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Best Equestrian Camping near Charlotte, NC

187 Reviews

Limited options exist for horse owners seeking camping near Charlotte, North Carolina. None of the campgrounds in the immediate Charlotte area offer dedicated horse corrals or equestrian facilities. Campgrounds like Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort, Kings Mountain State Park, and Cane Creek Park accommodate RVs and tents but lack specific horse-friendly amenities. The sites are generally level with full hookups, and most enforce quiet hours. Frequent shuttle service at Carowinds Camp Wilderness provides convenient transport to the adjacent amusement park.

Trails for horseback riding can be found within driving distance at Kings Mountain State Park and Crowders Mountain State Park, though overnight accommodations for horses are not available directly at these parks. Crowders Mountain State Park features hike-in tent camping approximately one mile from parking areas. Uwharrie National Forest, located about an hour east of Charlotte, offers more potential for equestrians with multiple camping areas including Badin Lake Group Camp and Arrowhead Campground, though specific horse facilities are limited. Water and electrical hookups are available at most sites, and many campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal variations in trail conditions.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Charlotte, North Carolina (16)

    1. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    17 Reviews
    Pineville, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 588-2600

    "I've stayed here twice while visiting nearby Charlotte, and was pleased with the facility. RV spaces are a nice size with plenty of grass."

    "The sites are tight but there's shade and since we have to be close to the Charlotte airport it was perfect. Far enough not to have super loud plane noise but a very easy drive."

    2. Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    46 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, NC
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 222-3209

    $13 - $31 / 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."

    3. Cane Creek Park

    29 Reviews
    Mineral Springs, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 843-5909

    "Great spot only 45min from Charlotte."

    "It is located south and east of the town of waxhaw, and an easy drive from Charlotte."

    4. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 773-9349

    "There aren’t really any extras here but if you’re just looking for reliable water/electrical/sewer and wifi near Charlotte this is a fantastic option."

    5. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 853-5429

    $17 - $47 / night

    "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."

    6. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 982-4402

    $17 - $107 / night

    "Glad to finally find a nice campground just over an hour away from Charlotte. Easy trek for a short weekend trip. We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do!"

    "Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone.  Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park. "

    7. Arrowhead Campground

    19 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    $20 - $54 / night

    "Equestrian campgrounds, hunting camps and then Arrowhead and Badin Lake campgrounds, along with the boat launch area."

    "The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "

    8. Chester State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chester, SC
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 385-2680

    "Stayed 1 night, sites are close to each other. Small cabins available, walk-in campsites and restrooms are clean and updated."

    "When I checked in, the lady was nice enough to find a site with grass behind the gravel so I could set up my tent. She didn’t warn me that it was sloped."

    9. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (910) 576-6391

    "We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April. "

    "There is a good trail around the lake that offers some beautiful views across the lake. Pretty good fishing too."

    10. Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake Group Camp

    3 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    46 miles
    Website

    $75 / night

    "There is plenty to do like hiking, fishing, swimming, and even horse back riding. And it you are an off road enthusiast, they have made some fantastic off road trails south of the Forrest."

    "While at Uwaharrie NF stayed at Biden Lake campground. Beautiful place with great views. Clean facilities close to sites."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Charlotte, NC

3 Photos of 16 Charlotte Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Charlotte, NC

187 Reviews of 16 Charlotte Campgrounds

  • James D.
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Cane Creek Park

    A gem close to home...

    Great spot only 45min from Charlotte.

  • Sara C.
    Oct. 1, 2019

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Hidden treasure

    We loved our stay! Glad to finally find a nice campground just over an hour away from Charlotte. Easy trek for a short weekend trip. We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do! Nice sites with electric hookups. Firewood available. Will definitely be back!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2017

    Cane Creek Park

    Cane Creek county Park

    This review is probably not representative of what will be many people’s experience or opportunity, as I visited in November in the off season, albeit an unusually warm weekday! Cane Creek Park is a county park that is of state park caliber. It is located south and east of the town of waxhaw, and an easy drive from Charlotte. It is a large park on both sid s of a large lake, beautifully maintained, clearly with a variety of family recreational activities that are surely heavily used in the high season. The park offers everything from day use, to car and rv camping, to hike in tent sites and wilderness group areas, to cabins. This review is for the hike in tent sites, which are large, well spaced, heavily wooded and private, with lake access for good fishing and paddling. There are restroom and shower facilities in walking distance, though not at the campsites themselves. This is a simpler and quieter camping opportunity than the drive in sites. In fact, no one else was in this section of the campground on this fine autumn day, yet the weather was beautiful and the setting so peaceful. I would recommend this campsite location for fall camping

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    Great Hiking And Day Use

    I saw state park and was excited about the potential of another great site in North Carolina. I was not disappointed in that it offered amazing hiking. But signs clearly depicted it to be a day use only facility which was a little bit of a bummer.

    I spent the afternoon hiking on a trail which was marked moderate but I’d honestly say was more strenuous. Lots of people come to do the Tower hike here!!

    When I pulled out I saw even more signs just further reminding me of the day use …. for camping it’s a 1 (which is what matters on this site) however for the activities it is a 4. I found it to be a good compromise to give it a 3 overall because I did like the site, just wish it had organized camping because limited information was available about permits for potential back country camping like I had seen on here.

