Harmon Den Campground

About

Harmon Den Campground occupies a secluded mountainside in the Pisgah National Forest's Appalachian Ranger District, surrounded by mixed hardwood forest in Haywood County, North Carolina. The campground is divided into two loops: the upper loop contains 14 equestrian sites (HD01-HD14), each equipped with horse stalls and mangers accommodating up to 4 horses and 8 people, while the lower loop offers 8 standard sites (T15-T23) for tent camping and small trailers. All sites include a picnic table, tent pad, lantern post, and fire ring. The campground has vault toilet facilities for each loop and bear-proof garbage cans. There is no potable water available (the hand pump is currently non-potable), no hookups, and no dump station. The campground is gated, with the combination provided upon reservation. The Harmon Den Area offers over 54 miles of trails, including 14 miles designated for both horseback riding and hiking. Popular routes include the 5.4-mile Buckeye Ridge, 2.6-mile Cherry Ridge, 2.5-mile Robert Gap, and 3.6-mile Cold Springs trails. Mountain bikes are prohibited on all trails. The area is a designated bear sanctuary, requiring all food and scented items to be stored in bear-proof containers.

Directions

From I-40, take Exit 7 (Harmon Den) and head east on Cold Springs Road (NFSR #148) for approximately 4 miles to the campground entrance. Alternatively, from Hot Springs, NC, take Highway 209 south for 7 miles, turn right onto Meadowfork Road (NCSR #1175) for 6 miles, right onto Little Creek Road (NCSR #1181) for 3 miles, left onto Max Patch Road (NCSR #1182) for 0.75 miles, then right onto Cold Springs Road (NFSR #148) for 3 miles to Falls Branch Road (NFSR #3526) and 0.5 mile to the entrance.