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Established Camping

Jackrabbit Mountain

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this locations facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?aid=90899 for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending t o this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.

Jackrabbit Mountain, near Hayesville, North Carolina, is a fantastic spot for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors. This campground is situated right by Lake Chatuge, offering beautiful views and easy access to water activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

The campground features three loops, with Loops A and B being particularly family-friendly. Visitors have noted that these areas are great for kids, with easy biking paths and direct beach access from certain sites. Loop C, while a bit more secluded and quieter, offers stunning views but can be a challenge for those looking for easy lake access.

Campers appreciate the clean facilities, including bathrooms and a dump station, making it a comfortable place to stay. As one reviewer mentioned, “The bathrooms were decent, the campsite was gorrrrrgeous, neighbors were friendly, and cell service was great.” Whether you’re into mountain biking, hiking, or just lounging in a hammock, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

If you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that it can get busy during summer weekends, so arriving early is a good idea. With its scenic surroundings and variety of activities, Jackrabbit Mountain is a solid choice for your next camping adventure.

Description

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina

Overview

Jackrabbit Mountain Campground offers scenic lakeside camping in the beautiful Nantahala National Forest of southwestern North Carolina. Campers can breathe the fresh air of the forest while enjoying numerous recreation activities, including hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing and water sports at Jackrabbit Recreation Area. The campground contains three seperate camping loops; Loops A is open May - September, and Loop B and C is open May - October.

Recreation

Lake Chatuge has more than 130 miles of shoreline and plenty of water for recreation. Popular water activities include boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Beach access fee is not included in camping reservation fee and will require on-site payment at fee collection station. Visitors who wish to stay on dry land can explore hiking, biking and shoreline fishing. Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area boasts several hiking trails, and the campground has paved roads for an easy afternoon of bicycling. Mountain bikers can get their wheels dusty on approximately 14 miles of bike-friendly trails.

Natural Features

The campground is located on a peninsula on Lake Chatuge, a dammed lake on the Hiawassee River. The site sits in a mixed deciduous and pine forest at an elevation of 1,860 feet.

Nearby Attractions

Local attractions include the Fires Creek recreation area and the Georgia Mountain State Fair, which occurs in late July each year.

Charges & Cancellations

Changes and cancellations must be made through Recreation.gov not the HOST!!

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Location

Jackrabbit Mountain is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Hayesville, North Carolina, take U.S. Highway 64 east for 6.2 miles. Turn right onto State Route 175 and go 2.5 miles. Turn right onto State Road 1155, which turns into Forest Road 248. From Hiawassee, Georgia, take Georgia Route 75 north for about 3.5 miles, where it turns into North Carolina Route 175, and go an additional 1.5 miles. Turn left onto State Road 1155, which turns into Forest Service Road 248.

Address

465 JACKRABBIT ROAD
Hayesville, NC 28904

Coordinates

35.0106472 N
83.7830556 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 20, 2023

Jackrabbit

A great campground which seems to get more popular with each passing year. Three loops, loops A and B are best for families with children and older campers, loop C has a few sites with steps and tripping roots.

The lake is beautiful and the water surprisingly warm, even in late spring - early summer. There's good mountain biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayak, and SUP to pass your time, or simply relax in a hammock in the shade. 

Facilities are adequate and cleaned daily, dump station on site.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Ashley B., October 20, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2023

Lake access from some sites

Jack Rabbit is a popular spot, generally full on summer weekends, we often see other people we know from home (Asheville). The lake itself can get busy with large and small boats, so you have to be careful if crossing in a canoe. Loop A is more open with a gradual slope, good for kids to bike the loop, campsites 5/6 and 24/26 have beach access to the lake. Loop B is more wooded, my favorite of the three. It’s more on a hill, so biking for the kids is more challenging. We recently stayed in 79, which had a good view and was close to the bathhouse, but no beach access. For that you want 64, 66, 68 or 72. Many of these sites have stairs from car to tent pad. Loop C is up higher so actual lake access is difficult, but it’s quieter and has beautiful views. There’s a nearby (paid) day area with a beach, and good hiking/biking trails within walking distance from campsites.

Site79
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Andra S., September 5, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 6, 2023

Phenomenal 🧡

The bathrooms were decent, the campsite was gorrrrrgeous, neighbors were friendly, and cell service was great.

