Equestrian enthusiasts find several horse campgrounds near Atlanta, Georgia with dedicated facilities for both riders and their horses. Carroll County's Little Tallapoosa Park sits 55 miles west of Atlanta at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, offering a mix of wooded terrain and open meadows for year-round equestrian activities. The region maintains moderate temperatures through spring and fall, with summer highs in the 80s and 90s creating ideal conditions for morning trail rides.
What to do
Trail riding on dedicated paths: Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground features extensive equestrian trails through diverse terrain. "The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked! This is one of our favorite campgrounds due to the large sites, clean facilities and amazing staff!" notes George & Patty C.
Splash pad activities: During summer months, McIntosh Reserve Park offers water recreation beyond the equestrian amenities. "This place is a great place for family reunions or birthday parties. They even do Easter egg hunts every year. Also, for those that are into Geocashing, there are a few you could find here," shares DeWayne H.
Riverside camping: Camp along the Chattahoochee River at Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area where several sites offer waterfront views. "We had a happy little bonus of getting to watch the beavers play in the river early in the morning. Each of the sites have a raised gravel platform for tents, a grill, trash can, and a fire pit," reports Nicolle.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campers appreciate the well-designed layouts at horse camping areas. "We stayed in the equine section. Total of 12 sites. Only 3 of us there. Nice and quiet," reports Shirley D. about Little Tallapoosa Park's equestrian camping area.
Clean facilities: Factory Shoals Recreation Park maintains its amenities well. "CG Manager drove through periodically and was very friendly. I met him on the trail to the falls and took the time to explain the factory that used to be there. Very interesting. Most sites are on the water. Has toilets and showers," writes Bob P.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious equestrian campers appreciate reasonable pricing at many Atlanta-area horse campgrounds. "Such a great campsite for very cheap. They have many water front campsites with a lot of room. They have a box platform for your tent," shares Addison C. about Newton Factory Shoals.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some equestrian campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "Camping is first come first served basis, no reservations. $20 per night, parking for one vehicle included. Extra vehicles require $5 parking pass per day," notes Sarah S. about McIntosh Reserve Park.
Campground locations can be confusing: "Note to future campers: the campground is NOT located at the address provided. This is the recreational park. The campground is actually up the road, on the opposite side of the park, at the entrance of the graveyard," warns Nicolle about Factory Shoals Recreation Park.
Amenities differ by section: At Liberty Stables, a working horse farm, facilities are more basic but include unique experiences. "Quiet, beautiful acres with horses, ponies, goats, sheep, and chickens. Fire-pit included!" mentions Ashley F.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Several equestrian campgrounds offer water recreation beyond horse activities. "We took the kids to the splash pad and enjoyed cooking out and hanging out over night. We live close by so for a night trip this is a perfect little getaway," says Ryan N. about McIntosh Reserve Park.
Educational opportunities: James Shackleford Memorial Park provides learning experiences alongside camping. "Was able to find plenty of outdoor stuff to do hope other people enjoy it too," shares Neil R. about the park's outdoor activities.
Playground access: Many horse campgrounds include play areas for children. "Friendly neighbors, nice comfort station with bathrooms, showers, laundry and a little free library. Lots of level tent sites next to pavilions with playground equipment," notes Danna D.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: RV campers should research specific sites that accommodate their vehicle size. "Be careful and follow the Campground signs and not your GPS because you might come in a different way and have to navigate an overpass that, for some rigs, is too short!" warns Debbie K. about Hard Labor Creek.
Hookup availability: Understand what connections are available at equestrian campgrounds. "We stayed in the horse camp section because the RV area was full. They use the horse camp area as overflow. Plenty of space there with power and water. Sewer hookup is only available in the RV section," explains Hollis K.
Leveling considerations: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some horse campgrounds. "The site was not level but that wasn't a big deal for us in our rooftop tent. We didn't check out the other sites but an RV would probably have a hard time setting up here," advises Nicolle about Factory Shoals Recreation Park.
