Cedarock Park in Burlington provides equestrian camping near Browns Summit, North Carolina, with sites designed for both riders and their horses. Located approximately 15 miles from Browns Summit, the camping areas require reservations and feature primitive spots accessible via a quarter-mile wooded path. The park enforces seasonal hours with gates that lock at closing time, restricting after-hours movement. Road noise can be heard from some campsites, particularly at night, so campers should prepare accordingly if seeking a quieter experience.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Cedarock Park offers two fantastic disc golf courses for campers looking to add recreation to their horseback riding trip. According to Kelsey L., "There are two fantastic disc golf courses (I personally enjoy the Wellspring course)" that provide entertainment between trail rides.
Hunt for fairy stones: Take a day trip to Fairy Stone State Park Campground where you can search for the unique cross-shaped minerals. Russell C. shares that "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" The fairy stone hunting site is located just outside the park next to a gas station.
Lakeside activities: Spend time at Cane Creek Campground and RV Park for fishing and water recreation. Karen R. notes it has a "beautiful view of lake. Great hiking trails." The lake provides a peaceful setting for relaxation after trail riding adventures.
What campers like
Flat terrain for tent setup: The camping sites at Cedarock Park feature level ground that makes pitching tents straightforward. A reviewer mentions "The sites are all super flat, which makes finding some place comfortable to set up a tent that much easier."
Spacing between sites: Campers appreciate that the equestrian sites provide adequate room for both camping equipment and horses. One camper noted, "The sites are well spaced and can accommodate large groups (you only pay $1 for each additional person for groups larger than 10)."
Hiking opportunities: Tanglewood Park offers extensive trail systems beyond equestrian paths. Dave B. mentions it is "next door to a 4 mile paved exercise path with mountain bike trails in the middle," providing additional recreation options for those camping with horses.
What you should know
Gate closure restrictions: Some campers have noted limitations with the locked gates at Cedarock Park. Summer C. warns, "The campsites are alright minus the hike but the downside is they lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't, you're literally stuck."
Leveling challenges: At Tanglewood Park, several RV sites require significant leveling. Tiffany D. reports, "Negatives are unlevel lots (we had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level, but couldn't adjust anymore)," which can be important for horse trailers with living quarters.
Bathroom facilities: While Cedarock Park has toilets, they are basic. Facilities at nearby parks like Fairy Stone have varying conditions. Jacqueline F. notes, "The bathrooms and showers were pretty gross and I don't think they were cleaned the 3 days we were there," so bringing sanitation supplies is recommended.
Ranger
