Ammons Branch Campground

To get to this campground, you have to travel curvy, mountain roads. It is not a campground for large RVs. It is better suited for tents or small RVs. Once you get on Bull Pen Road, which is a national forest road, you have to drive about 1.2 miles on gravel. Although the road is in good shape for a gravel road, the short campground approach road is a bit rougher. There are only four sites available, but there are tent pads, lantern poles, and fire rings. I was also pleasantly surprised that there is a pit toilet at the campground, which is unusual for a dispersed camping area. The toilet was clean and actually didn’t smell as bad as you would think. It may be because it is winter, and not too many campers stay at this campground during this time of year. We were the only ones at the campground this time. The only fault I have with the campsites are that the tent pads are very small. We had an 8’ x 10’ tent, and it could not completely fit onto the tent pad. However, the site we were on wasn’t too bad because the back of the tent pad was almost level with the pad itself. I chose this particular site for two reasons: 1) there was firewood at this tent site, and 2) it was close to the pit toilet. That is important because our two young grandchildren were with us. At night, it is quiet, especially since there was no one else there, but also because it is miles from the nearest town. The only sounds this time of year are the sounds of Ammons Branch and the wind. I do not recommend staying there in the winter unless you are ready for cold nights. Fortunately, a down sleeping bag is my best friend when camping in the winter. Overall, I liked this campground because of the wilderness solitude, although during the summer, that may not be the case when others are camping there. However, it is a remote campground close to some magnificent waterfalls and lots of trails.

National Forest Campground with Solitude Close to Magnificent Waterfalls

Only 3 unique spots for camping. Parking spot about 5 meters from tent, car can’t be beside tent cause for each spot there are some wood stairs, so if you want to get you car actually beside your tent, you would be damaging the stairs. No noisy, no people, really calm. 1 restroom, no sink or shower. Totally free, no fee for camping or for camping. Each spot is for 2-4 people, they are not that big. You should definitely stay here, love it! 

Perfect small spot for camping 

I stayed up on the ridge right before the campground but after passing over the river. Very quiet and secluded and very rarely do you see a car pass by. The downside is there are no toilets unless you visit the compost toilet at the physical campground area. This isn’t a big deal as I would travel in to town after my daily hikes for a visit at a local brewery. If you had to go in the middle of the night though, you may be in a difficult position. There is also a trail from the site directly down to the river which is a plus. Overall great spot! 