Highlands, NC Camping Sites

Van Hook Glade Campground

Van Hook Glade Campground at Cliffside Lake is for campers who want to get away, but not too far away.

This lovely campground is open from about early April until late October, depending on the weather. Each of the 20 quiet, secluded, small campsites has a parking space, grill/fireplace, table, and tent pad. Small trailers will fit into some parking spaces; RVs are allowed. A volunteer host is on site to answer questions. No group larger than family-size is permitted to camp. There are five water spigots and a flush toilet. It’s tent accessible, with no hook-ups available. Modern restrooms with hot showers are available. The area is 1.5 miles from Cliffside Lake by either road or trail. Campers have free access to Cliffside Lake Recreation Area.

From Highlands, take US 64 west 4.3 miles to Cliffside Lake Glade Campground.

Ammons Branch

Ammons Branch Primitive Camping Area is a little-used gem that’s so far off the Beaten Path that it may not be accessible by car after heavy rains. The only water supply is from streams and must be boiled or treated. There is one picnic table, a grill, and a pit toilet. A connector trail leaves from the campground, parallels Bull Pen Road, and joins the Ellicott Rock Trail about two-tenths of a mile from its head on Bull Pen Road, one mile west of Iron Bridge. There is limited parking at the trailhead.

From Highlands, take Main Street east for 4.6 miles to the intersection with Bull Pen Rd. Take right onto Bull Pen Road and proceed 1.3 miles. The campground is on the right. Ammons Branch is open year-round. There is no charge.

Blue Valley Campground

Blue Valley Primitive Camping Area offers secluded outdoor life in one of the most scenic locations in Western North Carolina. Since there’s no developed water supply, plan to bring your own or make sure you boil what you draw from the surrounding streams. You’ll find picnic tables and one pit toilet. The free site is open year-round.

From Highlands, take US 28 south for six miles, turn right onto Blue Valley Road and proceed three miles to the campground on right.

Overflow Road Campground

Overflow Road Primitive Camping Area represents a marvelous opportunity for whitewater enthusiasts. It’s the spot for serious campers who want to leave the 21st century far behind.

From Highlands, take US 28 south for 12 miles and turn right onto Warwoman Road. Drive two-tenths of a mile, turn right onto Overflow Road and go a mile to the camping area on the left.

The adjoining Overflow Creek is a beautiful stream in the upper West Fork of the Chattooga watershed, originating in the Osage Mountain and Blue Valley Overlook areas seen from NC 106 near Highlands. It’s a fairly difficult Class IV-V(V+) creek with some big drops and beautiful scenery. The difficulty level increases with higher water, becoming pushy with large holes.

Overflow is narrow below the put-in and there are often many trees and limbs in the river -- so be vigilant after a major rain event for new wood. The first 1.5 miles are low-volume Class II-III before Clear Creek comes in on the left and adds flow and width. The volume picks up considerably again at Three Forks (where Holcomb, Big and Overflow Creeks converge and become the West Fork of the Chattooga) -- this is an exceptionally beautiful area. There are many sizeable rapids, such as Hemlock Falls, First Fall or "Pee Wee", Roundabout, Blind Falls, Gravity Falls, Singley's Falls, Marginal Monster, Pinball and Swiss Cheese. The "Big Three" in difficulty are considered to be Gravity, Marginal and Pinball - though Singley's Falls has the greatest verticality (but it’s not as demanding). Technically, the West Fork of the Chattooga begins at Three Forks, where Wild and Scenic protection is also extended a quarter-mile in all directions from the river. The Three-Forks trail begins about halfway up the shuttle road on the right, marked by a large engraved boulder -- this trail will meet the river near Swiss Cheese, with a spur going off left to Holcomb Creek. It also continues west to Rabun Bald's summit. Take-out and put-In are easily accessed by Forest Service Rd. 86-B and 86 which is now signed as "Overflow Creek Road" off of Warwoman Road which either ends or begins on US 28 depending on where you're driving from. Warwoman Road has its other end in Clayton, Georgia, by the Burger King. From the take-out bridge, drive up seven miles bearing right twice along the way to the put-In -- just past a culvert, with a short trail descending after the berm. The gravel road will cross a sizeable creek about halfway up. This is not Overflow, it’s Holcomb Creek -- it's a popular camping spot, so slow down a bit here. The gauge is located on river right underneath the take-out bridge on a piling support; a little goat-path leads to it. Be sure to park at take-out and put-in with enough room for other vehicles to pass. The placid stretch below the takeout bridge occasionally sees trout-fishing activity.

Ellicott’s Rock Wilderness

Ellicott’s Rock Wilderness is a 8,274-acre tract of unspoiled mountain land that surrounds the point at which Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina come together. The first boundary, a small scenic area, was identified and established in 1966. It and a much larger area were made a part of the National Wilderness System in 1975 and thus became fully protected by guidelines of the 1964 National Wilderness Protection Act.

This primitive land is isolated and well-protected, allowing an unparalleled wilderness experience within its rocky, mountainous terrain. There are unique plant communities, a number of rare and endangered plants growing alongside the trails, evergreen forests with a dense understory of mountain laurel, streamside rhododendron which defies human penetration, a diverse population of large and small animal life, and many fish, including the eastern brook trout.

Camping is permitted within the wilderness, except within 50 feet of the river, tributary stream, or trail and less than a quarter-mile from a road. No groups over 10 people are permitted.

Hiking is the only method available for exploring the interior of Ellicott Rock Wilderness. The automobile-access roads merely provide a way to get to the trailheads. No horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles are permitted.