Horse Cove Campground
Open — The main portion of the campground is closed indefinitely due to water system issues. The lower 8 primitive sites remain open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.
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
Horse Cove Campground is located in the Nantahala National Forest near the entrance to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and its 3,800 acres of old-growth forest. The campground serves as an ideal staging point for hikers exploring the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness. The main portion of the campground is closed indefinitely due to water system issues. However, the lower 8 sites remain open year-round as primitive campsites. These sites are first-come, first-served with a vault toilet available but no running water. A nearby creek provides a water source that requires treatment. The campground is located 13 miles north of Robbinsville and offers a quiet, unpretentious camping experience in the heart of the national forest. Sites are $15 per night with check-in at 2:00 p.m. and checkout at 12:00 p.m. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Cash or check payment is required.
Directions
From Robbinsville, NC, take U.S. Rt. 129 north 7.9 miles to Joyce Kilmer Rd. (State Rt. 1147). Turn left onto Joyce Kilmer Rd. and go 0.5 miles to a T intersection. Turn right at intersection (over bridge), staying on Joyce Kilmer Rd., and go 5.5 miles to campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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
| Phone | +1 (828) 479-6431 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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