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NANTAHALA LAKE DISPERSED CAMPING SITE - LAKE ACCESS

Open

Open year-round for dispersed camping on a first-come, first-served basis. Fire restrictions are in effect starting April 15, 2026, prohibiting open burning and campfires outside developed recreation sites. Portable propane stoves and covered charcoal grills are permitted. 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period.

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

Nantahala Lake Dispersed Camping Site offers primitive camping with lake access in the Nantahala National Forest. The site sits near Nantahala Lake, a scenic high-mountain lake whose waters feed into the Nantahala River. This area provides a quieter alternative to the developed campgrounds in the region. As dispersed camping on national forest land, visitors should come prepared for a primitive experience. There are no developed facilities, potable water, or designated services. Campers must bring all water and supplies and pack out all trash. The 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period applies to all dispersed camping in the forest. The surrounding Nantahala Ranger District offers over 250,000 acres of recreation opportunities including fishing in Nantahala Lake, hiking on interconnecting trails, and access to the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. Nearby Appletree Group Campground is approximately 10 minutes away for those needing developed facilities.

Directions

From Franklin, NC, take US-64 West to Old Murphy Road (SR 1442), then turn onto Wayah Road (SR 1310) and continue approximately 28 miles. The route passes Nantahala Lake.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed No
Toilets
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $0

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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