Tat Start campground
Tat Start
The campground boasts a variety of amenities, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are 29 campsites available, with both reservation and first-come-first-serve options. The campground is open from April through October.
An interesting fact about the Tattnall Creek Campground is that it is named after William Tattnall, a Revolutionary War hero who fought under George Washington. One of the best times to visit the area is during the fall, when the leaves change colors and the temperatures are mild, averaging around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 40 degrees at night. Overall, this campground is a great option for those seeking a peaceful, scenic camping experience in North Carolina.
What's on-site at Tat Start
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Tat Start, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowbird Camping | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Fires Creek Hunters Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Fires Creek Hunt Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Appletree Group Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Appletree Group Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Tat Start -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 96 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 130 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 364 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Tat Start -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson City 4 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Germany Valley | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| New Found Gap | 3.4 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gatlinburg | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Sautee 3.5 Sw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock
- Wilderness Citico Creek
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Nantahala National Forest
- Wilderness Southern Nantahala
- Wilderness Bald River Gorge
Boat launches
- Massey Branch Road 1184, Robbinsville
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1920, Robbinsville
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1986, Graham County
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Payne Street Murphy
- Hiwassee Street Murphy
Fishing spots
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Indian Boundary Lake
Points of interest
- Calhoun House
- Bald River Falls
- J. H. Kress Cabin
- Fontanna Overlook
- Henry Whitehead House
- John P. Cable Barn
Paddle runs
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Tat Start as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Tat Start
Can I make reservations at Tat Start?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Tat Start?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Tat Start.