5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Equestrian Campground at South Mountains State Park features electric hookups, water connections, and sewer hookups for campers with horses. Located in Connelly Springs, North Carolina, approximately 30 miles from Granite Falls, this campground provides showers, toilets, and fire rings for overnight guests. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with spacious sites that include picnic tables. The bathrooms are very clean with air conditioning, making it comfortable for campers during hot summer months. A beautiful creek runs through the property where horses can cool off after trail rides. The campground maintains a perfect 5-star rating from visitors who appreciate the well-maintained facilities.
The extensive trail network at South Mountains State Park connects riders to over 20 miles of equestrian-friendly paths through varied terrain. Riders access multiple loops directly from the campground without needing to trailer horses to trailheads. The park's bridle trails wind through hardwood forests, cross mountain streams, and offer scenic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Horse owners should note that while the campground is called "Equestrian Campground," it does not provide horse corrals, so campers need to bring their own containment systems. The creek running through the property provides a natural water source for horses after rides. Reservations are required for overnight stays, and the campground remains open year-round, though trail conditions vary seasonally with spring and fall offering the most comfortable riding weather.
"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
"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
"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
"But, ya know North Carolina summers."
"The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $72 / 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
"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
"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
"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
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
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/
ScoutMany 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. If that wasn't enough, sites are very close to each other and there are almost no plants other than tall trees to offer any privacy. SC Park system needs to take a serious look at making improvements.
GuideI recently stayed for 3 nights with my popup in site#10. The site is a good size for a tent or small camper only. Overall we were surprised by the campground based on other reviews . In my opinion The sites are close together, poorly maintained, and most are very small. The Trading Post is nicely stocked, and open all day. The bathrooms near my site were the best part…it was modern, clean and the showers were hot with good pressure. But other than the bathrooms everything felt like it hadn’t been maintained at all. Won’t be coming back.
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.
South Mountains State Park features multiple overnight camping options for equestrians about 30 miles from Granite Falls, North Carolina. The Equestrian Campground sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation within the 23,000-acre park boundaries. Strict alcohol prohibition applies throughout all camping areas, with rangers actively enforcing this rule during regular patrols.
Waterfall exploration: Hike the 2.35-mile High Shoals Falls Trail to see the park's 80-foot waterfall. "I searched 'best waterfalls in NC' and this park did not disappoint. We stayed for 3 nights... Great trails. Great views," writes Sarah W. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Mountain hiking: Tackle the challenging Mount Mitchell Trail directly from 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," notes David M. about Black Mountain Campground.
Historic exploration: Visit Kings Mountain Military site for Revolutionary War history. "Make sure to go across the street to the Kings Mountain Military site. Better yet, plan your stay when they are doing an event," suggests Don H. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms are very clean with AC," notes Jackie S. about Equestrian Campground. This makes it comfortable after long days of riding.
Creek access: Natural water features enhance the equestrian camping experience. "There a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want," Jackie adds about the Equestrian Campground.
No cell service: Some campers consider lack of connectivity a positive feature. "Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us," writes Stephen M. about South Mountains Family Campground. "No cell phone service, and gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," adds Jenni P.
Strict rules enforcement: Rangers actively monitor all park activities. "Park rangers are very present - they will deliver firewood bundles for a fee, and drive through the campsites frequently. The no-alcohol policy at the park is STRICTLY enforced," warns Jenni P. about South Mountains Family Campground.
Gates close nightly: Park entrances lock at specific hours, limiting late arrivals or departures. "The gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," notes Jenni P.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more seclusion, the park offers backcountry sites. "Upper Falls Campsites offer picnic tables, fire ring and a couple pit latrines," explains Dave V. about Upper Falls Campsite. "Get ready. You are about to hike up a LOT of sleep stairs. The sites are really well laid out," adds Julie L.
Riverside sites: Request specific campsites along water features. "We camped at the family camping area, it was great, we had site 6 and it was on the river and the kids loved it!" shares Jessica L. about South Mountains Family Campground.
Bring containment for horses: The Equestrian Campground requires visitors to provide their own horse containment systems as corrals are not provided.
Advance reservations essential: Popular horse campgrounds near Granite Falls book quickly, especially during prime riding seasons. "It is an extremely popular campground. During season, the summer month weekends and holidays...book your reservations online, because they don't do it by phone when calling the campground," advises Dave V. about Julian Price Park Campground.
Limited hookup sites: Electric and water connections are available at specific sites. "We camped at RV site 40 and I think it's the best. There's a roaring large creek that flows behind the site and a grassy field full of deer beside it," recommends Charli R. about Stone Mountain State Park Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require adjustment equipment. "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," warns Richard E. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Campground terrain varies: Mountain campgrounds may feature steep access roads. "The road into the campground is narrow, hilly and windy. We were able to do it in our 32 foot class A, but luckily no one was coming the other direction," notes Karen S. about Kings Mountain State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Granite Falls, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Granite Falls, 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 Granite Falls, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Granite Falls, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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