Standing Indian Campground
Whether traveling with an RV or tent, Standing Indian Campground is a prime place to stop for a night or spend several days in the picturesque Nantahala National Forest. The campground's many amenities provide a comfortable home base for exploring this fun and historic section of the forest. Standing Indian is located within a 20-minute drive of Franklin, North Carolina.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in North Carolina · reservable in North Carolina · big rigs in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 78 |
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
81 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 002 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 003 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 004 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 005 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 006 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 007 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 008 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 009 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 |
| 010 | LOP1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | – / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Group sites is correct, single sites is correct, need to add a double site to replace the premium type site and the double site cost is $40.00 |
The campground has four loops with sites available first-come, first-served or by reservation. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, grills, lantern posts and picnic tables, and are in close proximity to drinking water, flush toilets and showers. A dump station is nearby. The campground also has a group camping area, Kimsey Creek.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 1 to October 30 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Booking | There are 33 campsites available for reservation by contacting Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. The sites available for reservation are: 12-18, 29-42, and 55-71. |
| Fees | Single Site: $20 per night, Double Site: $40 per night Double sites are: 10/11, 17/18, 36/37, 44/45, 55/56, and 62/63 |
| Rules | Camping is limited to a 14 day stay. Parking in grass is prohibited. Pets must be on a leash and cleaned up after. No golf carts allowed. Horses are not permitted in the campground or on hiking trails. Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground and access to horse trails is available 2 miles away on FS 67. Firewood may be purchases at the campground store and delivered to your site. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Franklin, North Carolina, take U.S. Highway 64 west approximately 12 miles, passing through Winding Stair Gap. Near the bottom of the mountain from the gap, turn left on West Old Murphy Road (State Route 1448) and watch for a directional sign for the campground.
| Nearest town | Franklin, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.0786° N, 83.5319° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor 76 ↗ | 11.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blairsville RV Sales ↗ | 22.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Standing Indian Campground/North Carolina/Complete Walkthrough
Worth a stop
- 7 miDirty John Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 14.3 miJackrabbit Mountain Beach ↗Swimming
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPark Creek ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miKimsey Creek3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miPark Ridge3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miLower Trail Ridge4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miBlackwell Gap Loop3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miKimsey Creek Connector0.1 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
- 2.5 miSouthern Nantahala Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 23,364 acres
- 12 miChattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,796,317 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
- James Henry and Rachel Kilby HouseBuilding · Clayton · 9.5 mi
- Asbury and Sallie Hodgson HouseBuilding · Dillard · 10.7 mi
- Jesse R. Siler HouseBuilding · Franklin · 10.8 mi
Natural features
The campground is surrounded by 5,000' peaks and crossed by several natural streams. It sits at an elevation of 3,880 feet at the headwaters of the scenic Nantahala River, amidst lush forests of evergreen trees and rhododendrons.
Recreation
The Standing Indian Basin is a premier hiking destination. The campground provides access to numerous trails, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail, which journeys from Georgia to Maine. Visitors who wish to get their feet wet can experience the Nantahala River, well-known for whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing (fishing license required). Big and small game hunting is available in the surrounding area.
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 Standing Indian Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Standing Indian Campground?
Group sites is correct, single sites is correct, need to add a double site to replace the premium type site and the double site cost is $40.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Standing Indian Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Standing Indian Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 1 to October 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Standing Indian Campground have?
81 sites, including 78 standard sites without power and 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Standing Indian Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 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 Standing Indian Campground?
Sites are equipped with campfire rings, grills, lantern posts and picnic tables, and are in close proximity to drinking water, flush toilets and showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Standing Indian Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Standing Indian Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Standing Indian Campground?
The Standing Indian Basin is a premier hiking destination. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Standing Indian Campground?
Franklin, North Carolina.
Source: Getting there
What if Standing Indian Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kimsey Creek Group Campground (0.5 mi), Wine Spring Horse Camp (8.2 mi), and Tate Branch Campground (8.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby