Ammons Branch Campground

Highlights

• Primitive Camping w/ tent pads, picnic tables, lantern posts, fire pits, pit toilet
• 5 campsites
• No running water (with exception of small Ammons Branch that runs beside camp)
• Hiking Trail within campground connects to nearby Ellicott Rock Wilderness Trail
• Fishing & Swimming at the nearby Chattooga River

The Local Scoop

We recommend Ammons Branch Campground to anyone looking for seclusion and peaceful privacy. This very small campground of only 5 sites is located just off Bull Pen Road outside of Highlands, N.C. Bring your own water supply, a pot to boil water from nearby Ammons Branch in or a filtration/purification system. The property has no running water and only a pit toilet. However, this area has a lot of outdoor activities to do. Drive down Bull Pen Rd. for another 1.7 miles from the camp and you'll be at the Chattooga River & Iron Bridge that crosses some impressive rapids and cascades. There are great places to swim, fish and hike here, so bring all your outdoor equipment to enjoy all that this area has to offer. Some of the area's best fly fishing is just under 2 miles away. Remember to pick up your valid N.C. Wildlife fishing license before you go. We would suggest staying in the summer months so you can enjoy the campground, hiking trails, river and creeks to the fullest. You are only a handful of miles from where "Ellicott Rock" is located. Here is where N.C., S.C. and GA all meet. Take the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Trail or Bad Creek Trail, both trailheads are located off of Bull Pen Road.

Local Directions

From main intersection of U.S. Hwy-64/ N.C. Hwy-28 in Highlands, NC drive through main street until the road turns into Horse Cove Road (just past Mtn. Fresh Grocery on your Right). Drive for 4.5 miles down into the cove (driving through roughly 40 curves on the way down) until you come to a fork in the road and a brown mileage signs with yellow letters. To your left is "Whiteside Cove Rd." and to your Right is "Bull Pen Rd.". Take the Right onto Bull Pen Rd. for 1.3 miles to Ammons Branch Campground sign and entrance on your Right.