Great forest service roads in the area. You may want to try FS 81 along Santeetlah creek. Located near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest this gravel FS road travels along Santeetlah creek for about 15 miles or so. Plenty of open backcountry sites available and lots of road to drive and explore. You can also cross over the mountains into TN along this road and end up along the North River and Tellico in TN, also some great spots here. There are some sites near Lake Santeetlah - Carver Cemetery/Long Hungry road offer the best sites also along a FS road. Let me know if I can help you in anyway, I live here in the southern Nantahala and am very familiar with the area
Good luck and enjoy!