Tsali campground
Tsali
The campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water and restrooms. The camping area is a first-come, first-serve campground that offers 42 campsites during the peak season. There are no hookups available, but generators are permitted during certain hours.
An interesting fact about the Tsali Camping Area is that it is named after a Cherokee Indian who lived in the area in the 1800s. Tsali was known for his resistance to the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their homeland during the Trail of Tears.
The best time to visit the Tsali Camping Area is in the fall and spring when the weather is mild, and the foliage is vibrant. The average temperature in the fall is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for hiking, biking, and camping. In the spring, the average temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and visitors can enjoy the blooming wildflowers and lush greenery.
What's on-site at Tsali
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 Tsali, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsali Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Tsali Recreation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| #73 Lone Pine | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Turkey Creek Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| #98 Chambers Creek | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Tsali -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 380 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 521 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 181 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 193 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 130 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 88 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Tsali -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson City 4 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| New Found Gap | 1.4 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gatlinburg | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Germany Valley | 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
- Swain County Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Needmore Game Land
- Wilderness Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock
- Wilderness Citico Creek
- Wilderness Southern Nantahala
Boat launches
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
- Massey Branch Road 1184, Robbinsville
Fishing spots
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Citico Creek
- Indian Boundary Lake
Points of interest
- Fontanna Overlook
- Calhoun House
- J. H. Kress Cabin
- Forney Ridge Overlook
- Clingmans Dome Visitor Center
- Clingmans Dome Overlook
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
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 Tsali as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Tsali
Can I make reservations at Tsali?
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 Tsali?
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 Tsali.