Best Equestrian Camping near Kannapolis, NC

Uwharrie National Forest offers several equestrian campgrounds near Kannapolis, North Carolina, with Canebrake Horse Camp featuring 28 sites specifically designed for horse trailers. Each site includes electrical hookups, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, lantern posts, tie posts, and tack tables. The campground accommodates up to two vehicles per site with parking spurs designed for horse trailers. Four double campsites are available for larger groups traveling with multiple horses. The campground remains clean and well-maintained, with camp hosts ensuring visitors and their horses stay comfortable and safe throughout their stay.

Located within the rolling foothills that serve as the gateway to the Appalachians, the Uwharrie National Forest trail system provides extensive riding opportunities directly accessible from the equestrian campgrounds. Horse clubs frequently gather at these campgrounds on weekends, creating a community atmosphere among riders. Badin Lake Group Camp and Uwharrie Hunt Camp offer additional horse-friendly camping options in the forest. The trails accommodate various skill levels, though some sections can be challenging after rainfall. Riders should note that during hunting season, the forest remains open to hunters, so wearing brightly colored or hunter orange clothing is recommended, especially at dawn and dusk. Reservations are strongly advised, particularly for weekend stays, as these horse-friendly campgrounds fill quickly due to their popularity and proximity to the Raleigh/Durham and Fayetteville areas.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Kannapolis, North Carolina (15)

    1. Yates Family Camping

    3 Reviews
    Harrisburg, NC
    10 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."

    2. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

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

    $17 - $107 / night

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

    "Water spigot close by, the pressure is high so slowly lift the handle haha. The sites are not too close together. Lots of hiking nearby. Beautiful area! Highly recommend."

    3. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort

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

    "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."

    4. Arrowhead Campground

    18 Reviews
    Badin, NC
    33 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. "

    5. Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    46 Reviews
    Kings Mountain, SC
    45 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."

    6. Cane Creek Park

    28 Reviews
    Mineral Springs, NC
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 843-5909

    "Located just outside historic Waxhaw NC, Cane Creek is part of the NC Soil Conservative Sites. They offer day passes,$4.00 per car where you can launch you kayak canoe or fishing boat."

    "Equestrian trails are everywhere and are good for hiking, a few trails are a bit rough for bicycles though"

    7. Crowders Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Bessemer City, NC
    40 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."

    8. Tanglewood Park

    12 Reviews
    Clemmons, NC
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 703-6400

    $35 / night

    "Walking path paved. Bike trails and horse trails. Near to I40 but any noise from that is very minimal. Full hookups. Wi fi present but not strong enough for any streaming. Will definitely return"

    "Great hosts, spacious spots, nearby dog park, loved staying here. The bath houses are a little dated but very clean. There is horse shoe, volleyball, soccer goals on the camp ground."

    9. Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    6 Reviews
    Uwharrie National Forest, NC
    36 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
    33 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 Kannapolis, NC

3 Photos of 15 Kannapolis Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Kannapolis, NC

191 Reviews of 15 Kannapolis Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Harlin L.
    Nov. 11, 2020

    Canebrake Horse Camp

    If you need a free place to park and camp

    It is free camping in this area on the weekend these horse clubs will come in with your trailers in horse they're not very friendly they're nosy and they do not like Outsiders but this is a national park to it is open to you to hear up to 14 days the town of Troy is not very friendly they want your money but they don't want you this is our second time here and it both times has been very unpleasant the trails are nice to walk the lake is beautiful as long as you keep to yourself and you should have no problem but these horse people got to be printed they're not your friends as soon as they turn your back they're calling the Ranger and trying to get you throw it out good luck with it I hope you have a better trip than we did

  • Kristy Gary B.
    Apr. 9, 2019

    Tanglewood Park

    Beautiful

    What a lovely campground. Sites are long and wide but some have quite a slope to them. There are large shady trees but no vegetation between sites. 3 camp hosts that rotate duties. Walking path paved. Bike trails and horse trails. Near to I40 but any noise from that is very minimal. Full hookups. Wi fi present but not strong enough for any streaming. Will definitely return

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Uwharrie Hunt Camp

    $5 per night...What? What?

