USDA Forest Service · North Carolina
Van Hook Glade
USDA Forest Service · North Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 24
- Hookups
- 12 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to October 30
- Max RV length
- 36 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,337 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- VAN HOOK (NFSR 322) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- National Forests in North Carolina
- Nearest town
- HIGHLANDS
- Address
- 14014 HIGHLAND RD, HIGHLANDS, NC, 28741
- Phone
- 828-526-5918
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Van Hook Glade is a scenic, secluded campground in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest. Convenient for families and anglers, the campground is in close proximity to hiking trails, scenic views, waterfalls and a nearby lake.
Recreation
Campers can easily relax with a book or deck of cards in the shaded campsites, or seek out many activities close by. A short trail in the campground leads to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, which offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Boating is not permitted.
Van Hook glade is a short drive from Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls.
Facilities
Van Hook Glade offers 18 secluded sites, all equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. Hot showers and flush toilets are also provided, and firewood is available for purchase on-site.
Natural Features
The campground is located just 4 miles from the scenic and cultural attractions of Highlands, North Carolina, offering shady campsites in a heavily wooded and secluded area situated on rolling hills. The elevation is 4,118 feet, and the calm waters of Cliffside Lake sit adjacent.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (828) 787-1980.
Nearby Attractions
A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and various attractions, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, a casino, grocery stores and performing arts.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 27° | 10° | 63° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 52° | 33° | 21° | 67° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 58° | 39° | 16° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 64° | 43° | 28° | 77° | 4 of 11 |
| May | 71° | 54° | 39° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 60° | 47° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 64° | 57° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 63° | 57° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 60° | 49° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 45° | 30° | 77° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 39° | 24° | 71° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 48° | 31° | 14° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Blue Valley Camp · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Ammons Branch Camp · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- West Fork Campground (Clayton, GA) · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 5 sites
- Ralph J. Andrews County Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 9 mi
- Sarah's Creek Campground (Clayton, GA) · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 22 sites
All public campgrounds in North Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.