Rocky bluff
Rec.gov describes Rocky Bluff Campground as “one of the best kept secrets in the national forest of North Carolina”. Just what I am looking for!!! Sold! It is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, so in August 2020 off I went. It is 3 miles south of the lovely Hot Springs, NC off of the NC Scenic Byway 209. Hot Springs is famously one of the through towns of the Appalachian Trail and the historically therapeutic hot springs.
This is a very old camping spot. I have looked and looked but so far, I have been unable to find the exact dates and history. I’ll keep digging, cause I want to know. I love history. I do know it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. I met an old gentleman there camping with his wife who told me how he and his family had been coming there for years, since he was a child.
Just so you know, there is not the option of driving up and claiming an open spot. Reservations only. Then you get the code to open the secured entrance gate. Car/tent camping only, no RV spots.
Upon arrival, the lack of the presence of a campground host or any other official entity surprised me. All by yourself. There is a bath house, and someone does come by daily to clean and supply it. Otherwise, nothing. I got there; it was very quiet. Only 2 other campers among (I think) 15 sites. Then I found mine. Very quaint and interesting.
These sites are well defined and sectioned out with lovely moss-covered stone walls. If one is tipsy in the middle of the night, this could present a problem. Just be aware.
There is a section for the fire, one for the camp table, another for the tent pad. All up a rise of old stone steps. Some sites are more situated around a field, as shown in one of the photos above, but most are like this.
Does it sound a little bit like the site might be a wee bit creepy? What with the isolation, moss, stones and all? Add to that the old cemetery just up the hill overlooking my site.
Quiet neighbors…
There are (were) 2 camping loops. I walked Josey and explored the blocked off, abandoned section.
It was so sad. I could imagine days past when both loops were full in the warm with cool breeze summers of long ago. Crowded with families that knew each other well from years of camping together. Catching up on each other’s lives of the previous year. Kids running around, riding bikes, tromping down the Spring Creek Nature Trail to go fishing and wading, the smoky campfires dotting the loops in the evenings. Childish energetic late-night squeals of spooky stories by those fires, fueled by smores and hot dogs.
No more.
I spent 2 nights here. It was peaceful and beautiful. I was drawn by all the positive reviews, and they were not misleading. I feel like they were written by some of those who have enjoyed its more glorious past. I would definitely do it again. I wish it was closer than 4 plus hours from me.
As for the chiggers referenced in the title of this post- I didn’t even know what they were. I woke up one morning with bites all over and surrounding my torso. I thought “how in the h—- did a mosquito get under my clothing?” I had not even seen any bugs. I only figured it out weeks later after googling. My mother had always warned me of these mythical buggers when we were by the river or anywhere near grasses or woods. I never saw them. Never had an experience with them before. I think I doubted their existence. Made it this far in life. They got me finally. Apparently, the treatment is painting them with clear nail polish? Any thoughts? Email me. I just lived with it for weeks until they finally disappeared.
I had an awesome excursion from here into the town of Hot Springs and from there down a long dirt road that runs beside the glorious French Broad River. Of course, chasing waterfalls. That will be another blog entry. It deserves its own. :)
