Tent Sites
Sabrina S
VerifiedMay 6, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: RFGC
Rattler Ford is a great camping site! The amenities are wonderful. The area is quiet and clean. It’s a good place to trout fish.
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About Rattler Ford Group Campground
Rattler Ford Group Campground sits near the swift-moving Santeetlah Creek in the Nantahala National Forest. Groups of up to 25 guests can enjoy the creek, which is popular for fly fishing, as well as nearby Lake Santeetlah, which provides countless water sports and activities.
Available sites
4 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
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Currently open - Apr 15 to Nov 1
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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4 Sites Available
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001, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire
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002, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Yes shade
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003, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Yes shade
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004, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Full shade
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Site Details
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4 Sites Available
Site
Price
⛺
001, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire
⛺
002, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺
003, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺
004, Loop: RFGC
Tent
Gravel · Campfire · Full shade
No available sites
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Reviews
51 reviews
Summary
Rattler Ford Group Campground offers spacious, serene group sites along the river, ideal for fishing and swimming. Campers appreciate the clean facilities, helpful host, and various nearby attractions, including hiking trails and breathtaking viewpoints. Overall, it's a peaceful retreat that fosters a strong connection with nature, although visitors should come prepared with extra supplies for the shared bathrooms.
Based on guest feedback
4.6
Overall rating
Based on 51 reviews
5 stars
72.5% (37)
4 stars
19.6% (10)
3 stars
3.9% (2)
2 stars
3.9% (2)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 51 reviews
Verified Only
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Jerry L
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 Stayed at: 004, Loop: RFGC
Very helpful host, group campground very nice and secluded, near boating, hiking, Fontana Village, Tapaco Lodge, and the skyway. Only complaint is the not very nice restrooms and the shower water is uncomfortably hot.
Helpful
Jerry L
VerifiedAugust 2, 2023 Stayed at: 004, Loop: RFGC
Very helpful host, group campground very nice and secluded, near boating, hiking, Fontana Village, Tapaco Lodge, and the skyway. Only complaint is the not very nice restrooms and the shower water is uncomfortably hot.
Helpful
Bethan M
VerifiedJuly 30, 2023 Stayed at: 003, Loop: RFGC
Awesome campground! Helpful host. Our site was the perfect size for our group and so close to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
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Bethan M
VerifiedJuly 30, 2023 Stayed at: 003, Loop: RFGC
Awesome campground! Helpful host. Our site was the perfect size for our group and so close to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
Helpful
Kristina C
VerifiedJune 25, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: RFGC
Scott, the camp host, was terrific! Lake Santeetlah and the beach were wonderful. Very relaxing.
Helpful
Kristina C
VerifiedJune 25, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: RFGC
Scott, the camp host, was terrific! Lake Santeetlah and the beach were wonderful. Very relaxing.
Helpful
Cristy S
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: RFGC
This campground was expensive for what it offered. I reserved Campsite 1 and the path from one of the parking spots went straight into a wet ditch. You couldn’t park right next to the campsite so you had to carry your gear in and out. I ended up just sleeping in my SUV and leaving in the morning. There was only one shower and I’m not even sure it had hot water. I couldn’t find anywhere to fill up my water jug either. Word of advice; North Carolina campgrounds are far superior.
Helpful
Cristy S
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: RFGC
This campground was expensive for what it offered. I reserved Campsite 1 and the path from one of the parking spots went straight into a wet ditch. You couldn’t park right next to the campsite so you had to carry your gear in and out. I ended up just sleeping in my SUV and leaving in the morning. There was only one shower and I’m not even sure it had hot water. I couldn’t find anywhere to fill up my water jug either. Word of advice; North Carolina campgrounds are far superior.
Helpful
Molly M
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 Stayed at: 003, Loop: RFGC
Awesome campground however the bathrooms needed attention the whole time we were there. Beautiful creek side camping.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Rattler Ford Group Campground
Hwy 1134, Robbinsville, NC 28771 United States
Elevation: 633 ft
Getting There
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, take Highway 129 north to 143 West/Massey Branch Road. Pass the Cheoah Ranger District office and continue to the stop sign. Turn right to continue on 143 West for about 7 mi. Rattler Ford Group Campground is on ...
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, take Highway 129 north to 143 West/Massey Branch Road. Pass the Cheoah Ranger District office and continue to the stop sign. Turn right to continue on 143 West for about 7 mi. Rattler Ford Group Campground is on the left.
Highway access
Rattler Ford Group Campground is accessible via Highway 129 and Highway 143, with Highway 129 providing a connection to Robbinsville.
Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The closest entrance is: Townsend Entrance
Approximate drive: 29.3 mi · 50 min
Near Yosemite National Park
The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate drive: 52.1 mi · over 1 hr (89 min)
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
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Last updated: October 21, 2026
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Explore Robbinsville, NC
Population: 577
Nearby city: Knoxville, TN
Approx. 41 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 2,060 ft
Robbinsville, NC
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service