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Nantahala/Van Hook Glade
Overview
Van Hook Glade is a secluded gem tucked within the Nantahala National Forest, just outside the upscale mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina. This small, intimate campground offers a true mountain experience without the noise of larger commercial resorts. Because it sits at a high elevation of approximately 4,100 feet, visitors can expect refreshing mountain air and a dense forest canopy that provides natural privacy and shade for every site.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated along the scenic Cullasaja Gorge on Highway 64, often referred to as the Waterfall Byway. It is surrounded by the lush greenery of the national forest, characterized by towering hardwoods and vibrant rhododendron thickets. The site is conveniently adjacent to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, providing campers with easy access to a serene mountain lake while remaining only a few miles from the sophisticated dining and boutiques in Highlands.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a rustic destination focused on nature, offering 20 shaded campsites that accommodate tents and smaller trailers or motorhomes. While the park does not offer sewer or electrical hookups, it provides several essential features for a comfortable stay:
- Fresh drinking water available throughout the camping loop.
- Accessible vault toilets maintained by the Forest Service.
- Standard site features including a picnic table and fire ring.
The simplicity of the site ensures that the focus remains on the surrounding wilderness and the peaceful environment of the Cullasaja River area.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activity, starting with the hiking trails around Cliffside Lake and the swimming area available during summer months. Iconic natural landmarks such as Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are located within minutes of the campground, offering spectacular views from the roadside. For a more refined afternoon, travelers can drive into town to visit the Bascom Center for the Visual Arts or explore the diverse local botanical gardens.
Who This Park Is Best For
Van Hook Glade is ideal for adventurous RV owners and van lifers who prioritize peace and natural beauty over modern resort luxuries. It appeals to travelers looking to disconnect from the digital world and immerse themselves in the quiet rhythms of the forest. If you enjoy scenic photography and waterfall hopping, this campground serves as a perfect, centrally located basecamp for exploring the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Marie Roberts
Super clean and small campground perfect for kids. Has a smooth loop for bike riding, lots of giants snails and swimming close by. Mark went above and beyond as a camp host! Emily too when we were swimming at Cliffside :)
Laura
We stayed at site 13 (tent) on a weekday and reserved it a few weeks earlier. It was a very pretty area and easily accessible off us64. Clean bathrooms and showers, friendly host, quiet fellow campers. It rained on us almost the whole time but still a beautiful time
Kaelin Riche
Very nice campground, our site was a short walk from a nice creek. Quiet for the most part, though loud cars on the road could be heard occasionally.
Cherie Mascis
Small, beautiful, quiet campground near Highlands, NC. Not for large trailers or RVs. There's a tight loop at the end of the campground that was difficult to get around with my small truck and 17ft trailer. There are older, but clean restrooms and showers and potable water spigots, but no water or power at individual sites. There are several hiking trails and waterfalls nearby and a small but picturesque lake next door!
Jamie H
Stopped in randomly for one night while on the road. Plenty of spots available. Was able to fit our van and trailer. Very quite. Peaceful. Clean. Park staff was very friendly
NotQuite WonderWoman
We rented sites 7 and 8 for our family of eight camping excursion. Love that those 2 sites connect with a little trail through the trees without walking down the steps to parking and back up steps to the other camp site. Those are also close to the bathroom with 2 individual bathrooms and 2 individual showers both with locked doors and privacy. This is a more primitive campground- no water or electricity at the campsites. Some reviews mention the noise from the traffic, it is close to scenic hwy 64 so during the day we could hear traffic, mainly motorcycles, but as it got dark we rarely heard anything. Not much cell service so if camping doesn’t mean ‘getting away from it all’ to you- I don’t recommend but we did not have good cell service on the drive of hwy 64 or in parts of the surrounding towns. All in all a very beautiful quiet place for camping and relaxing.
Michael Murawka
Beautiful campground but if you want peace and quiet go somewhere else as it’s very close to a busy road, so you are hearing road noise most of the time.
Gloria Heitfield
My sister came from Florida to visit and I wanted to take her somewhere fun and refreshing we found Van Hook Glade it was spectacular our campsite was spectacular the managers were super spectacular and yes I would visit there again talk about visiting our Cub scout leaders are looking for a place to go camping in a couple of weeks. And may I add those had to be the cleanest bathrooms and shower rooms I have ever laid my eyes on.
M Rosen
Such an amazing campground and recreation area (nearby and accessible via car or trail from the campsite). Truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited!! This campground is small, quiet, and serene, with mostly small groups/families camping at tent sites. Sites were clean and relatively secluded and private as far as car camping goes -- each site was nicely surrounded by woods, and close to clean, single-use bathroom facilities. This campground also features of accessible drive-in sites for folks who use wheelchairs/ have mobility limitations. There are so many sites within a short walking distance to check out, and even more beautiful sites a short drive away. Could not recommend enough!
Johnethan
I'm 44 yo. I've been going here since I was 7. Sums it up.