Van Hook Glade
Van Hook Glade is a scenic, secluded campground in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest. Convenient for families and anglers, the campground is in close proximity to hiking trails, scenic views, waterfalls and a nearby lake.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 7 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 2 |
| Host/management | 12 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 36 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
12 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Picnic Shelter | Cliffside Lake | Group Shelter Nonelectric | 25 / – | |||||
| Small Picnic Shelter | Cliffside Lake | Group Shelter Nonelectric | 25 / – | |||||
| 001 | VAN | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | VAN | Tent only | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 008 | VAN | Tent only | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 012 | VAN | Tent only | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 013 | VAN | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 014 | VAN | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 015 | VAN | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 016 | VAN | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 36 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Van Hook Glade offers 18 secluded sites, all equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. Hot showers and flush toilets are also provided, and firewood is available for purchase on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 1 to ? Late October |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | This is a fee campground operated by FIND Outdoors. Van Hook Glade Campsites: Campsites: $24 Maximum Occupancy per site: 8 persons / 2 cars / 2 tents or 1 RV & 1 tent |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highlands, North Carolina, follow Highway 64 west approximately 4.5 miles. The campground entrance is on the right.
| Nearest town | Highlands, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.0772° N, 83.2464° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Boating is not permitted.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Highland Hiker ↗ | 8.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 18.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blairsville RV Sales ↗ | 37.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
VanHook Glade Campground/North Carolina/Complete Tour
Worth a stop
A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and various attractions, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, a casino, grocery stores and performing arts.
- 11.7 miMoss Knob Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miVan Hook0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miSkitty Creek0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miClifftop Vista1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miClifftop Nature0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miCliffside Loop0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miPotts Memorial0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 7.7 miEllicott Rock Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,300 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Skyline LodgeBuilding · Highlands · 1.9 mi
- Cabin BenBuilding · Highlands · 2.3 mi
- Wilson Log HouseBuilding · Highlands · 2.7 mi
Natural features
The campground is located just 4 miles from the scenic and cultural attractions of Highlands, North Carolina, offering shady campsites in a heavily wooded and secluded area situated on rolling hills. The elevation is 4,118 feet, and the calm waters of Cliffside Lake sit adjacent.
Recreation
Campers can easily relax with a book or deck of cards in the shaded campsites, or seek out many activities close by. A short trail in the campground leads to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, which offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Van Hook glade is a short drive from Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Van Hook Glade?
Sites at Van Hook Glade are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Van Hook Glade?
This is a fee campground operated by FIND Outdoors. Van Hook Glade Campsites: Campsites: $24 Maximum Occupancy per site: 8 persons / 2 cars / 2 tents or 1 RV & 1 tent
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Van Hook Glade?
Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Van Hook Glade open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 1 to? Late October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Van Hook Glade have?
24 sites, including 7 standard sites without power, 3 tent-only sites, and 2 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Van Hook Glade?
The longest site here provides 36 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Van Hook Glade?
Hot showers and flush toilets are also provided, and firewood is available for purchase on-site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Van Hook Glade?
Yes, pets are allowed at Van Hook Glade. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Van Hook Glade?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Van Hook Glade?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Van Hook Glade?
Campers can easily relax with a book or deck of cards in the shaded campsites, or seek out many activities close by. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Van Hook Glade?
Highlands, North Carolina. A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views.
Source: Getting there