc. Along the ridge, the trails are well-defined, but physically demanding.

Flat Top Mountain Area Facility

Flat Top Mountain is located in Yancey County, NC. Three different hiking trails travel through woods of poplar, oak and maple. These trails provide beautiful views of the Unaka Mountains, the Nolichucky River Gorge and its sheer rock cliffs. Named for its unique topographical shape, Flat Top Mountain is a series of mountains that level out and appear flat on top, though its elevation is 4,469 feet high. The Devil's Creek and Lost Cove trails are best known for providing access to the Lost Cove community, developed in the 1900's for establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Railroad. Though it has been a ghost town for decades, several remaining structures and a cemetery can still be seen and accessed from the trail. Also, accessed from the Lost Cove Trail is a place called Joe Lewis Fields, named after the earliest settler in the area. The coordinates for Flat Top Mountain are as follows: N 36.02'54" and W 82.24'31".

Brice's Creek Area Facility

Brice's Creek Trail and Boat Launch

Cedar Point Recreation Area Facility

The Cedar Point Recreation Area, near the mouth of the White Oak River, is surrounded by a salt marsh and a coastal forest. The salt marsh, where fresh water meets salt water, stretches out like a sea of grass. This nutrient-rich wetland is a valuable "nursery" for commercial seafood, including fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters.

A small-craft boat ramp and fishing pier provides easy access to the river and its bounty. The shallow water is suited to flat-bottom boats. Canoes and kayaks can navigate the maze of canals through the salt march. From the boat ramp, paddle around the point, then pass under the boardwalk of the Tideland Trail. Be aware of the tides; an extremely low tide can leave some canals dry. The loop is shown on the map is about 2 miles and can be completed in half a day.

The campground has 36 sites with electrical hookups, a bathhouse with flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water and a ramp for shallow water boats. Picnic tables are nearby. The Cedar Point Tideland Trail crosses boardwalks to explore the salt marsh and the life above and beneath.

Common birds around the salt marsh:

Osprey*, Red-tail hawk, Turkey vulture, Fish crow, Common egret, Snowy egret, Great blue heron, Tri-colored heron, Little blue heron, Red-winged blackbird, Boat-tail grackle, Belted kingfisher.

Common birds in the forest:

Carolina chikadee, Brown-headed nuthatch, Tufted titmouse, Northern mockingbird, Brown thrasher, Caolinawren, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Pine warbler, Northern cardinal, Rufous-sided tewhee, Eastern bluebird, Red-bellied woodpecker, Red-headed woodpecker, Pileated woodpecker

*Mostly Mar-Oct. All others are year-round residents

Common Mammals:

White-tailed deer, Raccoon

Other Common Wildlife:

Marsh periwinkle, Fiddler crabs, Blue crabs, Oysters, Mud crabs, numerous insects, Green anole lizard, Eastern fence lizard.

Check out the brochure.

Massey Branch Area Facility

Massey Branch Boat Launch, Fishing Pier and Massey Branch Fitness Trail #39

Big Ivy Area, Coleman Boundary Facility

The Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary area is located on the Appalachian Ranger District near Barnardsville, NC. "Ivy" is the local name for the mountain laurel shrub.This area is beautiful, remote, mountain land with more than 30 miles of trails that you can hike, bike and ride horses.

Hot Springs Area Facility

The French Broad River and Appalachian Trail travel right through Hot Springs making the town a haven for hikers, rafters and other outdoor enthusiasts. The Hot Springs area features 44 miles of trails with 13.4 miles designated for mountain biking.

Flintlock Valley Shooting Range Facility

Flintlock Valley Shooting Range as returned to normal operation for the rifle and pistol ranges.

Open year-round, this shooting range provides 25-yard pistol and 100-yard rifle ranges.

Pass is required and can be purchased from the following locations:

Uwharrie National Forest: 789 NC Hwy 24/27 East (or 789 Biscoe Road), Troy, NC 27371 – Phone: 910-576-6391 x 0

BC Trading Post: 2000 NC Hwy 109N, Troy, NC 27371 – Phone: 910-571-0510

Eldorado Outpost: 4021 Hwy 109N, Troy, NC 27371 – Phone: 910-572-3474

Uwharrie Sportsman: 4593 Hwy 24/27W, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306 – Phone: 910-439-4336

Uwharrie Trails General Store: 4568 NC Hwy 109N Troy, NC 27371 - Phone: 910-571-0100

Passes are not sold on site and must be purchased in advance.

