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Open

Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or fees. Nantahala National Forest is currently under high fire danger status.

Nantahala National Forest

Closure: Bradley Creek Trail (TR351) and a section of Yellow Gap Road ( FS Road 1206)

Bradley Creek Trail (TR351) and a section of Yellow Gap Road ( FS Road 1206) near milepost 6.7 from Highway 276, are temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.Crews are repairing damage from a landslide that occurred during a previous weather event and was…

Nantahala National Forest

Lower portion of Dry Falls, Nantahala Ranger District, will be temporarily closed September 14- 18

The Nantahala Ranger District will temporarily close access to the lower portion of Dry Falls from September 14–18 to conduct necessary maintenance and improvements. During this period, public access to the base of the waterfall will not be available.To ensure visitors can still enjoy the site,…

Nantahala National Forest

Old Fort Picnic Area -- closed Aug. 28-30, 2026

The Old Fort Picnic Area will be closed starting today through the weekend for paving. The area will reopen for parking Monday, August 31. The parking lot, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene, is being repaved as part of a larger project to restore and improve the picnic area. Due to the…

About

Ammons Branch Campground is a small, free dispersed camping area tucked into Nantahala National Forest in Macon County, North Carolina. The campground consists of four primitive tent sites accessible via Bull Pen Road, a gravel forest road that branches off from Horse Cove Road east of Highlands. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, lantern hanger, and fire ring for campfires. This is true primitive camping with minimal amenities. A shared pit toilet serves all four sites, but there is no potable water available, so campers must bring their own supply. The campground operates on a pack-in, pack-out basis with no trash service provided. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations or fees. The area offers access to hiking trails including the Ammons Branch Trail and provides opportunities for scenic forest recreation. The remote setting and lack of development make this a quiet destination for experienced campers seeking a backcountry-adjacent experience without venturing far from road access.

Directions

From Highlands, NC, travel Main Street east approximately 4.5 miles through Horse Cove Road. When pavement ends, turn right on Bull Pen Road and continue about 1.5 miles to the campground.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $0

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (828) 524-6441

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

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