Available sites
22 total sitesAbout Harmon Den Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Site Setup and Access
- Shaded Site
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
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Rates, Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
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22 Sites Available
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Reviews (37)
What Guests Are Saying
Harmon Den Campground offers a quiet, clean, and well-maintained environment with shaded sites equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and grill grates. Campers appreciated the wildlife sightings, including bears and elk, and the peaceful atmosphere despite some minor disturbances from construction nearby. Some challenges included confusing detour signs and a hornet issue at the entry gate, but overall, visitors enjoyed their stay and expressed a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Harmon Den Campground offers a quiet, clean, and well-maintained environment with shaded sites equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and grill grates. Campers appreciated the wildlife sightings, including bears and elk, and the peaceful atmosphere despite some minor disturbances from construction nearby. Some challenges included confusing detour signs and a hornet issue at the entry gate, but overall, visitors enjoyed their stay and expressed a desire to return.
Review Summary
Debra P
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
Beautiful campground, great area to explore, excellent sites! Our problem was getting there - the directions only said " turn at 3 mi" up the road, not which way to turn, and there was a parking area with a road going out on the left at 3 mi. Unfortunately, we turned there instead of going a little farther and taking the correct right-hand turn. Probably wouldn't have been a big problem except our truck overheated and died with horse trailer behind on that steep, narrow gravel road. The campground was great once we found it. The combination on the gate worked fine but the gate itself requires some muscle power to open - could not have done it without my husband. Also the water pump was a two person project and the water was a little brown so not sure I would recommend drinking it. These were minor things and our overall experience was very enjoyable. We trekked up to Max Patch which was truly awesome and we were excited to spot elk twice during our visit. The mountains, trails, and creeks are beautiful and the campsites are well designed and convenient with plenty of room to navigate a trailer. I would recommend some sort of portable corral or high line set-up for horses as I wouldn't want my horse to have to stand in the pipe-rack stalls for an extended period of time.
Debra P
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
Beautiful campground, great area to explore, excellent sites! Our problem was getting there - the directions only said " turn at 3 mi" up the road, not which way to turn, and there was a parking area with a road going out on the left at 3 mi. Unfortunately, we turned there instead of going a little farther and taking the correct right-hand turn. Probably wouldn't have been a big problem except our truck overheated and died with horse trailer behind on that steep, narrow gravel road. The campground was great once we found it. The combination on the gate worked fine but the gate itself requires some muscle power to open - could not have done it without my husband. Also the water pump was a two person project and the water was a little brown so not sure I would recommend drinking it. These were minor things and our overall experience was very enjoyable. We trekked up to Max Patch which was truly awesome and we were excited to spot elk twice during our visit. The mountains, trails, and creeks are beautiful and the campsites are well designed and convenient with plenty of room to navigate a trailer. I would recommend some sort of portable corral or high line set-up for horses as I wouldn't want my horse to have to stand in the pipe-rack stalls for an extended period of time.
Gay M
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: HD05, Loop: Upper
Only problem I have with camp is the previous camper don’t clean stalls last few time we been there had to clean stalls before we could use them..we alway clean ours when we leave..after driving for several hours to get there don’t care anything about shoveling someone else poop..really enjoy the camp otherwise..great trails..like it been a gated campground
Sharon A
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
I LOVE Harmon Den!
Gay M
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: HD05, Loop: Upper
Only problem I have with camp is the previous camper don’t clean stalls last few time we been there had to clean stalls before we could use them..we alway clean ours when we leave..after driving for several hours to get there don’t care anything about shoveling someone else poop..really enjoy the camp otherwise..great trails..like it been a gated campground
Sharon A
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
I LOVE Harmon Den!
David Z
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
Wide open sites with plenty of space. Latrine was relatively clean. Only negative was that the water pump was not working.
David Z
VerifiedAugust 6, 2020 • Stayed at: HD13, Loop: Upper
Wide open sites with plenty of space. Latrine was relatively clean. Only negative was that the water pump was not working.
pam r
VerifiedOctober 27, 2020 • Stayed at: HD11, Loop: Upper
Enjoyed our stay at Harmon's Den Horse camp. Very quiet campground. A beautiful bald, Max Patch, is very near by. You can ride horses to the bald or drive and hike the bald.
pam r
VerifiedOctober 27, 2020 • Stayed at: HD11, Loop: Upper
Enjoyed our stay at Harmon's Den Horse camp. Very quiet campground. A beautiful bald, Max Patch, is very near by. You can ride horses to the bald or drive and hike the bald.
Location & Directions for Harmon Den Campground
632 Manor Rd, Mars Hill, NC 28754 United States
Elevation: 882 ft
Getting There
From Hot Springs, North Carolina, take Highway 209 south for approximately 7 mi.
Turn right onto Meadowfork Road NCSR# 1175. After 6 mi
turn right onto Little Creek Road NCSR# 1181 for 3 mi. Take a left onto Max Patch Road NCSR# 1182, then travel ...
From Hot Springs, North Carolina, take Highway 209 south for approximately 7 mi.
Turn right onto Meadowfork Road NCSR# 1175. After 6 mi
turn right onto Little Creek Road NCSR# 1181 for 3 mi. Take a left onto Max Patch Road NCSR# 1182, then travel approximately 0.8 mi and turn right onto Cold Springs Road NFSR# 148. Travel southwest
for about 3 mi to the intersection of Fall Branch Road NFSR#3526, the continue a half-mile to entrance of the campground on the left. Also access from Interstate 40 Exit 7 Harmon Den, travel east 3 mi on Cold Springs road NFSR#148 to Falls Branch road NFSR#3526 and 0.5 mi to entrance.
Highway access
Harmon Den Campground is accessible from Interstate 40, approximately 3 miles away via Cold Springs Road. Additionally, it can be reached by Highway 209, which is approximately 7 miles from Hot Springs.
Nearby National Park
Big Creek Entrance
Approximate driving time: 15 min
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 59 min
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance; no walk-ups allowed.
- Access to the campground is gated; you'll receive the code upon reservation.
- Visit the link for more information about National Forests in North Carolina.
Utilities
- The handpump water is not safe to drink; bring your own drinking water.
Pets
- No horses are allowed in the campground interior; use the perimeter trail for riding access.
- A Coggins test is required for horses.
Wildlife & food storage
- Food and waste must be stored in bear-proof containers due to the campground's location in a bear sanctuary.
Fires & fuel
- Obtain firewood locally and do not move it to prevent pest spread; it's illegal in some areas.
Safety & rules
- Remove all hay and straw when you leave the campground.
- Dispose of horse manure and hay using the provided shovel and wheelbarrow into the designated trailer.
Site types & loops
- The upper loop is for horse camping; the lower loop accommodates tent campers and small trailers.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 20, 2026