Hanging Dog Campground
Closed — Permanently closed. The campground closed in 2014 and will not reopen. The day-use area with picnic tables and lake access remains open.
Appalachian Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
Our staff on the Appalachian Ranger District, in cooperation with partners and volunteers, have made great progress clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene on the Pisgah National Forest.
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
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.
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.
Grandfather Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
The following recreation sites and trails remain closed:McDowell County:
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).
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.
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
About
Hanging Dog Campground was once a popular camping destination in the Nantahala National Forest, situated along the scenic shores of Hiwassee Lake near Murphy, North Carolina. The campground initially closed in 2014 due to declining use and increasing management costs. In an effort to save the facility, the U.S. Forest Service partnered with Cherokee County to reopen the campground on a trial basis in 2016 and 2017. However, fees collected fell well below operating and maintenance costs, with occupancy rates dropping to just 11 percent in 2017. Facing over $160,000 in deferred maintenance needs and low demand, the Forest Service made the decision in 2018 to permanently close the campground. While the campground itself will not reopen, the Hanging Dog day-use area remains accessible to visitors. This area offers picnic tables overlooking the lake and provides access to nearby mountain biking and hiking trails. There have been discussions about potentially converting the area into a state park in the future, though no concrete plans have been finalized.
Directions
From Murphy, NC, take NC 1326 west for 5 miles to the Hanging Dog Recreation Area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | — |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | — |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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