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Sleep under the Stars. Looking for a campsite for a group of people near the Nantahala River? The four sites at Appletree Group Campground accommodates two sites (A and D) for up to 25 people each and two sites (B and C) for up to 50 people each. Each site has its own picnic shelter, outdoor group gathering area with a fire ring and lantern posts, restroom with flush toilets, water hydrant, designated parking area and a grassy field for tents and activities. The campground offers a shower house. Open April 1 – October 31, the campground is most popular during summer weekends and quieter on the weekdays. Reservations are required at 828-524-6441. Only the occupants have access through a combination lock on the gate. Follow the Trail. Hike near the campground on more than 20 miles of interconnecting loops. Nearby, catch a section of the long-distance Bartram National Recreation Trail, named for William Bartram, an American naturalist noted for his botanical expeditions in the late 1700s. Get in the Water. Avid anglers can cast their lines for rainbow, brown and native brook trout that live in the cold mountain streams near the campground. State fishing regulations apply, and licenses are required for fishing in national forest streams. Nantahala Lake is 10 minutes away. If you enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting, use your personal craft to raft the lower section of the Nantahala River or use local outfitters’ services. Check out the Sights. From Appletree Campground, you can sightsee along the 61-mile Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. This scenic drive links U.S. 19 and U.S. 64, and it winds through the Cullasaja and Nantahala River gorges, passes Nantahala Lake, Wayah Bald’s restored fire tower, numerous waterfalls and the rural countryside. Be Safe. Your safety is your own responsibility. Check out the brochure.
From Franklin, NC follow US 64 west and turn right at the LBJ Corps/Wayah Bald sign. Take the first left beside Loafer's Glory gas station onto Wayah Road (SR1310). This goes over Wayah Gap and passes Nantahala Lake. After passing Lake's End Store take first right onto Junaluska ROad (SR 1401), toward Andrews for about 2.5 miles to the campground entrance. Be sure you have the combination to the lock.
Appletree is a primitive (with facilities; no power) campground. The area is gorgeous and well maintained with local creeks, trails, and other opportunities to take in nature. The restroom facilities require shoes to use hence 4 instead of 5 stars, but the rest of this primitive camp area is amazing. Drive up is also a huge part of the experience, but bring ginger or Dramamine for the faint of stomach as it is curvy.
Parked out front of the gate to check out the Bartram trail section, had $1000 of camping gear stolen within 20 minutes... no clues but what looked like side by side tracks.
Park looks lovely, but watch your stuff...
We reserved campsite D which is a 20 person site (pretty sure). There are a few decent spots for hammocks. There are a few decent spots for tents 1-6 people. Anything bigger and you might not find a decent spot, but could still set up. The grassy area is terraced to accommodate a lot of tents, but nature has taken a toll on it. One of the bathrooms wasn't flushing great, but we notified the maintenance guy and he was going to notify the forest service. The pavilion was awesome. The area is close to the river so great for white noise sleepers. Zero cell phone reception.
Great campsite that is very secluded. I actually enjoyed the 5 mile drive down the dirt road to get here.
