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Equestrian Camping near Balsam, NC

47 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Based on available information, no dedicated equestrian camping facilities exist in the immediate Balsam, North Carolina area. Campgrounds in the region primarily accommodate tent and RV camping without specific horse corrals, stalls, or dedicated equestrian amenities. None of the campgrounds in the dataset feature horse-corral facilities according to their amenity listings, which explicitly mark "NO horse-corral" for all properties.

    For horse owners seeking camping options, several regional campgrounds permit pets but lack specialized equine infrastructure. Cataloochee Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park allows pets but does not provide horse-specific facilities. Camping with horses typically requires specialized amenities such as corrals, manure management areas, and trailer parking that aren't indicated at any of the reviewed properties.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Balsam (47)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      4.3(54)16mi from Balsam142 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

      "We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."

      from $30 / night

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      2. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      4.5(31)14mi from Balsam27 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol."

      "This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

      from $30 / night

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      3. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

      4.0(27)13mi from BalsamRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "If I’m not mistaken, the one we were at this time was either the same cabin or one close to it.  It is perfectly situated beside the river.  "

      "But if you’re a tent camper, be aware that the tent sites are located near the road (I will never understand why campsites do this, since we are the ones with no soundproofing)."

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      4. Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground

      4.4(15)20mi from BalsamRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is a private campground and has several types of camping opportunities. "

      "Campground review: Located in Bryson City, N.C. on Deep Creek, this campground has around 50 sites with full hookups."

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      5. North Mills River

      4.3(28)25mi from Balsam29 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."

      "This is a great campground next to the beautiful North Mills River. Hosts were very accommodating and delivered ice and firewood for a cheap price upon request."

      from $31 - $62 / night

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      6. Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area

      4.6(7)18mi from Balsam

      "The first campsite we stayed at was on the Green Valley Trail, the second one was on the Panthertown Valley Trail right near the Schoolhouse Falls Trail, and the third was on Mac's Gap right past the Granny"

      "The sites near the middle of Macs Gap trail are huge and there is easy access to a couple streams. Bring a good map and stick to the trails that your map covers."

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      7. Cades Cove Campground

      4.4(99)41mi from Balsam164 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "There’s a river that runs a long the outside of the campground. Good swimming holes. A store that sells food (the best ice cream), firewood & camping supplies."

      "This campground is off the beaten path but found by LOTS so have a reservation. There is an 11 mile loop with historic structures and lots of wildlife. Watch for BEARS!"

      from $30 / night

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      8. Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      4.5(13)22mi from Balsam12 sitesTents

      "Nearby is group camping and horse camping. You cannot park your car right on the campsite. There is a parking lot and you need to carry your gear in. It's about 100 feet to the sites."

      "The camp is beautiful and you are surrounded by the magical sounds of rushing water. There are two creeks nearby, one big and one small. We spent one day simply enjoying the campground."

      from $30 / night

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      9. Lazy J Campground

      4.3(12)23mi from BalsamRVs, Tents

      "Chickens and horses on site. Playground and lots of fun. Sites are wooded and quaint. Roads are a little narrow, but passable. One of our favorite sites."

      "We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."

      from $20 / night

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      10. Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed

      4.7(3)17mi from BalsamRVs, Tents

      "just a quick 15 minute walk across the river and up the trail (follow Daniel ridge trail loop from parking lot)."

      "With that said:

      • remote- you have to want to get up here but it's really easy to do once you drive it a few times.

      *clearly marked spots. I am actually located at ucc-2. ** The Dead End spot."

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Balsam, NC

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Balsam, NC

    492 Reviews of 47 Balsam Campgrounds

    • m
      Apr. 10, 2021

      Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Peaceful mountain retreat

      Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park. About 1 hour away from Gatlinburg, but this side is less crowded. The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal. There is no cell service but this is also a great opportunity to disconnect. Right next to the campground there are horse stables, really recommend an early morning horseback ride around the trails Mountains of the campground. Definitely looking forward to visiting again!

    • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 13, 2021

      Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Great campground on the NC side

      We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park. The bathrooms were nice and there is a little stream that runs by the park. From our site you could hear a busier road but I’m sure that’s not the case at other sites.

    • M
      Sep. 21, 2016

      Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Yes!!! Great Smokey Mountains...Yes!!

      Not the biggest fan of the Gatlinburg/Tennesse part of the park. The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol.

    • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 22, 2019

      Harmon Den Area

      Primitive Camping with Great Fishing and a Short Drive to Max Patch

      Ranger Review: Eclipse Sun Sleeves at Harmon Den Area(Pisgah National Forest) https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=70836

      There are a few dispersed camping sites at Harmon’s Den, and they are spacious sanctuaries beside Cold Springs Creek. Harmon Den is in Pisgah National Forest, and dispersed camping is allowed but only where there is a camping symbol posted along Cold Springs Creek Road. To get to the campsite, you have to get off on Exit 7 along Interstate 40 in North Carolina and travel a gravel road for several miles. You will not want to drive too fast since there are several potholes, washboards, and protruding rocks in the road. At the campsite, there is a fire ring, but there are no other facilities such as bathrooms, showers, electricity, running water, trash cans, camp store, firewood for sale, campground hosts, etc. It is pretty much just a space for camping. With that said, it offers all the exciting activities that national forests offer, such as fishing, biking, hiking, etc. Harmon Den is mostly known as a horse camp, although car camping without horses is a common occurrence. When I was there, I passed by a couple of car campers that did not have horses. I did see a few vehicles with horse trailers pass by on the road. Because it is a popular horse camping area, you have to watch where you step. At our campsite, there was horse poop in several places, and I had to watch my grandson closely so he didn’t step in a pile of horse manure. Expect to encounter horse flies as well. There was also lots of poison ivy, so that was another concern I had about my grandson running freely. Since there are no bathrooms, practicing LNT(Leave No Trace) is important. Unfortunately, there was lots of trash, but that was a teachable moment for my grandson, and we definitely left the campsite better than what we found it. Before it gets dark, make sure you know where you are going to take care of business when you have to get up in the middle of the night. That way, you can avoid stepping in the wrong place. There were also quite a few people fishing in the creek on the way to the campsite since the creek is a popular place for trout fishing. As a matter of fact, a wildlife officer came through our camp with a fishnet full of trout to stock the creek. She asked us if we brought our fishing poles. Unfortunately, that’s one thing I didn’t take camping with me. What was I thinking? Even with the horse poop and the poison ivy, it’s a great area for camping if you like solitude and the sounds of the creek throughout the night. Another reason to camp at Harmon Den is to visit Max Patch while you are there. I would suggest staying at least two nights so you can spend one day just enjoying Max Patch. It is a large mountain bald over which the Appalachian Trail crosses. I have been there in the past when people are having picnics, flying kites, or just lying on a blanket enjoying the magnificent scenery. If you go at the right time of year, one of the trails up to Max Patch will take you by wild blueberries and blackberries. As I stated earlier, the campsites are spacious, and it felt very peaceful just being there. 

      Product Review: 

      As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought Eclipse Sun Sleeves(https://eclipseglove.com/)..) As a stem cell transplant survivor from stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I can never be in the sun without adequate protection for the rest of my life. That’s why Eclipse clothing is perfect for me. Even in the middle of the summer, I have had to wear long sleeves and a broad-brimmed hat. I had earlier written a review for the Eclipse shawl, but with the Eclipse Sun Sleeves, I can finally wear my short sleeve shirts again. Since I love the outdoors and have some cool t-shirts, all I have to do is put on my sun sleeves and I am protected. The only thing I could see that might need improving would be to figure out how to keep the upper part to stay up. It wasn’t that much of a problem, and I don’t how the company could solve it, but overall, the sun sleeves are great. I would further like to say that because of sun sleeves, those who are allergic to the sun have one less excuse not to go outdoors in the sun..

    • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 8, 2019

      Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Campground near Rafting Excursions on the Pigeon River

      Even though the sites are walk-in sites, when I was there it was pretty crowded since the sites are close together.  At night, you can hear the distant sounds of the creek … if the other campers can stop talking.  This is not a campground for RVs.  There are no hookups and there are no places for RVs to park.  The thing I like best about this campground is its proximity to the Appalachian Trail and several other trails, including the Benton MacKaye Trail.  Midnight Hole, which is a 1.5 mile hike, is a great place to cool off.  Once you get there, you can swim to a big rock and jump off into a natural pool.  I believe this is the same place I took Boy Scouts many, many years ago and they loved it.  You just have to be careful because it is deep and COLD.  The trail to Mount Cammerer is quite strenuous, but the view is worth it.  Other than the great trails, the other attraction is the whitewater rafting.  There are a few outfitters just over the state line, and they shuttle rafters to the starting point beside the power station.  The one I used was NOC.  When I first came here years ago, I thought the river looked low, but by the time we put our raft in, the river was raging.  I think the most fun, besides the rafting, at this campground is playing on the rocks in the creek.  There is also a group camping area, which is separate from the family campground.  That is because they release the water just for rafting.  This campground is conveniently located off of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. Once you get to the national park road leading to it, it is a 1.2 mile drive on a gravel road.

    • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 6, 2018

      Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Welcome To North Carolina, the Smoky Mountain Way!

      On the most crowded of days sometimes you just find something that makes you happy and in my pursuit of a waterfall, that is how I stumbled upon Smokemont. I had thought it was a group only camp from other readings, but then discovered it was this great place with wide spaces big enough for RVs or tents.

      The sites were pretty flat and even and made for my tent night comfortable. Facilities were well maintained and this being my first campground in North Carolina, it left a very good impression on me to say the least!!

      I did find this campsite to be less crowded than the two major camps on the Tennessee side the Smoky Mountain entrance.

      The campsite I had was only $21 when I visited and was pretty standard with picnic table and fire ring. They do ask you only use heat treated wood and not bring in woods which might contain little critters not native to the area. This was the only real warning they gave me when I checked in.

    • Courtney T.
      Mar. 11, 2019

      Cades Cove Campground

      All time favorite campground!

      This is my favorite campground! It could be because I’ve been camping in Cades Cove every year since I was 5. I’m 30 now & married my husband at the missionary baptist church in cades cove in 2014. Many good memories have been made in this campground. It’s primitive $20 a night no hook ups large wooded sites. One loop generators are allowed & another loop they aren’t so that’s nice. It’s peaceful & very quiet. There’s a river that runs a long the outside of the campground. Good swimming holes. A store that sells food (the best ice cream), firewood & camping supplies. They also have bike & helmets for rent. They’re very strict about bear proofing your campsite. All my years camping there I’ve seen many bear walking through the campground. So it’s for your safety & the bears that you obey the rules. The rangers walk around frequently & make sure no ice chest or grills have been left out so before you leave your campsite make sure to pick those items up or they will get confiscated & you will get a little ticket. Again it’s all for your & the bears safety. The 11 mile loop is closed for vehicles on wed & sat mornings until 10:00 am so bikes can ride through. I highly recommend walking or riding your bike through early in the morning or in the afternoon. There is a halfway point to use the restroom & buy some souvenirs. Also there is a road called parsons branch most of the time it’s closed but we’ve been lucky a few times & it’s been open. Definitely need a suv or truck to drive down it bc you cross over water a few times. EXTREMELY PEACEFUL! All 3 times we’ve driven it we never saw anyone else. It’s a narrow road & you end up on the dragon in North Carolina so you’ll have a nice drive down the foothills parkway to get back. Also rich mountain road is beautiful to drive down in the fall. It will bring you back out in townsend.

    • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 1, 2019

      Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      Large National Park Campground Close to Historic Structures

      Despite having rained for a week, staying at this campground wasn’t half bad. Building a fire was next to impossible. I think there might have been thirty minutes without rain, so pictures are limited. Being in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need to be prepared for rain since it is a temperate rain forest. I had brought Boy Scouts to this campground years ago and wanted to go back. This time, we did not stay in the group camping area. Since it was at the beginning of the week, it wasn’t too crowded, although there were two Boy Scout groups in the group camping area. There are several camping areas, and the one we were in allowed generators during the day. I think I heard one, but it was not so bad. Unfortunately, there are gravel tent pads, which is bad news for campers with tents you have to stake down. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. As a tent camper, I hate gravel tent pads. Being in the national park, the amenities are about the same as the other national park campgrounds. However, I was surprised that the bath house had an electrical outlet to be used for blow dryers and shavers. I don’t remember any other Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds having that luxury. But like the other ones in this national park, the bath house does not have showers or campsite hookups for water, sewer, and electricity. There are several trails in the area, but the ones that originate from the campground is the¾ mile nature trail and the Bradley Fork Smokemont Loop. When my son and I hiked this trail, we had to watch out for and step around horse poop. Since this trail is also used by horses, there was lots of it. Fortunately, the nature trail didn’t allow horses. My granddaughter loved walking over the log bridges and skipping rocks at the campground while it wasn’t raining. I think that was her favorite part. As with most of my camping trips, I want to explore, and there is plenty to explore around this campground. Being in the national park, there is a wide variety.  

      Fewer than three miles down the road, there is an old mill (Mingus Mill), the Oconaluftee Visitors Center (which has the Mountain Farm Museum), elk, wild turkeys, etc. Within the boundary of the campground I discovered something at the campground that I never knew existed. There was an old church at the campground that was built before Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. We were able to go into the church for me to take a few pictures.  It was first constructed in 1836 and rebuilt in 1912. Not too far from the campground is the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, and the Kephart Prong Trail. This campground is also one of the largest campgrounds in the national park that I have been to. Although it is not an equestrian campground, Tow String camping area is“next door,” and it is an equestrian campground. The horseback riders pass beside the campground on route to the Bradley Fork Trail. Overall, this was one of my better experiences with national park campgrounds except for the rain.

    • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 29, 2016

      Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

      On the edge of the park.....

      With so many choices of locations to camp you have to consider what you want to do in the Smokies to choose you best spot. If you are planning to hike Mingo Falls, visit the Mountain Farm Museum and the Cherokee Museum/village in Cherokee then this is the camp for you. Not nearly as crowded as some of the other sites deeper in the park. Easy access to Balsam Mountain and the falls around Deep Creek.

    Guide to Balsam

    While the Balsam area doesn't offer dedicated equestrian camping facilities, several campgrounds within driving distance accommodate horses with varying levels of facilities. Balsam sits at around 3,600 feet elevation in western North Carolina's mountains, creating cool summer temperatures that rarely exceed 80°F. The region's dense forests and mountain terrain make camping near Balsam ideal from April through October.

    What to Do

    Waterfall exploration near Panthertown: Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area offers impressive waterfall access for day trips. "There are countless beautiful waterfalls and even some beach campsites where you can wake up to a waterfall right in front of you," notes Phoebe A., who recommends bringing bear canisters when visiting Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area.

    Tubing adventures: Cool off in summer by tubing down mountain streams. "Just a short drive into the GSMNP for some fun tubing. The campground fills up, and most of your neighbors will be in RVs, but everyone was respectful and quiet during our stay," shares Andra S. about Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground.

    Wildlife viewing: The Smokies region offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "We spent 5 nights and watched them early am and afternoons every day. They will get up close-and personal. The rangers keep a watch out, tho, and try to warn u if they are coming too close," writes Jodie K. about elk viewing at Cataloochee Campground.

