What to take the wife and daughter camping in NC and thought since the AT runs so close to Standing Indian that maybe I'd do a day loop that basically used the AT as a artery to other trails.
Would like a longer day hike suggestion of 12-15 miles when its just me. Also a short minimal elev. gain hike in case my wife wants to take a hike with me one day. Her stamina isn't real good.
Nothing yet planned, wanted to get as much info. as possible first.

Should I reserve a site in advance ? Probably looking at October as a good month to do this. Hillside sites or other sites best?

Peace !

I have spent so much time at that campground and the AT trail and side trails around it that I feel like I grew up there! I'll work your questions backwards.

October is a great time to go there. Cool/cold nights and very pleasant days should be the norm. You cannot make advance reservations. Best bet is to arrive on a Thursday rather than Friday when everyone else arrives. I don't like the hillside campsites. Try to get one along the river: either the first loop to the right, or cross the bridge and go around the left loop by the showers. Then if still no openings, try the loop across from that one - you'll see the stream and woods line going up to the right . . . some nice campsites along the stream there.

The Kimsey Creek trail out of the campground would be the best place to visit first. For a loop using it, you would hit the AT at Deep Gap in 4.5 miles, then 2.5 miles to the awesome top of Standing Indian Mtn with excellent views. Then you could take the Lower Ridge Trail back straight down to the campground (4.5 miles). That's 11.5 miles total but let me warn you, if any of your party are not in pretty good shape, it will be very hard going.

A good loop would be to take the Long Branch Trail from the backcountry parking lot just outside the campground up to the AT at Glassmine Gap (2 mi). Take a left at this junction and hike about 4 mi. to Rock Gap where the road into the campground is. You can walk the road back to the campground (2 mi.) or plant a vehicle there.

Another alternative day hike: drive from campground to Deep Gap. Go back out to US64 and turn left (West) and go about 3-4 miles and look for small green "Deep Gap" sign on the left. It's about 7.1 miles up this FS road to Deep Gap. From the parking lot it's 2.5 miles to the top of Standing Indian Mtn (5 miles round trip). It's a steady climb but not real steep.

Hope this helps. PM me if you have specific questions or want more info.

I just recently did the Kimsey Creek, AT to the top of Standing Indian and down the Lower Ridge with my wife and step-son. We did it as an overnighter and they were tired by eh time they got to the top of Standing Indian. But the worst time my wife had was coming down the Lower Ridge Trail. It can get steep.