Available sites
10 total sitesAbout Van Hook Glade
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
Hiking
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Site Setup and Access
- Shaded Site
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
- Showers
Cooking and Fire
- Campfire Ring
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Rates, Sites & Availability
10 Sites Available
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (346)
What Guests Are Saying
Van Hook Glade is a well-maintained campground with clean facilities, friendly hosts, and a beautiful natural setting, offering privacy and access to nearby hiking trails and waterfalls. Many visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and appreciated the cleanliness of the bathrooms and campsites. However, some reported road noise and the absence of electrical outlets at campsites as potential drawbacks. Overall, it is highly recommended for a serene camping experience close to the charming town of Highlands.
What Guests Are Saying
Van Hook Glade is a well-maintained campground with clean facilities, friendly hosts, and a beautiful natural setting, offering privacy and access to nearby hiking trails and waterfalls. Many visitors enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and appreciated the cleanliness of the bathrooms and campsites. However, some reported road noise and the absence of electrical outlets at campsites as potential drawbacks. Overall, it is highly recommended for a serene camping experience close to the charming town of Highlands.
Review Summary
Robert B
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: VAN
A great feature of Vanhook Glade is it's proximity to the Cliffside Rec Area which ordinarily charges but is free to campers. That area has a beautiful lake and trails including one to a lightly visited beautiful waterfall. I walked the dog each morning up to this area, an easy half hour, and the additional trails would accommodate any ambition level. For those interested in a picnic or BBQ there were great facilities around the Cliffside Rec Area Lake. The scenic Bridal Veil and Dry Falls waterfalls are nearby and many trails in the Highlands area are within easy commute.
Karen D
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: VAN
The good - beautiful and small campground. Camped here at least 5 times.
The bad - be prepared for rain even if it’s sunny. Always rains here. My small blind dog was attacked here by a fellow camper’s dog that escaped its harness and came into our campsite - was literally hunting my dog. Scary moment. Hosts were nowhere to be found during/after attack. Luckily my dog was OK.
Karen D
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: VAN
The good - beautiful and small campground. Camped here at least 5 times.
The bad - be prepared for rain even if it’s sunny. Always rains here. My small blind dog was attacked here by a fellow camper’s dog that escaped its harness and came into our campsite - was literally hunting my dog. Scary moment. Hosts were nowhere to be found during/after attack. Luckily my dog was OK.
Robert A
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: VAN
We have camped here for years. I have always loved it. It's close to the waterfalls, hiking trails and fishing. Highlands is nearby. The camp host were awesome. Very nice and helpful. The rest rooms were kept clean. I highly recommend camping here.
Robert A
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: VAN
We have camped here for years. I have always loved it. It's close to the waterfalls, hiking trails and fishing. Highlands is nearby. The camp host were awesome. Very nice and helpful. The rest rooms were kept clean. I highly recommend camping here.
Diane G
VerifiedAugust 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: VAN
Campsite #19 was very nice. Water spigot very close; walk to bath house not bad. Enjoyed hiking over to Cliffside Lake area and seeing nearby waterfalls. Only negative: the firewood we purchased on site was green and very hard to burn. Since you shouldn’t transport your own firewood, they really should have dry wood available to purchase. Would definitely go there again.
Diane G
VerifiedAugust 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: VAN
Campsite #19 was very nice. Water spigot very close; walk to bath house not bad. Enjoyed hiking over to Cliffside Lake area and seeing nearby waterfalls. Only negative: the firewood we purchased on site was green and very hard to burn. Since you shouldn’t transport your own firewood, they really should have dry wood available to purchase. Would definitely go there again.
Matthew W
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: VAN
We had a great time even though it rained for quite a bit of it. There were plenty of spaces to hang our hammocks and the scenery was amazing. The lakes and waterfalls around here are fun adventures to go on with the kids. Very quiet and everyone we did meet was friendly. We will definitely be back!
Ellen G
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: VAN
Our tent-only site 12 was right across from the water spigot and (clean) bathroom, yet the short flight of stairs down the hill made it very private. The foliage was thick and the tent sites were spaced very far apart and while we had neighbors we couldn't even see their fire. There was only enough space for a single vehicle at this site. Absolutely no cell service at the campground, but a short 0.3 mi hike towards Cliffside Lake gave us one Verizon bar, enough to check texts. The Lake is more of a pond and felt very over-fished but was beautiful none-the-less. We enjoyed daily hikes out from the campsite and appreciated not having to drive anywhere. Hosts were friendly and informative. Very dog friendly atmosphere as well. We would absolutely come back!
Matthew W
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: VAN
We had a great time even though it rained for quite a bit of it. There were plenty of spaces to hang our hammocks and the scenery was amazing. The lakes and waterfalls around here are fun adventures to go on with the kids. Very quiet and everyone we did meet was friendly. We will definitely be back!
Location & Directions for Van Hook Glade
14014 Highland Rd, Highlands, NC 28741 United States
Elevation: 992 ft
Getting There
From Highlands, North Carolina, follow Highway 64 west approximately 4.5 mi. The campground entrance is on the right.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via Highway 64, which is approximately 4.5 miles from Highlands, North Carolina.
Nearby National Park
Deep Creek Entrance
Approximate driving time: 1 hr (60 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- No hookups available
- Sharp curve inside campground loop may make maneuvering an RV difficult
- Campground hosts on-site
- Limit two vehicles and two tents maximum; some walk-in sites are limited to one vehicle
- Campfires can only be made in fire rings provided
- This campground is managed by the Cradle of Forestry In America Interpretive Association
- Click here to learn more about the National Forests in North Carolina
- 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.
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Last updated: October 20, 2026