Rattler Ford Group Campground
Rattler Ford Group Campground sits near the swift-moving Santeetlah Creek in the Nantahala National Forest. Groups of up to 25 guests can enjoy the creek, which is popular for fly fishing, as well as nearby Lake Santeetlah, which provides countless water sports and activities.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Rattler Ford Campground is next door.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · tent only in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 4 |
Site guide
4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Riverfront | 25 / 3 | Yes | |
| 002 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 25 / 3 | Yes |
| 003 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 25 / 3 | Yes |
| 004 | Gravel | Full | 25 / 3 | 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 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers four sites, each with varying facilities, but all able to accommodate several tents and up to 25 guests. Multiple tables are available at each site, as well as lantern posts and campfire pits. Each site also provides an oversized grill. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided at the campground, as well as hot showers. Some of the sites are situated near the creek.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April 15 to October 31 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | $75/night per site; Max group size per site is 25 |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, take Highway 129 north to 143 West/Massey Branch Road. Pass the Cheoah Ranger District office and continue to the stop sign. Turn right to continue on 143 West for about 7 miles. Rattler Ford Group Campground is on the left.
| Nearest town | Robbinsville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.3606° N, 83.9156° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Lovin Equipment & Sales, Inc - Outdoor Equipment & Sportsman ↗ | 7.6 mi |
| Dump station | North River Checking Station ↗ | 12.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Rick's RV Center ↗ | 22 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The entrance to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, which contains nearly 17,000 acres, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, containing nearly 6,000 acres of old-growth forest, is located approximately 1/4 mile from the campground.
- 2.8 miCheoah Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 2.8 miCheoah Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 5.1 miMassey Branch Fishing Pier ↗Fishing site
- 14 miWalnut Grove Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 14.9 miBaby Falls Day Use Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miStratton Bald ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.4 miJenkins Meadow3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.8 miJoyce Kilmer Memorial NRT ↗2 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_recreation_or_other
- 1 miNaked Ground4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miDeep Creek Connector2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miHaoe Lead ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
- 1.9 miJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 19,246 acres
- 5.1 miCitico Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 16,213 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
- L. D. Giddens and Son Jewelry StoreBuilding · Goldsboro · 4.9 mi
- Graham County CourthouseBuilding · Robbinsville · 6.7 mi
- Calderwood DamStructure · Calderwood · 9.9 mi
Natural features
Large trees and thick forests provide moderate shade for the campground, while vast meadows also allow for sunshine and open play. Nantahala is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noonday sun," which is appropriate, as the sun only reaches the deep gorges of the western North Carolina mountains and valleys at midday.
Recreation
The campground is located about 2.5 miles from the Avey Branch boat ramp at Lake Santeetlah, which provides visitors access to all types of water-related activities, including fishing, boating, and canoeing. Horseshoe pits and volleyball courts are available within the campground. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of hiking trails and scenic drives in the 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 Rattler Ford Group Campground?
Sites at Rattler Ford Group Campground 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 Rattler Ford Group Campground?
$75/night per site; Max group size per site is 25
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rattler Ford Group Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rattler Ford Group Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April 15 to October 31.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rattler Ford Group Campground have?
4 sites, including 4 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rattler Ford Group Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 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 Rattler Ford Group Campground?
Flush toilets and drinking water are provided at the campground, as well as hot showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rattler Ford Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Rattler Ford Group Campground?
The campground is located about 2.5 miles from the Avey Branch boat ramp at Lake Santeetlah, which provides visitors access to all types of water-related activities, including fishing, boating, and canoeing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Rattler Ford Group Campground?
Robbinsville, North Carolina. The entrance to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, which contains nearly 17,000 acres, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, containing nearly 6,000 acres of old-growth forest, is located approximately 1/4 mile from the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Rattler Ford Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rattler Ford Campground (0.2 mi, first-come), Horse Cove Campground (0.4 mi, first-come), and Cheoah Point Campground (2.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby