This primitive campsite is located at Rum Pond approximately nine miles to the east of downtown Greenville. The road from Greenville is paved part of the way and then turns to gravel. You don't need a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but the road is bumpy in some spots. There are signs along the road directing you to Rum Pond.
Rum Pond is approximately 250 acres in size and is a great backdrop for this campsite. The campsite is located about.75 miles from the parking lot along the Rum Pond Loop which is part of the larger Blue Ridge Trail system. The campsite is approximately 375 feet off the main trail so you get some privacy from those hiking the trail. At the intersection of the two trails is a sign indicating the spur to the campsite but keep your eyes open because it can be hard to see depending on what direction you are coming from.
The campsite is a nice, large, cleared area surrounded by trees and with a nice wide access point to the pond. There is a nice large stone fire pit and a couple of hand-made tables which are helpful for preparing food, fish cleaning, etc. There are a couple of wire grates you can put over fire for cooking and a couple of shovels for extinguishing hot coals. A toilet is located a short distance away from the campsite. The toilet is a wooden frame with chicken wire around it and a toilet seat on top. A fire permit is required which you can inquire about by calling 207-695-3721. You are allowed to collect downed wood for fires but most of it is wet and unseasoned.
The campsite is also accessible by water. About two tenths of a mile from the parking lot is a hand-carry launch and from there you can paddle to the campsite. Can stay up to 14 days. The pond does have native brook trout so no live bait is allowed to be used. There are two parking lots of which one has two picnic tables and a fire pit for day use. Please be mindful to carry in and carry out as there are no trash receptacle. The Rum Pond loop trail is approximately 4.3 miles round-trip and definitely worth a hike. We saw massive amounts of moose droppings along the trail near Cranberry Pond and did see a large bull moose at the small pond just off to the right-hand side as you enter Rum Pond Road from Ki Road.
