Best Equestrian Camping near Cullman, AL

Owl Creek Horse Camp provides equestrian access to over 22 miles of connected trail systems in the Bankhead National Forest. Potable water is available year-round from spigots throughout the large, open field campground dotted with loblolly pines. The primitive facilities include pit toilets and some picnic tables, with the primary focus on trail access rather than extensive amenities. Horse riders appreciate the campground's direct connection to the horse trail, allowing for convenient morning departures. The area offers $5 nightly camping fees or $3 day use fees. Nearby Faye Whittemore Farms features water and electric hookups at wooded campsites with paddocks available for horses.

Located approximately 15 minutes from Sipsey Wilderness trails, Owl Creek serves as an ideal base for both equestrian activities and hiking excursions. The riding trails are primarily designed for horses but also accommodate mountain bikes. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with multiple water crossings and terrain changes throughout the system. The surrounding Bankhead National Forest provides extensive wilderness riding opportunities with trails connecting to various natural features. The campground's position along established horse trails allows for multiple day rides without trailering. Cell service is available at Owl Creek, with approximately 2 bars of Verizon 4G LTE coverage, unlike some more remote camping areas in the region. Horse owners should bring feed as there are no on-site supply stores.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Cullman, Alabama (4)

    1. Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Guntersville, AL
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 571-5455

    "The campground is right on the banks of Lake Guntersville and it has a beach area so it's great if you want to play in the water."

    "This is a nice state park in a small town in north Alabama. The lake is really pretty and the campground has a nice view of it."

    2. Owl Creek Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Addison, AL
    25 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."

    3. Faye Whittemore Farms Inc

    2 Reviews
    Jasper, AL
    27 miles
    +1 (205) 300-7141

    $10 - $30 / night

    "They have nice paddocks for your horses.  The multiple trails are so beautiful .  I have been here many times."

    "Lots to do and amazing trails. Helpful and friendly farmers. Clean washrooms and near campsite. No too far from town."

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

    1 Review
    Bankhead National Forest, AL
    33 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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Cullman, AL

2 Photos of 4 Cullman Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Cullman, AL

48 Reviews of 4 Cullman 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.

  • Belinda H.
    Oct. 1, 2023

    Faye Whittemore Farms Inc

    The campground is wooded with electric and water hookups . Very nice!

    The campground is very nice and woodsy.  The campsites have water and electric hookups.  They have nice paddocks for your horses.  The multiple trails are so beautiful .  I have been here many times.

  • Ally B.
    Oct. 3, 2018

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    It's great if you want to be close to the water or see wildlife!

    The campground is right on the banks of Lake Guntersville and it has a beach area so it's great if you want to play in the water. It doesn't have as much shade as it used to due to tornados but it is still a really great campground. There are a lot of great hiking, biking, and horse-riding trails. On anygiven day you can drive through the park and see an abundance of deer. The state park is also home to a zip line and an excellent golf course and the lodge has a pool and a really great restaurant.

  • Bounding Around The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    Beautiful lake

    This is a nice state park in a small town in north Alabama. The lake is really pretty and the campground has a nice view of it. The facilities were really nice and there is a store and restaurant all within the park. It’s a bit of a drive to get to town so try to get the essentials before setting up camp. The campground is nice– a definite recommend!

  • 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.

  • Katrin  S.
    Apr. 4, 2021

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    Primitive campsites at the water

    We chose a primitive site for a quieter camping night. Although the furthest away from a bathhouse, we truly enjoyed this site. It’s “pick your own” and we picked the site next to Seals hiking trail along the water. Each site has a fire pit and is mostly level. No table, so bring your own. No water spigot so make sure you have your own. Beautiful location with amazing sunsets.

  • Brandon B.
    Jun. 2, 2017

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    Best place I've camped in my life

    They have great facilities (super clean and conveniently placed). The locals are very helpful and welcoming. They were hit by a tornado a few years back and it took out a lot of trees and cleared a lot of beautiful landscape but since then they have worked hard to bring the beauty back and it's working on a huge scale! It's a wonderful place to hike the mountains and fish, bring the camper and relax, or just pack a tent and a cooler to enjoy the veiw. The lake is gorgeous and big! The best fishing I've had in Alabama is at Guntersville St. Park!

  • Helen K.
    Jun. 16, 2021

    Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    Clean and fun

    It was a beautiful campground. The site we were on was not ideal. As soon as we stepped out the door we had to go up an incline to get to our picnic table. Our camper was pretty level and most of the other sites looked much better than ours, but that is what we get for booking late. The sites were packed in together, but everyone one was really nice. They had a clean bathhouse with laundry. There was a playground, small splash pad, and the beach area for swimming in the lake. My kids had a great time with all there was to do. The paths around the campground were paved, so they enjoyed riding their scooters around.


Guide to Cullman

Horse camping in Alabama offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a rustic experience or modern amenities, Alabama has something to cater to every horse camper's needs.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities for horses

  • At Faye Whittemore Farms Inc, you'll find nice paddocks for your horses along with water and electric hookups, making it a comfortable choice for both you and your equine companions.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Owl Creek Horse Camp provides access to 22 miles of trails, allowing for extensive exploration while being equipped with potable water and a large field for your horses to roam.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cullman, AL is Lake Guntersville State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Cullman, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.