Appletree Group Campground
Sleep under the Stars. Looking for a campsite for a group of people near the Nantahala River? The four sites at Appletree Group Campground accommodates two sites (A and D) for up to 25 people each and two sites (B and C) for up to 50 people each. Each site has its own picnic shelter, outdoor group gathering area with a fire ring and lantern posts, restroom with flush toilets, water hydrant, designated parking area and a grassy field for tents and activities. The campground offers a shower house. Open April 1 – October 31, the campground is most popular during summer weekends and quieter on the weekdays. Reservations are required at 828-524-6441.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · tent only in North Carolina
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $75/night for 25 person sites; $150/night for 50 person sites |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Season | April 1 - October 31 |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Booking | Reservations are available from 8am-4:30pm, M-F excluding holidays at the Nantahala District Office, 828-524-6441. Reservations are available beginning Jan 1 for that year. |
| Fees | $75/night for 25 person sites; $150/night for 50 person sites |
| Rules | Campsites A and D are limited to 25 people; Campsites B and C are limited to 50 people, no exceptions. All areas are tent areas; only one wheeled camping unit is permitted per campsite and must be kept in the gravel parking area. Pets must be on a leash. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 35.2269° N, 83.6581° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Buck Branch
32 mi from the campground · 652 acres
- PrescribedRx Bird Dog
34 mi from the campground · 34 acres
- PrescribedRx - Rymer Camp
44 mi from the campground · 381 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Endless River Adventures ↗ | 7.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blairsville RV Sales ↗ | 25 mi |
| Dump station | Cades Cove New Dump Station ↗ | 26.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Appletree Campground
Worth a stop
- 5.5 miDirty John Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 12.3 miMassey Branch Fishing Pier ↗Fishing site
- 12.5 miLemmons Branch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miNature Walk0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miAppletree2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miJunaluska Gap ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miDiamond Valley1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miLaurel Branch1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2 miLondon Bald ↗8.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 13.5 miSouthern Nantahala Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 23,364 acres
- 14.4 miChattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,796,317 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Glen Choga LodgeBuilding · Aquone · 2.8 mi
- Charles Noden George HouseBuilding · Topton · 4.6 mi
- Walker's InnBuilding · Andrews · 8.6 mi
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Appletree Group Campground?
Sites at Appletree Group Campground take reservations. Reservations are available from 8am-4:30pm, M-F excluding holidays at the Nantahala District Office, 828-524-6441. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Appletree Group Campground?
$75/night for 25 person sites; $150/night for 50 person sites
Source: Forest Service
Is Appletree Group Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 26, 2026. Season April 1 - October 31.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Appletree Group Campground?
Appletree Group Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Appletree Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Wine Spring Horse Camp (4.2 mi), Tsali Recreation Area (12.2 mi, first-come), and Standing Indian Campground (12.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby