Harmon Den is on the Appalachian Ranger District in the vicinity of exit 7 off of I-40. The area is a haven for hikers and horseback riders. It offers 54.5 miles of trails with 14.2 miles of trails designated for horseback riding and 40.3 miles for hiking. ACTIVITIES Camping Hiking: Trail Difficulty Easy: Route is easy to find and follow; trail has less than 8 percent grade; length is less than 3 miles; trail is mostly flat with few rocks. Moderate: Route may or may not be blazed; most of the trail has a less than 20 percent grade; length is usually between 2 and 8 miles; trail may be rocky and have stream crossings. Difficult: Route may require pathfinding skills; most of the trail has a 20 percent or steeper grade; length is usually more than 8 miles; trail is rocky and uneven and may have stream crossings. Horseback Riding: No trace horse hints: Take only fit, calm, experienced animals. Stay on the trail, and ride in a single file. Water horses at natural fords or from a bucket. Keep stock tethered at least 200 feet away from streams and away from trails and campsites. Avoid temporarily tying stock to trees. Use a highline with tree-saver straps to tether your animal. This prevents stock from trampling roots and chewing bark. Break up and scatter manure and fill in pawed holes when breaking camp. Pack some grain, since grazing is limited. Be certain that feed is weed-free to prevent noxious plants from spreading. Hunting: Part of Harmon Den in Haywood County, NC and the area north of US 25/70 to the Tennessee State line are bear sanctuaries where bear hunting is not allowed. Outside the sanctuaries, hunting is popular for bears as well as for deer. While the US Forest Service manages wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regulates hunting seasons and limits. A state license is required for hunting. Every hunter should get a copy of the Regulations Digest from the commission by calling (919) 662-4381 or from the website: www.wildlife.state.nc.us, select "regulations". Picnicking Wildlife Viewing Horse Camping: No trace horse hints: Take only fit, calm, experienced animals. Stay on the trail, and ride in a single file. Water horses at natural fords or from a bucket. Keep stock tethered at least 200 feet away from streams and away from trails and campsites. Avoid temporarily tying stock to trees. Use a highline with tree-saver straps to tether your animal. This prevents stock from trampling roots and chewing bark. Break up and scatter manure and fill in pawed holes when breaking camp. Pack some grain, since grazing is limited. Be certain that feed is weed-free to prevent noxious plants from spreading.

Harmon Den Area

Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:
Backcountry/Dipeursed/Primitive Camping

If you are seeking to disperse camp other places, there are no permits nor costs required. This is also referred to as “dispersed” and “primitive”. It is “first come, first serve” basis. The rules and policies are as follows: 

o Hike ¼ mile from trailhead

o 100 ft from the trail itself

o 100 ft from a water source

o ¼ mile away from any developed rec area

o Keep campfires small, confined, and never unattended. Do not bring in outside wood. Be sure to completely and safely extinguish flames and coals before departure. 

Roadside/Dispersed Camping

On the following USFS Roads, you may ONLY park in designated spots – these are denoted by a small brown wooden sign with a white triangle (representing a tent)

Hurricane Creek Camp

## Overview

The Harmon Den Horse Campground is nestled on a mountainside beneath a forest of mixed hardwoods in the Pisgah National Forest. The camp is in a secluded area and the individual sites provide ample privacy. The campground is an ideal base for exploring the miles of nearby trails and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.

## Recreation

Local attractions include more than 14 miles of trails designated for horseback riding and about 40 miles for hiking. Equestrians may ride other open roads unless signed closed to horses with caution due to traffic during busy recreational seasons. Trails include the 5.4-mile Buckeye Ridge, 2.6-mile Cherry Ridge, 2.5 mile Robert Gap and 3.6-mile Cold Springs Trails. Hunting and fishing are other popular activities in the area.

## Facilities

Harmon Den Horse Campground has 10 camp sites with potable water (hand pump) centrally located for all sites and a vault toilet (double). Facilities provided include horse stalls and mangers that accommodate a maximum of 4 horses and 8 people at each site with a picnic table, tent pad, lantern post, fire ring and parking for a single vehicle with horse trailer. Also located within the campground is a self-service livestock manure station and watering tank (non-potable) for livestock.

## Natural Features

The Harmon Den Area is located on the Appalachian Ranger District, an area that stretches westward from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park's eastern boundary to Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roan Mountain near Tennessee. Elevations range from 1,900 feet at Max Patch to 6,684 feet at Mount Mitchell. Visitors to the area will find waterfalls, lush forest undergrowth, forested peaks and miles of cold mountain streams. Wildlife in the area include bear, deer, grouse and wild turkey. 

