Horse-friendly camping options are severely limited near Cherokee, North Carolina, as none of the campgrounds in the area feature dedicated horse corrals or equestrian facilities. Tsali Campground, located in Whittier, comes closest to supporting equestrians as it's positioned near the popular Tsali Recreation Area trail system, known for its horse-designated trails on specific days. Other nearby campgrounds like Cherokee Great Smokies KOA, Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground, and Cataloochee Campground permit pets but lack specific horse accommodations. Visitors noted the KOA properties offer numerous amenities for families, but none specifically designed for equestrian use.
Riders seeking equestrian-friendly accommodations must look beyond immediate Cherokee options. The closest alternative is Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley, approximately 25 miles from Cherokee, where riders can bring their own horses for day use on ranch trails. Alternatively, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers limited backcountry camping with horses at designated sites, though these require permits and adherence to strict regulations. Horse owners planning overnight stays with their animals should contact campgrounds directly about trailer parking and temporary corrals, as these arrangements may be possible at some locations despite the absence of permanent horse facilities. Seasonal restrictions affect trail access throughout the region, particularly during winter months.
$30 / night
"Very popular campground just inside the Park and not far from Cherokee NC. Clean, well maintained, easy access RV sites. The RV loop has no hookups, although generators are allowed during the day."
"About 10 miles from Cherokee, NC. A good Elk viewing area between Smokemont and Cherokee, NC. One camper saw a bear one morning but was not a problem."
"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)."
$30 / night
"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."
"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."
$30 / night
"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!"
$10 - $20 / night
"Sites are first come, first serve, most sites are in the open with a few more private sites around the edge."
"Great for accessing the mountain bike trails at Tsali. The entire campground is first come first serve, never had a problem finding a spot, but does fill up by the weekend."
"Water source was very close to the shelter. We had zero issues with bugs or critters bothering us at night. I was also able to get cell/satellite service outside the shelter and up on the AT."
"The area around the shelter is high, rocky, and remote. Expect 10-15 degrees less than the Park headquarters."
"The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."
"Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."
$30 / night
"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."
$50 - $94 / night
"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
ScoutVery popular campground just inside the Park and not far from Cherokee NC. Clean, well maintained, easy access RV sites. The RV loop has no hookups, although generators are allowed during the day. We had a lovely site on the creek. Bring water and be prepared for damp conditions.
GuideReally liked Smokemont, our favorite between Cades Cove and Elkmont as far as camping sites. The sites are a little bigger and more room between sites. About 10 miles from Cherokee, NC. A good Elk viewing area between Smokemont and Cherokee, NC. One camper saw a bear one morning but was not a problem.
No cell or TV service here. 2 bay dump station which was nice and clean with water for the RV.
TravelerBusy campground in the Smoky Mtns, minutes from Cherokee. Can’t beat the location. The pros are that there’s a creek running through the campground which drowned out any road noise and was lots of fun for kids to splash in, fish in, etc; the sites are decent size; and there’s a really good loop hike right from the campground—very scenic. Cons are that the bathrooms were dirty and smelly—two different bath houses were just as bad; no showers; many sites are pretty close together and not very private.
As far as finding a cheap place to camp in the Smokies, this is a good choice —just don’t expect 4 star.
LegendSmokemont is located a few miles up Newfound Gap Rd from Cherokee, NC and the Oconaluftee visitor's center and farm. You'll have a head start on driving to Clingman's dome to watch the sunrise and you're not far from places to explore on the east side of the Smokies.
Smokemont is one of the few campgrounds open year round, with loops A & B available in the off-season. I stayed here in early April and there were plenty of open sites. You can make reservations online or take a chance at first-come, first-served. With the exception of two sites offering electric for medical equipment, there are no utilities available. Firewood is available at nearby Towstring Horse Camp. Bathrooms are basic, with flush toilets and running water. Sites are good sized, most with square tent pads; it may be difficult to fit some of the larger tents on these pads.
Loop F is across a bridge and for RVs only. Some of the sites on the outer edge of the loop are on the river; i liked the looks of sites F34, 35, 38. Sites in the middle of the loop are more open. None of the other sites in the campground are directly on the river, but they're just across a road and you'll fall asleep to the sound of babbling water and be able to wade in it during the day. D loop sites are largely pull-through sites, great if you have a larger rig.
