Van Hook Glade
Campground · North Carolina · 12 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Nantahala National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 12
- Bookable sites
- 36 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 25
- People per site
- 3,255 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Van Hook Glade is a scenic, secluded campground in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest. Convenient for families and anglers, the campground is in close proximity to hiking trails, scenic views, waterfalls and a nearby lake.Recreation
Campers can easily relax with a book or deck of cards in the shaded campsites, or seek out many activities close by. A short trail in the campground leads to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, which offers six hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, as well as trout fishing, picnicking and swimming. Boating is not permitted.Van Hook glade is a short drive from Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls.
Facilities
Van Hook Glade offers 18 secluded sites, all equipped with picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. Hot showers and flush toilets are also provided, and firewood is available for purchase on-site.Natural Features
The campground is located just 4 miles from the scenic and cultural attractions of Highlands, North Carolina, offering shady campsites in a heavily wooded and secluded area situated on rolling hills. The elevation is 4,118 feet, and the calm waters of Cliffside Lake sit adjacent.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 various attractions, while the larger town of Franklin has shopping, a casino, grocery stores and performing arts.The facts
- Season: April 1 – ? Late October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 12 bookable sites
- 24 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 2 sites for day use only
- Vehicles up to 36 ft
- Up to 25 people per site
- Loops: Cliffside Lake, Management Sites, VAN
Site types
- 12 Management
- 7 Standard Nonelectric
- 3 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 2 Group Shelter Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
24 campsites at Van Hook Glade
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Picnic Shelter | Cliffside Lake | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | 25 | |
| Small Picnic Shelter | Cliffside Lake | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | 25 | |
| 002 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 003 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 004 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 005 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 006 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 009 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 01 | Management Sites | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 016 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 017 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 018 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 021 | Management Sites | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 001 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 31 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | VAN | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | VAN | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | VAN | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Severe | 24 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | VAN | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 36 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Highlands, North Carolina, follow Highway 64 west approximately 4.5 miles. The campground entrance is on the right.
35.07722, -83.24639 · 35°4'38.0"N 83°14'47.0"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, 3.1 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 Van Hook Glade
- Can you reserve a site at Van Hook Glade?
- Yes, Van Hook Glade is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Van Hook Glade have?
- 24 sites in total, of which 12 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Van Hook Glade?
- 36 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Van Hook Glade?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Van Hook Glade.
- Are campfires allowed at Van Hook Glade?
- Campfires are allowed at Van Hook Glade. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Van Hook Glade also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Van Hook Glade's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- This is a fee campground operated by FIND Outdoors. See FIND website . Reservations are available through www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. Van Hook Glade Campsites: Campsites: $24 Maximum Occupancy per site: 8 persons / 2 cars / 2 tents or 1 RV & 1 tent
Camping near Van Hook Glade
- Cliffside Lake Shelters 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) 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Willis Knob Horse Camp 12.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cherry Hill Campground 13 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whetstone Horse Camp 14.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Standing Indian Campground 16.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping 5 mi · Facility
- Burrells Ford 10.4 mi · Campground
- Moss Knob Shooting Range 11.7 mi · Activity pass
- Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground 15 mi · Campground
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground 16.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 828-526-5918
- 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.
Comments