Best Equestrian Camping near Athens, AL

Owl Creek Horse Camp serves equestrians visiting Bankhead National Forest with trail access directly from the campground. The primary site features potable water year-round from spigots and is situated in a large field surrounded by loblolly pines, making it ideal for horse trailers and camping setups. The campground connects to 22 miles of trails primarily designed for equestrian use but also accessible to other trail users. Basic amenities include pit toilets, trash collection, and a handful of picnic tables. The $5 nightly fee grants horse owners straightforward access to trail systems without needing to trailer between campsite and riding areas.

Located in Tennessee about an hour from Athens, Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel provides additional options for equestrians seeking accommodations with their horses. The ranch offers tent camping, cabins, glamping options and yurts positioned on hillsides with expansive views ideal for stargazing. Horse owners have access to firewood, fire rings, and outdoor shower facilities surrounded by herbs. The property includes numerous farm animals that create a morning chorus as mist burns off the valley. Water access, restroom facilities, and ample space for horses characterize this private equestrian campground, with Petersburg's amenities just minutes away for supplies and necessities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Athens, Alabama (6)

    1. Red Coach Resort

    1 Review
    Harvest, AL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 937-6142

    $17 - $50 / night

    "A beautiful large creek runs through it, with miles of walking paths, a horse barn, and spaces to play and relax."

    2. Sharon Johnston Park

    3 Reviews
    Union Grove, AL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 379-2868

    "The park is about 200 acres and the RV sites are located through gate one. There are three rows of sites and the best ones in my opinion are the ones located against the treeline/creek. "

    3. Owl Creek Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Addison, AL
    34 miles
    Website

    "While staying in the area we stopped by and checked out this campground and associated trails. It is in a wonderful part of Bankhead and close to so many trail access points."

    4. Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site D)

    1 Review
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    40 miles
    Website

    "Small but secluded backcountry site with easy access to the river for pumping water. This site is nice because it is level and removed from the water enough that there is no concern of flooding."

    5. Heritage Campground and RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Lawrenceburg, TN
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 201-7940

    "Very friendly staff, nice surroundings of Amish settlement, campground itself looks old but, heritage, it’s great."

    "Had to drive about 5 miles for some really good brisket."

    6. Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel

    1 Review
    Lewisburg, TN
    46 miles

    "The entrance of the yurt faces sunrise and the farm animals serenade you in the morning when the mist begins to burn off the valley. "

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Athens, AL

3 Photos of 6 Athens Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Athens, AL

10 Reviews of 6 Athens Campgrounds


  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2017

    Owl Creek Horse Camp

    Stopped by on our way through

    While staying in the area we stopped by and checked out this campground and associated trails. It is in a wonderful part of Bankhead and close to so many trail access points. Additionally the campground is located directly on the horse trail so you can stay here with your animals and get up and go trekking the next day. For people like me who are more hikers than riders you just drive 15 min down the road and you are right in the heart of Sipsey wilderness. The campground doesn't have much in terms of amenities but if you prefer a little more you can stay at Brushy lake nearby. The major advantage to this site is its access to the horseback riding trails.

  • Gregg G.
    Feb. 10, 2021

    Owl Creek Horse Camp

    Horse Camp with cell Service

    This is off the beaten path a bit, but it has its perks. Here you can find potable water from the spickets all year long. It is essentially a large field with some very large loblolly pines. The nights sky is wonderful. Also, from here you can link together 22 miles worth of trail. We rode our bikes, the trails are more geared for the equestrian rider, but was friendly enough for bikes. We enjoyed staying here after being out of cell service for a few days at brushy lake, so we were able to catch up and coordinate our next destination.  As far as campground amenties outside of whats already been covered there are a had full of picnic tables and a pit toilet. 

    Cost is $5 a night or $3 for day use. 2 bars of Verizon 4G LTE.

  • Bruce G.
    May. 10, 2022

    Red Coach Resort

    Amazing, Simply amazing!

    This place was still being built and was already amazing. There are large spaces in the woods only minutes from Huntsville. A quiet piece of heaven. A beautiful large creek runs through it, with miles of walking paths, a horse barn, and spaces to play and relax. LOTS OF SPACE Lee and Joy are fantastic hosts and will do almost anything to make the stay comfortable. We got a sneak preview while they were just getting open and I cannot impress on you how much this Park has to offer. Did I mention fossils? All over the place some of the oldest creatures to crawl the earth are there for you to find! I'm not kidding we saw trilobites everywhere along the creek. I cannot judge access really as they were still working on the roads and with the plans they have, it will be very easy to get aro[und. We have a 44 ft DRV and with a little care were easily able to get around. we had a boondocking site and had to go fill and empty tanks and could do so easily. Did we mention how much space there is? We did have poor coverage for our mobile data but the phones and texting always worked.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 28, 2020

    Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site D)

    Large easy access site along the trail

    Small but secluded backcountry site with easy access to the river for pumping water. This site is nice because it is level and removed from the water enough that there is no concern of flooding. This site does have less privacy though so take that into account. 

