Curtis Creek Campground
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.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 14 |
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
24 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Tent only | 28 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Tent only | 28 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Tent only | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | Tent only | 90 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 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 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site 006 is listed accessible |
The campground provides a variety of campsites. There are three loops with 24 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Season | March 31 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Rules | No alcohol is allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Nebo, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.6761° N, 82.1992° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
38 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Bobs RV Body Shop & Service Center ↗ | 5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Take A Hike Outfitters ↗ | 7.9 mi |
| Dump station | RV Dump ↗ | 27.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Curtis Creek Campground review
Worth a stop
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.
- 3.1 miOld Fort Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 14.8 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miSnooks Nose4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miHickory Branch2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miMeadows Loop1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miLead Mine Gap2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miSalt Gap Connector0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miGateway1.5 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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.
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.
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 Curtis Creek Campground?
Sites at Curtis Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Curtis Creek Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Curtis Creek Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026. Season March 31.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Curtis Creek Campground have?
24 sites, including 14 tent-only sites, 9 standard sites without power, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Curtis Creek Campground?
Curtis Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Curtis Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Curtis Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Curtis Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. No alcohol is allowed.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Curtis Creek Campground?
Site 006 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Curtis Creek Campground?
Visitors to the campground can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, day hiking, picnicking, and scenic driving. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Curtis Creek Campground?
Nebo, North Carolina. 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.
Source: Getting there
What if Curtis Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Black Mountain Campground (5.4 mi), Briar Bottom Group Campground (5.4 mi), and Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area (8.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby