Open

Open year-round, first-come first-served, no reservations. Fire restrictions are in effect as of April 15, 2026, prohibiting campfires at dispersed camping areas until fire danger subsides. Portable propane stoves are permitted.

FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic

The Pisgah Ranger District on Pisgah National Forest is conducting stream improvements for fish passage due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Road #225B. Improvements include removing culverts to create a natural bottom ford. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic,…

John Rock Overlook Parking Area Partial Closure

The Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest has partnered with The Pisgah Conservancy and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a project to create the Upper Falls Connector Trail— a new 0.9-mile trail originating at the John Rock Overlook parking area to access Graveyard Fields. Graveyard…

Elk River Falls Temporary Re-Closure

Temporary Closure: Elk River Falls AreaClosure Order Closure Order MapStarting March 18, the Elk River Falls Area will be temporarily closed on the Pisgah National Forest. This includes closing the Elk River Trail, Elk River Falls and Elk River Road within the closure area in Avery County. The…

Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) Closure

Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…

Helene Closures

Please visit our Helene Information page for a full list of closures.

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 Appalachian Trail.This…

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. That's around 60…

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.This closure is intended to…

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). The detour is mapped…

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.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…

Max Patch Restrictions

Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.

Forest Closures and Orders

Check out our closure orders and forest orders for more information.

About

Blue Valley Dispersed Camping provides roughly 22 primitive campsites scattered through the Blue Valley area of the Nantahala National Forest in Macon County, North Carolina. Most sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, and a pit toilet serves the area. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply. This is true dispersed camping requiring full self-sufficiency. Pack in, pack out applies to all trash and waste. No reservations are accepted; sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round at no cost. Wilson Lake lies a short distance away, offering fishing, swimming, a brief hiking trail, and excellent wildlife viewing and birding opportunities. The area sits within the rugged, mountainous terrain of the Nantahala Ranger District, which spans 250,000 acres across Macon, Jackson, and Swain counties.

Directions

From Highlands, NC, follow NC 28 South for 5.5 miles. Turn right at the Blue Valley sign.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed No
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
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Email sm.fs.nantahalard@usda.gov
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!