Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area

This picturesque area is located on a pinewooded peninsula on Lake Chatuge. The area offers 100 camping sites, a swimming beach with accessible showers, flush toilets, hiking trails, picnic areas with shelters, and a launching ramp for boating, water skiing, and fishing. The recreation area is south of U.S. 64 between Hayesville and Shooting Creek.

Bordering the 13-mile long Lake Chatuge, Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area is a great mountain getaway and offers plenty of outdoor recreation, from water sports to hiking to camping.

Attractions

Jackrabbit Mountain Trail: This easy trail loops for 2.4 miles through open woods and offers glimpses of Chatuge Lake.

Fires Creek Recreation Area: This area offers hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, and fishing. The 26-mile Rim Trail follows the mountain rims that surround Fires Creek. A favorite short trail is the 0.7-mile loop to Leatherwood Falls.

To access Fires Creek from Jackrabbit, go north on NC 175. Turn left on U.S. 64. Go 6.2 miles to Hayesville. Turn right on U.S. 64 Business and left on SR 1307. Go 1 mile and turn left on SR 1300. Travel 5 miles and turn right on FR 340. Trailhead is 1.8 miles ahead.

Marinas: Located on Lake Chatuge are several marinas that rent boats and other small craft.

Chunky Gal Trail: About 14 miles east on U.S. 64, the 21-mile Chunky Gal Trail crosses the highway. Chunky Gal Trail crosses Chunky Gal Mountain and connects with the Appalachian Trail with the north end of River Trail.

Directions

From Asheville: Take I-40W to exit 27 and exit onto U.S. 19/23/74. Travel southwest past Silva and exit onto U.S. 23/441 toward Franklin. In Franklin, take U.S. 64W and travel 31 miles to NC 175. Turn left, and go 2.5 miles on NC 175. Turn right on SR 1155 to the recreation area.

From Hayesville: Take U.S. 64E for 6.2 miles. Turn right onto NC 175, and go 2.5 miles. Turn right on SR 1155.

From Hiawassee: Take GA-75N for about 3.5 miles to the NC/GA State line, where it turns into NC175. Proceed 1.5 miles and turn left onto SR 1155.

Jackrabbit Surroundings

Jack Rabbit Mountain Recreation Area lies on a peninsula of Lake Chatuge - a man-made reservoir that boasts more than 130 miles of shoreline and plenty of water for recreation. Lake Chatuge is touted as the crown jewel of Tennessee Valley Authority's system of lakes and is an impoundment of the Hiwassee River. Similar to a Swiss alpine lake setting, The lake is filled with a bounty of fish, from spotted, white and striped bass to catfish, crappie, and sun-fish.

Features

Open May 1- October 31, Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area offers picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing. Three loops with 101 sites for tent or trailer camping are available. The campground is suited for car camping. No hook-ups are available for RV's.

Each site has a picnic table, fire grill, tent platform, and parking spot.

A two-vehicle wide boat ramp where boats are launched into Lake Chatuge.

Accessible flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are available.

Two picnic shelters are provided.

Camping Fee: At a cost of $15 per site, campsites on all loops are reserved under a reservation system.   Fees are subject to change without notice.

To Reserve a Site: To make a reservation: call 877-444-6777

for more information:
Tusquitee Ranger District
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
828-837-5152
mailroom_r8_nantahala@fs.fed.us

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