National Forests in North Carolina
13 of 14 days currently show available sites.
Fri, Sep 11
None
available
Sat, Sep 12
2
sites
Sun, Sep 13
2
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Mon, Sep 14
2
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Tue, Sep 15
2
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Wed, Sep 16
2
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Thu, Sep 17
2
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Fri, Sep 18
2
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Sat, Sep 19
1
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Sun, Sep 20
2
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Mon, Sep 21
2
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Tue, Sep 22
2
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Wed, Sep 23
2
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Thu, Sep 24
2
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Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is a large Day Use area outside of Highlands, NC in Nantahala National Forest. The Cliffside Lake Picnic shelters offer visitors a large covered area with picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. Cliffside Lake is located adjacent to the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge where visitors can see several large waterfalls a short walk from Highway 64.
Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.
The Cliffside Lake Picnic shelters offer visitors a large covered area with picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. These shelters must be reserved in advance. Visitors can utilize the beach and swimming area (no lifeguard on duty), a fishing pier, flush toilets near the beach, and several small uncovered picnic areas complete with tables and grills.
Cliffside Lake is located adjacent to the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge where visitors can see several large waterfalls a short walk from Highway 64. The site is nestled between three beautiful mountains, all of which can be explored on the extensive trail system. At 4,118 feet elevation, visitors will enjoy the cooler temperatures that the unique temperate rainforest ecosystem brings to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The calm waters of Cliffside Lake offer anglers of all ages a unique opportunity to catch multiple species including trout, bass, and bream.
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Boating is not permitted. Cliffside is a short drive from Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Rainbow Falls. Cliffside is also adjacent to the well maintained and secluded Van Hook Glade Campground. The nearby Cashiers Valley offers recreationalists a plethora of activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, and whitewater. Nearby Whiteside Mountain is the perfect hike for an adventurous family with young children.
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 several fantastic restaurants, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, grocery stores and performing arts.
Other tracked campgrounds from the same park or area.
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12 sites open
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11 sites open
Scanned 7h ago
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17 sites open
Scanned 4h ago
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13 sites open
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Active
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9 sites open
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Booking
Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 13 of the next 14 days, starting Sat, Sep 12. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.
Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.
Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.
