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Best Equestrian Camping near Menlo, GA

116 Reviews

Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area offers primitive horse camping at Sawmill Lake Campsite near Menlo, Georgia. The free camping area includes designated sites where equestrians can set up camp with their horses, though no dedicated horse corrals or stalls are provided. Horse owners typically use highlines or portable corrals they bring themselves. The campground features multiple man-made fire pits with plenty of scavenged wood for fires. Camping areas have enough open ground for setting up tents near horses, with trees available for those who prefer hammock camping. The campsite's proximity to multiple trail systems makes it ideal for riders looking to explore the area. The road leading to the campsite can be rough and washed out, requiring careful navigation with horse trailers.

Located on Pigeon Mountain, this horse-friendly camping area provides access to numerous trails suitable for riding. Equestrians need to purchase a Georgia Lands Pass to camp and ride in the wildlife management area, costing approximately $60 annually. While the campground lacks dedicated equestrian facilities like wash racks or permanent corrals, the open layout accommodates horse trailers and provides ample space for portable corrals or highlines. The campground's primitive nature means no water hookups are available, so riders must bring sufficient water for themselves and their horses. Despite limited amenities, the natural setting offers excellent opportunities for trail riding through varied terrain. Most equestrians visiting the area spend several days exploring the extensive trail system that connects to rock climbing areas, caves, and scenic overlooks.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Menlo, Georgia (9)

    1. Sawmill Lake Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    14 miles
    Website

    "It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers."

    "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."

    2. Mountain Cove Resort

    3 Reviews
    Mentone, GA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 539-2683

    $25 - $30 / night

    3. Cherokee Rock Village

    33 Reviews
    Leesburg, AL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 523-3799

    $0 - $35 / night

    "I picked a site away from the bluff near the boulders. Nice and quiet. Of course it’s primitive but there is a bathhouse and water within a short walk."

    "You can pick a spot right next to a mountain rock or pick a spot with views for miles and miles that are breathtaking. The bathrooms and showers were close by and clean."

    4. Lake Guntersville State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Guntersville, AL
    42 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."

    "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."

    5. Coleman Lake Rec Area

    14 Reviews
    Fruithurst, AL
    49 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "This can certainly be seen as a positive."

    6. Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 968-6215

    "It is also at an easy access point to the falls as well as the other trails in the area. The site has easy access to water most of the year and can provide space for over 10 tents."

    "Park at either the Alabama or the Tennessee trailhead (make sure not to park at the horse trailhead earlier on the road) and descend down into the canyon."

    7. Shady Grove

    1 Review
    Fort Oglethorpe, GA
    35 miles

    $2 - $38 / night

    8. Tennessee Wall Camp

    3 Reviews
    Lookout Mountain, TN
    41 miles

    "There is a parking lot right off the road after a fun ~30 minute drive through residential roads right on the water, then sites with fire pits are scattered throughout a small clearing."

    9. Davis Pond Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Signal Mountain, TN
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 658-5551

    "This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables."

    "About 45 mins outside Chattanooga, it’s a beautiful drive. Last 7 miles are on a windy gravel road. The last 1/2 mile gets a little dicey and needs a vehicle with some clearance."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Menlo, GA

1 Photos of 9 Menlo Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Menlo, GA

116 Reviews of 9 Menlo Campgrounds

  • Abigail P.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Sawmill Lake Campsite

    Primitive camping perfect for Rocktown climbers

    If you’re looking for amazing scenery, this is not the place. It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers. Meant we could spend most of the climbing, rather than making a long approach. My group went for several days over thanksgiving 2018, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nights turned a bit chilly, so make sure to pack layers if camping in the fall or winter season. I think you’re technically supposed to have a Georgia outdoors permit to stay here (which we did), but we did not encounter a single ranger during our six-day stay. Check the Rocktown forum on Mountain Project for up-to-date info on permit requirements.

    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.

    You can pretty much set up camp anywhere there’s open ground. Plenty of trees around for hammock camping as well. My group of 10 people had no problem finding open areas to set up camp together. There are several man-made fire pits, and plenty of wood and brush lying around to scavenge for fire-making. There are no water hookups, so make sure to pack plenty of water with you. There is also an area at the campground for equestrian camping, though we didn’t check that out, as, alas, none of us had horses.