    Sipsey Wilderness is a protected but unmaintained area in Northwest Alabama that is well known for its intersecting creeks, streams, and rivers that play together with the many waterfalls and magical rock faces. The wilderness area is contained within the larger Bankhead National Forest and is accessible from a variety of different trailheads many of which are only reachable on dirt roads. Hiking here you definitely get the feeling that you have left the rest of the world behind and are in complete wilderness. Different times of year provide completely different experiences whether its the exciting and boundless blooms of spring, the overgrown wild of summer, the bold and expansive colors of fall, or the high river levels and easy boating access of winter. Just make sure to always do your research and plan ahead since it can change so drastically depending on when you go. My favorite is either fall or spring since the summer can be particularly hot and buggy. This trip we had planned to kayak down the river from the Sipsey River Trailhead to the Highway 33 Bridge take out but were thwarted by a recent lack of heavy rain and unusually low river levels for the season. Several sites online suggested over 4 feet gauge height would be fine but after talking to the Rangers we were told the only time that it was really navigable was in the winter or fall for a couple of days after a major rainfall. With that plan out the window, we decided instead to throw some packs in the car and move our gear around to make it a semi backpacking/hiking trip.

  • Jeremy H.
    Jul. 20, 2019

    Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel

    Great Place To See The Stars

    Most campgrounds in Tennessee are buried in the woods, but not this yurt campsite at Ray of Hope.  The yurt sets on the side of a beautiful Tennessee Hill offering almost a complete view of the nighttime sky.  We watched the moon rise over a hill directly in front of the campsite, and we even saw a brilliant shooting star blaze across the sky for what seems like an eternity.  The Ray of Hope campground is a private campground that went above and beyond our expectations.  The yurt was clean, included battery powered lights and a LED lantern, and a full sized bed that made the night pass with ease.  The campsite also offers free firewood and a large fire ring.  There are two deck chairs at the campsite which are perfect for stargazing.  The entrance of the yurt faces sunrise and the farm animals serenade you in the morning when the mist begins to burn off the valley.  There is a well stocked outside shower surrounded by sweet smelling herbs.  Water and a toilet are near the shower stall.   The campsite is near the small town of Petersburg, TN where you can find two gas stations and a Dollar Store.  If it's hot outside, you might want to bring a battery operated fan.  This place is a perfect glamping experience for an extended date or weekend in beautiful Tennessee.

  • M&P M.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Sharon Johnston Park

    Wide Open Spaces

    This park is a bit out of the way but a local favorite. We've enjoyed many picnics and birthday parties in the group pavilions, as well as enjoyed the campgrounds. The park is about 200 acres and the RV sites are located through gate one. There are three rows of sites and the best ones in my opinion are the ones located against the treeline/creek.  There are pull-through sites, but they were closer together and out in the open.

    It's a great site to bring the kids. In the summer the pool is open which is great for the hot days. There's also a track, a baseball field, and soccer fields so I've seen many athletic events held there. When we go, our kids run free -- there are 200 acres of open space and a lake so they have a great time -- and there is a Pioneer Village they can explore and an open wedding pavilion for hours of pretending they are at a wedding. There's also a playground with different equipment for all ages.  Just a note, there is a gun range across the street and down the road. You can hear people practicing when it's open but it's in the distance. 

    I've taken a few pictures and videos so you can get a feel for the lay of the land. It really is wide open spaces.

  • tinus B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2024

    Heritage Campground and RV Park

    Real cute

    Very friendly staff, nice surroundings of Amish settlement, campground itself looks old but, heritage, it’s great.

  • Mike H.
    May. 3, 2021

    Heritage Campground and RV Park

    Convenient w/ FHU

    Ethridge, TN…Nov. 26, 2016 Heritage Campground is in a small Amish community. Several antique shops and flea markets here. Plan on taking a buggy ride to tour the place. No restaurant here (in 2016, may be now). Had to drive about 5 miles for some really good brisket.

  • Jason S.
    Dec. 3, 2021

    Sharon Johnston Park

    Not for me

    Staff was friendly and the campgrounds were nice and clean. The camp lots were too close for my liking. Too much noise and I couldn’t find firewood anywhere. More of a family, social type park.


Guide to Athens

Horse camping in Alabama offers a unique blend of scenic trails and welcoming facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds catering to both horses and riders, adventurers can enjoy the great outdoors while ensuring their equine companions are well taken care of.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites and water access

  • At Owl Creek Horse Camp, you'll find a large field surrounded by towering loblolly pines, perfect for setting up camp with your horse.
  • Red Coach Resort offers ample space and features like electric hookups, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
  • Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel provides a serene environment with amenities that cater specifically to horse owners.

Tips for equestrian camping near Athens, Alabama

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the picturesque surroundings of Sipsey Wilderness Backcountry Site (Trail 200 Site D), known for its stunning creeks and waterfalls.
  • At Red Coach Resort, take leisurely walks along the beautiful creek and explore the miles of walking paths available.
  • Sharon Johnston Park features a variety of recreational facilities, including a pool and sports fields, making it a great spot for family outings while enjoying equestrian activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Athens, AL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Athens, AL is Red Coach Resort with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Athens, AL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Athens, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.