Camping Journal

Just down NC SR 1134 from the Horse Cove Campground is a dispersed camping area along the shores of Lake Santeetlah. While there are about 14 dispersed sites, most are more suited to tent camping as you need to walk down to the site from the road. We found one site that was wonderful, situated in mature hardwoods on a peninsula of Lake Santeetlah.

Water and flush toilets are available at Horse Cove Campground but this is dry camping at it's finest. The closest town is Robbinsville, NC - about a 20 minute drive down the mountain. The town contains one grocery store, a couple of fast food outlets and a couple of gas stations.

If you camp in the area you have to go to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Joyce Kilmer, killed in WWI was a poet and the author of the poem "Trees." The Veterans of the Foreign Wars asked the government to set aside a fitting stand of trees to serve as a living memorial to Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action during World War I. The memorial forest is an outstanding example of a cove hardwood forest -- with towering trees as old as 400 years. Some enormous yellow-poplars are over 20 feet in circumference and stand 100 feet tall.

This was a true test of the batteries on the pop up. We set up camp on Friday September 30. While I only stayed the weekend, Felica stayed the following week. I re-joined her Friday the 7th of October and we stayed until Monday the 10th. Over all the batteries held up for 10 solid camping days. When we left we still had power to spare. I will admit, we were careful in it's use but it was fine for lights, water pump and AM/FM radio.

Keep in mind that this camping area is in Graham County is a "Dry" county. You must bring your adult beverages with you!

Horse Cove Campground has designated handicapped campsites, but the dispersed area has no handicapped facilities.

Location: Nantahala National Forest	Date: 9/30/2005
Miles Towed: 380	Weather: H mid 70's L mid 50's