## Nearby Attractions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes an ideal day trip from Harmon Den. Max Patch is an open bald area with panaramic views and other trials for hiking include the Appalachian Trail, Cherry Creek and Groundhog Creek.

Harmon Den Horse Campground

It's all about location!! Our camp is uniquely situated in one of the few remote areas in the Smokies, surrounded by many recreational activities. Our campsites are the perfect basecamp for your next adventure! Our property borders the Pisgah National Forest and is next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Big Creek entrance. Within 4 miles, there is an entrance to the Appalachian Trail, rafting along the Pigeon River, the Smoky Mountain 1000 bike trail, horseback riding trails, 4x4 trails, multiple hiking trails and so much more! Cataloochee Valley, NC and Cosby, TN are both fun drives (all gravel roads) from the camp. We are happy to share more information with you!

Each campsite can be rented individually or the entire camp can be rented for a group camp. Each campsite has a fire ring, electric hookup, water hookup, room for multiple vehicles or tents, and access to the community bathhouse and the Big House. The bathhouse features a sink, flushing toilet, and a single shower. The Big House features a full-size refrigerator, stove/oven, and farm table. Potable water is now available onsite!

Please note: This camp is remote! 4x4 or all wheel drive is required to access this property. There is a very small creek crossing to access the property. Cell service is spotty and major services (stores and hospitals) are 30-45 min away. Please come prepared.

NOTE: The nightly rate is $45 PER VEHICLE. Each site can accommodate multiple vehicles, however each vehicle must be registered for each night on the property. You will register additional cars by "adding a guest". For example, if you have 2 cars for 2 nights at one campsite, you will need to "add an additional guest" so that you are charged $40 x 2 nights x 2 vehicles. If you would like to rent the entire camp for a group please reach out to us first so we can verify availability.



Falcon Expeditions - Big Creek Rustic Camp

## Overview

**The only horse camp in the Great Smoky Mountains with potable water and flushing toilets!**

Pack up your horses for a getaway at Big Creek Horse Camp, located on far northeastern side of Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 16 miles from Newport, Tennessee. This campsite sits along the gently rolling waters of Big Creek and offers miles of horse trails with breathtaking scenic backdrops. 

**You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!**

## Recreation

The rolling terrain surrounding the campsite makes for some of the best horseback riding trails in the park. Numerous trails are accessible from Big Creek and for riders looking for a little hiking, the Appalachian Trail can be easily reached via the 2.1 mile Chestnut Branch Trail, located within walking distance from the camp. 

Day Use horse area- so invite your horse riding friends and family for a fun day even if they don't want to camp with you.   
  
Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams that snake through the mountains, with Rainbow and Brook trout available in abundance, particularly during spring months.

## Facilities

Big Creek Horse Camp is fairly primitive, providing only the basic amenities, but an unforgettable outdoors experience. The sites are large and the facility does offer flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of shade.   
  
  
  
Since horses are not permitted in the camping area, horse stalls and hitching rails are provided to guests.  
  
  
There are no hookups or showers at the campground, but water is available from the campground spigot. 

**You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!**

## Natural Features

At a 1,700 foot elevation, Big Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. The camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams.   
  
Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is reachable by horseback or on foot via the Big Creek trailhead located on-site.  
  
The beautiful falls splits over moss covered rocks and falls about 20 ft. before pooling and falling another 15 ft. into Big Creek. The falls can be reached via the Big Creek Trail, which is covered in wildflowers during spring months. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Big Creek Group Campground is located nearby, with plenty of space for larger groups.   
  
Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

Big Creek Horse Camp

Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The beautiful flowing waters of Big Creek parallel the campground offering the visitor a pleasant soundscape and peaceful beauty. Recreation Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Big Creek area offers some of the most challenging hikes within the Park. Baxter Creek trail begins near the campground and with an elevation gain of 4200' from trail head to the summit of Mt Sterling provides a strenuous work out for the strongest of hikers. The nearby Big Creek trail offers a pleasant hike along the waters of Big Creek with a beautiful waterfall along the way. Local anglers agree that Big Creek offers some of the best trout fishing in the area. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 black bear living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. Facilities Big Creek Campground offers 12 TENT ONLY campsites for a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. There is an emergency phone available at the Big Creek Ranger Station located 1 mile from the campground. No generator use or recreational vehicles are allowed in Big Creek Campground. There is a food storage locker available for public use. Natural Features Located at an elevation of 1,700' Big Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and a pristine mountain stream. Black Bear sightings are not uncommon and some lucky visitors may spot River Otter playing in Big Creek. Nearby Attractions Nearby attractions include the Cataloochee Valley, Newport, TN, Cosby Campground, Hartford Whitewater Rafting, the Appalachian Trail and the Max Patch/Pisgah National Forest. 

