Cliffside Lake Shelters
Campground · North Carolina · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Nantahala National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 35
- People per site
- 1
- Accessible site
- 3,439 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is a large Day Use area outside of Highlands, NC in Nantahala National Forest. The site offers access to Cliffside Lake where visitors can fish and swim. Cliffside is also home to several trailheads, including the popular Ranger Falls Trail. A $5 per car parking fee is charged for all visitors. Picnic shelters are available for reservation and are the perfect venue for a family reunion, school group, or church outing.
Recreation
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Boating is not permitted. Cliffside is a short drive from Dry Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Rainbow Falls. Cliffside is also adjacent to the well maintained and secluded Van Hook Glade Campground. The nearby Cashiers Valley offers recreationalists a plethora of activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, rock climbing, and whitewater. Nearby Whiteside Mountain is the perfect hike for an adventurous family with young children.
Facilities
The Cliffside Lake Picnic shelters offer visitors a large covered area with picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. These shelters must be reserved in advance.
Visitors can utilize the beach and swimming area (no lifeguard on duty), a fishing pier, flush toilets near the beach, and several small uncovered picnic areas complete with tables and grills.
Natural Features
Cliffside Lake is located adjacent to the beautiful Cullasaja Gorge where visitors can see several large waterfalls a short walk from Highway 64. The site is nestled between three beautiful mountains, all of which can be explored on the extensive trail system. At 4,118 feet elevation, visitors will enjoy the cooler temperatures that the unique temperate rainforest ecosystem brings to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The calm waters of Cliffside Lake offer anglers of all ages a unique opportunity to catch multiple species including trout, bass, and bream.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (828) 787-1980.Nearby Attractions
A morning or late afternoon drive down scenic Highway 64 is sure to present visitors with amazing views. The quaint town of Highlands has a general store and several fantastic restaurants, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, grocery stores and performing arts.
The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- 1 accessible site
- Up to 35 people per site
- Loops: A
Site types
- 2 Picnic
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, shade.
2 campsites at Cliffside Lake Shelters
Check-in 08:00 AM · Check-out 08:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Shelter | A | Picnic | — | — | Lakefront | — | 35 | 🐾 |
| Small Shelter | A | Picnic | — | — | Lakefront | — | 25 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
35.07777, -83.23776 · 35°4'40.0"N 83°14'16.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 42°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 42 | 46 | 54 | 62 | 69 | 75 | 78 | 76 | 71 | 63 | 53 | 45 |
| Low °F | 24 | 26 | 32 | 39 | 47 | 54 | 58 | 57 | 51 | 41 | 32 | 27 |
| Precip in | 8.0 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 8.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cliffside Lake Shelters
- Can you reserve a site at Cliffside Lake Shelters?
- Yes, Cliffside Lake Shelters is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cliffside Lake Shelters have?
- 2 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Cliffside Lake Shelters?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Cliffside Lake Shelters.
- Are campfires allowed at Cliffside Lake Shelters?
- Campfires are allowed at Cliffside Lake Shelters. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Cliffside Lake Shelters
- Van Hook Glade 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- West Fork Campground (Clayton, GA) 9.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sarah's Creek Campground (Clayton, GA) 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Willis Knob Horse Camp 12.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cherry Hill Campground 12.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whetstone Horse Camp 14.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Standing Indian Campground 16.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping 4.9 mi · Facility
- Burrells Ford 10.1 mi · Campground
- Moss Knob Shooting Range 11.6 mi · Activity pass
- Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground 15.5 mi · Campground
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground 16.7 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 828-527-5912
- Email Judy@cfaia.org
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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