AMMONS BRANCH CAMP
Open — Open year-round. Free camping, first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Appalachian Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
Our staff on the Appalachian Ranger District, in cooperation with partners and volunteers, have made great progress clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene on the Pisgah National Forest.
Roan Mountain Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Roan Mountain area of Appalachian Ranger District due to heightened fire danger caused by Hurricane Helene. The fire restriction is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the
Pisgah National Forest Driving Safety Alert
Please use caution as you travel in and around the Forest. We have a lot of heavy equipment and repair crews in the area working on roads damaged during Hurricane Helene. Up to 2,000 tons of gravel are being placed EVERY DAY on our Forest Service roads through the summer and fall.
Paint Rock Closure
Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.
Grandfather Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
The following recreation sites and trails remain closed:McDowell County:
Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap
The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9).
Kings Mountain Point Fishing Pier Closure
The fishing pier at Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area on the Uwharrie National Forest is closed till further notice due to storm damage. The Day Use area remains open and the three smaller accessible fishing platforms are available for public use.
Pisgah Camping Limitations
The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
About
Ammons Branch Campground is a small, primitive dispersed camping area in the Nantahala National Forest, located along Bull Pen Road east of Highlands, North Carolina. The campground features four dispersed sites, each equipped with a picnic table and lantern hanger. A shared pit toilet serves all sites, but there is no potable water available on-site. Campers must bring their own water supply or be prepared to treat water from nearby Ammons Branch. This is a true pack-in, pack-out facility with no trash service, requiring visitors to carry out everything they bring in. The campground is free of charge and operates year-round, making it an excellent option for winter camping when many developed campgrounds are closed. The sites are generally located just off the road and offer a peaceful, secluded experience away from more crowded campgrounds. The campground is suitable for small RVs or tents, though the turnaround area is tight and only one site can realistically accommodate an RV. Access is via gravel roads, with the pavement ending on Horse Cove Road before turning onto Bull Pen Road. The location provides easy access to hiking opportunities and scenic viewing in the surrounding national forest.
Directions
From Highlands, follow Main Street east out of town about 4.5 miles through Horse Cove Road. When pavement ends, bear right on Bull Pen Road and travel approximately 1.5 miles.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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
| sm.fs.nantahalard@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (828) 524-6441 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Ammons Branch TR441 |
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