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Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Curtis Creek Campground

About

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

The campground provides a variety of campsites. There are three loops with 25 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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

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Location

Curtis Creek Campground is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

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.

Address

109 East Lawing Drive
Nebo, NC 28761

Coordinates

35.6761 N
82.1992 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

65%
24%
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0%

4.5

out of 5

17 Reviews

Patrick B.
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2023

Will definitely return

We came to Curtis Creek Campground with another family. Was able to get two sites right next to each other outside the main campsite area which was great. Bathroom and trash bins right by our site, and Curtis Creek water running a stones throw from our tent couldn’t have been more relaxing. Will definitely be coming back

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Patrick B., July 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Patrick B., July 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Patrick B., July 1, 2023
  • (5) View All
Keri P.
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2023

Secluded Campground

Nice Campground and spot. Very secluded down a mountain road.

Site22
Month of VisitJuly
A
Reviewed May. 27, 2023

Great quiet campground

Clean, very well maintained campground. Not large which made it nice especially at night so you didn’t hear your neighbors where we stayed. Great access to trails on site, a couple of choices on difficulty. No cell service so great way to disconnect. Access road is gravel so be prepared, our Jeep had no issues but a car would be bumpy for sure. This was our first trip there and we will definitely be back!

Site#1
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Andy B., May 27, 2023
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Andy B., May 27, 2023
m
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2022

Familia

Very nice and quited

Siteb5
Month of VisitOctober
S
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2021

Excellent

Campsite was clean, friendly and restrooms were readily available. Quiet campsite, only improvement would be for hook ups.

Site9
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Sabrina B., June 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Sabrina B., June 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Sabrina B., June 29, 2021
Caralee B.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2021

Beautiful but a scary nighttime drive

So I had this great idea to stop here at about 10pm on a Friday night. So hubs and I started up the winding mountain road that quickly went from paved to gravel... before we knew it we came upon a one lane tiny bridge... mind you we are anything from tiny. We are a 40’ fifth wheel with a daulie truck, hubs drove it across like a champ holding our breaths the whole way across. Mind you, at night we had no way of knowing how far the drop was and of course our brains made it seem much further down that it proved to be the next morning when we left. Down the road just a little further and there is a second one lane bridge. I would not recommend this for someone unfamiliar with driving a rig but once we got there it was amazing. The park says it only fits up to 35’ rigs but our camper is 40’ and we stayed in spot “17” and even had enough room for our truck so we didn’t have to disconnect! You are right next to a rushing creek which is beautiful and our dogs loved walking around and smelling all the smells. It was a quiet and peaceful night.

We were rather nervous about our drive back down the mountain but in the daylight it wasn’t near as scary and it was a rather beautiful drive.

I would highly recommend stopping here! You can’t beat $10 a night for the beautiful stop!

Site17
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Caralee B., April 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Caralee B., April 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Caralee B., April 24, 2021
  • (6) View All
Sam P.
Reviewed Dec. 22, 2020

Curtis Creek

We went to the non-reservable spots and we loved it. 4 is probably the only one you can car camp at. The other sites are small walk-in. I mainly wanted to write a review because the campground host was so nice to us. He helped drive us up the hill and even brought us a map of the hiking near by. You will not regret a weekend trip to this spot.

Gregg G.
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2020

Will be back

Great remote spot next to the crystal clear Curtis Creek. Pit toilets were clean and did not stink. Water available from spickets. No Verizon cell service. 10 dollars a night. Hiking and biking nearby.

  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Gregg G., November 10, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Gregg G., November 10, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Gregg G., November 10, 2020
  • (5) View All
Kaila M.
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2020

Sad to leave!

Beautiful camping alongside a creek! Stayed in campsite 013. Very private and quaint. Would go again!

J
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Great remote primitive spot

I grabbed one of the free dispersed sites north of the proper campground -- I counted 6 available dispersed sites, most with a short hike-in. I was at site #4 which was the only sort of "drive up" site level enough for my minivan camper. No other dispersed sites were occupied. Beautiful scenery, very lush and quiet, you can hear the creek from all sites. I was there on a Wednesday night so didn't need a NFS permit. Never saw a ranger or host. Actual campground loop seemed half full with some RVs and car campers and the sites are very close to each other. The road getting there from I-40 can be done by any vehicle, but it is still rough -- lots of potholes that sneak up on you. Take it slow and watch out for cyclists too. I drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from the campground the next day, very slowly and carefully, and made it up in about 30-40 minutes. It was very peaceful and remote. I'd definitely come back.

  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Joanna R., August 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Joanna R., August 31, 2020
Angie G.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2020

Peace in Pisgah

This campground was a great quiet spot for $10 a night! The camp host was awesome. There are under 20 campsites here and some are walk-ins by the river. There is a rolling cart to cart your stuff into your site. They have bear trash cans and you need to keep your food in your car or the bears will get your food! The sites are beautiful and can fit a tent or two although there is not much seclusion between sites. I wish we had spent more than one night in site #10. It was amazing!

