24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Paradise Ridge Permaculture offers horse camping on the rural outskirts of Asheville, North Carolina. The property includes approximately one acre for tent camping, shared communal spaces, and an additional acre of open pasture suitable for horses and other well-behaved animals. Basic amenities include a cold outdoor shower, composting toilet with motion-sensor lighting, and a communal fire pit with gazebo. The property operates entirely off-grid, with no electricity or running water, though drinking water is provided. Located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, the campground maintains trails accessible to equestrians. The farm environment includes resident horses, pigs, and chickens on the grounds, providing a unique farm-stay atmosphere for visitors with their own horses.
Bent River Equestrian offers field camping for horseback riders seeking proximity to mountain biking and hiking trails in the Mills River area. The property features spacious open fields suitable for tent camping and provides a clean portable toilet and outdoor cold shower for campers. Horse owners camping with their mounts can enjoy the ample room for horses to move around while maintaining appropriate distance from the resident equines. The campground is conveniently situated near numerous trail systems in Pisgah National Forest, where horse-friendly routes provide excellent riding opportunities. Tent campers can set up directly in the fields, with sufficient space between sites to maintain privacy even when the campground has multiple groups. The host remains available to answer questions and ensure equestrian guests understand proper horse etiquette within the farm environment.
"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
Check Availability"I got there just in time to see a beautiful sunset and say hello to the horses. The host is fantastic. I would definitely stay again."
"Cute horses and barn cats to pet and watch"
from $30 - $900 / night
Check Availability"She showed us around the grounds which has horses, pigs, chickens, a natural spring, and fruits/vegetables/mushrooms growing around the property."
"I have cleaned out about an acre for tent or hammock camping, another acre for shared areas, and the pasture has about an acre wide open for dogs, horses or other well mannered animals."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"bit of a drive through the forest to get here, but great spots if you're looking to get away from civilization."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $28 - $56 / night
Check Availability"My friend and I hiked the Raven Cliff Falls loop trail a while back and have added it to our list of top 10 favorite trails."
"Wonderful trails with breath taking views and technical climbs plus discrete camping."
from $4 - $20 / night
Check Availability"*this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by."
"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
Check Availabilityfrom $125 - $149 / night
"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."
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.
GuideThere are multiple campgrounds here. I stayed in the drive up campground for people without horses. There is also equestrian camping and campsites one can hike to. My experience was the campsites were a little close to each other and, since it's a small loop, they fill up fast. I prefer more space and privacy when camping. My tent pad was a little uneven as well. There is a lot of good hiking in the park and horse back riding for those with horses. I'd like to try the back country camping at some point.
TravelerI 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.
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..
GuideSmall campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect. No power, can use a generator but only for a few hours during non quiet time. Quiet hours strictly enforced. Horse trails nearby. Roads lead to blue ridge Parkway. There is a shower and working toilet, but also outhouse for off season use. Hosts make you feel like family.
GuideHad a nice experience here. Amber, the host, was very kind and accommodating. She showed us around the grounds which has horses, pigs, chickens, a natural spring, and fruits/vegetables/mushrooms growing around the property. The grounds are conveniently located near the city of Asheville and hiking trails. There was a shared gazebo, cozy fire pit, and cold showers. The only downside was that there wasn’t a secluded spot available for car camping, even though Amber did figure something out for us to be able to stay. Would recommend to get away from your typical campground.
LegendOne of my best friends invited me to go camping with him here, although I knew it was a horse camp and we didn’t have horses. There are lots of trails for horses, and there are places to tie up the horses. Knowing it was a horse camp, I expected there to be horse manure, but manure was everywhere—even on the tent pads. Other than that, which as I said I expected, it was a good place to camp. The sites are spacious and fairly private with woods between each site. You have to reserve in advance to get a code to get through the gate, so you don’t have curiosity seekers coming in. There was supposed to be access to water, but the only pump in the campground was not working. Fortunately, I brought water with me. There was a pit toilet, but when I first went to it, it smelled terrible and was in need of a big time cleaning. The next morning, when I went, it had been“cleaned”(if you want to call it that). My buddy and I decided to go to Max Patch, a mountain bald, a few miles up the road. Max Patch is a beautiful grassy bald with 360° views, and the Appalachian Trail runs across it. Unfortunately, it is popular. By that I mean TOO POPULAR. When we made it there, the parking lot was full, and there were cars lined up for about a half mile down the road. Having been on Max Patch before, I knew it was not going to be a pleasant experience. Overall, the campground is probably okay for horse campers except that there was no water. The pit toilet needed more attention than it was given, but it was a toilet. There’s a good chance I will not go back to this campground. It’s not that I do not recommend it in general. I just don’t recommend it if you are just camping in a tent without horses. However, I do recommend one of the dispersed camping areas not too far down the road, especially if you want to be close to Max Patch. Just don’t go in the more popular seasons.
LegendSouth Mountain State Park, NC From I-40 Exit 104, you twist and turn, up and down but keep a sharp eye for the small, brown State Park signs or you’ll pass your right hand turns.
The South Mountain Visitors Center is very spacious and attractive but doesn’t offer a great deal. There is a cool 3D topo map display of the state park. At present, this is a 23,000 acre State Park...and ever acquiring more land.
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.
The campground is tiny and narrow, running between a creek and the state park roadway. The sounds of the creek melodious, the road traffic noise-not so much. I would definitely advise selecting the creek side campsites as they lay deeper in the wood line out of sight of the roadway and have the creek noise to cover roadway noise.(note: the roadway dead ends at the trailhead/picnic area, so the only traffic are day visitors and park staff) Be forewarned, Cell service is nonexistent. Your site will have a WiFi password for internet at the Visitors Center, but you need to be at or in the building for it to work.
PROS:
•Small campground with few amenities
•Mountain/creek location
•Nice modern facilities
•Water
•Adjoining trail network
•No cell service
•80’ Waterfall•Interpretive Hemlock Nature Trail
•Beautiful Day Use picnic area
CONS:
•Road noise for sites 10-14, during working hours and day use hours.
•No cell service
Site 13 backs up toward the roadway, and without much understory, passing traffic is very visible and noisy(the high shoals falls and trail network are popular day use attractions). On the sites between the campground roadway and the State Park roadway, you are much closer than the website maps post, and without understory vegetation, you have direct visibility of several neighbors and normal conversations can be heard. Night noise restrictions, on our visit, were observed so it wasn’t an issue. My visit was Wed, Thurs. midweek Oct 7-8.
Our site was an“leveling,” octagonal, elevated, crushed gravel pad, surrounded by landscape timbers...an elevated fire ring with a swing-over, non-adjustable grate, a picnic table and metal lantern pole. It worked fine but I used a small two-man tent. Depending on wind direction, fire ring embers would present a problem for a larger tent. Our site parking area was 45’ from the raised timber to campground roadway.
The restroom/shower house is a monstrous, mountain lodge style modern facility...very clean, spacious and well-stocked.
Walking the Family Camground my future site picks would be 5 or 7. Site 5 is a park and carry but it did not appear to be more than 50’ and it sat on the creek. Site 7 is on that same small loop but had a larger rectangular raised pad, for keeping tents distanced from fire pits.
Some sites have a deep enough gravel drive for a small camper or popup. And a few have electric.
Several trails lead from the NW end of the family campground parking lot and vary in length and difficulty. Most notable is the Raven Rock Trail to the High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb and descent to the upper falls and then wooden boardwalk and steep steps down to the gorgeous 80 ft High Shoals waterfall. Smaller falls and cascades continue on the descent. Our total loop mileage was 5.5 with nearly a thousand foot of elevation gain.
Park employees both at the Visitor’s Center desk and in the field were very friendly and pleasant. The NC State Park Ranger was very informative and helpful, as well as giving much appreciated suggestions for great and often lesser traveled hiking trails.
