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There are more than 1.2 million acres of National Forest Service land in North Carolina, with a great majority open to the public for wide-ranging recreation. In addition to campgrounds in all four national forests in the state, national forests in the mountains have day-use areas (below: Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie) available for fishing, picnicking, swimming and other activities. Several day use areas require a small fee, or a fee to reserve picnic shelters. National Forest picnic shelters seat 24 to 44 people. If picnic shelters have not been reserved, their use is free. The national forests have also set aside backcountry and wilderness areas, such as the Linville Gorge Wilderness area, known for its hiking and rock climbing opportunities, and the lesser-known Birkhead Mountains Wilderness in the Uwharrie National Forest. The mountains' national forests are home to several beautiful waterfalls, including the 411-foot Whitewater Falls, the tallest falls east of the Rockies. Here is a guide to places to go fishing in the national forests. Here's a guide to bridle trails (aka horse trails).

Look for more information about North Carolina's national forests on the Hiking and Camping pages.

Here are the official contacts for the national forests (the larger Nantahala and Pisgah forests each have several ranger districts) followed by day-use areas in each forest. Each day-use area can be located on the forest map provided.

Forest Supervisor
National Forests in North Carolina
160A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 257-4200
Locator Map

Croatan National Forest
141 E. Fisher Avenue
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 638-5628
Locator Map
Forest Map

Croatan Day-Use Areas
- Cedar Point Recreation Area, near Swansboro. A salt-water marsh and coastal forest near the mouth of the White Oak River with hiking trails, fishing, boat ramp, camping, picnicking, toilets. (252) 638-5628.
- Neuse River Recreation Area, near New Bern. Offers the Flanners Beach swiming area with cold-shower bathhouse, trails for hikers and bikers, camping, picnicking, flush toilets. (252) 638-5628.

Nantahala Ranger District 90 Sloan Road Franklin, NC 287304 (828) 524-6441 Franklin Locator Map Click on the photo for info about Granite City near Cashiers.