If you have a longer stay in the national park, spend a couple of nights here and enjoy all that the area has to offer, then move to another section and explore that area as well. You'll spend less time on the road each day and enjoy your visit more! While here, check out the Mingus Mill, go into Cherokee and learn more about the tribe and its history, and visit the farm at the visitor's center. Keep your eyes open as you drive, esp. in the early morning or at dusk; you may see deer, bear, or elk.
GuideSmokemont 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!
GuideWe 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.
LegendNot 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.
LegendRanger 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..
LegendEven 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.
Equestrian camping near Cherokee, North Carolina primarily relies on Tsali Campground in Whittier, located 14 miles southwest of Cherokee at an elevation of 1,900 feet. The area features diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,700 to 5,000+ feet across nearby camping options, creating significant temperature variations even in summer months. Trail access often requires navigating narrow, winding mountain roads with occasional gravel sections.
Mountain biking trails: Tsali Recreation Area features designated riding days for both horses and mountain bikes, with over 40 miles of trails. "This is a great example of just that, offering amenities for you to enjoy but proximity to easily drive to an adventure just ahead," notes one visitor at Tsali Campground.
Swimming and tubing: Cool off during hot summer months in nearby creeks and rivers. At Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground, a visitor shares, "You can put in your tube at one side of campground and float to end of tent sites to get out (15-20 minutes total float) or drive up the road a bit to Smoky Mountain Deep Creek entrance for a longer run of about 2-3 hours and end up back in camp."
Historic structures exploration: Visit preserved buildings throughout the region, including churches, schools and homesteads. "There are several historic structures in the area—a school, a church, barns, old houses, etc," explains a camper at Cataloochee Campground. Many sites preserve 19th-century mountain life with accessible walking paths.
Creek-side sites: Waterfront camping spots provide natural white noise and cooler temperatures. A camper at Big Creek Campground shares, "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife spotting times. "Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you can drive about a mile, and sometimes less, to see elk and lots of them," writes a visitor to Cataloochee Campground. Wildlife sightings vary seasonally, with elk most active during fall rutting season.
Tent-specific areas: Some campgrounds cater specifically to tent campers with dedicated spaces. "The only tent-only campground in the GSMNP considered frontcountry. Well maintained sites and restroom area," writes a reviewer about Big Creek Campground, which features 12 tent sites with fire pits and lantern poles.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the mountains have spotty or non-existent coverage. "Limited cell service for AT&T," notes a camper at Tsali Campground. Verizon coverage tends to be slightly better but still inconsistent throughout the region.
Bear precautions required: All food must be properly stored in bear-proof containers or vehicles. A camper at Cataloochee Campground warns, "Be careful out there though, a black bear walked through our site while we were fixing dinner. Didn't bother us, but it was a nice little scare."
Remote access roads: Many campgrounds require driving on narrow, winding roads with limited passing areas. "It's a long 13 miles into the valley down a very narrow, curvy gravel road, so I wouldn't try w/o reservations!" explains a Cataloochee Campground visitor about the challenging drive.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer and fall. "Reservations are highly recommended, but it is possible except on the busiest weekends to occasionally snag one of the not so prime sites," advises a Cataloochee visitor.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. One family camping at Cherokee Great Smokies KOA shares, "All kinds of stuff for the kids. Two pools, jump pillow and pad, banana bikes, play ground and three ponds for fishing."
Multi-generational accessibility: Choose locations with varying difficulty levels for activities. "If you like hiking, there are miles of hiking trails, especially since this campground is located in a national park," mentions a Cataloochee Campground visitor, noting the variety of trail difficulties available.
Morning wildlife tours: Plan early morning excursions specifically for wildlife viewing. "We spent 5 nights and watched them early am and afternoons every day," says a Cataloochee camper about elk viewing. Rangers often monitor popular viewing areas during peak season to ensure visitor safety.
Size restrictions: Many mountain campgrounds have limitations on RV length. "Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves. Though many campsites will accommodate large rigs, motorhomes over 32' and trailers over 25' in length are not recommended due to the access road," explains a review from Cades Cove Campground.
Full hookup options: Several campgrounds offer complete amenities for longer stays. "The spots have dedicated tent area, picnic tables and fire rings. Multiple bear proof trash cans and water spickets on both loops and easy to access," notes a Tsali Campground reviewer, highlighting the accessible amenities.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, affecting RV access and comfort. "We tent camped at an electric site and it was awesome. There's shelters to camp under, a fire ring, and a picnic table," explains a visitor at Deep Creek, mentioning the weather protection options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cherokee, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 equestrian camping locations near Cherokee, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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