Roughly 16.5 miles of mountain bike trails intermix with hiking and equestrian trails. There is a separate equestrian campground between the Visitors Center and the Family Campground. Note: there are several backcountry backpack-in campsite areas(Upper Falls Campsites offer picnic tables, fire ring and a couple pit latrines).
RangerQuiet, small, shady spots. Level tent pads. Obligatory fire ring and table. Small clean facilities. Hot showers. Beautiful but crowded trails. There are equestrian trails and camping facilities. Dogs welcome. Ice cold creeps and lovely waterfalls.
Horse camping opportunities near Dana, North Carolina extend beyond established campgrounds to forest service roads and dispersed sites in Pisgah National Forest. The area sits in a transitional climate zone between the foothills and mountains, with elevations ranging from 2,100 to 4,000 feet. Several equestrian facilities provide accommodations for riders seeking trail access within a 30-minute drive of Dana.
Trail riding in Pisgah National Forest: Explore numerous equestrian-friendly paths from Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp. "Awesome trails for u & ur horses," notes Larry M. The camp connects to forest service roads and dedicated horse trails through dense woodland.
Fly fishing access: Cast for trout in the North Mills River area, a popular spot for anglers. "Great Fishing! This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish," explains Natalie M. about North Mills River Campground.
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit nearby cascades on foot trails that branch out from camping areas. "Beautiful waterfall (whaleback falls I think?) just a quick 15 minute walk across the river and up the trail (follow Daniel ridge trail loop from parking lot)," writes Dai C. about exploring near Upper Cove Creek dispersed sites.
Riverside camping spots: Many sites provide water access for cooling off during summer months. "The camp sites are very nice and roomy. It's also very nice to access the trail up to Mt. Mitchell right from the campground," says Katrin M. about Black Mountain Campground.
Off-grid tranquility: Experience camping without modern distractions. "No cell service (Verizon) without driving 10 minutes, and then patchy for another 10-15," reports Tavi C. about Mills River Dispersed, where sites offer a true backcountry feel despite being accessible by vehicle.
Winter season value: Take advantage of reduced rates during off-peak months. "Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11 (hard to beat)!" shares Jonathan N. about North Mills River Campground during the quieter season.
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: Come prepared when using free camping areas. "Remote- you have to want to get up here but it's really easy to do once you drive it a few times," advises Angela M. about Upper Cove Creek dispersed camping, adding "It's a tent or as I use the tree tent."
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving on unpaved roads. "The dirt road to get there as well as the pull off for the campsite are rough and a bit dangerous for low/regular cars," warns Tavi C. about Mills River dispersed camping.
Seasonal closures: Check availability before planning trips, especially in winter. "Only one side of campground is open in winter. We were the only campers there. It was very quiet," notes Julie T. about camping at North Mills River during the off-season.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There is a huge playground and ball field at the campground," mentions Mike B. about Black Mountain Campground, making it suitable for families with younger children.
Stream exploration: Let children wade in shallow creek areas during warmer months. "My family enjoyed being so close to the river and exploring a new area," shares Amanda about North Mills River Campground, where riverside sites provide natural entertainment.
Farm animal interactions: Choose campgrounds with resident animals for educational experiences. "Had a great time at this campground with two pups, both well-behaved and able to enjoy off-leash time with lots of space to run around. This is a horse farm so respecting their space was our first priority," explains Kim S. about Bent River Equestrian.
Size limitations: Larger rigs face challenges at many horse campgrounds in the Dana area. "Not for big rigs, RVs, etc.," cautions Angela M. about Upper Cove Creek dispersed camping, which is better suited to tent camping or smaller vehicles.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available at select locations. "We have tent camped and now taken our RV. Roads are a little narrow, but passable," advises Tracy S. about Lazy J Campground, which offers water and electric hookups at some sites.
Group camping options: Look for designated areas that accommodate multiple rigs. "Beautiful free group camping area with large parking lot. All dirt roads back here," reports Dai C. about the Upper Cove Creek area, which can handle several vehicles despite primitive amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dana, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dana, NC is North Mills River with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dana, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Dana, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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