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Lakeside picnic area

Cliffside Lake Shelters

Open

This is a day-use facility with reservable picnic shelters, not an overnight campground. Open April 1 through October 31, dawn to dusk. Shelters available 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Day-use fee is $5 per vehicle. Small shelter $30, large shelter $40.

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

Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is a day-use facility in the Nantahala National Forest near Highlands, North Carolina. The site offers two covered picnic shelters that can be reserved for group events such as family reunions, school outings, and church gatherings. Shelters are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and must be reserved in advance. The recreation area sits at 4,118 feet elevation and provides access to Cliffside Lake for swimming (no lifeguard) and trout fishing. A bathhouse with cold showers and both vault and flush toilets are available. Six hiking trails of varying difficulty wind through the area, including routes to nearby waterfalls. This is not an overnight camping facility. Visitors seeking camping should consider the adjacent Van Hook Glade Campground. A $5 per vehicle day-use fee applies April through October. The nearby town of Highlands offers dining and supplies, while Franklin has larger shopping options.

Directions

From Highlands, follow Highway 64 West approximately 4.5 miles. The entrance will be on the right.

Amenities

Water
Fires Allowed
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi
Pets Allowed
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $5 - $40

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 Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Lakeside picnic area
Lakeside picnic area
View from Small Picnic Shelter
Swim area
Lakeside hike
Shelter
Campground

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