  • B
    Jan. 16, 2019

    Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    Nice park and close to Charlotte.

    Campground is part of Carowinds amusement park. Cabins and RV spaces are available. Prices are rather expensive during the season, but reasonable off-season. I've stayed here twice while visiting nearby Charlotte, and was pleased with the facility. RV spaces are a nice size with plenty of grass. Some airplane noise from planes using CLT, but wasn't bothersome. It's a short drive to restaurants and shopping, and very convenient if visiting Charlotte and surrounding cities. Will stay again.

  • Stephen R.
    Oct. 15, 2021

    Yates Family Camping

    Just one night

    Well not much here , no office or bathrooms. Water and electric and a dump station. Friendly owners and very close to Charlotte motor speedway.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2022

    Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

    Convenience

    My husband and I stayed a night. The sites are tight but there's shade and since we have to be close to the Charlotte airport it was perfect. Far enough not to have super loud plane noise but a very easy drive.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Arrowhead Campground

    Offroader's Paradise

    Uwharrie National Forest-Arrowhead Campground

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48934 

    https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE\_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368418.pdf 

    Uwharrie National Forest is fairly vast, but several camping areas are located in one general area. Equestrian campgrounds, hunting camps and then Arrowhead and Badin Lake campgrounds, along with the boat launch area. Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. 

    Campground roadways are paved, as well as the campsite parking pads, The restrooms are newer, larger and offer paved parking for users. 

    Sites are reasonably large and offer a picnic table, firepit, charcoal grill and metal hanging pole for lanterns, etc. some foliage exists between Campsites, but you still have a visual of your neighbors. 

    It appeared during my visit that most users were off-roaders with either 4x4’s or quads. The onsite host advised that it is very popular with the off-road enthusiasts. Enclosed and flatbed trailers filled most of the sites. 

    Caution: During hunting season, the National Forest is open to hunters...wear brightly colored or hunter orange clothing especially dawn and dusk.

    Reserve well in advance if you desire a site...these campgrounds fill quickly. 

    Arrowhead also offers an inner-campground paved walk/bike/stroller trail...and the drive down to the boat launch(which has a fairly sizable paved parking lot and latrines). You can also pick up the lake loop trail by the Boat Ramp.

    Being located so closely to the Raleigh/Durham area...and the Fayettville area...I can see this being filled to capacity most days and definitely weekends. Mid-week it was filled.

  • W
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

    Something for everyone

    Morrow Mountain State Park, near Albemarle, NC, has something for everyone.  Many hiking and equestrian trails are within the park.  While the top elevation is just over 900 feet, it still has that mountainous feel in sections of the park.  Likewise, there is lake access for boating and fishing.  There are also historical features, a few unmarked homesteads and graves, as well as a nice (though small) museum.  The campsites are my favorite of any campgrounds visited in the NC area.  They are not too close to each other, well equipped, and with good visibility surrounding the sites so that you can see the deer and squirrels going by.  It has been among my favorites for 50+ years.

Guide to Charlotte

North Carolina offers a variety of horse camping experiences, perfect for equestrian enthusiasts looking to explore the great outdoors with their horses.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The Canebrake Horse Camp features 28 sites equipped with tie posts, tack tables, and electrical hookups, making it ideal for horse campers.
  • At Badin Horse Camp, each site includes amenities like picnic tables and sanitary dumps, catering specifically to those traveling with horses.
  • Uwharrie Hunt Camp offers a rustic experience with drinking water and fire pits, perfect for horse camping in a serene environment.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at horse campgrounds around Charlotte?

Horse campgrounds near Charlotte typically provide essential equestrian amenities. Badin Horse Camp offers hitching posts, water access for horses, and spacious camping sites that accommodate trailers. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground features equestrian trails and basic facilities while maintaining a natural setting. Most equestrian campgrounds in the area include designated areas for horses, access to trail systems, and camping sites large enough for vehicles with horse trailers. Facilities typically include water sources, fire rings, and picnic tables, though amenities like electric hookups and shower facilities vary by location.

Where are the best equestrian campgrounds near Charlotte, NC?

The Charlotte area offers several excellent equestrian campgrounds within reasonable driving distance. Uwharrie National Forest Arrowhead Campground stands out as a premier destination, featuring extensive equestrian trails throughout the forest. Another top option is Canebrake Horse Camp, which provides dedicated facilities for horse campers. Both are within 1-2 hours of Charlotte, making them accessible for weekend trips. The extensive trail systems at these locations offer varied terrain and scenic views, perfect for riders of different experience levels.

Are reservations required for horse camping in the Charlotte area?

Reservations are highly recommended for horse camping near Charlotte, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall). Cane Creek Park requires advance bookings, particularly for weekend stays when equestrian sites fill quickly. At Kings Mountain State Park, reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance and are strongly advised for holidays and weekends. Most equestrian campgrounds operate on a reservation system through their official websites or by phone. Some may offer limited first-come, first-served sites during off-peak seasons, but securing your spot ahead of time is the most reliable approach.

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