For equestrian campers seeking horse-friendly accommodations near Rome, Georgia, alternatives exist within driving distance. The terrain features rolling hills and varied elevation, ranging from 600 to 1,800 feet above sea level. While dedicated horse facilities aren't plentiful, several campgrounds within 30-50 miles offer trail access and spaces that can accommodate horses and trailers.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Cherokee Rock Village in Leesburg, Alabama offers multiple trails suitable for day visits. "We did some hiking in the rocks and they were impressive to see even without having climbing gear. If you are in the area and willing to take a little drive up the mountain this site is well worth your time," notes Asher K.
Rock climbing access: Cherokee Rock Village serves as a hub for climbers. "The climbing seemed to go on and on and you would never run out of top rope, lead, and bouldering routes and the area is well maintained," shares one visitor. Another camper adds, "This campground was awesome! Great trees for hammocking, bathrooms were well-kept and clean, and it's right next to the crag."
Lake activities: Little Tallapoosa Park provides water recreation options. "Tons of walking/horse trails to go along with a creek and a couple of lakes," reports Hollis K. Fishing is popular, with convenient lake access from some campsites: "My site, #7 had a path that led right down to the lake," notes Lisa W.
Cave exploration: Sawmill Lake Campsite serves as a base for spelunking. "This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking. The permit was 15 dollars to access Rock Town and the Caves," reports Lisa.
What campers like
Affordability: Coleman Lake Recreation Area offers full hookups at budget-friendly rates. "Very nice campground with FHU for $16," shares Lisa W. Another camper notes, "You can't beat the price. Caught 3 bass in the lake."
Natural setting: The forests surrounding Rome provide a sense of seclusion. At Coleman Lake, one visitor reports, "Coleman Lake is in the Talladega National Forest and very remote. There is no cell phone service at all. We have been camping here all my life. It is one of my favorite campgrounds."
Quiet environment: Coleman Lake Rec Area offers peaceful camping. "Nice, quiet campground. The quiet is nice, however all lights were out by 9, which was a little early for me and my group," mentions Jess N. Another camper adds, "Nice little lake to play on and around. Very family and pet friendly."
Digital detox: Mountain Cove Resort provides a true off-grid experience. "It is absolutely beautiful! The most beautiful I've stayed. There are not a lot of amenities but the beautiful site of those mountains. Be warned... There is no cell service and no Wi-Fi. Off the grid," reports Nathan T.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to horse camping areas can be challenging. For Sawmill Lake Campsite, a camper warns, "The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times."
Permit requirements: Some areas require passes or permits. At Sawmill Lake, "You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60," notes Sierra Y.
Facility limitations: Mountain Cove Resort has minimal amenities. "There is a country store on site with minimal need items. The staff was amazing and super friendly!" shares Nathan T. Another camper notes, "This campground is side by side hook ups. Not a tree one in the site area."
Alternative access routes: Consider approaching from different directions. For Sawmill Lake, "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Little Tallapoosa Park offers dedicated recreational areas. "Splash park was fun and clean for the kids as well as really nice walking trails we enjoyed," shares Andy M. Another camper mentions, "It had nice grassy areas and swing set and bike and walking trails."
Tent camping options: Little Tallapoosa Park has separate tent areas. "I love the separate tent & RV campsites. The tent sites are decent size and there is some wooded space between each one so it felt quiet and semi-private," notes Sarah F.
Seasonal activities: Cherokee Rock Village offers year-round options. "I have camped here at least once every season and gone around 7 times. It's my favorite place to camp! The showers are always clean and warm. There's so many climbing routes that I love," shares Jess C.
Budget-friendly amenities: Little Tallapoosa offers good value. "For the price ($15/night), this is a pretty great place to camp," notes Sarah F. "The tent sites have electricity, too. My kids enjoyed biking around the camping loop and we did some geocaching."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Cherokee Rock Village, positioning matters. "To register for the night you will need cash unless there's someone in the store. I stayed in the tent area, but there appeared to be quite a few places to park a small RV. I chose the tent area because it seemed a bit better for level parking," advises Kent H.
Hookup availability: Coleman Lake provides essential services. "Beautiful, mostly shaded sites. Very nice bath house with shower and flushing toilets," reports Lisa W. The campground offers water and electric hookups.
Layout considerations: For those traveling with horses, Little Tallapoosa Park has dedicated areas. "They have 3 camping areas. Section 1 is for tents and pop ups. Section 2 is full hookups for campers, 5th wheels and motor homes. Site 3 is for equine camping," explains Shirley D.
