How much does camping cost at Harmon Den Campground?

Camping fees at Harmon Den Campground range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Harmon Den Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Harmon Den Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Harmon Den Campground before I book?

Yes! Harmon Den Campground has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Harmon Den Campground?

Harmon Den Campground is open May 01 to October 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Harmon Den Campground?

Harmon Den Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Harmon Den Campground have?

Harmon Den Campground has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Harmon Den Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Harmon Den Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Harmon Den Campground?

Harmon Den Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Harmon Den Campground?

Popular activities at Harmon Den Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Harmon Den Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Harmon Den Campground?

Fire policies at Harmon Den Campground: Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.31

47 reviews

632 Manor RD, Mars Hill, NC 28754, USA

Featured in:Primitive Camping North Carolina Hidden Gem Campgrounds North Carolina

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,900 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Pisgah National Forest - Appalachian Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,900 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Pisgah National Forest - Appalachian Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Harmon Den Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC: $15.00; Tent or Trailer Nonelectric: $15.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

828-689-9694

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

632 Manor RD, Mars Hill, NC 28754, USA

Harmon Den Campground

632 Manor RD, Mars Hill, NC 28754, USA

Nearby places

Hot Springs, NC (~16 miles), Mars Hill, NC (~20 miles), Asheville, NC (~40 miles)

Driving directionsFrom Hot Springs, North Carolina, take Highway 209 south for approximately 7 miles. Turn right onto Meadowfork Road NCSR# 1175. After 6 miles turn right onto Little Creek Road NCSR# 1181 for 3 miles. Take a left onto Max Patch Road NCSR# 1182, then travel approximately 0.75 miles and turn right onto Cold Springs Road NFSR# 148. Travel southwest for about 3 miles to the intersection of Fall Branch Road NFSR#3526, then continue a half-mile to the entrance of the campground on the left. Additionally, access is available from Interstate 40 Exit 7 Harmon Den: travel east 3.0 miles on Cold Springs road NFSR#148 to Falls Branch road NFSR#3526 and 0.5 miles to the entrance.

Weather at Harmon Den Campground

Current alerts(10)

Campground is located within a bear sanctuary; all food and waste must be in bear-proof containers.
Click here for more information about National Forests in North Carolina.
Coggins test required.
Horses are not allowed in the interior portion of the campground; a perimeter trail provides access to riding trails.

Best Time to Camp at Harmon Den Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of cool, stable weather and spectacular hardwood color—expect daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F in September–October at 1,900 ft. Trails and ridgelines light up with peak leaf-peeping in mid- to late-October, making horseback rides, hiking to waterfalls, and wildlife viewing especially rewarding. Crowds rise on weekends for color viewing, so weekdays in October give the best balance of solitude and scenery. Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall is described as the 'sweet spot' with peak leaf color and ideal daytime temps (50s–60s°F).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to October 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open for reservations from May 1 to October 31 annually.

About Harmon Den Campground

Harmon Den Campground sits in the Pisgah National Forest foothills near Mars Hill, operated by the Appalachian Ranger District. This small primitive site offers vault toilets, potable water, and direct access to horseback riding trails and wildlife viewing. Campers regularly spot elk, bears, and foxes, and the campground serves as a gateway to Max Patch hiking.

Harmon Den Horse Campground provides facilities tailored for equestrian camping, tent camping, and small trailer camping. It does not support RV camping due to the absence of hookups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of cool, stable weather and spectacular hardwood color—expect daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F in September–October at 1,900 ft. Trails and ridgelines light up with peak leaf-peeping in mid- to late-October, making horseback rides, hiking to waterfalls, and wildlife viewing especially rewarding. Crowds rise on weekends for color viewing, so weekdays in October give the best balance of solitude and scenery. Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1900 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryMixed hardwoods. Oak, maple, hickory. Create thick cover and privacy between sites. Waterfalls and cold mountain streams cut through the terrain, and the forest shelters black bears, white-tailed deer, elk, foxes, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey. Reviewers mention regular wildlife sightings, especially elk and bears. Forested ridgelines frame the horizon. Max Patch sits close enough for a day hike. The elevation here is modest compared to surrounding peaks that top out near 6,684 feet, making the campground a comfortable base in rugged country.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or cabin accommodations are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are detailed in the authoritative sources or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Guests may stay for a maximum of 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 guests and 4 horses per campsite.

