Magazine Branch Lake Access

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.

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.

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.*

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”.

The was just a stretch of a gravel road with tents and campers set up right on the road. No more than 5-10 feet from the road. The water was stagnant and dirty. This may be good for fishing I heard but the picture posted here do not paint an accurate picture. Also don’t try taking a camper down highway 129. We have never heard of the tail of the dragon but if you follow GPS, it will take you down this road and it is not safe for campers. It’s basically a big racetrack for sports cars and motorcycles.

Great location we found and amazed that it was not on here already. A local told us of this spot.
Approximate 11 sites here. Trash dumpster but no other services. Was able to get our big rig in quite easily. 14 day max stay. This area is right along the lake just sw of the Cheoah damn on the little TN River. Just minutes from Deals Gap. Sites are fairly level, all have grills and fire pits. Very quiet, but the LED night lights should be avoided if you have options for sites. They are VERY bright. Wifi is available at the Tapoco Lodge which is about 1 mile away. $3 for 8 hours of wifi. Even at this lodge cell service is very limited. Verizon could make calls in some spots. AT&T no luck.