District Ranger
USDA Forest Service
1001 Pisgah Hwy.
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828) 877-3265
www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc

The Pisgah Ranger District office is located southwest of Asheville and north of Brevard and is easily accessible from several main roads including the Blue Ridge Parkway. The district ranger station is located on US 276 near Brevard and is open to the public 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. They are also open on the weekends and holidays during the summer from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The district covers over 150,000 acres and has hundreds of miles of trails with different degrees of difficulty for any level of experience. These trails offer a vast array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, backpacking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, wildlife observation, photography and more. The diversity of terrain offered in the area is amazing. Mountain peaks that brush the clouds at an elevation of over 6000 ft., rock faces, open balds and cascading waterfalls.

Pisgah National Forest campgrounds & group sites

Black Mountain Campground, Elevation: 3,000 ft
From Busick, NC, take State Rt. 80 north 0.7 miles to campground sign at South Toe River Rd. (Forest Rt. 472 and State Rt. 1205).  Bear left onto South Toe Rd.  and go 2.5 miles to campground.  Sitting in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the East, and bordering the South Toe River, Black Mountain and Briar Bottom Group Campgrounds are meccas for people who enjoy the outdoors and recreation, such as hiking and fishing. Black Mountain Campground offers 48 camping sites (none with hookups). Briar Bottom Group Campground has six sites for 50 people at each site. For those camping at these sites, a ball field and volleyball net are available nearby. All campsites have picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grills, and lantern posts. Nearby are flush toilets, drinking water, and trash cans. A sewage disposal is 1 mile from the campgrounds. No showers are available. Great views of the Black Mountains and several trails. Black Mountain Recreation Area (543 kb pdf)

Boone Fork, Elevation: 1,300 ft
From Lenoir, NC, take State Rt. 90 west 4 miles to Boone Fork Recreation Area sign (Mulberry Creek Dr.).  Turn right at sign and go 4.5 miles to a Boone Fork sign (Boone Fork Rd.).  Turn right onto Boone Fork Rd. (dirt, single lane) and go 2 miles to campground. The campground has two loops, one of which is for group camping.  The campground has two loops, one of which is for group camping.  The understory is manicured grass with a variety of deciduous trees, i.e., Dogwood, maple, poplar, etc. and hemlock.  Lantern poles are located at each campsite.

Cove Creek Group Camp
From Brevard take US 276 N for 8.4 miles; go to Forest Service Rd. 475; turn W (towards fish hatchery) and go 3.4 miles to area. The area offers camping, drinking water, fishing, hiking and a sanitation facility.  Reservations are required.

Davidson River, Elevation: 2,200 ft
In Brevard, NC, at intersection of US Rts. 64 and 276 and State Rt. 280, take Rt. 276 north 1.1 miles to campground sign.  Turn left at sign into campground. The campground, stretching out along Davidson River, has eight loops - Sycamore, Apple Tree, Dogwood, Hemlock, Riverbend, Poplar, Laurel, and White Oak (and a connection spur).  Some campsite, designated as premium, back up onto Davidson River.  Although it has large hemlock trees, Sycamore Loop is the most open.  Hemlock and Poplar Loops have the best privacy and thick canopies.  Riverbend Loop features huge Rhododendrons and an informal river swim area.  A large level field exists between Hemlock and Dogwood Loops.  Shade is provided by a pleasant mixture of hardwoods and conifers giving campground a spectacular color display during Fall season.  Rhododendron and Dogwood enhance Spring foliage.  Firewood is available for a fee.

Kuykendall Group Camp
This is a single group site. Restrooms are provided. Popular activities include waterplay, hiking, biking and sight-seeing. You must drive through the stream to get to the campground. Please have confirmation number available at this time.  Fires are allowed in Forest Service provided fire rings only.  Reservations are required.

Lake Powhatan, Elevation: 2,200 ft
In Asheville, NC, at intersection of I-26 and I-40, take I-26 east 1.8 miles to State Rt. 191 (Exit 33).  Take exit to traffic light (State Rt. 191).  Turn left onto State Rt. 191 South and go 1.9 miles to Lake Powhatan sign.  Turn right at sign and go 2.5 miles to campground.  The campground, adjacent to Lake Powhatan, has four loops - Hardtimes, Big John, Bent Creek, and Lakeside.  The campsites are tucked in among a mixed forest of deciduous and conifer trees.  Well spaced campsites with a thick middlestory make for good privacy.  Although Lakeside is closest loop to the lake, the campsites have no view of it.  Convenient to Blue Ridge Parkway and mile upon mile of trails, this campground is good for transient campers, long weekend and vacation campers.  Possible day trips are Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway and Cradle of Forestry Visitor Center.  Check the fee board for interpretive programs held during the summer season.  Firewood and ice are available for a fee.

Mortimer, Elevation: 1,500 ft
From Lenoir, NC, take State Rt. 90 west 21 miles to a "Y" intersection.  Bear right and go 3.1 miles to campground on right. The campground, stretching up a hill, has a split personality.  The campsites at the rear of campground have only the most basic amenities, i.e., level area, table, and lantern pole, in an open grass field.  Campsites in the front end are tucked in among towering hemlock, maple, and oak trees with a scattering of rhododendrons.  These sites have the "basic" plus grilles and tent pads.  Thorps Creek, which can be heard throughout, runs through the campground where some campsites overlook it.  A third section, located on the other side of creek, is comprised of all walk-in tent sites snuggled in among huge rhododendrons.

