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.

Heat Advisory issued July 1 at 2:01PM EDT until July 3 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN

2:01 PM — July 2nd, 4:15 AM

* WHAT...Afternoon heat index values will approach or exceed 100 at times over all but the higher elevations, and some valley locations may see heat index values exceed 105. * WHERE...Portions of southwest North Carolina, east Tennessee, and southwest Virginia. * WHEN...Until 9 PM EDT /8 PM CDT/ Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been cancelled.

6:01 PM — 6:16 PM

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been cancelled and is no longer in effect.

Nantahala National Forest

Hurricane Florence Closures- Croatan National Forest

Due to Hurricane Florence the following areas will remain closed on the Croatan National Forest: The Neusiok Trail from Pinecliff Recreation Area Trailhead to Pinecliff Equestrian Trail Detour Fishers Landing Recreation Area Pinecliff Recreation Area Siddie Fields Neuse River Recreation Sites…

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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