USA 250 Shirt →

Appletree Group Campground

Open

Open April 1 through October 31. Reservations required by phone through the Nantahala Ranger District at (828) 524-6441. Summer weekends are popular; weekdays are quieter.

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…

Nantahala National Forest

Commissary Ridge Dispersed Camping Area Temporarily Closed

Due to an increase in bear activity in the dispersed camping area at Commissary Ridge on the Pisgah National Forest near Mt. Mitchell State Park the camping area will be temporarily closed. This measure is to help provide visitor safety and minimize bear encounters.

Nantahala National Forest

Croatan Ranger District Office Relocation

Beginning Friday, August 7, 2026, the current Croatan Ranger District Office building will permanently close as North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) begins its US 70 widening project. Until construction of the new Croatan Ranger District is complete, visitor services will operate…

About

Appletree Group Campground sits within Nantahala National Forest on the Nantahala Ranger District, offering four dedicated group sites for organized camping. Sites A and D accommodate groups up to 25 people, while sites B and C can host up to 50 people each. Every site includes a covered picnic shelter, an outdoor gathering area with a fire ring and lantern posts, flush toilet restrooms, a water hydrant, designated gravel parking, and an open grassy field for tent camping and group activities. The campground serves as a base for exploring over 20 miles of interconnecting hiking trails nearby, including access to sections of the Bartram National Recreation Trail. Mountain streams in the area hold rainbow, brown, and native brook trout for anglers with valid North Carolina fishing licenses. Nantahala Lake lies about 10 minutes away, and the Nantahala River offers whitewater rafting opportunities. The 61-mile Mountain Waters Scenic Byway passes through the region. Reservations are required and must be made by calling the Nantahala Ranger District. Only one wheeled camping unit is permitted per site and must remain in the gravel parking area. The campground sees its heaviest use during summer weekends but remains quieter on weekdays.

Directions

From Knoxville: Take U.S. 129 south to Topton, NC. Turn left onto U.S. 19. Turn right at the Nantahala River Launch Site onto SR 1310 (Wayah Road). Go about 8 miles and turn right onto SR 1401 (Junaluska Road). Go about 2.5 miles; the campground entrance is on the right.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store
Price $75 - $150

Vehicle

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

Contact

Phone +1 (828) 524-6441

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Community Posts

No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!