## 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.
## Facilities

 This large facility has three loops of well-kept campsites, some of which lie on the water\'s edge. Families can relax at the swimming beach (May - September), while anglers and boaters can use the boat ramp to access the water. The facility is also equipped with showers, flush toilets and picnic shelters.
## 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 &amp; Cancellations

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

Jackrabbit Mountain

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.

Great basecamp for multi-sport adventures

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. 

Scenic and peaceful

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.  

Great for families

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.

Came for the Eclipse, stayed for the camping

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. 

Trails with a view!

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.

Beautiful and convenient 

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. 

Great for Mountain biking 

 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.

Large campground on the lake

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

Phenomenal 🧡

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.

Lake access from some sites

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.