Closed

The campground is permanently closed and no overnight camping is available. The Hanging Dog Recreation Area remains open for day use only, offering picnic facilities, hiking and biking trails, and lake access.

Nantahala National Forest

Rainbow Springs Road closed for reconstruction

Rainbow Ridge Road (NFSR 437) on the Nantahala National Forest will close on Monday, October 19, to begin permanent repairs after a large section the road collapsed during Hurricane Helene. Our contractor anticipates this work will be completed in February 2027. While repairs are underway, the…

Nantahala National Forest

Siddie Fields Day Use Area closed for improvements

The Siddie Fields Day Use Area on the Croatan National Forest is closed for a wide-ranging project to repair storm damage on sites along the Neuse River, improve access and infrastructure, and strengthen resiliency to withstand future hazardous weather events.Members of the public should avoid the…

Nantahala National Forest

Uwharrie Cave and Mine Closure Order

Entering a cave or mine on Uwharrie National Forest is prohibited.

About

Hanging Dog Campground was a U.S. Forest Service campground located on the scenic shores of Hiwassee Lake in the Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest. Situated approximately 5 miles north of Murphy, North Carolina, the campground offered lakeside camping in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The campground closed in 2014 due to declining visitor use and increasing management costs. The Forest Service partnered with Cherokee County to reopen it on a trial basis in 2016 and 2017, but occupancy rates dropped to just 11 percent with fee revenue falling far short of operating costs. Facing over $160,000 in deferred maintenance needs, the Forest Service made the decision to permanently close the campground in 2018. While overnight camping is no longer available, the Hanging Dog Recreation Area remains open for day use. Visitors can still enjoy picnic tables with lake views, a group pavilion, an accessible fishing pier, two 1-mile hiking trails (Mingus Trail and Ramsey Bluff Trail), 8 miles of mountain biking trails, and seasonal boat launch access to Hiwassee Lake.

Directions

From Murphy, NC, travel approximately 5 miles north on SR 1326 (Joe Brown Highway) to the Hanging Dog Recreation Area on Hiwassee Lake.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed —
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed —
Showers No
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store No

Vehicle

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

Contact

Email sm.fs.tusquiteerd@usda.gov
Phone +1 (828) 837-5152

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

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