USDA Forest Service · North Carolina
Standing Indian Campground
USDA Forest Service · North Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 81
- Hookups
- 81 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to October 31
- Max RV length
- 50 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 3,428 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- STANDING INDIAN (NFSR 424) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- National Forests in North Carolina
- Nearest town
- FRANKLIN
- Address
- OFF FOREST DEVELOPMENT RD 67, FRANKLIN, NC, 28734
- Phone
- 828-524-6441
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting
74 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Facilities
The campground has four loops with sites available first-come, first-served or by reservation. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, grills, lantern posts and picnic tables, and are in close proximity to drinking water, flush toilets and showers. A dump station is nearby. The campground also has a group camping area, Kimsey Creek.
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.
Fees
Group sites is correct, single sites is correct, need to add a double site to replace the premium type site and the double site cost is $40.00
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 25° | 8° | 62° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 50° | 31° | 18° | 65° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 57° | 37° | 15° | 71° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 63° | 43° | 27° | 76° | 5 of 11 |
| May | 70° | 53° | 38° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 60° | 46° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 63° | 57° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 63° | 56° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 59° | 48° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 64° | 44° | 30° | 76° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 37° | 22° | 71° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 46° | 30° | 14° | 60° | 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
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Sandy Bottoms Rec. Area · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
- Tate Branch Campground (Clayton, GA) · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 19 sites
- Tallulah River Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 17 sites
- Low Gap Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 13 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.