Rattler Ford Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens April 15, 2026. Reservations available via Recreation.gov.
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
Rattler Ford Group Campground sits near the swift-moving Santeetlah Creek in the Nantahala National Forest. The campground offers four group sites, each able to accommodate several tents and up to 25 guests. Each site provides multiple tables, lantern posts, campfire pits, and oversized grills, with some sites situated near the creek. Large trees and thick forests provide moderate shade, while vast meadows allow for sunshine and open play. The campground provides flush toilets, drinking water from a hand pump, and hot showers. On-site amenities include horseshoe pits and volleyball courts. Santeetlah Creek is popular for fly fishing, and Lake Santeetlah is located about 2.5 miles away via the Avey Branch boat ramp, providing access to boating, canoeing, and additional fishing opportunities. The entrance to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, containing nearly 6,000 acres of old-growth forest, is located approximately 1/4 mile from the campground. The adjacent Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness encompasses nearly 17,000 acres and offers extensive hiking opportunities. The area's name, Nantahala, is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noonday sun," referencing how the sun only reaches the deep gorges of these western North Carolina mountains and valleys at midday.
Directions
From Robbinsville, take Highway 129 north to 143 West/Massey Branch Road. Pass the Cheoah Ranger District office and continue to the stop sign. Turn right to continue on 143 West for about 7 miles. Rattler Ford Group Campground is on the left.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $30 - $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (828) 479-6431 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Rattler Ford Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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