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A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Rattler Ford Group Campground

Forest Service group campground in National Forests in North Carolina, Graham County, North Carolina. 2,076 feet. 2.8 miles from Lake Santeetlah.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina
Elevation
2,076 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
4 4 group tent only area non-electric
Longest rig
30 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Graham County

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • backpacking
  • birding
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • water access
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Rattler Ford Group Campground

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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