Does Indigo Eagle Sanctuary have toilets?

Yes — toilets are available at every site at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. Portapotty is available 5-10 minute walk

How do you get to the sites at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

4WD required. Park at your site.

Are pets allowed at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Yes — Indigo Eagle Sanctuary is pet-friendly. Off leash okay at some sites.

Are campfires allowed at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Yes — campfires are allowed at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. Always review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.

What is the check-in process at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Meet and greet with your host at some sites.

What is the cancellation policy at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Flexible at some sites; Strict at the others. Full refund 24 hours before check in time starts.

What time is check-in and check-out at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Check-in times vary by site (from 1pm). Check-out times vary by site.

How far in advance can you book, and how long can you stay at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

Same-day bookings welcome, up to 12 months ahead. Stay at least 2 nights.

Is drinking water available at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary?

No — no potable water at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. There is natural running spring water at the site.

Does Indigo Eagle Sanctuary have showers?

No — no showers at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. Please ONLY use environmentally-friendly, biodegradable soap IF you must use soap at all. Respect the waters.

Does Indigo Eagle Sanctuary have picnic tables?

No — no picnic tables at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary.

Does Indigo Eagle Sanctuary have wifi?

No — no wifi at Indigo Eagle Sanctuary.

View amenities photos of Indigo Eagle Sanctuary

View rigs & rvs photos of Indigo Eagle Sanctuary

Mailbox at 548 Plott Balsam Rd., This is where you pick up the directions/map and fill out waiver form. Remember to arrive before dark so you can see where you are going.

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Indigo Eagle Sanctuary

Hosted by Indigo · Maggie Valley, North Carolina

13 sites · RV, Tent, Lodging · 140 acres

91%

294 reviews

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Within a 60-minute drive from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Indigo Eagle Sanctuary is an incredible place to experience the abundance of nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our Sanctuary features two main areas: Mountain Tops, or Creekside sites. Immerse yourself in beauty and adventure, with waterfalls, a rushing creek, fishing, and camping. Our creek properties include the Creekside Cabin, and Waterfall Haven (multiple camping site options, with their own areas by the creek). Guests have room to explore the mossy wonderland along Hornbuckle Creek, take a dip in a swimming hole, take an adventure and follow a rough trail (at your own risk) to another waterfall, accessed across the creek, or just kick back and relax. (Note to guests: Trail has not been maintained since last year. Go at your own risk.) Our mountaintop options include Eagle’s Nest and Songbird Campsites. These two sites provide breathtaking, long-range mountain views and epic sunsets. They are great for quick get-aways, with ease of access to main roads/highways. Indigo Eagle Sanctuary Sites are located within a few miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee Reservation (museum, shops, dining) and Maggie Valley, a quaint mountain town with more shops, food, and entertainment. Nearest grocery stores are Ingles in Waynesville, or Food Lion in Cherokee. The popular Asheville is about a 50minute drive from our Sanctuary. Plenty to explore here, while being able to unplug and unwind. *Disclaimer The creekside camping involves a road that will require vehicle clearance in order to access campsites. 4wd is not required but adequate vehicle clearance will be necessary as we have received damages from storms.

Select a site

Tent-only sites

1 site

Waterfall Haven Campsite 12

95%

(70)

Tent site · Sleeps 10

Come experience the wonder and beauty of Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. Enjoy the breathtaking Indigo Waterfalls or hike to hidden falls along beautiful trails. Boasting a rushing creek, fishing, camping, hiking, a fire circle, swimming holes and wildlife! Various mossy groves are available for camping, this site priced for 8 people ($5 per extra person up to a total of 10 people) Enjoy the serenity and privacy of the forest and reserve your site today! Site 12 is along the rushing creek and seems to be everyone's favorite spot for larger groups of campers! Recommended high clearance vehicles, or 4WD or AWD. You can pull up to this campsite to park. Please be specific about your needs when requesting booking, and we will accommodate you as best as we can. Thanks! Please bring your own tents, bedding, kitchen supplies/ food, firewood and all essentials required for primitive camping. Biodegradable soaps only! Indigo Eagle Sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of the land and asks that you pack everything out that you came in with, including trash and recycling. ARRIVAL: Use GPS to get to 242 Plott Balsam Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751. Don't go up the driveway, this is just to get you into the community. Continue along Plott Balsam Rd, turning left at the first intersection to stay on Plott Balsam Rd. Follow this road for about 2 miles of winding gravel road. You will reach a turn-around spot at an intersection to turn onto Reservation Rd. Turn onto Reservation Rd. Take this for about a mile. This is where the road gets a little more rugged, best suited for high clearance! A mile down reservation Rd. there's a gate that is not locked at this time but should be opened and closed upon entering and exiting. Another half mile past the first gate, Indigo Eagle Sanctuary there is a gate with a combination lock. If locked the combination is 0000. Please close gates behind you. Welcome to the Sanctuary! Site 12 is toward end of the road, look for markers on the left.