Site31
Month of VisitOctober
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  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Jess , April 6, 2023
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Jess , April 6, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Feb. 7, 2023

Jack Rabbit

Great place always clean. Access to the lake and plenty to do. This will be my 2nd year going 4th July weekend. They do the fireworks over Lake C.hatgue

Siteb72
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

Large campground on the lake

 Large campground with odd sites. There is a spot for your vehicle and then the campsite is either elevated or lower. Our site was lower than our vehicle. Sites were very level. I believe all sites on the lake side have access to see it. We were able to see it via a short trail. It was amazing that we were able to get firewood delivered right to our fire ring for cheap. We didn’t get to use it because the sky opened up about 10 minutes after they delivered. Bathroom was passable with no soap.

Site96
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by kelly , June 2, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2020

Great for Mountain biking

Our campsite was 13A which is right on the water. Gravel tent site is very large. Picnic table and fire ring. Parking is right above the steps that go down to the tent pad. This site has direct water access for swimming and fishing. This particular site has no shade between noon and 4. It is also very close to the site on the left (#15) separated by about 6 ft of grass. Shared Drinking water access is at this site. Bathrooms are close by with hot showers. No dish washing station nearby. Garbage dumpster is between A and B loop in the side of the camp road. The bathhouses and campground are very clean. There is a 1.5 mile connector dirt trail to the Jackrabbit mountain trail system, so no need to ride on the road. It goes parallel to the road and starts at the Y right before entering the campground. There is no camp store. The closest town for needed items is about a 10-15 min drive away. The 15 miles of mountain bike trails are absolutely amazing for all skill levels.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Katrin  S., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Katrin  S., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Katrin  S., July 15, 2020
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2019

Lakeside retreat

Was there for 2 nights lakeside, no power or water. There is a few water stations located throughout. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Great views! Groceries in Hiawassee just a quick drive away. Was 10/night with National park pass

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2019

Great basecamp for multi-sport adventures

If you’re into hiking, water sports and/or mountain biking you’ll love Jackrabbit Campground. Located on Lake Chatuge in both North Carolina and Georgia, you can ride right to the biking trails or launch your paddleboard right from your lakeside site.  RVers will have to rough it with no hookups, but there is access to a dump station. There are 95 sites with bathrooms and showers, a beach area and motorboat launch. Make reservations through Reserve  America.  Open April 1 through October 1.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Ellen  K., September 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Ellen  K., September 2, 2019
Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Beautiful and convenient

Site is in an ideal location, only about 30 minutes from Helen and 45 from Franklin. The water is almost crystal clear, and most sites are on the lake. It's also only about 20 minutes from Bell mountain, which is a must see for the views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Mike P., May 28, 2019
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Reviewed Jul. 19, 2018

Trails with a view!

Just walking distance down the road from the actual campground. These trails are beautiful, however can be narrow and it is shared with mountain bikers so hikers be on the look out. It is a very good challenging trail with lots of hills. At some points you get a great lookout of the lake and it just gets better when you get to the top.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2018

Came for the Eclipse, stayed for the camping

This is such a beautiful place! Not only was the drive there a beautiful place to see, the campgrounds were amazing as well. There were plenty of amenities, bathrooms and showers included. The views of the lake the campground sits on were phenomenal and also fun to swim in. At night it’s just as beautiful because of the rural location, there is little to no light pollution and the stars are breathtaking. The trail head is just walking distance down the road from the campground. It’s all pet friendly and the trails are great for mountain biking as well. If needed, there are convenient stores and grocery stores a few miles away as well.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Heidi G., July 19, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2018

Great for families

We love this campground, especially the B loop as nearly all campsites on the waterfront side have access. The views are beautiful, the lake Is awesome, and kiddos always have a great ti me There is also a great beach and nearby trails. Bathrooms are decent.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Brooke M., June 11, 2018
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by Brooke M., June 11, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2016

Scenic and peaceful

I would recommend this campground to anyone.Its not far from Hiawassee GA and is right on Lake Chatuge. it offers great lake side campsites that have been updated with brand new tent pads, mountain bike and hiking trails, a beach for swimming, boat docks and a boat launch, an amphitheater, and nice clean updated bathrooms. The only complaint we have is that is only open from May to September. I would love it if this campground was open year round.

  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by John W., September 21, 2016
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by John W., September 21, 2016
  • Review photo of Jackrabbit Mountain by John W., September 21, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Jackrabbit Mountain?

    Jackrabbit Mountain allows vehicles up to 128 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Jackrabbit Mountain?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Jackrabbit Mountain, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Jackrabbit Mountain have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Jackrabbit Mountain does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Jackrabbit Mountain?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Jackrabbit Mountain?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Jackrabbit Mountain. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Jackrabbit Mountain, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Jackrabbit Mountain?

    There are 92 campsites at Jackrabbit Mountain and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts