Curtis Creek Campground (NC)

National Forests in North Carolina

Curtis Creek Campground is nestled in the mountains at the base of the Blue Ridge just minutes from the quaint town of Old Fort and less than an hour from the popular city of Asheville. Located in the first tract of National Forest land in the eastern US at the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp, the campground is surrounded by old growth forests and roaring trout streams. The gravel road through the campground ascends to the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing easy access to the Mount Mitchell area.

The campground provides a variety of campsites. There are three loops with 25 sites. One loop is fully accessible, barrier free and can accommodate RVs up to 35ft. A second loop features dispersed tent-only roadside sites that provide a secluded forest experience. A third loop features tent-only sites in an open grassy area. All sites include a tent pad, picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water pumps, and bear-proof trash and recycling receptacles are provided. A campground host is on site to provide visitor assistance.

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

• Campground is open April 1 to December 31.
• First-come, first-served sites are available.
• While the standard non-electric sites will support RVs, there are no RV amenities.
• The facility is located in a bear sanctuary; be aware, keep a clean camp, store all food items in closed containers or locked inside vehicles.
• No alcohol is allowed.

• Check in time: 3pm, Check out time: noon

• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• For more information, please call the Grandfather Ranger District at 828-652-2144.

Natural Features

Located in rich mountain hardwood forests at an elevation of 2,000 feet, Curtis Creek Campground provides a secluded streamside setting. Curtis Creek, a popular trout stream surrounded by lush rhododendron and hemlock, runs along the east side of the campground. Old-growth forests cover the mountain peaks on either side of the valley. The Curtis Creek area provides beautiful scenery year-round, from stunning fall foliage displays to abundant spring and summer wildflowers.

Nearby Attractions

Curtis Creek Campground is six miles from the town of Old Fort, which has a variety of restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and medical facilities. Popular attractions in Old Fort include the Mountain Gateway Museum, the Old Train Depot, Davidson Fort, Catawba Falls, and Andrews Geyser. The campground is seven miles from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, close to Mount Mitchell State Park. Visitors can make trips to nearby Black Mountain (15 miles) and Asheville (30 miles) to visit art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Recreation

Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, picnicking, and scenic driving. Curtis Creek is well known for its excellent trout fishing. Swimming holes along the creek provide wading opportunities on hot summer days. History buffs will enjoy exploring the remains of the old CCC buildings surrounding the campground. Two Forest Service trails depart from the campground. The Hickory Branch trail provides a short (approximately 1/2 mile) hike to a series of waterfalls, and longer hikes to access the backcountry area around Mackey Mountain. Mackey Mountain and the valley of Mackey Creek contain the largest unbroken tract of old-growth forest in the Pisgah National Forest. The Snooks Nose trail provides a strenuous hike to a ridge with beautiful views, eventually ending at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many other Forest Service trails are within a short drive of the campground, including Catawba Falls and Point Lookout trail.

Contact Information

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109 East Lawing Drive Nebo NC 28761

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 828-652-2144

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From I-40, take Exit 73 towards Old Fort. Take Catawba Ave. north 0.5 miles to US-70E/E Main St. Turn right on US-70E and go 1.8 miles to Curtis Creek Rd. (Curtis Creek Campground sign). Turn left on Curtis Creek Rd. and drive 4 miles to campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 013, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop CURTIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (NC), Type Tent Only Nonelectric

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