  • A
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Coleman Lake Rec Area

    Nature Lover's Dream

    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. Sites are first come, first serve, water and electric. There is a campground host on duty. A campground for equestrians is near the main campground. The Pinhoti Trail that extends from south Alabama to north Georgia goes right beside the lake and is a great section hike.

  • William S.
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Davis Pond Campsite

    Away from it all

    Down a long and winding (and dusty) gravel road into the WMA is the Davis Pond camp site, a real gem with shady trees and a fishing pond. 

    This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables. However, it can easily accommodate many more campers in the space and has multiple dirt-and-rock fire pits.

    While there is a two-station pit toilet, it's a bit of a horror show with a lot of trash accumulating in the structure. Another downside, after I set up my tent I noticed that some hornets were flying into a nearby dead tree. I quickly moved to another spot but luckily noticed it before it got dark.

    There's a gravel parking lot with a trail map and sign in sheet right next to the camping area. 

    In addition to the multiple trails (for hiking, ATVs, and horses) closer to the entrance to the WMA (and far from the camp) is a shooting range.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite

    Great for groups

    This is one of the larger campsites available at Walls of Jericho and definitely the easiest to find. I have stayed here a couple of times and always enjoyed it. The one downside to this site is that it can get somewhat flooded after heavy rains. It can also get fairly crowded since there are multiple firepits and tent clearings not far apart from each other. This is definitely the best site if you have a large group or want to be able to set up multiple tents. It is also at an easy access point to the falls as well as the other trails in the area. The site has easy access to water most of the year and can provide space for over 10 tents. If it seems crowded and you want more privacy though you can turn left off the trail and walk a short ways to the horse camp which is more secluded and removed from the trail. My last suggestion is that if you are here on a clear night head out to the field abutting the site and enjoy some stargazing!

  • 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.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2017

    Walls of Jericho - Clark Cemetery Backcountry Campsite

    Great backpacking

    The walls of Jericho are an incredible site to see if you are willing to make the backpacking adventure to them. The hike in takes only about an hour and is all downhill. Park at either the Alabama or the Tennessee trailhead (make sure not to park at the horse trailhead earlier on the road) and descend down into the canyon. When you reach the bottom of the trail and cross a river there are several campgrounds that you can set up at. After getting settled keep following the trail back into the canyon and you will get to the first waterfall/pool. Don't stop there though cause the real view is the waterfall at the back of the canyon that takes a little scrambling to get to. While there recently with my wife we spent 2 nights camping at the horse campground and spent our full day doing a loop hike into Tennessee. The only thing you have to be cautious of is it can get pretty muddy if it has rained heavy recently. I would suggest going in spring cause that is when everything is blooming and so beautiful.

  • 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.

  • Dan C.
    Oct. 5, 2019

    Cherokee Rock Village

    Hidden Away

    I’d never heard of this place but accompanied a friend here that was doing some climbing. I picked a site away from the bluff near the boulders. Nice and quiet. Of course it’s primitive but there is a bathhouse and water within a short walk. General store has a little bit of everything for camping and lots of nice climbing gear. I’m impressed. Beautiful view of Weiss Lake from the bluff side of the park.

Guide to Menlo

Horse camping in Georgia offers a unique opportunity for equestrians to explore the beautiful landscapes while enjoying the companionship of their horses. With various campgrounds catering to horse lovers, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Sawmill Lake Campsite, equestrians can enjoy a free camping experience with access to trails, although amenities are limited.
  • Mountain Cove Resort provides electric hookups and drinking water, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
  • Cherokee Rock Village features well-maintained sites with easy access to trails, perfect for those looking to ride and camp.

Tips for equestrian camping near Menlo, Georgia

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

  • Shady Grove features reservable sites with water hookups, ensuring your horse stays hydrated during your stay.
  • Tennessee Wall Camp provides a scenic backdrop for horse camping, with access to trails that lead to stunning views.
  • Lake Guntersville State Park Campground not only offers horse camping but also has a variety of recreational activities for the whole family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Menlo, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Menlo, GA is Sawmill Lake Campsite with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Menlo, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Menlo, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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