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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 campground

Rocky Bluff Campground

Forest Service campground in National Forests in North Carolina, Madison County, North Carolina. 1,753 feet. 2.4 miles from Hot Springs.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina
Elevation
1,753 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
17 17 standard non-electric
Longest rig
55 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Madison County

Overview

Rocky Bluff Campground offers solitude in a wooded setting located just 3 miles south of the quaint town of Hot Springs and the majestic French Broad River. The campground is conviently located off of NC Scenic Byway 209 in the Spring Creek Gorge Area.

Recreation

Recreation opportunities abound in and around the Hot Springs area. Located on the Appalachian District of the Pisgah National Forest, Rocky Bluff Campground itself is host to three different trail heads. If you are looking for longer-distance hiking opportunities, the famous Appalachian Trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs. Other popular recreation in the area include white water rafting, kayaking, tubing and fishing on the French Broad River.

Facilities

The campground offers 18 rustic campsites that are designed for passenger car and tent camping. Accessories include picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. There are potable water sites located throughout the campground. As of 2023, Restroom building is closed and porta-johns are available.

Natural Features

Rocky Bluff Campground located near Spring Creek, a North Carolina Mountain Heritage Trout Water . Winding it's way through deciduous oak forests, stocked with Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout, this creek is touted as a trout angler's paradise, making Rocky Bluff a perfect destination for your fishing camp.

Nearby Attractions

Hot Springs has been a well-known relaxation destination for centuries. The natural hot springs are a main draw for the town, along with the abundance of recreation. Visitors can also find several restaurants, art galleries, shopping, live music and festivals here.

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

The land around Rocky Bluff Campground

The ringed pin is this 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 March 11, 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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