The aging facility has more than $184,300 in deferred maintenance needs, and due to low occupancy rates, campground fees don’t meet annual operating expenses, much less fund deferred maintenance projects. 

“This has been a difficult decision because we know many families and friends have fond memories of camping there,” said District Ranger Andrew Gaston. “But the reality is that we need to focus our efforts on areas and activities where the public use reflects higher demand to ensure that we are making the best use of our limited budget. We do want the campground to reopen in the future, but we don’t yet know what that’s going to look like.”

The Forest Service has tried to secure funding for campground projects under the Great American Outdoors Act but has thus far been unsuccessful. However, the agency will continue pursuing additional funding sources as opportunities become available. 

Four other Forest Service campgrounds are located within 30 miles of Cable Cove, and Graham County contains 85 free, dispersed campsites on national forest land. There are also numerous private campgrounds in the area offering similar or better facilities.