COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP in Great Smoky Mountains — photo 1

Cove Creek Upper Group Camp

Great Smoky Mountains

About this campsite

Overview

Cove Creek Upper Group Camp is one of two group campsites nestled along Cove Creek in the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains. The facility can accommodate large groups of up to 60 people and offers year-round opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing and picnicking in one of the most scenic areas in the state.

Recreation

Campers can easily relax with a book or deck of cards in the shaded camping area, or seek out activities close by. The area is a hub for numerous hiking, backpacking and mountain biking trails, some of which can be accessed from the campground. Hikers can follow a trail along the creek that leads to a scenic waterfall. Great trout fishing is also available in the creek and river.

For visitors wishing to learn more about the area, interpretive programs may be available upon request.

Facilities

The Upper Group Camp site can accommodate up to 60 people at a time. The facility is shaded with plenty of room for tents and RVs. It is equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, grills, campfire rings and drinking water.

Natural Features

The campground lies in Pisgah National Forest. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to both Cove Creek and the beautiful Davidson River. Visitors should note that two creek crossings are required on the road leading to the upper group camp. Heavy rains may temporarily make crossing impossible; a four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle is highly recommended and all crossings are attempted at users own risk.

Nearby Attractions

The city of Asheville, North Carolina, is about an hour away and offers numerous cultural attractions, art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (828) 885-7557.

Location

COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP•NC

Common questions about COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP

Is COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP free to camp at?

Yes. COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP in NC is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. Free camps fill up fastest in school holidays, so have a fallback in mind.

Can you book COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP online?

We hold no online booking link for COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP?

COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP sits in NC. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

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Overview The Pink Beds Picnic Shelter is nestled within Pisgah National Forest along the scenic US 276 corridor. It sits adjacent to the historic Cradle of Forestry in America and is set within a lush woodland valley renowned for rhododendron, mountain laurel, azalea blooms, and rare high-altitude bogs—giving the area its iconic name. Recreation As part of the Pisgah National Forest, the Pink Beds area offers excellent opportunities. Visitors can pair a visit to the shelter with exploring the gentle, family-friendly Pink Beds Loop Trail—a scenic 5-mile hike through diverse habitats with boardwalks over boggy wetlands, creek crossings, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The surrounding area is ideal for other types of recreation including fishing, horseback riding, and swimming. In addition, visitors are just steps away from the Cradle of Forestry in America, a historic site celebrating the birthplace of modern forest conservation. The Cradle of Forestry offers an indoor museum, paved hiking trails, outdoor exhibits, theater, cafe, and a gift shop. Facilities The area has a flush toilet restroom, 21 picnic tables, grills, an old Civilian Conservation Corps gazebo, and this large shelter. The parking area is a paved lot utilized for both Pink Beds Picnic Area and Pink Beds Loop Trailhead. Natural Features Named for the rhododendron, mountain laurel and azalea that bloom in spring and summer, the Pink Beds Picnic Shelter is renowned for its scenic forest setting and small stream nearby. At an elevation of 3,280 feet, it is appealing to visitors for its relatively flat valley which sustains some very large pine trees and rare mountain bogs. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (828) 866-3437. Nearby Attractions The area is next door to the Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site, and four miles from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sliding Rock Recreation Area.

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WHITE PINE SOUTH GROUP CAMP — NC7.1 km away

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WHITE PINE SOUTH GROUP CAMP

Overview White Pine South Group Camp is one of two group campsites nestled along Avery Creek in the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains. The facility provides tent camping year-round and can accommodate families, scout troops and other groups of up to 25 people. Visitors have access to a number of recreation opportunities, including hiking, swimming, mountain biking, fishing and picnicking, in one of the most scenic areas in the state. Recreation The forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are close to the campground. Avery Creek and the Davidson River offer great trout fishing. Facilities The site is equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, lantern posts, campfire rings with grills and drinking water (***DRINKING WATER CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE*** Sorry for the inconvenience). Natural Features The campground lies in Pisgah National Forest at an elevation of 2,600 feet. The surrounding land boasts mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and slopes thickly forested with hardwoods. The group camping area is adjacent to Avery Creek and near the beautiful Davidson River. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (828) 577-4910. Nearby Attractions The city of Asheville is about an hour away and offers numerous cultural attractions, art galleries, shops and restaurants. The small town of Brevard is also nearby and has various amenities and services.

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COVE CREEK UPPER GROUP CAMP