Nantahala Day-Use Areas
- Balsam Lake, near Tuckasegee. Offers fishing and walking trail along Wolf Creek, picnicking, drinking water and flush toilets. No water or restrooms in winter. Overlooking the lake, Balsam Lake Lodge, with 16 twin beds, three bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen, can be rented by groups. Phone (877) 444-6777 or visit Recreation.gov for lodge rental. Click on the photo at left for more info.
- Bridal Veil Falls, near Highlands. A short side road off of U.S. 64 allows you to drive behind the waters of Bridal Veil Falls. (828) 524-6441. Click on the photo at right for more info.
- Cheoah Point, near Robbinsville. Open April to November. Includes a swimming beach on Santeetlah Lake, fishing, camping, boat ramp, picnicking (handicapped accessible; shelter), drinking water and vault toilets (handicapped accessible) and trails. (828) 479-6431.
- Cherohala Skyway, near Robbinsville. 30-mile drive along the crest of the Smoky Mountains, with overlooks, picnicking, trails and vault toilets. (828) 479-6431.
- Cliffside Lake, near Highlands. Open March 30 to November 5. Swimming and bathhouse with showers, seven short trails, two picnic shelters (can be reserved), drinking water, flush toilets. Adjacent to Van Hook Glade Campground. $3 fee per car. (828) 526-5912.
- Cullasaja Falls, near Highlands. The 250-foot cascade on the Cullasaja River is near the foot of the Cullasaja River Gorge. (828) 524-6441. Click on the photo for more info.
- Dry Falls, near Highlands. A short, easy trail allows you to walk behind the 75-foot Dry Falls. Picnicking. $2 for vehicles with seven or fewer passengers; $1 for vehicles with more than seven people. Annual pass, $15. (828) 524-6441. Closed summer 2008 with a parking lot under construction.
- Fires Creek, near Hayesville. Fifty-three miles of trails are open to hikers or horseback riders. A short loop trail leads to Leatherwood Falls. (828) 837-5152.
- Glenn Falls, near Highlands. A steep one-mile trail leads to the three 60-foot drops of Glenn Falls. Click on the photo for more info.
- Jackrabbit Mountain, near Hayesville. Open May 2 to September 30. Swimming beach on Chatuge Lake, hot showers, camping, fishing, boat ramp, picnic shelters, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accessible). $3 fee per car. (828) 837-5152.
- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, near Robbinsville. A figure-8 2-mile loop courses through a virgin old-growth forest. Picnicking, flush and vault toilets (handicapped accessible). (828) 479-6431. Click on the photo for more info.
- Cherokee Lake, near Murphy. Open April 1 to October 30. Fishing pier (handicapped accessible), trails, picnic shelter, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accesible). (828) 837-5152.
- Nantahala River Gorge, between Almond and Topton. 8.5 miles of whitewater rafting, hiking and biking trails, picnicking, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accessible). $1 per person fee, $5 for season. (828) 524-6441.
- Roy A. Taylor Forest, east of Cullowhee. 21 miles of challenging trails for trail bikes and ATVs. (828) 526-3765.
- Silver Run Falls, near Cashiers. There is a short, easy crushed-stone trail to the base of the 30-foot falls. (828) 526-3765. Click on the photo for more information.
- Standing Indian, near Franklin. Open March 30 to November 27. Camping, fishing, picnicking, drinking water, flush toilets. $2 per car fee for day use. $30 to rent picnic shelter. (828) 524-6441.
- Tsali Recreation Area, near Almond. More than 40 miles of trails open to hiking, and biking and horseback riding on alternating days. Camping, boat ramp, picnicking, drinking water, vault toilets (handicapped accessible). Trails open year-round, other facilities closed in winter. $2 fee for trail use, $15 for season pass. (828) 479-6431.
- Wayah Bald, near Franklin. Historic fire tower affords panoramic views. Bartram Trail and Appalachian Trail cross area. Picnicking, vault toilets (handicapped accessible). (828) 524-6441. Click the photo for more info.
- Whiteside Mountain, near Highlands. Two-mile loop trail to 4,930-foot summit with outstanding views. Vault toilets. $2 fee per car, $15 for season pass. (828) 526-3765.
- Whitewater Falls, near Cashiers. The 411-foot waterfall is tallest in the East. A short trail to an overlook is wheelchair accessible. Picnicking, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accessible). $2 fee per car, $15 for season pass. (828) 526-3765. Click on the photo for more info.

Appalachian Ranger District
Burnsville Unit
P.O. Box 128
U.S. 19E Bypass
Burnsville, NC 28743
(828) 682-6146
Burnsville Locator Map

Appalachian Ranger District
Hot Springs Unit
P.O. Box 128
U.S. 25/70
Hot Springs, NC 28743
(828) 622-3202
Hot Springs Locator Map

Grandfather Ranger District
109 East Lawing Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-2144
Locator Map
(I40 Exit 90 to Nebo)

Pisgah Ranger District
1001 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
(828) 877-3265
Locator Map
(Pisgah Forest is at the junction of U.S. 64 and U.S. 276)

