Old Forge campground
Old Forge
Reservations are accepted at Old Forge camping area, making it convenient for campers to plan their trip in advance. It is advisable to book your spot early, especially during the peak season, as this campground tends to fill up quickly.
The best time to visit Old Forge camping area is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is pleasant, and the scenery is breathtaking. During these times, you can enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife spotting to the fullest. However, it is important to note that the campground may be closed during the winter months.
While exploring the camping area, be cautious of wildlife encounters, including black bears. It is recommended to store food securely and away from your campsite to avoid attracting these animals. Additionally, always respect nature and practice leave-no-trace principles to preserve the beauty of Old Forge camping area for future generations to enjoy.
What's on-site at Old Forge
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 Old Forge, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Forge Recreation Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Old Forge Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Horse Creek Rec Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Horse Creek Recreation Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Davy Crockett Birthplace | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Old Forge -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Limestone Creek Near Limestone | 30 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River Below Nolichucky Dam | 582 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River At Embreeville | 2,020 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Hot Springs | 765 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Marshall | 802 cfs | → |
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 56 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Old Forge -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Barnardsville 2 Se | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Elizabethton | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Kingsport | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Flat Springs 1e | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Flat Springs 1.2 E | 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 Sampson Mountain
- Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
- Wilderness Unaka Mountain
- Buffalo Mountain Park
- New Kiwanis Park
- Old Kiwanis Park
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
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 Old Forge as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Old Forge
Can I make reservations at Old Forge?
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 Old Forge?
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 Old Forge.