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VAN HOOK GLADE
National Forest

VAN HOOK GLADE

Franklin, North Carolina
4.5 (83 reviews)

Photos shown are stock images and may not represent the actual campground.

About VAN HOOK GLADE

Federal campground in North Carolina.

Van Hook Glade offers a serene escape into North Carolina's natural landscape, providing RV enthusiasts with an authentic forest camping experience. Nestled within the national forest system, this campground serves as an ideal basecamp for travelers seeking to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life while remaining accessible to meaningful outdoor adventures.

The setting at Van Hook Glade immerses visitors in the peaceful ambiance of the surrounding forest. The natural canopy provides welcome shade during warm months, while the cooler mountain air creates comfortable sleeping conditions year-round. This location appeals to a wide range of travelers, from families looking for their first camping adventure to seasoned RVers seeking a quiet retreat away from the commercial campground circuit.

The national forest location means you're surrounded by countless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels wind through the surrounding woods, offering everything from short nature walks to more challenging day hikes. Fishing enthusiasts will find pristine streams in the area, while those who simply enjoy nature photography or bird watching can spend peaceful hours exploring the forest's natural beauty. The setting provides an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife and experience the changing seasons in a relatively undisturbed natural environment.

For travelers planning their North Carolina adventure, Van Hook Glade's location provides convenient access to the broader region's attractions. The national forest setting offers a more rustic camping experience compared to larger developed facilities, making it perfect for those who prefer a simpler, more intimate connection with nature. Whether you're escaping for a long weekend or planning an extended stay, this campground delivers the authentic forest camping experience that many RV travelers seek.

The peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings make Van Hook Glade particularly appealing to retirees, nature lovers, and families who want to teach their children about outdoor living. The 4.5-star rating from 83 reviews reflects the genuine appreciation visitors have for this forest sanctuary.
4.5

Rating

83

Reviews

Park Details

Tips & Tricks

Book Early

Franklin is popular during peak season. Reserve 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays.

Check-in Time

Most parks have check-in after 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM. Call ahead if you'll arrive late.

Local Weather

North Carolina weather can change quickly. Pack layers and check the forecast for Franklin.

Explore the Area

Don't miss local attractions near Franklin. Ask the camp host for hidden gems and trails.

VAN HOOK GLADE Reviews

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Cherie Mascis

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 pict... 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!

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Cherie Mascis

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 pict... 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!

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Marie Roberts

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 :)

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Marie Roberts

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 :)

G
NotQuite WonderWoman

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 elec... 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.

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NotQuite WonderWoman

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by 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 elec... 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.

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Alice Feeney

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Alice Feeney

Beautiful little national forest cg. We are in site 20. Big spacious sites, quite private. Lots of rhododendron. Real pretty. I wouldn't come here to have a quiet camp experience, cause the road is loud during that day, night is silent though. Awesome clean bathrooms and shower. No electric, water available, but not at site. If u have solar or starlink, 9 is the site for you. Our rig is 32 ft. We... Beautiful little national forest cg. We are in site 20. Big spacious sites, quite private. Lots of rhododendron. Real pretty. I wouldn't come here to have a quiet camp experience, cause the road is loud during that day, night is silent though. Awesome clean bathrooms and shower. No electric, water available, but not at site. If u have solar or starlink, 9 is the site for you. Our rig is 32 ft. We fit in fine, but the roads getting here, oy!! Not for the faint hearted driver. Do not take your rig on 64 north to or from cg. No joke, it's white knuckle driving, just in our truck. Love this place. Lots of trails back into the rec area behind here. Beautiful lake, picnic spots, trails, big parking lot too, can fit a RV up here no problem.

G
Alice Feeney

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Alice Feeney

Beautiful little national forest cg. We are in site 20. Big spacious sites, quite private. Lots of rhododendron. Real pretty. I wouldn't come here to have a quiet camp experience, cause the road is loud during that day, night is silent though. Awesome clean bathrooms and shower. No electric, water available, but not at site. If u have solar or starlink, 9 is the site for you. Our rig is 32 ft. We... Beautiful little national forest cg. We are in site 20. Big spacious sites, quite private. Lots of rhododendron. Real pretty. I wouldn't come here to have a quiet camp experience, cause the road is loud during that day, night is silent though. Awesome clean bathrooms and shower. No electric, water available, but not at site. If u have solar or starlink, 9 is the site for you. Our rig is 32 ft. We fit in fine, but the roads getting here, oy!! Not for the faint hearted driver. Do not take your rig on 64 north to or from cg. No joke, it's white knuckle driving, just in our truck. Love this place. Lots of trails back into the rec area behind here. Beautiful lake, picnic spots, trails, big parking lot too, can fit a RV up here no problem.

G
Cy Dickey

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Cy Dickey

This is a wonderful smaller campground that is super close to a number of things to see: dry falls, bust your butt falls, bridal veil falls, Highlands, and Franklin. Right accross the street is some prime fly fishing on the Cullasaja river and there is also a lake adjacent to the campgrounds if you spin fish. The spots are HUGE and pretty spread out and private. There is a tight curve on the campg... This is a wonderful smaller campground that is super close to a number of things to see: dry falls, bust your butt falls, bridal veil falls, Highlands, and Franklin. Right accross the street is some prime fly fishing on the Cullasaja river and there is also a lake adjacent to the campgrounds if you spin fish. The spots are HUGE and pretty spread out and private. There is a tight curve on the campground loop so it might be hard to maneuver a big rig, but if you get a spot closer to the entrance you should be fine. We would definitely come back to this place again!

G
Cy Dickey

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Cy Dickey

This is a wonderful smaller campground that is super close to a number of things to see: dry falls, bust your butt falls, bridal veil falls, Highlands, and Franklin. Right accross the street is some prime fly fishing on the Cullasaja river and there is also a lake adjacent to the campgrounds if you spin fish. The spots are HUGE and pretty spread out and private. There is a tight curve on the campg... This is a wonderful smaller campground that is super close to a number of things to see: dry falls, bust your butt falls, bridal veil falls, Highlands, and Franklin. Right accross the street is some prime fly fishing on the Cullasaja river and there is also a lake adjacent to the campgrounds if you spin fish. The spots are HUGE and pretty spread out and private. There is a tight curve on the campground loop so it might be hard to maneuver a big rig, but if you get a spot closer to the entrance you should be fine. We would definitely come back to this place again!

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