Magazine Branch Lake Access
Nantahala National Forest
Write a Review River Road Tapoco, NC 828-479-6431 Official WebsiteGPS: 35.453, -83.945
Overview of Magazine Branch Lake Access
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-894349 on 10/31/2024
Longest RV Reported: 41 feet
Reported by H2OBoy on 7/7/2018
Number of Sites 11
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 1,148 ft / 349 m
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Magazine Branch Lake Access
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 828-479-6431
Reviews of Magazine Branch Lake Access 13 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 10/5/2023
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 5/27/2019
“Pretty Views, Dirty, Smelly”
Reviewed 10/31/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
I arrived at this campground at 6:30pm. There were a couple travel trailers and a van set up throughout. I pulled into a site and there was trash everywhere. Then I smelled the porta potty that was about 100m away. The fisherman there were also being very loud, and there was no cell service. The views were nice, but I couldn’t get p... more
I arrived at this campground at 6:30pm. There were a couple travel trailers and a van set up throughout. I pulled into a site and there was trash everywhere. Then I smelled the porta potty that was about 100m away. The fisherman there were also being very loud, and there was no cell service.
The views were nice, but I couldn’t get past all the trash and horrible smell.
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AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Stay”
Reviewed 10/29/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Showed up just after 4:30pm on 10/26/23 and was luckily able to grab the end spot to setup with other sites right off the road still available after finding Lake Santeetlah full. Great location next to the water, would highly recommend and stay again. And coming down Tail of the Dragon isn’t terrible, just drive your speed and pull off... more
Showed up just after 4:30pm on 10/26/23 and was luckily able to grab the end spot to setup with other sites right off the road still available after finding Lake Santeetlah full. Great location next to the water, would highly recommend and stay again. And coming down Tail of the Dragon isn’t terrible, just drive your speed and pull off when someone comes up on you.
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Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing, BUT WARNING.. PLEASE READ!. ”
Reviewed 10/5/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
I'll start with the good first. First off, amazing, beautiful, and the best camp site I've been to yet. We had no issue with our 25' camper. It had leveled ground, picnic tables, clean porta-potties, boat landing, clean water to swim in with stunning views, and amazing stars. There were 5 other people camping there, including a skooli... more
I'll start with the good first.
First off, amazing, beautiful, and the best camp site I've been to yet. We had no issue with our 25' camper. It had leveled ground, picnic tables, clean porta-potties, boat landing, clean water to swim in with stunning views, and amazing stars. There were 5 other people camping there, including a skoolie, and some local people came with their boats but it was still quiet. I would 100% stay again.
WARNING:
If you're driving from the south, you should be fine but big rigs may find it to be a little difficult. BUT if you're driving from the north, through Tennessee, NO RVS 30' OR MORE, ARE ALLOWED! The road is called "Tail of the Dragon" and it goes, up, down, and through the mountain on the tightest turns I've ever been on. We were going north and drove on this road and we were terrified while driving it with our 25' camper and honestly I don't even recommend driving it unless you have a van set up or something way smaller than 25' long. It's very popular for motorcyclist, which made each turn even scarier. That's my only take back.
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Verizon 4G
camper-870572 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Location ”
Reviewed 6/7/2023
| Days stayed: | 1 |
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Overall Rating
If heading south down the dragons tail, this is located not too far from the end of it. Located next to a dam, it is a an area owned by a local company. Not a lot of spots but a great place to stop by. There is a boat launch, dumpster, ports johns and that is it. Water was not stagnate, but not a lot of current due to damn. We tent cam... more
If heading south down the dragons tail, this is located not too far from the end of it. Located next to a dam, it is a an area owned by a local company. Not a lot of spots but a great place to stop by. There is a boat launch, dumpster, ports johns and that is it. Water was not stagnate, but not a lot of current due to damn. We tent camped, there were stone fire rings, we kayaked the river up to the damn, up against a mountain side and river. Able to find plenty of firewood by climbing the steep hill. Picnic tables available at some spots. Had a bald Eagle keeping us company at our site in the morning. Did hear some fish jumping.
Brandon33 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“would stay here again in a heartbeat”
Reviewed 10/5/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
Overall Rating
Probably the most beautiful site I’ve been able to park my van at. Very little traffic when i went, so very quiet. The lake is so peaceful. There’s a boat launch here, as well as a dock, very clean river water and multiple porta potties. very accessible for my van, but sites don’t look like they could fit something bigger than a van. f... more
Probably the most beautiful site I’ve been able to park my van at. Very little traffic when i went, so very quiet. The lake is so peaceful. There’s a boat launch here, as well as a dock, very clean river water and multiple porta potties. very accessible for my van, but sites don’t look like they could fit something bigger than a van. fire rings and picnic tables are there. No service, but theres a tavern literally 3 minutes up the road with wifi and drinks ;) only 20 minutes from the nearest town as well. Definitely a gem of a site & great location for spending some time in the smokies
junosmom would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Spot To Spend Some Time In The Smokey Mountains ”
Reviewed 9/28/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 8 |
Overall Rating
My wife and I stayed there for a week and a day to do some hiking in the area, you are able to stay for 14 days. Our spot was beautiful right now to the little Tennessee river. The location has absolutely no service for miles around. The only place to get any connection is through the Tapoco historic lodge/tavern where they have gu... more
My wife and I stayed there for a week and a day to do some hiking in the area, you are able to stay for 14 days. Our spot was beautiful right now to the little Tennessee river.
