Red Creek Forks

This area is so perfect for camping, that they eventually put up signs forbidding camping. The area was seeing signs of overcamping. The brush and firewood was being cleared and the erosion near the banks of Red Creek was getting worse. Recently (Summer 2002) the signs have been taken down allowing camping here again. Hurray!

Railroad Bed Next to Red Creek.

Eventually, the railroad bed that began on the Rocky Point Trail (TR 554) intersects with Red Creek. At the intersection of Breathed Mountain Trail is a beautiful camping area where you can hear the gentle roar of the water or take a break or a swim.

Red Creek Forks, 1995

The Red Creek Forks is at the intersection of two branches of Red Creek. This picture is of the east branch of Red Creek. We camped here one night, swam and played in the water. I think one person actually brought a small raft and tried to ride it down the stream. It didn't work. Because of the central location and beautiful scenery at this campsite, you can expect to share this campsite with others.

Storm Damage, 1997

This picture is taken from same location as the one above but a few years later. As you can see, trees and debris litter the area from the floods of winter 1996 when record snowfall accumilated on Dolly Sods. We didn't camp there in 1997 because the Forest Service had placed signs asking you not to camp there until the area had recovered from over-camping. We really didn't want to camp here since the area looked like a warzone from the uprooted trees and eroded shores. Red Creek had uprooted trees littering the streambed from here all the way down past Laneville. This picture was taken in April, so it looks a little bit brown. Later in the season, the area is more verdant.

Nature Reclaims Herself, 2002

I tried to duplicate the photo from above to show how all the debris left by flooding of 1996 could decay, decompose, and wash away a few years later. The confluence at Red Creek Forks is again serene and beautiful.

Grassy, Flat Campsite

I camped there in my tiny lttle Kelty Vortex tent several years ago. It was very pleasant. If there has been lots of rain, you may have some trouble finding dry ground. The area can be a bit soggy. The campsites are surrounded completely by dense Rhododendron so finding appropriate toilet sites is challenging.

On the northwest end of the campsite is the continuation of Red Creek Trail which ends just a mile or so north of Red Creek Forks at Blackbird Knob. At that point, BlackBird Knob Trail goes west towards Cabin Mountain and east towards Red Creek Campground and FR 75