Return to Black Mountain Campground (Pisgah National Fores, NC)

[BOBSMITH]

I had stayed at the Black Mountain Campground in 2006, but my wife didn't go on that trip. So we decided to head back and spend five days there, hoping that we would be able to score campsite #7 which is, to our way of thinking, the best site in the whole campground. And we got it. It's at the end of the road at a cul de sac, beside the South Toe River, just a few steps from the bathhouse, and close to the water spigot and the bear-proof trash cans. It's perfect for a Casita trailer and vehicle.

Last time I was there you had to pay the host $1 to use the (warm) showers. Now it's coin operated. $1 for 5 minutes. The more quarters you put in, the longer shower you can take. But five minutes is plenty. These are new showers and really nice. The new batthouses were built with FEMA money from the hurricanes that swept the NC mountains a few years ago, damaging many campgrounds. Hurrah, for FEMA!

One bear came to our campsite one morning at around 5:00 am looking for food that wasn't there. I couldn't get his photo without opening the trailer door, so I went without the shot. But I did get some photos of the bear's prints on the bear-proof trash cans. I reckon no one told him they were bear-proof!

Fees at Black Mountain are $16 per night. $18 per night if you figure in two showers. Or $17 if you're alone or shower with your spouse.

If you like to hike, there are great trails all around, and some really good ones that start right at the campground and one which leads to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the higest peak in the eastern USA. But be in good shape for that one, as it climbs 3800 vertical feet in 5.6 miles, one way. Schedule a whole day to do that hike right.

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">Bear prints on the bear-proof trash cans.</div>

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">Our Frontier and Casita on the Blue Ridge Parkway just before the turnoff onto NC 80 and the campground.</div>

[Al and Cindy K]

Bob, thanks for reminding me of this campground again. I keep saying we're going to check it out and yet keep right on driving past it on the way to Nantahala. From your description, it sounds like we'd really enjoy the place.

Al

[Chris Z]

Is there a website? We are that area now and then and I ned to investigate

[BOBSMITH]

Is there a website? We are that area now and then and I ned to investigate

Yep! Here are a couple:

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreat...k_mountain.pdf

http://www.cradleofforestry.com/camping/directory.asp

The second one is a Cradle of Forestry website with all of the campgrounds that they handle for the National Forest Service. Just scroll down to the one for Black Mountain.

It's one of my favorite NC campgrounds.

[Chris Z]

Gee Bob
How'd I miss that one?
Finally found it on the map. Probably a half dozen times, we've stayed on the other side of the parkway on 80 toward Marion.
i think it's called Creekside. Very nice people there and the kids enjoyed the stream right behind the campsite. Just has to be one of the very cleanest well manicured campground around. Worst thing is the trek down and then back up to the Parkway - steep and windy and slow. Probably the same way toward Black Mountain?
We'll have to check that one out too! Normally, we are wondering up and down the parkway and seldom stay in one place 2 nights. We don't get far with all the stops.