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Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Camp

Open

Open for the season. The campground operates March 15 through December 31 and closes January 1 through March 14. First-come, first-served only; no reservations.

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

Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Camp sits in the scenic Standing Indian Basin within Nantahala National Forest, about 9 miles west of Franklin, North Carolina. This primitive campground caters primarily to equestrians, offering horse stalls and direct access to a network of trails suitable for horseback riding and hiking. The Hurricane Creek Loop Trail and other routes in the area provide opportunities for multi-day backcountry exploration. Facilities are minimal but functional: a vault toilet serves the camp, and fire rings are provided for campfires. There is no potable water on site, so campers must bring their own supply. Horses are restricted to the designated horse camp area and approved trails only. The access road is gravel, and camping within 50 feet of any water source is prohibited.

Directions

From Franklin, take US 64W for 9 miles, turn left on old US 64 and follow signs to Standing Indian Campground. Continue south on FS Rd 67 past Standing Indian Campground for 2 miles. Gravel road.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $6

Vehicle

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

Contact

Email sm.fs.nantahalard@usda.gov
Phone +1 (828) 524-6441

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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