Groups

No details regarding group camping sites are provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or by calling 828-689-9694.

AccessibilityThe campground features bear-proof garbage cans and gated access (with a lock combination provided after reservation), but no specific accessibility features for individuals with disabilities are highlighted.

Site SizeEach site accommodates a maximum of 4 horses and 8 people.

PrivacyThe campground, located amid a mixed hardwood forest, provides secluded sites with ample privacy.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesFor equestrian campers, portable corrals or high-line setups are recommended as an alternative to pipe-rack stalls for extended stays. HD13 is highlighted for its privacy and convenient layout.

Best CampsitesReviewers single out sites HD13, HD11, HD14, and HD10 for scenery and trail access. The upper loop caters to horse campers with stalls, while the lower loop works for tent campers and small trailers.

Need help booking Harmon Den Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

There are no hookups, no dump station, and no drinking water at this time. There is a vault toilet facility for each camping loop as well as bear-proof garbage cans. The water handpump is non-potable currently, please bring your own drinking water.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Harmon Den Horse Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, with a primary focus on horse camping and trail exploration. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding on over 14 miles of designated trails and hiking on nearby trails totaling about 40 miles. Hunting and fishing opportunities are also available. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife viewing opportunities, featuring species such as elk, bears, foxes, and deer.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof garbage cans and food storage lockers are provided to ensure visitor safety.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

Trash & RecyclingBear-proof garbage cans are available throughout the campground to maintain cleanliness and safety. Trash and recycling facilities are not explicitly described beyond this feature.

Cell CoverageUser reviews and official information do not specify cell phone service quality or availability.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

47 reviews

Recommended

Harmon Den Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, users rate Harmon Den Horse Campground highly, emphasizing its quiet atmosphere, beautiful trails, and suitability for horse camping. However, issues such as poorly cleaned horse stalls and water quality occasionally detract from the experience.

Review Summaries

Based on 47 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciated the beautiful scenery, privacy of campsites, and excellent horseback riding trails. Positive mentions include wildlife sightings (elk, bears, foxes) and the proximity to Max Patch...

Based on 47 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints from reviewers include poorly maintained horse stalls, unclear driving directions, difficulty using the water pump, and occasional issues with the gated access system.

Based on 47 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites HD13 and HD14 are frequently mentioned in reviews. While site HD13 received mixed reviews due to stall maintenance issues, site HD14 was praised for its quiet atmosphere.

Based on 47 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing drinking water due to non-potable water availability, carrying portable corrals for horses, and ensuring proper adherence to bear-proof storage rules. They also suggest...

Based on 47 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Visitors note that the campground is particularly enjoyable in spring and fall, with favorable weather and scenic views. Summers may bring higher wildlife activity (including bears). Winter visits...

Based on 47 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Love the sound of the creek as I sleep." - Steven Scheid "Saw a bear, fox, and elk during our amazing hiking!" - Wendy Chadwick "This is an amazing place for horse camping!!!" - Katy Fanning "Love...

Based on 47 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not explicitly reviewed or mentioned by users.

Based on 47 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews address pet policies or pet-related experiences at this campground.

Based on 47 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want wildlife encounters and horseback access in a quiet foothills setting near Max Patch.

Skip if

You need guaranteed water quality, pristine facilities on arrival, or 24-hour gate access.

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Round Mountain Campground sits in the Cherokee National Forest foothills of Tennessee, offering a handful of primitive sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Managed by the Forest Service and open seasonally during peak months, this very small campground attracts visitors seeking solitude, cool summer temperatures, and access to hiking and mountain biking trails. Reviewers praise the peaceful setting and well-spaced sites, though vault toilet upkeep can be inconsistent.