Big Creek Campground

## Overview

Big Creek Group Camp is located in the far northeastern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near the Tennessee-North Carolina border.   
  
With the gentle waters of Big Creek running alongside the site, and a handful of trailheads within walking distance, this campsite offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions.

## Recreation

Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are accessible from the campground and in the surrounding areas. Most notably, the Appalachian Trail is easily reached via the Chestnut Branch Trail, a 2.1 mile trail for hikers only, beginning down the road from the campground.   
  
Nearby Baxter Creek Trail meanders along the water, while equestrian campers might enjoy taking the Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls or Midnight Hole, an area where Big Creek squeezes between large boulders, forming a deep, beautifully-colored pool.   
  
Compared to some other areas of the park, Big Creek is not crowded with anglers. Spring provides ideal conditions for fly fishing on Big Creek, with Rainbow and Brook trout looking for the aquatic insects which hatch during this time.

## Facilities

Big Creek Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience combined with the convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.   
  
The campsite can accommodate up to 25 guests and tent pads, grills and fire rings are provided. The site is surrounded by a heavy canopy of towering forest, providing plenty of shade for guests.

## Natural Features

Big Creek Group Camp is nestled among the scenic mountains and pristine streams surrounding the big creek section of the North Carolina Smokies.  
  
Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is a stunning geological feature of the area.  
  
The falls splits over moss covered rocks and falls about 20 ft. before pooling and falling another 15 ft. into Big Creek. The falls can be reached via the Big Creek Trail, which is covered in wildflowers during spring months. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Big Creek Horse Camp is located nearby, with horse stables and riding trails available.  
  
Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

## Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Big Creek Group Camp

Max Patch

This campground, nestled on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is located in a dense forest with a plethora of nature to explore nearby. Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is just 25 miles away and Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park is 32 miles away. You'll also find hot springs, swimming holes, and waterfalls nearby. 

There are 5 tent sites, with up to 10 guests per site. At your campground, you'll find drinking water, showers, picnic tables, wifi and more. You'll also have the opportunity to bike, fish, hike, paddle and go horseback riding. 



Greenheart Forest

Shelter on the Appalachian Trail at the North Carolina / Tennessee border.

Davenport Shelter

## Overview

Cataloochee Group Camp in the remote and historic Cataloochee Valley, is surrounded by some of the most rugged mountains in the park, providing excellent hiking opportunities as well as ideal fishing conditions in the area's many creeks.   
  
Because of its relatively secluded location, visitors can enjoy the best that the Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer, without encountering crowds, which are sometimes common in other areas of the park.

## Recreation

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with a number of trails easily accessible from the Cataloochee Valley. Most notably, the Boogerman Trail, an almost 6-mile loop overlapping with the Caldwell Fork Trail, allows hikers to take in groves of old-growth forest.   
  
High-quality backcountry fishing in the cool, remote waters of the countless streams that snake through the valley, provide anglers with choice opportunities to catch wild trout.   
  
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. A handful of which can be found nearby the campground, including the Palmer House, which offers a self-guided museum.

## Facilities

Cataloochee Group Camp provides a primitive outdoor camping experience with few amenities, but excellent access to trails and fishing streams. The sites are shaded by the lush surrounding forest, but there are no hookups or drinking water available.   
  
The three group sites can accommodate up to 25 guests. For groups larger than 25 people, all three sites may be reserved at once.

## Natural Features

Cataloochee Group Camp is in an area characterized by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine streams, like the nearby Cataloochee Creek and its many tributaries. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Cataloochee never disappoints.   
  
The Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.  
  
In particular, the Cataloochee area is known for the elk herd, which populates the valley in the spring and fall. 

## Nearby Attractions

A number of the park's famous historical buildings, including cabins and churches, are located close to the campground.  
  
The town of Asheville, NC is approximately 35 miles from the campground and offers plenty of cultural and historic activities as well as restaurants and groceries.

## Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Group Campground

USDA Forest Service

Flat spot near the corner of the road. The forest road is not compatible with big rigs, RV’s, or travel trailers. Recommended high clearance 4x4. 

Dispersed Camping Spot 

Flat place for one vehicle to back in on the corner of the road. There are two to three other similar places SE of here towards the I-40. Definitely not a road for RV’s or Travel Trailers, or the faint of heart, as it’s very narrow with a clearance of about 8-10 feet in several places. There are also some significant ruts and holes. I would recommend a 4x4 high clearance vehicle. A short wheelbase van would probably be ok. 


Dispersed Camping Flat Spot for one Vehicle or Tent

Camped up on Max Patch with friends.  It’s a must see/experience for a sunset/sunrise!!!

Harmon Den Area

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