Openings · last 7 days
2
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 2 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-234313
When Swan Cabin Group Camp reopens
Swan Cabin Group Camp's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
3
Openings · last 90 days
3
Only 3 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Nov 1, 2026 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 45 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Nov 1, 2026): 31 open for online reservation · 14 reserved.
Where the open windows are
31.1% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 31 of 45 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18 – Nov 1, 2026Not open online31.1%
Open site-nights31 / 45
Reserved (of online inventory)14 / 45
Weekday openings24
Weekend openings7
Of the open cabin-nights on mapped sites, 24 fall on weekdays and 7 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Nov 2026November is fully reserved. 0 of 1 tracked site-nights are open there — 1 reserved.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 cabin| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked night.
Availability
Most open cabin-nights · tracked window| Cabin | Open cabin-nights |
|---|---|
| C01 | 31 |
This cabin currently has 31 cabin-nights available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateSun · Sep 20
Next open weekendFri · Sep 25
November0 of 1 · fully reserved
The next bookable night is Sep 20; the first open weekend starts Sep 25. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
31 open cabin-nights across 1 cabin at Swan Cabin Group Camp, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 5 2-night, 5 3-night, 1 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 20 at site C01.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 30 ft. 1 site takes 25 ft.
All 1 cabin with current availability
| Cabin | Max RV | Hookups | Open cabin-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C01 | 30 ft | None | 31 | 12 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +19 more |
About Swan Cabin Group Camp
Overview
Please be advised: due to health and safety concerns, occupancy within Swan Cabin will no longer be permitted. However, group camping outside the cabin in adjacent grassy field is allowed. Nestled in a remote area of Nantahala National Forest, this primitive log cabin was built in 1931 by Frank Swan in a different location, then later it was moved to its current location near the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. The cabin and the surrounding meadows are named for the Swan Family, who came to the area from Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Swan Cabin Group Campsite offers a peaceful, quiet retreat where visitors can relax and enjoy birdsong and views of the surrounding wilderness. This group campsite is available from April 15 through October 31.
ATTENTION: Swan Cabin Group Camp is considered remote, and is located at a high elevation where climatic conditions can be extreme and can change very quickly. Forest Service Roads 81 and 81 F that provide access to Swan Cabin Group Camp are gravel roads. During certain times of the year, these roads may be muddy or covered with snow. During ideal conditions, Swan Cabin Group Camp may be accessed with two wheel-drive vehicles. During muddy or snow covered conditions, four wheel-drive and higher clearance vehicles are required. Please be aware that staying at Swan Cabin Group Camp requires proper preparation, thorough review of predictive weather reports, and the ability to be self-sufficient during unplanned weather events, which can happen at any time of the year. Refunds will not be issued for inclement weather conditions or the inability to access the group camp due to inclement weather conditions.
Recreation
There are several nice hikes in the area, including the 3-mile Swan Meadows and the 7-mile Stratton Bald Trails. There is an easy 5-minute hike from the group camp to a waterfall. Nearby boat ramps are available on Santeetlah Lake.
Facilities
Tents may be pitched in the surrounding meadows for group camping. A pit toilet is located adjacent to the group camp, and a nearby spring may provide a water source, although it should be boiled or treated. There is no electricity or running water at the group site. A picnic table, grill and fire ring are available for use. Visitors may wish to bring their own drinking water, as well as supplies and equipment for food preparation. All equipment must be carried in from the parking area, located approximately 100 feet from the group camp. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring many of their own amenities. Hunting is also a popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the area from September through December. Hunters and their dogs may frequent the nearby trails during that time.
Natural Features
The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is particularly known for its old-growth forest of oak, poplar and hemlock within the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. This is one of the largest old-growth forests east of the Mississippi. Sun-loving wildflowers are abundant in the spring, and rhododendron, azalea and mountain laurel bloom in the late spring and early summer. The 2 major watersheds in this wilderness are Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek. The mouth of Slickrock Creek has the lowest elevation in the wilderness at 1,086 feet. Swan Cabin Group Camp is situated near the highest elevation in the wilderness: 5,341-foot Stratton Bald in the Unicoi Mountain Range.
Nearby Attractions
Swan Cabin Group Camp is an ideal base for exploring the pristine Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only a short drive away and makes an excellent day trip.
1 monitored cabinRVs up to 30 ftNo hookups1 shadedSpringsPets OKFire pitsMax party 10
Getting there
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, take Highway 129 north. After about 2 miles turn left onto 143 West (Massey Branch Road). Pass the Ranger Office and continue to the stop sign (2.2 miles). At the stop sign, turn right, continuing on 143 West for approximately 6.9 miles. Turn right on NC 1134 toward Joyce Kilmer. Continue only about 50 feet. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 81. Continue on this gravel road approximately 8 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 81F and continue for 2.7 miles. Swan Cabin Group Camp is located on the left, off of Forest Service Road 81F.
500 Swan Cabin Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771828-479-6431
BackpackingBirdingCampingFishingHikingHuntingWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-234313 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-234313 · Swan Cabin Group Camp · Robbinsville NC4 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Swan Cabin Group Camp?
Reservations for Swan Cabin Group Camp are made through Recreation.gov. 31 of 45 tracked site-nights are currently open (68.9%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 3 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Swan Cabin Group Camp?
Campsite Sniper detected 2 site-date openings at Swan Cabin Group Camp in the last 7 days, 3 over 30 days and 3 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Swan Cabin Group Camp?
5 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 20 at site C01. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Swan Cabin Group Camp fit a 35-foot RV?
No RV-analyzable site here has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 30 ft.
Which month has the most availability at Swan Cabin Group Camp?
October 2026, with 20 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Swan Cabin Group Camp?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Sun, Sep 20 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 25. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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