Owl Creek Horse Camp provides equestrian-focused primitive camping in Bankhead National Forest. The $5 per night fee ($3 for day use) grants access to 22 miles of dedicated equestrian trails directly connected to the campground. Located 15 minutes from Sipsey Wilderness, the site accommodates tent and RV camping with basic amenities including vault toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. Cell service includes approximately two bars of Verizon 4G LTE coverage. The open field campground surrounded by loblolly pines lacks designated RV facilities or permanent horse containments, requiring visitors to bring portable corrals or stalls for their animals.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: The horse trails at Owl Creek Horse Camp intersect throughout the property, creating numerous riding options. Asher K. notes, "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."
Visit Pioneer Village: At Sharon Johnston Park, families can explore historical structures. As M&P M. describes, "There is a Pioneer Village they can explore and an open wedding pavilion for hours of pretending they are at a wedding."
Fossil hunting: The creeks around Red Coach Resort contain prehistoric treasures. Bruce G. shares, "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."
Creek exploration: Many horse campgrounds near Rogersville, Alabama feature accessible waterways for cooling off. Lizzy S. mentions, "We really enjoyed all of the trees and being able to take the kids to play in the small creek in the back of the property."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Horse camping areas typically offer more room than standard campgrounds. Bruce G. from Red Coach Resort emphasizes, "There are large spaces in the woods only minutes from Huntsville. A quiet piece of heaven... LOTS OF SPACE."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution makes equestrian campgrounds ideal for stargazing. Gregg G. observes at Owl Creek Horse Camp, "It is essentially a large field with some very large loblolly pines. The nights sky is wonderful."
Abundant water features: The wilderness areas surrounding equestrian campgrounds near Rogersville feature natural water elements. Asher K. describes Sipsey Wilderness as "well known for its intersecting creeks, streams, and rivers that play together with the many waterfalls and magical rock faces."
Year-round access: Unlike some seasonal facilities, many horse campgrounds maintain water availability throughout winter. According to Gregg G., "Here you can find potable water from the spickets all year long."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Connectivity fluctuates dramatically between horse camping areas. At Thousand Trails Natchez Trace, Emerson F. reports, "I had absolutely no cell service through Verizon and my T-Mobile 5g internet had no reception either (even with a booster)."
Seasonal considerations: Each season transforms the camping experience in northwest Alabama. Asher K. advises, "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."
Bridge clearance issues: Some access routes have height restrictions. Laura H. warns, "Most importantly, there is a special way to get into this park. They have a low bridge right outside of their park that prevents you from getting here the easy way. The bridge is at 12ft if I remember correctly, it is too low for most 5th wheels and many class As."
Nearby facilities: Horse campgrounds are typically primitive but may have nearby amenities. Gregg G. notes, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple recreational options: Look for horse campgrounds with additional family activities. At Sharon Johnston Park, M&P M. shares, "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."
Beginner-friendly sites: Some equestrian campgrounds work well for new campers. RON M. recommends, "We loved Sharon Johnson. Really good camp for littles and good spot for first time campers. Camp host was awesome."
Playground access: Children need entertainment between trail rides. Lizzy S. mentions Red Coach Resort has "a nice playground and a koi pond with a little deck to sit on."
Space for free play: Horse camps typically provide room for children to explore safely. M&P M. explains, "When we go, our kids run free -- there are 200 acres of open space and a lake so they have a great time."
Tips from RVers
Size-appropriate sites: Match your rig size to available spaces at horse campgrounds. Bruce G. states, "We have a 44 ft DRV and with a little care were easily able to get around."
Limited hookups: Most equestrian camping areas lack full amenities. At Heritage Campground in the nearby Amish community, Mike H. notes, "Had to drive about 5 miles for some really good brisket."
Road conditions: Access routes to horse camps often need maintenance. Laura H. cautions, "The roads throughout the park need some work, there are large pot holes that are difficult to avoid."
Water and waste management: Plan for limited facilities at primitive horse camping locations. Bruce G. explains, "We had a boondocking site and had to go fill and empty tanks and could do so easily."
