Harmon Den Campground
National Forests in North Carolina
Harmon Den Campground is nestled on a mountainside beneath a forest of mixed hardwoods in the Pisgah National Forest. The camp is in a secluded area off of Cold Springs rd. in Haywood County, and the individual sites provide ample privacy.
The upper loop is reserved for horse campers while the lower loop is reserved for tent camping and small trailers. There are no hookups, no dump station, and no drinking water at this time. There is a vault toilet facility for each camping loop as well as bear-proof garbage cans. The area trails are horse and hiking use only, NO bikes.
The campground is an ideal base for exploring the miles of nearby trails and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery, with nearby access to I-40, Max Patch, and Hot Springs, NC
Harmon Den Horse Campground has 10 camp sites with potable water (hand pump) centrally located for all sites and a vault toilet (double). Facilities provided include horse stalls and mangers that accommodate a maximum of 4 horses and 8 people at each site with a picnic table, tent pad, lantern post, fire ring and parking for a single vehicle with horse trailer. Also located within the campground is a self-service livestock manure station and watering tank (non-potable) for livestock.
Notifications and Alerts
This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=90900 for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending t o this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.
Need to Know
- No accommodations for walk-ups at this location; reservations are required
The water handpump is non-potable currently, please bring your own drinking water
- This campground has gated access; the lock combination will be given when a reservation is made
- Horses are not allowed in the interior portion of the campground; a perimeter trail provides access to riding trails
- Campground is located within a bear sanctuary; all food and waste must be in bear-proof containers
- Coggins test required
- Click here for more information about National Forests in North Carolina
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
The upper loop is designed for horse camping, the lower loop is available for tent campers and small trailers.
Natural Features
The Harmon Den Area is located on the Appalachian Ranger District, an area that stretches westward from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park's eastern boundary to Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roan Mountain near Tennessee. Elevations range from 1,900 feet at Max Patch to 6,684 feet at Mount Mitchell. Visitors to the area will find waterfalls, lush forest undergrowth, forested peaks and miles of cold mountain streams. Wildlife in the area include bear, deer, grouse and wild turkey.
Nearby Attractions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes an ideal day trip from Harmon Den. Max Patch is an open bald area with panaramic views and other trials for hiking include the Appalachian Trail, Cherry Creek and Groundhog Creek.
Recreation
Local attractions include more than 14 miles of trails designated for hiking and horseback riding and about 40 miles for hiking. Equestrians may ride other open
roads unless signed closed to horses with caution due to traffic during busy recreational seasons.
Trails include the 5.4-mile Buckeye Ridge, 2.6-mile Cherry Ridge, 2.5 mile Robert Gap and 3.6-mile Cold Springs Trails. Hunting and fishing are other popular activities in the area.
Contact Information
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632 Manor RD Mars Hill NC 28754
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 828-689-9694
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Hot Springs, North Carolina, take Highway 209 south for approximately 7 miles. Turn right onto Meadowfork Road NCSR# 1175. After 6 miles turn right onto Little Creek Road NCSR# 1181 for 3 miles. Take a left onto Max Patch Road NCSR# 1182, then travel approximately 0.75 miles and turn right onto Cold Springs Road NFSR# 148. Travel southwest for about 3 miles to the intersection of Fall Branch Road NFSR#3526, the continue a half-mile to entrance of the campground on the left. Also access from Interstate 40 Exit 7 Harmon Den, travel east 3.0 miles on Cold Springs road NFSR#148 to Falls Branch road NFSR#3526 and 0.5 mile to entrance.
Available Campsites
- Site HD12, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T19, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site T22, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD11, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T16, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site T23, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site T17, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD08, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD13, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD03, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T21, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD14, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD02, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T20, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD01, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD10, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD07, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T18, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD09, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site HD05, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site T15, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site HD06, Loop Upper, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