4WD required

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No showers

RV/tent sites (dispersed)

11 sites

Waterfall Haven Camping (2-11)

91%

(160)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 6

This listing is for Waterfall Haven campsites 2-11. Once reserved these sites are first come first serve so you can pick whichever you prefer, not including sites 1 or 12 as they are priced for groups. Come experience the wonder and beauty of Indigo Eagle Sanctuary. Enjoy the breathtaking Indigo Waterfalls or hike to hidden falls along beautiful trails. Boasting a rushing creek, fishing, camping, hiking, a group fire circle, swimming holes and wildlife! Recommended 4WD or AWD vehicles and high clearance vehicles. A mile down Reservation Rd. there's a gate that is not locked at this time but should be opened and closed upon entering and exiting. Another half mile upon entering Indigo Eagle Sanctuary there is a gate with a sign letting you know you've made it!

4WD required

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

Eagles Nest Top Mountain View #1

75%

(4)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 10 · Vehicles under 1 ft

Sunsets over mountain tops and starry filled skies, wildlife and fresh air... is what is offered at this camp spot. Accessible by high clearance vehicles, or 4WD/AWD ! Included with this campsite is access to the waterfall haven camping grounds to hike and visit waterfalls (about a 12 minute drive from Songbird, and you definitely want high clearance for that), being mindful of our guests down there. Adventures await. This site is appropriate for larger camping parties! (Carpooling is helpful, but there is space for a few cars up there.) Pets welcome, but please keep them with you at your site. Directions: Use GPS 325 Parkway Drive, Maggie Valley. It will take you from Soco Rd onto Plott Balsam Rd. Left onto Parkway. Sharp left turn (2-point turn) to go up the driveway to the sites. Pull into the site labeled Mountain View Camping Site #1.

4WD required

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

Lodging

1 site

Eagles Nest Top Mountain View #2

89%

(84)

Canvas tent · Sleeps 4 · 1 toilet

Sunsets over mountain tops and starry filled skies, wildlife and fresh air... is what is offered at this camp spot. Accessible by high clearance vehicles, or 4WD/AWD ! Included with this campsite is access to the waterfall haven camping grounds to hike and visit waterfalls (about a 12 minute drive from Songbird, and you definitely want high clearance for that), being mindful of our guests down there. Adventures await. This site is appropriate for larger camping parties! (Carpooling is helpful, but there is space for a few cars up there.) Pets welcome, but please keep them with you at your site. Directions: Use GPS 325 Parkway Drive, Maggie Valley. It will take you from Soco Rd onto Plott Balsam Rd. Left onto Parkway. Sharp left turn (2-point turn) to go up the driveway to the sites. Pull up to the last site for Mountain View Camping Site #2.

4WD required

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No showers

Reviews

91%· 397 reviews

Themes

Review summary
Generated from real Hipcamper reviews
The campsite offers stunning natural beauty with breathtaking views and a peaceful setting, making it an attractive spot for those seeking seclusion. However, several reviews mention issues with maintenance, including neglected facilities and safety concerns like unstable structures and fallen trees. The site is ideal for those with a high-clearance vehicle and a love for rustic camping, but potential visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions. The presence of wildlife, such as bears, adds an element of adventure, but necessitates caution.
Ron W.
Tent camped at Waterfall Haven Camping (2-11) with friends, Sept 2026.
Recommends
What beautiful land and views I can’t wait to return
Abigail W.
Tent camped at Waterfall Haven Camping (2-11), Sept 2026.
Doesn't recommend
***not worth the money*** The woods and the creek would make a fantastic campground, however, it is unfortunately in total disrepair and unsafe. -the sites are oddly spaced (some are right on top of each other) and poorly marked. It is essentially impossible to find a site if you do not arrive before dusk. -we paid to have firewood waiting for us when we arrived and the host forgot. We had to drive to his other sites about 10-15 minutes away from the campsites to pick it up. -the bathrooms are not kept at all—perhaps not in years. There is one portajohn, a wooden structure with a tarp for a door and a toilet seat on top of a bucket, and a sagging, tarp-like structure in the trees. -the bridges to cross over to the campsites are slippery, rotting and warped. It was very easy to slip. -site 9 has a wooden platform for the tent. The stairs on one side are rotted and thrown to the side, while the stairs on the other side are halfway to joining them. The pillars on the edges won’t hold any weight without breaking, and the whole structure shifted each time we moved in the tent. -lastly, there were many fallen limbs and branches. During our second night, a large, heavy, waterlogged tree broke and fell not a foot from my friend’s head in our tent. Had it fallen on her it would have killed or severely injured her. A falling dead tree is not necessarily an issue on its one, but it may have been noticed if the sites were maintained.
Angela S.
Camped in a 16 ft car at Waterfall Haven Camping (2-11) with kids, Jun 2026.
Recommends
Absolutely loved it! The seclusion and stunning scenery made the experience truly unforgettable.

Amenities

Fire pitsFirepit, Communal
Portable toilets
No potable water
No showers
No picnic tables
No electricity hookup
No water hookup
No wifi
No laundry
No trash disposal
No cooking equipment
No hot tub
No playground

Things to know

4WD requiredPark at your site.
Pet-friendlyOff leash okay at some sites.
Campfires allowedAlways review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.
Check-in processMeet and greet with your host at some sites.
Cancellation policyFlexible at some sites; Strict at the others. Full refund 24 hours before check in time starts.
Check-in and check-outCheck-in times vary by site (from 1pm). Check-out times vary by site.
Booking windowSame-day bookings welcome, up to 12 months ahead. Stay at least 2 nights.