North Carolina › Madison County › Pisgah National Forest

Rocky Bluff Campground

Closed

The campground is currently closed. It was closed for the 2025 season due to multiple maintenance issues, and no reopening date for 2026 has been announced. The restroom building has been closed since 2023, with porta-johns available when the campground is operational.

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About

Rocky Bluff Campground sits in a quiet wooded setting within the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, located 3 miles south of the historic town of Hot Springs, North Carolina. The campground features 18 rustic sites suitable for tent camping and passenger vehicles, each equipped with a picnic table, tent pad, lantern post, and campfire ring with grill. The 1.2-mile Spring Creek Nature Trail loops through the campground alongside Spring Creek, a designated North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Water stocked with Brook, Brown, and Rainbow trout. The campground operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend when open. Access is controlled via a gated entrance with a combination lock; the code is provided with reservation confirmations. The area is active black bear habitat, requiring proper food storage in bear-proof containers or locked hard-sided vehicles. Generator use is restricted to 10 AM to 10 PM. Cell service is limited. Hot Springs, a well-known Appalachian Trail town, offers natural hot springs, restaurants, art galleries, and outfitters for French Broad River activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, and tubing.

Directions

From Asheville (40 miles): Take U.S. 19/23 N to U.S. 25/70 NW toward Marshall and Hot Springs for about 30 miles. At junction of U.S. 25/70 and NC 208, take a left and continue on U.S. 25/70 to Hot Springs. From Hot Springs take NC 209 south for 3 miles. Rocky Bluff Campground is on the left.