    We hit this campground right at the perfect time of year, BEFORE the opening day of off-road vehicle season in April.  When National Forests post on their signs “Land of Many Uses,” I get it; there’s a lot of stuff people like to do in the woods. I have a lot on my list, but OHVing really ain't our thing.

    If it is your thing, then by all means come on down, cuz this place is made for it. There are trails for days within these stunning mountains that serve as the foothills for the Appalachians. Horse trail riding is second on the list of activities within the park judging by the number of trails. Sharing these trails with horses isn’t difficult if you’re just hiking, but remember to be kind to those riders since horses can be skittish. Mountain biking is also not to be left off the list, and there are some great trails through here as well, that you don’t have to share with the motorized enthusiast. 

    The campground is a quaint, and only $5 per night!  With only 6 sites and what appears to be an over-sized parking lot right next to it, the lot accommodates the OHV trailers. The campsites are rustic, grassy and comfortable, though no privacy in between.  Most sites are a short walk from the parking lot, so you might have to do a little bit of schlepping, but not much. The campground had a couple spigots and the pit toilets were clean.  We also found the campground itself very clean, but it was still early in the year and we were the only campers in the area in early March. The hunt camp is closer to the OHV trails than some other campgrounds in the forest so I suspect during the season this is a popular place to bring the side-by-side. 

    There is a small convenience store in Uwharrie, offering sandwiches and made-to-order food, but not much in the way of groceries. Another 10 miles and you’ll be in Troy which has a bigger grocery store, and restaurants.

  • I
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Uwharrie National Forest Badin Lake Group Camp

    This camp ground is comfortable but still maintains its wilderness feel.

    This camp ground is great for families and anyone looking to go outdoors. I highly recommend going online to reserve a spot ahead of time. From the times I’ve been there everyone calls ahead for there lots. 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. The only thing I have about this campground is the restrooms they provide are not the cleanest, so prepare yourself if your not used to that. Overall, I love this campsite.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park

    Nice quiet state park

    This is a very nice state park. The sites are well spaced and wooded. (If you think they are too close together you haven’t been to many private campgrounds). Our site was level and spacious, although some were not as level. Our first site had an awkward incline. The guy at the trading post said they were working on them. We were there mid-week and the campground was very quiet. The only noise was from crows and other birds, and acorns falling in the woods. There is electric (some 50 amp) and water but no sewer. There are 2 dump stations. Several bathrooms/showers are available. 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! The stare park is adjacent to Kings Mountain National Battlefield Park, with Revolutionary War history and more hiking.

  • James C.
    Jul. 4, 2018

    Cane Creek Park

    A Great Place for the Whole Family.

    Located just outside historic Waxhaw NC, Cane Creek is part of the NC Soil Conservative Sites. They offer day passes,$4.00 per car where you can launch you kayak canoe or fishing boat. If you like Bass Fishing, they rank as one of the best spots around. They have swimming areas for both day users and one for campers. This really is a gem within Union Co NC. The campground is on the other side of the lake. They have camping for RV’s, Cabin Rentals and tent sites for either large groups or individuals. The hiking trail is beautiful and takes you around the whole lake. Watch for horses, as this is a great place for riders too.


Guide to Kannapolis

Horse camping in North Carolina offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it an ideal destination for horse lovers.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities for horse owners

  • The Canebrake Horse Camp features 28 sites equipped with parking spurs for horse trailers, ensuring convenience for equestrian campers.
  • At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, visitors can enjoy electric hookups and picnic tables, making it a comfortable stop for horse enthusiasts.
  • Badin Horse Camp provides well-maintained sites with amenities like trash disposal and sanitary dump stations, catering to both horses and their owners.

Activities for horse campers in North Carolina

Tips for equestrian camping near Kannapolis, North Carolina

  • When visiting Canebrake Horse Camp, be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot, as it can fill up quickly on weekends.
  • At Uwharrie Hunt Camp, keep in mind that the area is popular for off-road vehicle activities, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid busy times.
  • For a peaceful experience, consider camping at Badin Horse Camp during the off-peak season when the trails are less crowded and the scenery is serene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kannapolis, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kannapolis, NC is Yates Family Camping with a 2.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kannapolis, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Kannapolis, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.