Cable Cove
    Cheoah Trail
    Fitness Trail
    Hangover Lead
    Joyce Kilmer
    Lewellyn Cove
    Lookout Rock
    Mouse Branch
    Naked Ground
    Panther Creek
    Rattler Ford
    Santeetlah Creek
    Slickrock Creek
    Snowbird Nature
    Stecoah Gap
    Swan Cabin
    Thompson
    Tsali
    Yellow Creek
    Yellowhammer

Cheoah District administers 5 campgrounds (4 family camp- grounds and 1 group campground). Facilities common to all areas are:

• Approved drinking water
• Central refuse containers
• Toilet facilities
• Camping unit, which includes tent pad, fireplace, picnic table, and parking.

All the areas are in the proximity of a lake, with boating access within ¼ mile of the area, except in the case of Horse Cove Campground which is about 2 miles away from a boat ramp. Rattler Ford is the group campground and is located about 2½ miles away from a boat launching area. All are fee areas, for reservations and fess call the Cheoah Ranger District Headquarters. Reservations for Rattler Ford need to be made at least 3 weeks in advance. The other campgrounds are operated on a first come, first serve basis. Payment can be made daily, or for a longer specified time. Rattler Ford campers are billed in advance for the camping fees. There is a 14 day limit in each area between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Campgrounds

• Tsali Recreation Area - Located about 17½ miles northeast of Robbinsville, off of Highway 28 near Fontana Lake. Total of 41 camp units with flush toilets and showers. Thirty-eight miles of trails lie adjacent to the campground and are designed for mountain biking and horseback riding. Tsali is approximately 9 miles from the Nantahala Gorge, famous for rafting and other whitewater activities.

• Cable Cove Recreation Area - Located about 15¼ miles from Robbinsville in the northwest part of Graham County, about 3 miles from Fontana Dam on Highway 28 North. Total of 26 camping units with low volume flush toilets. About 3 miles to the Appalachian Trail entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• Cheoah Point Recreation Area - North of Robbinsville, NC about 6 miles on U.S. Highway 129. Total of 26 camping units with low volume flush toilets. Located on Santeetlah Lake.
  
  Horse Cove Recreation Area - About 13 miles northwest of Robbinsville and adjacent to the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness. Two routes of entry - either south of Santeetlah Lake past the Cheoah Ranger Office, or north of Santeetlah Lake accessed from U.S. Highway 129. Total of 17 camping units with flush toilets.

• Rattler Ford Group Campground - Located ¼ miles south of entrance to Joyce Kilmer Forest. It has 4 units that will accommodate up to 50 people per unit. Horseshoe pits and volleyball courts are provided. Reservations should be made about three weeks in advance for this area. Flush toilets and hot showers are available. (Reservations required.)

• Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness - Camping is permitted anywhere in the wilderness, except the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and picnic area. Access routes are the same as for Horse Cove Campground. There are no developed camping facilities within the wilderness area which allows only backpack style camping. No charge for camping in this area and permits are not required at this time. Six trailheads provide parking and access from various points. Citico Creek Wilderness lies west of and borders on the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness.

• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - This renowned 3800 acre virgin forest, is a part of this 17,000 acre wilderness. Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail makes a two mile loop to the memorial for Joyce Kilmer, author of the poem "Trees".

NOTE: The campgrounds usually open around April 1st
 and close at the end of October.

CAMPGROUNDS AND RECREATION AREAS

Campgrounds are open April to October. All have drinking water and will accommodate trailers, although no hookups are available.

GROUP CAMPING AREA - By reservation only.

Rattler Ford Group Campground: four sites, for up to 50 people per site. Facilities: flush toilets, hot showers, horseshoes, volleyball, fishing, and hiking. Open mid-April to late October, call for current fees schedule.

For reservations and fees: Contact the district office at Route 1 Box 16A, Robbinsville, NC 28771-9706, 828-479-6431. Reservations should be made about 3 weeks in advance. The telephone numbers are 828-479-6431 and FAX 828-479-6784.

• Picnicking - There are 5 small developed picnic areas: Snowbird, Joyce Kilmer, Cheoah Point, Cable Cove and Tsali Recreation Areas. Snowbird is on Kilmer Road (State Road 1127) on the route to Horse Cove. Joyce Kilmer is located at the parking area off the Joyce Kilmer Memorial trail. The picnic area at Cheoah Point is off Highway 129, approximately 6 miles north of Robbinsville.

PICNIC AREAS

Camping in not permitted in picnic areas. Areas are free and open all year.
Toilets may be closed during winter.

