Closed

The campground is permanently closed. In 2024, the Forest Service decommissioned 14 campsites in the flood hazard zone along with the water system and restrooms. The recreation area remains open for day-use hiking and boating access only.

FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic

The Pisgah Ranger District is conducting stream improvements due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Rd #225B. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bikers, and horses. Heavy machinery will be in the area. Once repairs are complete…

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

Cable Cove Recreation Area is located approximately 15 miles from Robbinsville along Highway 28 North, about 3 miles from Fontana Dam in the Nantahala National Forest. The site formerly operated as a 26-site campground set in a wooded area near a stream, with direct boating access to Fontana Lake and proximity to the Appalachian Trail. The campground was permanently decommissioned in 2024 following a Forest Service project that addressed flood hazard concerns. Fourteen campsites located in the flood-prone zone were removed and rehabilitated to a natural state, and the entire water system was decommissioned. The restrooms are also closed. While overnight camping is no longer available, the recreation area remains open for day-use activities including hiking on the Cable Cove Nature Trail, fishing, and motorized and non-motorized boating on Fontana Lake.

Directions

From Robbinsville, NC, take US 143 North toward Bryson City. Turn left on NC 28 West and proceed approximately 6 miles toward Fontana Village. Turn right on Cable Cove Road (SR 1287) and proceed 1.5 miles to the recreation area.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed
Toilets No
Dump Station
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $10 - $15

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Phone +1 (828) 479-6431

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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