  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Angie G., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Angie G., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Angie G., July 15, 2020
  • (4) View All
Elizabeth G.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2020

Small and quiet

We decided to try this campground since it was halfway from home and we never stay near Asheville since it is so close. Since it was the day of, all sites were first come, first serve.

The road up to the mountain was gravel but our Jeep did just fine and we saw smaller cars at the campground so even though the road might seem sketchy I think most cars can make it.

The campsites aren’t very private but you also have plenty of space at each one where you aren’t on top of one another. They have primitive sites by the river that are very nice and a wheelbarrow is provided to walk your belongings to your campsite with ease. Dispersed camp sites are available as well on the way up to the campground.

There’s a bathroom (one women and one men) but no showers. There is a water faucet near the bathrooms for water. Both bathrooms were very clean and smelled nice.

The campground host is very nice and welcoming. He walked up to me as I was filling out the envelope with site details since it was first come first serve and we didn’t make a reservation online.

We stayed in site 11 which was wooded on one side. There was only one other group in a site across the way and campers in 2 primitive camping spots so we still felt secluded even though the campsites are pretty open.

There’s no electricity or sewer at any of the sites and I didn’t see a sanitation dump either. Sites are too small for campers anyway but are nice and flat if you have a pop up or teardrop trailer. Each site has its own designated picnic table and fire pit.

We had our 4 person tent and 2 person tent on the tent pad and it fit fine. It was very quiet and ended the day with a nice fire in the fire pit while listening to the creek nearby.

Alcohol is prohibited and there’s no firewood sold at this campground so make sure you get some at the grocery store (Frisby’s) 2 miles down the road before heading up the mountain to the campground.

I didn’t have any cell reception going up the mountain or at the campground but In town it was fine (Verizon)

  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Elizabeth G., July 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Elizabeth G., July 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Elizabeth G., July 8, 2020
  • (18) View All
Jackie G.
Reviewed Sep. 24, 2019

Two different experiences

The first time we stayed at Curtis Creek Campground, we had a great overall experience. We have a Jeep with a rooftop tent, and our friends have a pop-up camper. We shared site 11, and that was really the only site we would consider at this campground as the sites were close together and have no privacy between sites. We parked our jeep on the tent pad, and the pop-up between the jeep and site 10. That way, we had privacy as we were at the end of the loop where one side was wooded. The sites come with a nice fire pit and picnic table, there is water available and the pit toilets were immaculate on that visit. There is good access to Curtis Creek for fishing or hanging out, and the little bit of traffic on the adjacent road was not obtrusive. We liked it so much we returned a second weekend. We gave it a 5 star rating as a group for that site and our experience.

The camp hosts had changed between our first and second visits, and the second time it wasn't quite as pleasant. The amenities had not changed, but the cleanliness of the pit toilets had. They were not filthy, but were not being maintained as well as previously. There was a foul odor that would frequently come from the vents for the pit toilet, making it unpleasant to be at our campsite. I don't know if we were just down wind and it was at the end of its cycle and needing maintenance, but it changed our mind on coming back again as sewer odors just didn't mix with our camp dinners well. We gave it a 3 for that weekend.

It is a small campground, with good parking and RV sites. The road going in was rutted the first time, but had been graded by the time we went the second time - there were a couple of one lane bridges and a turn or two that might be tight for a large RV. Make sure you bring firewood, there is none sold at the site and we couldn't find any to purchase in Old Fort, we had to go to a larger town in order to find some. Overall, it is a good site but not quite our style if we weren't camping with friends as we would have felt like there was no privacy.

Stacy J.
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2018

Nice place

We live near here and decided to give the dispersed camping area a try. We wanted to take our dogs camping to see how they would do and the dispersed camping area was perfect! These sItes are free on a first come, fIrst serve basis. Large, flat tent pad, and a big fire pit. Right next to the creek. Beautiful area. No bath house for the dispersed area, but I doubt the campground would deny you if you dropped by. The dispersed sites are more secluded. The paid camp sites appear to be very well kept. No cell service.

  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Stacy J., June 27, 2018
Trina W.
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2018

Peaceful and pleasant

The road to get to the campground made me nervous, but once there, I could have stayed for weeks! The creek is right beside the campsites, and easily accessed by steps. The host was very helpful and nice. Everything was clean and well-maintained. There is no cell signal for 15 or so minutes, either direction, so know your routes before leaving Old Fort. My children loved it!

Site7
Month of VisitMay
Andra S.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2018

great for families

We visited Curtis Creek in 2016 and we still remember it as one of our favorites. Our young kids (4 at the time) enjoyed playing in the boulder-strewn creek just off the main campsite. The main campsite was drive-in with plenty of shade, but the sites were all right next to each other with minimal privacy. Vault toilets in the center were clean and not smelly. The camp hosts provided information about near-by hikes and we were able to complete an out-and-back with the kids with minimal whining. We enjoyed a pond on the hike with lots of insects and crayfish. The campsite had drinking water but no firewood, so come prepared. There were wineberry thickets all over during our stay, yummy! The campsites in the open field had lots of room, but little shade and looked hot mid-day.

Site11
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Andra S., February 27, 2018
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Andra S., February 27, 2018
  • Review photo of Curtis Creek Campground by Andra S., February 27, 2018