North Mills River, Elevation: 2,200 ft
In Asheville, NC, at intersection of I-40 and I-26, take I-26 east 1.8 miles to Exit 33 (State Rt. 191).  Take exit ramp to traffic light.  Turn left onto Rt. 191 South and go 9.8 miles to N. Mills River Rd (State Rt. 1345).  Turn right onto N. Mills Rd and go 4.7 miles to campground.  The campground, with two unnamed loops, is located on either side of North Mills River in a thick forest of deciduous trees.  Some campsites have good privacy provided mainly by rhododendron.  Tubbing is a popular sport on the river.  The loop on east side of campground is more wooded, has campground's only double sites, paved parking aprons, and couple of riverside campsites.  The loop on west side is level, slightly more sunny with gravel parking aprons.

Rocky Bluff
Rocky Bluff Campground is the perfect mountain getaway for visitors who seek quiet and solitude amid nature’s picturesque surroundings. Tucked away off NC 209 near Hot Springs, the campground is one of the best-kept secrets in the national forests in North Carolina. Dates Open: May 1 to October 31. Fee: $8 a night per site, on a first-come, first-served basis, 30 sites,14-day limit for visit. What sites offer: Parking spur, picnic table, tent pad, and fire grate. Other amenities: Running water and flush toilets in center of campground’s lower loop; nearby is a picnic area with 10 tables (no fee for day-use.); amphitheatre.

From Asheville (40 miles): Take U.S. 19/23 N to U.S. 25/70 NW toward Marshall and Hot Springs for about 30 miles. At junction of U.S. 25/70 and NC 208, take a left and continue on U.S. 25/70 to Hot Springs. From Hot Springs, take NC 209 for 3 miles. Rocky Bluff Campground is on the left. For more information, call (828) 622-3202.

Landscaping for the lower loop is very attractive with manicured grass understory and sculptured miniature hemlock trees.  These trees seem to grow no more than 20 feet in height and are clumped at the top like palm trees.  Most of the sites in the campground are terraced and built with stone walls.  The predominant deciduous trees are maple, oak, and Dogwood.  A cemetery is accessed via site 29 and is a reminder of the former residents - the Robert Brooks family. Rocky Bluff Campground (209 kb pdf)

Silvermine
Silvermine Group Campground is nestled under a canopy of hemlocks and tall poplars. A rushing creek meanders 50 feet from the group campsite, which provides room for up to 50 people to set up tents.

Pump Gap 4.2-mile loop trail can be accessed directly from the campground. The trail follows a stream and then forks. This is the beginning and ending point of the loop section, so either fork can be taken. If you take the right fork, the trail climbs to a ridge, crosses the Appalachian Trail, and descends along a creek. Along the creek, a side trail to the right follows an old road to Big Laurel Creek.

DATES OPEN: May 1 to October 31, fees apply.  FOR RESERVATIONS: Appalachian Ranger District, French Broad Station, at (828) 622-3202. WHAT SITES OFFER: two large tent pads (15 by 30 feet); two grills. OTHER AMENITIES: One picnic shelter with two tables; water pump; chemical toilets. Silvermine Group Campground (507 kb pdf)

Sunburst
From Canton, NC, take State Rt. 215 south 16 miles to campground.  An alternative is to take State Rt. 215 (milepost 423) from the Blue Ridge Parkway north 8.6 miles to campground.  This campground is located right on State Rt. 215 (National Scenic Byway); there will be some road noise.  There is a stream across Rt. 215.

 Private campgrounds

Brevard

Black Forest Family Camping Resort
90 sites – 21 full hook-ups – cabins – Fees: 2 persons $16 tents - $20-$22 RV’s - $30-$40 cabins – Open March 15-December 1.
Phone Number: (828) 884-2267
Showers, restrooms, firewood, fire rings, and laundry available.
Activities: Swimming pool, playground, horseshoes, hiking trails, badminton.

Asheville

The French Broad River Campground
44 sites – 10 full hook-ups – Fees: 4 persons $15-$20 - open year round
Phone Number: (828) 658-0772
Showers, restrooms, firewood, laundry, phones.
Activities: Canoeing, fishing, horseshoes, volleyball, kayak and tube rentals

Balsam

Moonshine Creek Campground
92 sites – 50 full hook-ups – cabins – Fees: 2 persons $19-$24 – cabins vary – Open April 1-November 1.
Phone Number (828) 586-6666
Showers, restrooms, firewood, laundry, phones.
Activities: Fishing, horseshoes, hiking, volleyball.

Canton

Big Cove Campground
63 sites – 21 full hook-ups – cabins – Fees: 2 persons $10 tents - $15-$18 RV’s - $15 cabins - Open year round.
Phone Number: (828) 667-9376
Showers, restrooms, firewood, laundry, phones.
Activities: Swimming pool, horseback riding, playground horseshoes, hiking trails.

Hendersonville

Red Gates RV Park
18 sites – 14 full hook-up – cabins – Fees: 2 persons $10 – Open April 1-November 1.
Phone Number: (828) 685-8787
Showers, restrooms, laundry.
Activities: Swimming, boating, boat rentals, fishing, basketball, shuffle board.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Pisgah Inn and Campground
137 sites – no hook-ups – Fees: campground 2 persons $12, Inn $70, $78, $110 - Open April-November.
Phone Number (828) 235-8228
For camping there are bathrooms but no showers. Centrally located in the Pisgah Ranger District.