5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
South Mountains State Park offers equestrian camping with clean facilities and a beautiful creek for horse bathing. The Equestrian Campground features electric hookups with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp connections, campfire rings, picnic tables, and full bathroom facilities with air conditioning. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, providing level spots for setting up camp. The campground is designed with horse owners in mind, allowing easy access to riding trails directly from the camping area. The creek access provides a natural water feature where horses can cool off after trail rides, giving equestrians a convenient way to care for their animals while camping.
Located about 15 miles from Casar, the park maintains extensive trail networks accessible to horseback riders. Trails range from easy to strenuous, connecting riders to various park features including the 80-foot High Shoals waterfall. The park spans approximately 23,000 acres with continuously expanding boundaries, providing ample space for riding adventures. For overnight stays, reservations are recommended as the equestrian campground remains popular and frequently books up. The park's location offers complete disconnection from cellular service, creating a true retreat experience for riders seeking peaceful trail time. Bathroom facilities in the equestrian area remain consistently clean and well-maintained, with air conditioning providing comfort during warmer months.
"The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side(approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. "
"Beautiful but crowded trails. There are equestrian trails and camping facilities. Dogs welcome. Ice cold creeps and lovely waterfalls."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $32 / night
"I took my horses and grandson to camp in the equestrian campsite. The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want."
from $12 - $27 / night
"Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup."
from $15 / night
"There is a nice playground, hiking trails, a lake, canoe rental, and a trading post with some food, ice, camping supplies, firewood and souvenirs. There is also a separate Equestrian campground!"
"When not in the side, a short walk takes you to the Trading Post, a small store selling firewood ($7), ice, souvenirs, and sundries. Next to that is a large playground connected to a pavilion."
Available this weekend
"The part of the park that is best to go to is the Sparrow Springs access, some folks may not be aware that there are actually several entrances to the park, and the main entrance with trails to the Crowder"
"The trails are strenuous but views are amazing! Its definitely worth it and right outside town, not far out."
Available this weekend
from $17 - $47 / night
"Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."
"This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:
- The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $56 / night
"Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use."
"state Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations."
Available this weekend
"The adjacent amusement park is closed due to Covid but i bet it is a blast to stay here when it is open. Wooded perimeter so you feel you are away from the city."
"The hookups were standard location and heights no issues. Our steps come out to a large level dirt pad, not grass. Lots of trees providing shade which is nice."
RangerIt says no overnight camping but there were 3 cars camping so I decided to camp. Drove straight across the entrance where a sign said parking but no camping. Was actually a really good camp spot plenty of room.
LegendA quiet, easy-access campground with good site privacy and great lake views. Some site boundaries feel a bit unclear and the bathrooms can get crowded, but the location is perfect for exploring the Blue Ridge. A solid stay, especially with the RV and primitive areas kept separate.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/3NspCX_Zgnw
TravelerMost campsites have good privacy and is quiet most hours. All have easy access, but bathrooms are small for number of campers. Some campsites are a little confusing about site areas as it seems they overlap into each other some. The view of the lake is one of the best parts. More campgrounds should separate rv and primitive like they do.
ScoutFR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate. Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out. The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground. There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.
ScoutProbably the second cleanest campground I had ever been to
Guide37 ft pull behind and we stayed at the upper campground (not the lakeside) close to the trail that takes you down to the creek for a swim. Lots of hiking and biking to be done which is always a great time.
ScoutAlways very clean, with meticulously maintained and picturesque grounds, the Camp Wilderness at Carowinds is well-appointed with amenities and attended to by helpful and friendly Carowinds staff. Providing shuttle service to the front gate for park entry, this is an excellent choice for overnight stays and Carowinds outings.
ScoutCampground is closed due to hurricane damage.
Scoutbig plus on the clean facilities(a must after a long hike😅) and the South Toe River sounds like a perfect spot to relax. I don’t mind the lack of cell service— sometimes it’s nice to truly unplug. Definitely adding this to my shortlist!
https://3pattishowy.net/
South Mountains State Park provides equestrian camping options approximately 15 miles from Casar, North Carolina. The park encompasses 23,000 acres of terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet. Trail networks extend throughout the park's boundaries, which continue to expand as additional land is acquired. Camping facilities include both family and equestrian-specific sites with varying levels of amenities.
Waterfall hikes: South Mountains State Park features an 80-foot waterfall accessed via trail networks. "We searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights... We feel like we got to experience so much more of the fun and experiential opportunities that park had to offer! Great trails. Great views," writes Sarah W. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Creek exploration: The South Toe River at Black Mountain Campground offers water-based recreation. "There is a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole," notes Dave V. about Black Mountain Campground.
Mountain summit hikes: For challenging terrain, the Mount Mitchell trail begins at Black Mountain Campground. "From here you can climb 4000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way," says David M. The trail connects to various peaks and offers primitive camping options at higher elevations.
Digital disconnection: The lack of cellular service in the mountains creates a genuine retreat experience. "Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us. Far from a town, so don't forget anything," explains Stephen M. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms are very clean with AC. There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want," reports Jackie S. about Equestrian Campground — South Mountains State Park.
Backcountry camping: For those seeking more remote experiences, primitive sites offer solitude. "Get ready. You are about to hike up a LOT of sleep stairs. The sites are really well laid out. Site 3&4 are my favorites because they are close to water access (bring a good filter). Plenty of trees to choose from for a hammock setup," shares Julie L. about the Upper Falls Campsite.
Park closures: Some campgrounds have experienced extended closures due to storm damage. "FR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you caught walking beyond the gate. Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out," advises Robert B.
Site layout considerations: Campsite design varies significantly between locations. "Many camping sites are very much in need of leveling. Sites slope from left to right, front to back, and some slope in both ways. Some sites are listed as RV sites but are half as large as they need to be to accommodate a medium size RV," notes Richard E. about Kings Mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Casar, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Casar, NC is South Mountains State Park Family Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Casar, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Casar, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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