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Open

The main portion of the campground is closed indefinitely due to a water system issue. The lower 8 primitive sites are open year-round with vault toilet access but no potable water. Campers must bring their own drinking water.

Nantahala National Forest

Old Fort Picnic Area -- closed Aug. 28-30, 2026

The Old Fort Picnic Area will be closed starting today through the weekend for paving. The area will reopen for parking Monday, August 31. The parking lot, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene, is being repaved as part of a larger project to restore and improve the picnic area. Due to the…

Nantahala National Forest

Commissary Ridge Dispersed Camping Area Temporarily Closed

Due to an increase in bear activity in the dispersed camping area at Commissary Ridge on the Pisgah National Forest near Mt. Mitchell State Park the camping area will be temporarily closed. This measure is to help provide visitor safety and minimize bear encounters.

Nantahala National Forest

Croatan Ranger District Office Relocation

Beginning Friday, August 7, 2026, the current Croatan Ranger District Office building will permanently close as North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) begins its US 70 widening project. Until construction of the new Croatan Ranger District is complete, visitor services will operate…

About

Horse Cove Campground is located 13 miles north of Robbinsville, NC near the entrance to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a 3,800-acre old-growth forest memorial to the poet killed in World War I. The campground provides convenient access to the forest's famous loop trail through massive tulip poplars, hemlocks, and other virgin timber. The main portion of the campground is closed indefinitely due to a water system issue. However, the lower 8 sites remain open year-round as primitive camping. These sites have access to a vault toilet but no running water; campers must bring their own drinking water. A creek runs nearby. The campground operates on a cash or check payment system at $15 per night. Check-in is at 2:00 PM, check-out at noon, with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount on single campsites.

Directions

From Robbinsville, NC, take US-129 north 7.9 miles to Joyce Kilmer Road (State Route 1147). Turn left onto Joyce Kilmer Road and go 0.5 miles to a T intersection. Turn right at the intersection (over bridge), staying on Joyce Kilmer Road, and continue 5.5 miles to the campground.

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
Price $15

Vehicle

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

Contact

Email sm.fs.cheoahrd@usda.gov
Phone +1 (828) 479-6431

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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