USDA Forest Service · North Carolina
Rattler Ford Group Campground
USDA Forest Service · North Carolina, United States
- Sites
- 4
- Hookups
- 4 no hookups
- Season
- April 15 to November 1
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,119 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
- RATTLER FORD (NFSR 317) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- National Forests in North Carolina
- Nearest town
- ROBBINSVILLE
- Address
- HWY 1134, ROBBINSVILLE, NC, 28771
- Phone
- 828-479-6431
- Activities
- Backpacking, Birding, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Water Access, Wildlife Viewing
4 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Rattler Ford Group Campground sits near the swift-moving Santeetlah Creek in the Nantahala National Forest. Groups of up to 25 guests can enjoy the creek, which is popular for fly fishing, as well as nearby Lake Santeetlah, which provides countless water sports and activities.
Recreation
The campground is located about 2.5 miles from the Avey Branch boat ramp at Lake Santeetlah, which provides visitors access to all types of water-related activities, including fishing, boating, and canoeing. Horseshoe pits and volleyball courts are available within the campground. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of hiking trails and scenic drives in the area.
Facilities
The campground offers four sites, each with varying facilities, but all able to accommodate several tents and up to 25 guests. Multiple tables are available at each site, as well as lantern posts and campfire pits. Each site also provides an oversized grill. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided at the campground, as well as hot showers. Some of the sites are situated near the creek.
Natural Features
Large trees and thick forests provide moderate shade for the campground, while vast meadows also allow for sunshine and open play. Nantahala is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noonday sun," which is appropriate, as the sun only reaches the deep gorges of the western North Carolina mountains and valleys at midday.
Nearby Attractions
The entrance to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, which contains nearly 17,000 acres, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, containing nearly 6,000 acres of old-growth forest, is located approximately 1/4 mile from the campground.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 30° | 3° | 66° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 55° | 35° | 18° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 63° | 44° | 18° | 77° | 5 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 48° | 33° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 60° | 42° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 65° | 52° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 69° | 62° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 69° | 61° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 80° | 65° | 53° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 68° | 48° | 34° | 82° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 60° | 41° | 23° | 72° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 52° | 33° | 20° | 66° | 9 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
- Rattler Ford Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Horse Cove Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Cheoah Point Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 23 sites
- Deep Creek Hunter Shelter · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Bear Creek Hunter Shelter · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
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.