Harmon Den Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Reopens in May and operates through October 31. Reservations required; gated access with lock combination provided upon booking.

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About

Harmon Den Campground occupies a secluded mountainside location in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County. The campground features two distinct loops: an upper loop designed for equestrian camping with horse stalls and mangers accommodating up to 4 horses and 8 people per site, and a lower loop for tent camping and small trailers. Each site provides a picnic table, fire ring, tent pad, lantern post, and parking space. The campground is situated in a bear sanctuary area beneath a canopy of mixed hardwoods, offering privacy between individual sites. Facilities include vault toilets for each loop, bear-proof garbage cans, a livestock watering tank (non-potable), and a self-service manure disposal station. The campground requires advance reservations with gated access controlled by combination lock. Harmon Den serves as an ideal base for exploring over 14 miles of designated hiking and horseback riding trails, including the Buckeye Ridge, Cherry Ridge, Robert Gap, and Cold Springs trails. The area provides convenient access to Max Patch, the Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Hot Springs, NC. The surrounding landscape features waterfalls, forested peaks, and cold mountain streams, with elevations ranging from 1,900 to 6,684 feet. Wildlife including black bear, deer, grouse, and wild turkey inhabit the area. Hunters and anglers also utilize the surrounding national forest lands.

Directions

From I-40 Exit 7 (Harmon Den), travel northeast on Cold Springs Road (NFSR 148) for 3.0 miles, turn right on Fall Branch Road (NFSR 3526), and continue 0.5 miles to the campground entrance on the left. Also accessible from Hot Springs via Highway 209 south for 7 miles, right on Meadowfork Road (NCSR 1175) for 6 miles, right on Little Creek Road (NCSR 1181) for 3 miles, left on Max Patch Road (NCSR 1182) for 0.75 miles, right on Cold Springs Road (NFSR 148) for 3 miles to Fall Branch Road intersection, then 0.5 miles to entrance.