Users need to bring eye protection, hearing protection, and targets. Only approved targets and target stands may be used. Target stands are available on site. Approved targets include paper or cardboard targets.

Read the Range Rules and view the Flintlock Valley map for more information.

Robert Gap TR 303 Facility

Follows gated logging roads with several vistas and stream crossings. Begins and ends on SR 1182. Follow the road to make a loop.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 2.5

Difficulty: Moderate

Designated Activity: Hiking/Horseback riding

River Loop TR 200 Facility

Circles the Briar Bottom Group Campground.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 3.1

Difficulty: Moderate

Designated Activity: Hiking

Snowball TR 170 Facility

Follows ridge line from Blue Ridge Parkway to old Snowball fire tower site. Offers nice views.

Blaze Color: White

Miles: 3.0

Difficulty: Moderate

Designated Activity: Hiking

Cherry Creek TR 300 Facility

This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. Climbs 1,300 feet in 1.6 miles.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Miles: 1.6

Difficulty: Difficult

Designated Activity: Hiking

Catfish Area Facility

Catfish Lake Boat Launch and Waterfowl Impoundment

Ellicotts Rock TR431 Facility

Ellicotts Rock TR431

Chattooga Loop TR 433 Facility

Chattooga Loop TR 433

Helen's Loop TR 712 Facility

Helen's Loop Trail is 2.2 miles in length. It is rated as Easy. It is blazed Magenta blazes.

Little Fires Creek #386, Fires Creek Facility

Daniel TR 390 Facility

Daniel Trail is for 2.1 miles in length. It is rated as Extremely Difficult. It is blazed with orange diamond trail markers.

White Oak TR 293 Facility

This trail offers a walk through upland hardwood forests with winter views of Baxter Cliffs. The trail provides loop opportunities with Pounding Mill and Hickey Fork trails.

Total Length: 2.3 miles

Total Elevation Change: 1,640 feet

Degree of Difficulty: Difficult

Beginning Point: Forest Service Road # 465

Ending Point: Pounding Mill Trail

Average Hiking Time: 3 hours (one way)

Amount of Use: Light

Blaze Color: Blue Rectangle

Area Trail Map: None

USGS Quad Map: Greystone

Great Wall TR489 Facility

Great Wall TR489

Little Lost Cove Cliffs Facility

Cliffs that can be used for climbing, but any bolts or anchors found are not managed or maintained by the Forest Service.

Green Valley TR484 Facility

Green Valley TR484

Far Bald Springs #389 Facility

Hang Glider TR 719 Facility

Hang Glider trail is 1.4 miles in length. It is rated as Difficult. It is blazed with Salmon blazes.

Hyatt Creek Facility

Massey Branch Fishing Pier Facility

Black Swamp OHV Trailhead Facility

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.

Little Green TR485 Facility

Little Green TR485

Park Creek Ridge Connector TR32a Facility

Park Creek Ridge Connector TR32a

BLACK MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Black Mountain Campground sits in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. Black Mountain is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.

Recreation

With the South Toe River located adjacent to the campground, visitors will have no shortage of things to do, including picnicking, day hiking, scenic driving and trout fishing. Hikers will be pleased with a variety of trails from which to choose, including a leisurely half-mile walk through the forest or a challenging 5.6-mile hike to Mt. Mitchell.

Facilities

The campground offers 37 primitive campsites with 3 campsites with electric hookups. The campsites are equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. The facility provides hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets. Campers can purchase firewood, ice, tee shirts and souvenirs.

Natural Features

The campground sits at an elevation of 3,040 feet. The 6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell towers over the area, with several other high peaks of the Black Mountains nearby. This lush Appalachian forest is rich with wildlife, plants and scenery.

Nearby Attractions

Groups can easily head out for a day of scenic driving along Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.