2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Equestrian Campground at South Mountains State Park provides designated camping facilities for horseback riders 13 miles southwest of Little Switzerland. The campground features electric hookups with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp service, water hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. Tent and RV camping options accommodate various equestrian camping preferences, with sites designed to provide adequate space for both living quarters and horse trailers. The campground maintains clean shower facilities and flush toilets for visitor comfort. Sites remain reservable throughout the year with no seasonal closures. Trails throughout the park connect directly to camping areas, allowing riders immediate access to the trail system without having to trailer horses between locations. Multiple reviewers note the excellent condition of facilities and clean amenities throughout the campground area.
Located within the 18,000-acre South Mountains State Park, the equestrian campground connects to over 40 miles of multi-use trails through rugged terrain. Horse owners benefit from dedicated parking for trailers and easy access to water sources for animals. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain landscape provides varied riding experiences from wooded forest paths to ridge trails with mountain views. Most equestrian trails in the area maintain moderate difficulty ratings, making them suitable for riders of various experience levels. The nearby Black Mountain trails, though currently closed due to Hurricane Helene damage, historically offered additional riding opportunities with river crossings and mountain ascents. Weather conditions in the area can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations, requiring riders to prepare accordingly. Park regulations specify that negative Coggins test results must be available upon request for all horses using the facilities.
"River sites are first come first serve Has group camping {must reserve online} Large tent pads Rv sites Fishing Can purchase: Ice Soda/water Ice cream Kindling Fire starter Wood
Hiking: Access to"
"There are no supplies available at the office and the nearest store is a good distance so make sure you come prepared."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $56 / 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
"It’s a 6 mile hike up Maple Camp Ridge on trail 191 (Buncombe Horse Range) starting from a small parking lot close to Carolina Hemlocks Campground."
"A little below where we set up camp, we found a natural spring for water and theres a decent amount of firewood around. We parked at the top of Mt."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $32 / night
"Drove straight across the entrance where a sign said parking but no camping. Was actually a really good camp spot plenty of room."
"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 location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $31 - $62 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
"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
TravelerThis location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything. The streams were pristine, the campground very well kept and the hosts were kind. And our dog obviously loved it!
GuideHave camped here before. Very quiet campground.
RangerIt says no overnight camping but there were 3 cars camping so I decided to camp. Drove straight across the entrance where a sign said parking but no camping. Was actually a really good camp spot plenty of room.
ScoutI stayed long term while working in the area, including through the winter months, and loved the propane delivery. Coming home to a full tank already dropped at my site was such a nice perk.
It’s a beautiful, peaceful little campground tucked into the mountains and you can tell a lot of care goes into it. It’s not a parking lot like other places I’ve stayed the sites are tiered on the mountainside but level and large. Staff is friendly, they have a game room and laundry room and the store sells cold beer! It was a nice home away from home while working in town
ScoutThe camp host was unprofessional, rude, and threatened to call the sheriffs department because he said we were talking too loud. We were not loud and are filing a complaint. We have been coming here for years but will not pay to be treated this way.
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
ScoutThe camp hosts here are very attentive and clean the bathrooms daily. The river is stocked and also has native rainbow trout exceeding 20 inches. Some fly-fishermen showcased their trophy catches while we stayed here. There are full hookup spots and no-hookup spots. If you want more than 1-2 days, make sure you book online, as the hosts will point you to the website for longer stays. Beautiful and serene river with large swimming pools. The trout are stocked in addition to native, so call in and track the schedule for best results. Catch and release only - no bait.
TravelerThe campground itself was good. Bathhouse was clean-ish. The one shower stall smelled quite moldy/mildewy. Not a lot of amenities. We stayed a week and all days during the week - Monday through Friday, there was construction literally right beside our RV. Constant leaf blowing. I understand that they are doing improvements, that is great. A head's up about it, possible option to stay at another site, a noise discount, or at least letting us know, so we could make a choice, would have been nice. Would never stay here again.
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.
South Mountains State Park houses the only dedicated equestrian campground near Little Switzerland, North Carolina, accommodating both horses and riders with six developed sites. The campground provides electric hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp service, water connections, and sewer hookups. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The equestrian campground maintains clean shower facilities and toilets. Though the campground lacks designated horse corrals, riders typically set up portable corrals or use high-line systems. Reservations are required, and pets are permitted throughout the camping area. The facilities remain open year-round, allowing for all-season riding opportunities.
Located within South Mountains State Park, the equestrian campground connects directly to 17 miles of bridle trails. The trail system traverses varied terrain through hardwood forests and mountain streams. Trailer parking accommodates vehicles of various sizes at the campground entrance. Water access for horses is available at several points along the trail system. The park's trails feature moderate elevation changes suitable for most experience levels. Riders encounter well-maintained paths with clear markings and occasional creek crossings. The equestrian campground experiences high demand during spring and fall weekends when weather conditions are optimal for riding. Winter camping remains available for riders seeking solitude on the trails, though some sections may close after heavy rainfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Little Switzerland, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Little Switzerland, NC is Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Little Switzerland, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Little Switzerland, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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