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Enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, motorized boating, kayaking or camping at Tsali Recreation Area, all located within steps of Fontana Lake. Follow the Trail. The Tsali (pronounced “SAH-lee”) Recreation Area’s four-loop trail system has become a popular destination for mountain bikers and horseback riders. It is best known as a challenging mountain bike course. The Right Loop , rated moderately difficult, offers 13.9 miles of single track, with shorter 4- and 8-mile loops possible. The Left Loop , rated moderately difficult, is 11.9 miles of single track with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Lake. The Mouse Branch Trail , rated moderately difficult, is 8.7 miles of single track and includes old logging roads. The Thompson Loop , rated moderately difficult, is 7.3 miles of single track. Hikers may travel the trails on any day, but mountain bikers and equestrians–the primary users–are kept separated by alternating days on the trails. Be sure to follow the trail schedule: Jan./Feb./March/April/June/Sept./Nov./Dec. Right Loop and Left Loop: Horses – Tuesday , Thursday, & Saturday Mountain Bikes –Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop: Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday May/July/August/October Right Loop and Left Loop: Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop: Horses – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Mountain Bikes – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday There is a per-person day use fee for trail use. Fees can be paid at either the Tsali Bike or Horse Trailheads. Sleep under the Stars. Open early April through October, Tsali Campground offers 42 campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. Many sites accommodate small RVs, but no hookups are available. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Accessible flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are available. Campers pay fees at the campground fee station. Get in the Water. Fontana Lake offers flatwater paddling and motor boating. One boat launch is located at Tsali, while another is located nearby on FR 2553 at Lemmons Branch. Ample parking is available at either launch. Fishing is permitted year-round, and anglers will find some of the best fishing for walleye in the state. Anglers can also catch black bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. Check out the brochure.
From Asheville, NC: Take I-40 west to exit 27 onto U.S. 19/74. Stay on U.S. 74 west to NC 28 west. Turn right and go 5 miles, look for sign on right. From Knoxville, TN: Take U.S. 129 south through Maryville. Stay on U.S. 129 to Deals Gap. Take left onto NC 28 east. Sign is 25 miles on left. From Bryson City: Take U.S. 19 south for 9 miles to NC 28 west. Turn right on NC 28. Go 5 miles and look for sign on right.
Although mountain biking seems to be the big "draw" for this campground, we came for kayaking on Fontana Lake and we were not disappointed. There is a boat ramp in the recreation area which is easily accessible. The campground itself appears to have been upgraded recently with very nice gravel areas around the water spigots which are spaced around the grounds. The trash containers are also conveniently located and are bear/critter proof. The sites were more than adequate although a bit close but the campground was not busy so it was perfect plus we had no problem parking with our small (13 foot) travel trailer. Our only big disappointment was the cleanliness of the restrooms....perhaps because there were no campground hosts at the time, the restrooms were pretty GROSS and we are not picky people. It's a shame because the restrooms themselves were modern and nice but be prepared to bring some cleaning supplies of your own....what I wouldn't have done for a toilet bowl brush and that will be my new "must have" item to pack for our next camping trip. All in all though, it is a very nice (no electric) campground and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.....especially listening to the whippoorwills at night and the babbling brook that flows through the campground......
For the price this campground is amazing. It's all down hill to get to the campground and it's right by the lake. The water level on the lake is a little low but the view is gorgeous regardless. They have bathrooms, drinking water and a shower. The sites are good for tent camping as some are grassy.
Fantastic campground right at the base of the two Tsali trail loops making it ultra easy to ride and camp without having to get back in the car or arrange a shuttle. Trails were well maintained and very flowy with little root gnarled washouts that dominate the Pisgah trails.
Peaceful and beautiful. Great place for a reboot. Heard a whippoorwill at night and birds chirping in the morning. Lots of cyclists of course . From what I read people said it's not a place for a larger RV but our 31 ft Class A fit fine in number 39 and it could have fit in quite a few others. It's tight in there, some low limbs but no big limbs. Just be careful.
Epic! My brother and I road and the trails in a few days. Breath taking views of the lookouts! Incredible sights and fast downhills! I camped via hammock. There are several sites that will accommodate hammock camping. Be sure to use tree straps to not damage trees. The facilities were very clean. For $20 a night you really can't beat it! Also lake Fontane was beautiful!