Pisgah Day-Use Areas
- Brown Mountain OHV Area, near Colletsville. Open March 30 to January 2. 34 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult for off-highway vehicles, including jeeps and other four-wheeled vehicles on some trails. Primitive camping is also allowed; sites have tables, grills and lantern posts, and there's a water hydrant and vault toilet at the trailhead. $5 daily fee/$30 season pass to ride. (828) 652-2144.
- Carolina Hemlocks, near Burnsville. Open April 20 to October 30. Popular for swimming and tubing on the South Toe River. Also fishing, camping, trails, picnicking, drinking water, flush toilets. $3 fee per car. (877) 444-6777.
- Cold Spring, near Canton. Fishing in Cold Spring Creek, hiking and bridle trails, picnicking, drinking water. (828) 622-3202.
- Cradle of American Forestry in America, near Brevard. Open April 14 to November 4. Two 1-mile interpretive trails (20-page trail guide), several exhibits and a movie at Forest Discovery Center, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accessible). Pink Beds Picnic Area next door. $5 for adults, free for 15 years old and younger; $30 for a season pass. (828) 877-3130.
- Elk Falls, near Elk Park. Short trail to a 50-foot waterfall. Also fishing and picnicking. (828) 682-6146.
- Lake Powhatan, near Asheville in the heart of the Bent Creek Experimental Forest (forest map). Open April through October. Swimming beach with lifeguards in summer, fishing pier (handicapped accessible), camping, hiking and biking trails, picnicking, drinking water and flush toilets. $5 fee per car, $20 for a season pass that is also good at North Mills River (below). (828) 877-3130.
- Linville Falls, off the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 316.4) near Linville Falls. Four short trails lead to overlooks and the base of the double waterfall, as well as views of Linville Gorge. A visitors center, restrooms and picnic tables are also available. (828) 682-6146.
- Looking Glass Falls, near Brevard. Observation points are available roadside on U.S. 276 and on a stairway to the pool at the foot of the 60-foot falls. (828) 877-3265.
- Max Patch, near Hot Springs. Two loop trails of 1.4 and 2.4 miles to a grassy summit for hiking and horse riding, and a fishing pond. Appalachian Trail crosses the area. (828) 622-3202.
- Murray Branch, near Hot Springs. Fishing and rafting or tubing on the French Broad River, short loop trail and picnicking (shelter rental $50 or $35 half day; at (877) 444-6777 or recreation.gov). (828) 622-3202.
- North Mills River, near Asheville. Open April through October. Nearby trails open for hiking, biking and horseback riding; camping, fishing, drinking water, flush toilets. $3 fee per car, $20 for a season pass that is also good at Lake Powhatan (above). (828) 877-3265.
- Roan Mountain, near Bakersville. Open May through September. Short trails on mountaintop known for rhododendron gardens, grassy balds and spruce fir forests. Also picnicking, drinking water, flush toilets (handicapped accessible). Appalachian Trail crosses the area. $3 fee per car, $15 for a season pass. (828) 682-6146.
- Rocky Bluff, near Hot Springs. Open May through October. A 1.2-mile loop trail leads to Spring Creek, a trout-fishing creek. Camping, picnicking, drinking water and flush toilets. (828) 622-3202.
- Sliding Rock, near Brevard. Popular swimming hole is open all year but flush-toilet restrooms are open only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards on duty in season. Drinking water is available (it may be shut off with closing of restrooms). $1 fee per person; 15-year-olds and younger free. (828) 877-3265.
- Sycamore Flats, near Brevard. Picnic area on the Davidson River adjacent to Davidson River Campground has a picnic shelter and tables, grills and bathrooms, and a half-mile trail. Access to the river makes it popular for tubing and fishing. (828) 877-3265. Click on the photo for more info.
- Table Rock, near Morganton. Open April 2 to December 31. Short trails along the rim of Linville Gorge to summit of Table Rock and the Chimneys. Also picnicking and vault toilets (handicapped accessible). (828) 652-2144.
- Upper Creek Falls, near Morganton. A steep, 0.4-mile trail leads to the top of the falls and a 0.9-mile trail goes to the bottom of the falls. A 1.6-mile loop requires twice fording the creek by wading or rock-hopping.
- Wisemans View, near Linville Falls. Views of Linville Gorge from gravel road, which can be driven, or from short trails to overlooks. Vault toilets (handicapped accessible). (828) 652-2144.

Badin Lake area trails map

Uwharrie Day Use Areas
- Cove Boat Ramp and Picnic Area, near Troy. A boat ramp and picnic area, plus access to Badin Lake Trail and vault toilets. (910) 576-6391.
- Holt's Cabin Picnic Area, near Troy. Fishing on Badin Lake, picnicking and vault toilets. (910) 576-6391.
- Kings Mountain Point, near Troy. Four handicapped-accessible fishing piers on Badin Lake, hiking, including access to Badin Lake Trail, plus picnicking, drinking water, vault toilets. Picnic pavilion has electricity, water and three grills, and accommodates 50. Large play field nearby. (910) 576-6391.

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