• Wilderness and Backpacking - Only one wilderness is in the Cheoah Ranger District, the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness which lies both in North Carolina and Tennessee. It covers 17,000 acres and has over 65 miles of hiking trails. The Citico Creek Wilderness to the west covers 15,891 acres and has over 55 miles of hiking trails.

• The Big Snowbird Area - An undeveloped area, it contains many miles of old railroad bed which makes for good hiking. There are 10,000 acres of undeveloped forests at the head of this drainage.

• The Appalachian Trail - The AT crosses the District and borders on the rim of the Nantahala Gorge. There are 27 miles of the At in the Cheoah District.

• Maple Springs Observation Point - A short 900 foot loop trail designed for use by those with special needs incorporating an observation deck. It is located on Kilmer Road (State Road 1127) approximately 4.5 miles beyond the entrance to the Joyce Kilmer Recreation Trail/Picnic Area.

• Lewellyn Cove Nature Trail - A ¾ mile hiking trail off of Highway 28 about one mile from Fontana Dam. This trail has numerous species of trees and shrubs identified along with information about that particular species.

• Massey Branch Fitness Trail - A ½ mile jogging trail with exercise stations. Located adjacent to the Ranger Station near Robbinsville. Designed for the jogger, but offers scenic views for the casual hiker.

• Snowbird Loop Trail - A short loop trail along the Snowbird Creek and through a virgin stand of hemlock and hardwood. Immediately across the highway from the Snowbird Picnic Area.

• Tsali Recreation Area - In addition to the campground itself, there is a nearby boat launch facility and 38 miles of trails which are multi-use in nature, for the benefit of mountain bikers, horseback riders or they may be used as hiking trails. One part of the trail system is referred to as the Right Loop and the Left Loop and covers 22.9 miles. The other segment of the trail system is known as the Thompson Loop Trail and the Mouse Branch Loop Trail and covers 15.4 miles. A trail use schedule is posted so mountain bikers and horseback riders will be aware which segment is available to them. Both parts of the trail system are always available for foot travel. Attractions of the Cherokee Mountain area as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park add to the popularity of the Tsali Recreation Area.

• Fontana Dam - The dam is maintained and administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Visitors are welcome to the observation area at the top of the dam or take a tour through the lower level. Any further inquires about these facilities should be directed to TVA, Fontana Dam, NC 28733, or telephone 828-498-2241.

• Fishing - The Cheoah District has 4 lakes within or adjacent to its boundary. All of which provide some type of good fishing at some point during the year. These lakes are Fontana, Santeetlah, Cheoah and Calderwood. There are also a large number of mountain trout streams within the district. Lake fishing is permitted year-round; trout fishing all months except March. Licenses and permits required are varied. For additional information, contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27604, or telephone 888-248-6834.

• Hunting - Much of the district provides some type of hunting. For specific information on seasons, licenses, etc., contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27604, or telephone  888-248-6834. For those who prefer to visit the area during the season when there is no hunting, the best time would be between May and October 1.

• Unattended Vehicles - Questions are often asked about leaving vehicles unattended while backpacking and camping in the National Forest. No absolute assurance can be made that vehicles will not be disturbed. Lock your vehicles and put valuables out of sight to reduce the chance of forced entry. Should an incident occur, be sure to inform the ranger office and the Graham County Sheriff's Office immediately.

• Emergency Telephone Numbers:
•  
  • EMERGENCIES - Fire, Medical, Accidents - Dial 911.
  • Graham County Sheriff's Office......................828-479-3352
  • Graham County Rescue Squad......................828-479-3512
  • Graham County Emergency Management...828-479-7967
  • District Ranger's Office.....................................828-479-6431

• Maps/Brochures and Other Printed Information Available - Of the materials and maps available through this office, some are free items and some have different prices. Free items will be sent to you when they appear to relate to your inquiry. Should you need this material prior to your travel, you may place orders at the address listed below.

• Available Items:
•  
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Brochure - No Charge
  • Directory of National Forest Recreation Areas in North Carolina - No Charge
  • Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock & Citico Creek Wilderness Map - Call for price
  • Snowbird Area Trail Map - Call for price
  • Nantahala National Forest - Call for price
  • Upper Tellico Off-Road Vehicle Area - Call for price
  • Appalachian Trail in the Nantahala National Forest - Call for price

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Cheoah Ranger District
Route 1, Box 16-A
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771-9706
Phone 828-479-6431 or FAX 828-479-6784.