Tsali Campground
Open from early April through October. Currently open for the 2026 season. All sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations.
FS Road 225B Closed to All Traffic
The Pisgah Ranger District is conducting stream improvements due to Helene storm damage on Forest Service Rd #225B. For public safety the road is temporarily closed to all traffic, including hikers, bikers, and horses. Heavy machinery will be in the area. Once repairs are complete…
John Rock Overlook Parking Area Partial Closure
The Pisgah Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest has partnered with The Pisgah Conservancy and the Blue Ridge Parkway on a project to create the Upper Falls Connector Trail— a new 0.9-mile trail originating at the John Rock Overlook parking area to access Graveyard Fields. Graveyard…
Elk River Falls Temporary Re-Closure
Temporary Closure: Elk River Falls AreaClosure Order Closure Order MapStarting March 18, the Elk River Falls Area will be temporarily closed on the Pisgah National Forest. This includes closing the Elk River Trail, Elk River Falls and Elk River Road within the closure area in Avery County. The…
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) Closure
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…
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 Appalachian Trail.This…
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. That's around 60…
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.This closure is intended to…
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). The detour is mapped…
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.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
About
Tsali Campground is located within the Tsali Recreation Area on the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. The campground occupies a scenic peninsula on Fontana Lake, providing convenient access to fishing, boating, and swimming. The area is renowned for its four-loop trail system totaling approximately 40 miles, which has become a top destination for mountain bikers and horseback riders. The trails operate on an alternating schedule to separate bikes and horses. The campground offers 42 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post. Centrally located facilities include accessible flush toilets, hot showers, and potable drinking water. Many sites can accommodate small RVs, though no electrical, water, or sewer hookups are provided. Fontana Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities including walleye, black bass, crappie, catfish, and white bass. A boat ramp is available nearby for motorized and non-motorized watercraft. The campground is open from early April through October, with fees payable at the campground fee station.
Directions
From Bryson City, take US 74 west to NC 28 west, turn right and go five miles looking for a sign on the right. The recreation area is approximately two miles north on Forest Road 1286. Alternatively, from Robbinsville, take US 143 north towards Bryson City, turn right on NC 28 east and proceed approximately 8 miles to Tsali Campground Road, then turn left and proceed 1.3 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (828) 479-6431 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
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