## Overview

 Whether traveling with an RV or tent, Standing Indian Campground is a prime place to stop for a night or spend several days in the picturesque Nantahala National Forest. The campground's many amenities provide a comfortable home base for exploring this fun and historic section of the forest. Standing Indian is located within a 20-minute drive of Franklin, North Carolina.
## Recreation

 The Standing Indian Basin is a premier hiking destination. The campground provides access to numerous trails, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail, which journeys from Georgia to Maine. Visitors who wish to get their feet wet can experience the Nantahala River, well-known for whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing (fishing license required). Big and small game hunting is available in the surrounding area.
## Natural Features

 The campground is surrounded by 5,000' peaks and crossed by several natural streams. It sits at an elevation of 3,880 feet at the headwaters of the scenic Nantahala River, amidst lush forests of evergreen trees and rhododendrons.
## Charges & Cancellations

 There is not a premium type site available but there is some nonelectric double site that is $40.00 per night.

Standing Indian Campground

If you’re looking for a more primitive setting, this is it. Beautiful area with lots of nature to explore. We were tent camping and a little far from restrooms and showers but it wasn’t bad. My only negative thing would be no lighted areas to walk to restrooms in the dark (but it’s primitive so I understand why) and would love to have had an electrical outlet in the bathroom area where we were. Would definitely stay here again though. 

Very nice campground 

This campground is very spacious and in the beautiful NC mountains right outside of Franklin. Each site has a firepit, picnic bench, and leveled gravel space for pitching a tent. While there we noticed that the site is most used by RVs but that there is plenty of space to get your own private site. They have a nice bathroom building and regularly spaced out water pumps. If you visit make sure to drive a little further down the road and take some of the many hikes along the river. I suggest the Laurel Falls trail to a gorgeous secluded waterfall where you can take a dip on a hot summer day. I will warn you the water is very cold though but well worth it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gear Review: As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get products to test and review in the field. I recently got to test Cotopaxi's Inca 26L Backpack while I was at Standing Indian Campground. The pack was a really nice size for day outings and I love having the seperate compartment in the back for a hydration bladder. My water stayed cold all day which is impressive in the southern summer heat. We were able to fill the bag with 3 towels, swimsuits, water, and plenty of snacks for the day and room to spare. They have also included a handy pocket on top for sunglasses and other small items you dont want to get lost. I am excited to try this pack out on a longer trek soon!  Check out the pack here: https://www.cotopaxi.com/collections/technical-packs/products/inca26l

Ranger Review: Cotopaxi Inca 26L Backpack at Standing Indian Campground

Standing Indian is located at 4000+ feet , 20 minutes from Franklin,NC. It’s a hikers dream with the Appalachian Trail skirting the campground and several other trails crossing through the campground. The campground can accommodate a pup tent or a 45ft motor home. No electricity or water is available per site, but each loop does have 2 community water faucets and a bathhouse with flush toilets and push button showers, bathhouses are clean and modern. Each site has a concrete picnic table and combination fire ring/grill. Loops 1-2 &amp; 3 have a mix of sites , wooded and open that can accommodate tents or motor homes. Loop 4 is wooded, offering lots of privacy but is more suitable to tents or small (

Beautiful Location 

No electric, no cell service. Branch of Nantahala river offers trout fishing with NC fishing license.

Our favorite local campground

We could hear the stream from our site at night. Exactly what we were looking for but beware of the walk up sites because they do not update which ones are available online so your spot may be taken when you get there. Strictly first come and you can get there much earlier than I thought. Trails all around the site and longer ones further down the road. Hiked on the Appalachian and went to take the blue trail that takes you to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain but that trail was really overgrown so since I had my 3 littles, we decided to head back after already hiking 1hr 45mins. 😣 Some of the tent sites and nicely secluded. Overall, was a nice place.

Creekside camping

Bring tubes for the kids. My 9 and 10 year old kids spent the better part of a hot August day tubing the river that runs by the campground. Mostly RVs in loops 1-3 and tents in 4.  Bathrooms were very clean.  They only sell wood by the golf cart load or half load, which was more than we wanted for one night. 

Fun for kids

The entrance to this park is right across the street to an entrance  to the Appalachian Trail.  A beautiful trout stream runs through the park, close to all the campsites. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Wonderful place to tent camp, van camp, or tow a SMALL trailer to (a pop-up would be perfect). The road to this campground is very narrow, the hill is very steep, and there is at least one very tight hairpin turn. Unless there is another way into this lovely park that I am unaware of, I would not attempt to tow a 5th wheel or other large trailer to this location.  Place is beautiful though.  Tow your pop-up or pitch a tent. You'll be glad you came. 

Beautiful trout stream.

Surrounded by water, clean facilities with hot showers well maintained grounds, and so many different directions for hiking.




Perfect 

My family (my husband, 7 year old twins and myself) love staying here. Great place to escape the summer heat! My kids love walking around the loops and playing in the river. My kids always make sure to stop by the little store to get an ice cream cone. Our dog loves it too! I enjoy staying in loop 1 and loop 5.