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Gibson Cove Campground

9 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reservations are available and recommended at Gibson Cove Campground, a county-managed facility on the shore of Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, North Carolina, where sites run $30 to $35 per night with electric and water hookups. Paved roads run through the campground, and sites are gravel. Most spots carry either a direct lakefront position or a lake view, and reviewers note the layout staggers sites well so that the majority face the water. Lakeside sites tend to book first, and at least one reviewer flags that some run only about 25 feet in usable length, so RV owners should confirm pad dimensions before booking.

Water access is the campground's clearest draw. Campers can pull boats up directly at their sites, and a boat ramp is on-site. A 3.1-mile out-and-back walk and biking path runs through the property, and swimming is available in the lake. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park. The campground shares Lake Chatuge with Jackrabbit Mountain to the east, so campers who want a different setup along the same water have nearby options.

The single bathhouse draws mixed comments. It has one shower for each gender and has been described as clean and well-maintained, though a 2026 review noted flushing issues with the toilets. J V. calls it "spacious, clean and warm," which reflects the consistent cleanliness theme across reviews. A dump station, potable water fill, and dumpster are accessible near the exit. Cell coverage varies by carrier, with Verizon performing better than AT&T in this area. Clay County Recreation Park Campground sits just southeast for campers who want a county-managed alternative with a different configuration.

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Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

**THERE IS A 14-DAY MAXIMUM STAY ON ALL SITES. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CREATE A STAY LONGER THAN 14 DAYS ON ONE PARTICULAR SITE. IF YOU WISH TO STAY LONGER THAN 14 DAYS, CREATE A SECOND RESERVATION ON A DIFFERENT SITE**

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Map & DirectionsGibson Cove Campground is located in North Carolina near Hayesville

Detail location of campground
Private Campground

Directions

GPS Coordinates: 35.006347, -83.799558 From Atlanta: Take I-85 N to I-985 N. Follow I-985 N and US-23 N to GA-384 N/Duncan Bridge Rd. SW in Baldwin. Take GA-75 N/Unicoi Turnpike to US-76 W. Take GA-17 N/GA-515E and continue onto NC-69 N. Turn right onto Myers Chapel Rd and in 1.6 miles, Clay County Recreation Park will be on the right. From Asheville: Take I-40 W, US-74 W/Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, US-23 S and US-64 W to a left on Myers Chapel Rd. in Hayesville. Follow Myers Chapel Rd. for 2.3 miles and the Clay County Recreation Park will be on the left. From Chattanooga: Take I-75 N to US-64 E. Follow US-64 E to Hayesville and take a right onto Myers Chapel Rd. Follow Myers Chapel Rd. for 2.3 miles and the Clay County Recreation Park will be on the left.

Address

PO Box 118
Hayesville, NC 28904

Coordinates

35.01072829 N
83.80020775 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 3/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Presented byHershey's

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 3/9/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Gibson Cove Campground

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5 Stars

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the lakefront location with well-maintained sites offering excellent lake views and access. Guests frequently mentioned clean facilities and helpful hosts, though longer RVs may face challenges with some sites.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2026

Nice Campground but has some isues

This was a nice campground.  We were in spot 30 which was not a great spot as it was right next to the road and your awning/outdoor area faces the road. We were late to book and that was the last site available so we weren't surprised.  There is a picnic table below that is more private and faces the lake, but we did not have the set up to be down there.  The sites are spacious and give ample room between sites.  The lake and lake access are great and there is a very nice walk/biking path that is 3.1 miles out and back that is very accessible throughout the campground.  My biggest complaint is the bathroom.  There is only one bathroom for the entire campground.  The women's bathroom had 1 shower and 2 toilets. The toilets had issues with flushing.  They were clean, but could use some maintenance. It was also a pretty busy campground. Lots of coming and going and lots of noise coming off the lake.

Site30
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2024

tidy campground with great views

Made reservation a couple of days in advance. The only lakeside site available was #20. That was probably because it was small (~25' max). But the view was great. Sites are well maintained. The Lakeside sites have well maintained pads but steep drops, so check their lengths.  Power and Water were good. Bath house was spacious, clean and warm.

Sites appeared to be staggered well to provide most with good view of lake.  Some had their boats pulled up at their sites. It was surprisingly quiet for a full, local campground.  Only noise came from the kids having fun swimming, and the geese.

Clean dump station, potable water fill, and dumpster with easy access on the way out.

 We are not park people, and we only stayed one night passing through. But would not hesitate to do so again.

Advice: Pay the extra for the lakeside sites, and get up for sunrise.

Site20
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Gibson Cove Campground by J V., June 15, 2024
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2022

Pleasant

Nice place , some site tricky for a long fifth wheel

Site29
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2022

Gorgeous lakeside camping

Gibson Cove is clean and beautiful. Most sites have a great view and easy access to the lake.

Site24
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Gibson Cove Campground by Joy G., July 31, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2021

Good but not Excellent

Pretty good, camp host was super nice. Bathrooms aren’t anything too nice or fancy but are there if needed. AT&T speeds are slow in this area but Verizon works well. The view is nothing impressive lake view to an island is really all.

Site13
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2020

Gibson Cove Campground

Gibson Cove Campground was an unexpected find. Beautiful campground located on Lake Chatuge in North Carolina. Gibson Cove campground is a county park with paved roads and gravel campsites. The bathhouse is older but exceptionally clean and well maintained.

The amenities include water, electric, picnic table, fire ring, WiFi, boat ramp, paved walking trails.

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2020

Gibson Cove

Very well maintained. Walking trail across Chatuge Dam. Boat ramp on site. No sewer, but has a dump station. Alcohol is not allowed in the park.

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2019

Clean campground on the lake.

This campground is located on Lake Chatuge. All sites are either lakefront or lakeview. There are water and power hook-ups, no sewer.  The bathhouse has one shower and is older.

Showing results 1-9 of 9 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Gibson Cove Campground?

Gibson Cove Campground receives positive feedback for its beautiful lakefront location on Lake Chatuge. Campers appreciate the well-maintained grounds with paved roads and gravel sites. The campground offers water and electric hookups (no sewer, but does have a dump station), and many sites provide lake views. The bathhouse is noted as older but exceptionally clean. Visitors mention good management and friendly camp hosts. Cell service varies with Verizon reported as working well while AT&T has slower speeds. Some sites may be challenging for longer fifth wheels. Amenities include a boat ramp and access to a walking trail across Chatuge Dam.

Where can I find photos of Gibson Cove Campground?

Photos of Gibson Cove Campground can be found on The Dyrt's website, which features user-submitted images showing the lakefront and lakeview sites, the campground's layout, and the surrounding Lake Chatuge area. The photos showcase the paved roads, gravel campsites, and the natural beauty of this North Carolina county park. For the most current visual representation of the campground, checking the official Clay County website or contacting the camp host directly may provide additional photography resources.

Where is Gibson Cove Campground located in Hayesville, NC?

Gibson Cove Campground is located on Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, North Carolina. This county park sits along the lakeshore, with many sites offering direct lakefront or lake view access. The campground features a boat ramp on-site, making it convenient for water activities. There's also a walking trail across Chatuge Dam accessible from the campground. The location provides a scenic setting while still being accessible to the amenities of Hayesville.

How can I make reservations at Gibson Cove Campground?

Reservations for Gibson Cove Campground can be made online through their reservation system. The campground is well-managed with an attentive camp host on site. For the best lakeside spots, booking well in advance is recommended as these premium sites fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. When making your reservation, pay attention to site descriptions and sizes, as some lakeside sites have specific length restrictions (some as small as 25' maximum) and steep drops.

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