The location has absolutely no service for miles around. The only place to get any connection is through the Tapoco historic lodge/tavern where they have guest Wi-Fi to use and a water spigot up there as well.
There are really only 2-3 rig spots that accommodate “bigger” rigs. We have a 30ft travel trailer and made it in okay but I wouldn’t recommend a fifth wheel in down on that road. Many more spots for a van if that’s your setup.
It was slightly trashy throughout the spot, my wife and I cleaned up the best we could while we stayed but animals also drag trash out of the open dumpsters at night lol so kind of an uphill battle.
Last but not least I’d like to add is there are port-o-potty’s down there to use throughout the spot. Can help if you want to limit black tank usage. The only dump station we found in the area is at Fontana Dam at the campground, it is free and has a water spigot there as well.
Best of luck!
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camper-746552 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Tourists Slowly Ruining It For Locals”
Reviewed 2/15/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Have camped and fished here since boyhood in the early 70s. Used to be a best kept secret. But tourists are the ones to blame for the negative reviews. This spot isn't set up to handle big RV's. Worry not about The Dragon, as it has been named by outsiders. Locals rightly think negative of US129, since the bikers and fast cars have lit... more
Have camped and fished here since boyhood in the early 70s. Used to be a best kept secret. But tourists are the ones to blame for the negative reviews. This spot isn't set up to handle big RV's. Worry not about The Dragon, as it has been named by outsiders. Locals rightly think negative of US129, since the bikers and fast cars have little to no respect for anyone. My mother was raised in logging camps from Rabbit Creek to Slick Rock. But if you like copperhead and rattlesnakes, this might be a fun place for you. Don't judge the Locals. We have as much right as anyone to camp here. Mind your own business, and you'll get along. I'm sure eventually it will be totally ruined by tourists.
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Verizon 4G
Wcnuch67 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great boondocking spot”
Reviewed 12/10/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
| RV Length: | 24' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
I've camped here many times over the past forty years. The site is owned by the local paper company who also own the dams on the Little Tennessee River above and below this site. It's right off US Hwy 129 just a couple of miles south of the Dragons Tail at Deal's Gap. The site has slowly evolved during that time and lights, a dumpste... more
I've camped here many times over the past forty years. The site is owned by the local paper company who also own the dams on the Little Tennessee River above and below this site. It's right off US Hwy 129 just a couple of miles south of the Dragons Tail at Deal's Gap. The site has slowly evolved during that time and lights, a dumpster, a port-a-potty, a boat ramp and floating dock have been added. Across the highway is the dam where Harrison Ford took a dive in an effort to escape Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive. While a stuntman may have performed the dive it was Ford himself who braved the always cold water of Lake Calderwood in winter to crawl ashore after the jump scene. Sylvester Stallone and James Woods also blew up a South American general's SUV here in The Specialist. The lake itself is small being about six miles long and less than a mile wide and situated between the mountains that drop straight down on either side. About a mile upstream on the opposite side is Slickrock Creek that flows down from the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness and forms the NC - TN state boundary. If you paddle don't miss a quick trip to the creek as it is absolutely beautiful. More paddling opportunities are available on the Cheoha River that flows into the Little Tennessee at this spot as well. The only negative thing for me is the lack of cellular service, other than that it's just about perfect.
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atlanta1213 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful RV boondocking site!”
Reviewed 12/5/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Love this spot! There is plenty of room for several RVs and tent camping. Dumpster on site, boat ramp, porty johns, fire rings, beautiful location, secluded. Easy access down a short paved road. *WARNING: Route 129 just a few miles north of this location is "The Tail of the Dragon". There are 318 curves in 11 miles of road with no t... more
Love this spot! There is plenty of room for several RVs and tent camping. Dumpster on site, boat ramp, porty johns, fire rings, beautiful location, secluded. Easy access down a short paved road.
*WARNING:
Route 129 just a few miles north of this location is "The Tail of the Dragon". There are 318 curves in 11 miles of road with no turn offs. It is very popular for motorcycles and sports cars and not very friendly to large RV rigs.*
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Verizon
Notallwhowander would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Found this little gem of a spot before the late-December sun set.”
Reviewed 1/1/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Most of the campgrounds in the area are closed during the winter and we stumbled upon this one for the night. There are several dry camping spots on the river. A few had fire ring, grill, and picnic table. There were also several porta potties on the other side of the access road and a couple trash dumpsters. Brookfield Smokey Mountain... more
Most of the campgrounds in the area are closed during the winter and we stumbled upon this one for the night. There are several dry camping spots on the river. A few had fire ring, grill, and picnic table. There were also several porta potties on the other side of the access road and a couple trash dumpsters. Brookfield Smokey Mountain Hydropower operates these sites and they are free. We stayed in our van overnight and nobody else came into the area until the early morning locals arrive for fishing. There are several dusk to dawn lights down the road so it’s not completely pitch black at night. The entrance is located on the east side of Highway 129 south just south of Deals Gap “Tail of the Dragon”.
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EricS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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6 reviews
noted 1/15/2020
While I have not camped here, I can attest to how gorgeous the lake and the immediate area are. Terrific flat water paddling, solid fishing for trout. There are "paddle in" campsites on the lake with tent pads that are spectacular. Paddle over to where Slickrock Creek enters the lake and treat yourself to hike up one of the most gorgeous and difficult trails in the eastern US.
Cheoah Point Campground isn't far away and offers more amenities.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- trash
Pets
- pets
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