    Historical exploration: Visit preserved mountain homesteads and structures. "There are historical homesteads, a school, churches and cemetery to take you back in time. Trails by creeks there to hike," explains Jodie K., highlighting educational opportunities beyond just camping.

    What Campers Like

    Creek-side camping: Many sites offer the soothing sounds of mountain streams. "We had a River side site during the off season and during the week. Was very quiet and enjoyed the River," shares Lea B. about their experience at Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA.

    Fishing access: The region provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. "There are three ponds for fishing," mentions Robbie T., describing the amenities at Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA. For backcountry anglers, "The campground has several trailheads for hiking in the Smokies. A very nice feature is how close the campsites are to the creek. It was great for the dogs to cool off," notes Katrin M. about Big Creek Campground.

    Equestrian trail proximity: While dedicated horse campgrounds near Balsam are limited, some areas provide trail access for day riders. "There are also primitive sites up two different roads. One heads back to the reservoir for some amazing fly fishing. We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing," notes Shannon K. about North Mills River, which features horse trails among its offerings.

    Mountain views: The natural scenery draws many campers. "Mature trees throughout campgrounds. Minimal privacy but sites were not on top of each other. Nice path to walk and explore along stream which is very beautiful," writes Nick about Big Creek Campground.

    What You Should Know

    Bear activity: Bears are active throughout the region. "Just spent the weekend at Panthertown Valley and loved it! However - be aware that the bears here are extremely bad. I actually had an encounter with a very large bear who charged my group and destroyed at tent," warns Phoebe A. about Panthertown Valley.

    Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited or no connectivity. "Zero phone connection whatsoever (T Mobile 5g / LTE). Greater earth love connection a thousandfold," notes Dai C. about Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed.

    Seasonal considerations: Many facilities close during winter months. "I went camping here on November 2nd, just after half of the campground closes for the off season. Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11," shares Jonathan N. about North Mills River.

    Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating difficult roads. "Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves," explains Kristina from Cataloochee Campground, adding that large RVs are not recommended.

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with playgrounds and activities. "All kinds of stuff for the kids. Two pools, jump pillow and pad, banana bikes, play ground and three ponds for fishing," recommends Robbie T. about Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA.

    Consider noise levels: Families might prefer quieter campgrounds away from main roads. "We had the misfortune of having site T37, which is squeezed in a small corner next to an RV site. The first few nights my neighbor was courteous and pitched his tent far from the border, but the next few nights the neighbor's tent was inches from my picnic table," warns Jennifer L. about tent camping at Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA.

    Plan for family-friendly hikes: Many areas offer shorter trails suitable for children. "If you take the short drive into the national park, you will come to a parking lot, and from there, you can hike to three waterfalls close by. The closest one from the parking lot in the national park is two-tenths of a mile, and it is an easy hike," explains Myron C. about Cades Cove Campground.

    Consider facilities: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. "A dish sink outside the bathrooms made cleaning up from meals a cinch," notes Andra S. about Deep Creek Tube Center, highlighting features that make family camping easier.

    Tips from RVers

    Size restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds limit RV size. "The road is quite the trip just in a car, and I can't imagine driving a large RV on it," comments Kristina about Cataloochee's access road.

    Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "We tent camped at an electric site and it was awesome. There's shelters to camp under, a fire ring, and a picnic table," shares Melinda J. about Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground.

    Winter access: Check seasonal closures before planning trips. "We camped here for one night with a friend and our dogs. The campground is very small with only 12 campsites. Each one has a firepit, picnic table, lantern pole, and a very large tent pad. There are no RV's allowed," explains Katrin M. about Big Creek Campground's limitations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Balsam, NC?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Balsam, NC is Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 54 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Balsam, NC?

    TheDyrt.com has all 47 equestrian camping locations near Balsam, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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