The North Carolina foothills near Mill Spring provide numerous equestrian camping options within a 45-minute drive. Located at elevations between 1,000-1,500 feet, this area features moderate temperatures year-round with average summer highs around 85°F. Mill Spring serves as a convenient base for accessing multiple National Forest lands and state parks where camping with horses is permitted.
What to do
Trail riding at Pisgah National Forest: Pisgah's Wash Creek Horse Camp offers multiple dedicated equestrian trails accessible directly from camp. "Just a stone's throw from the bustle of Asheville, yet secluded enough to forget it all, this little gem is conveniently located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest," notes Jonathan N. about North Mills River Campground.
Fly fishing: Multiple campgrounds provide easy access to stocked trout waters. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded," writes Natalie M. about North Mills River Campground.
Mountain hiking: The region offers trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "From here you can climb 4000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way," explains David M. about the trails near Black Mountain Campground.
What campers like
River access: Many sites feature creekside or riverside camping options. "We camped right along the river. It felt like we were camping deep in the woods and the Fall leaves were still clinging to the trees and made it absolutely beautiful. We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River," describes Ricky J. about Lazy J Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite rural locations, many campgrounds maintain high standards. "Bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. The camp hosts made sure several times that we had everything we needed," reports Katrin M. about Black Mountain Campground.
Secluded atmosphere: Many sites offer a sense of privacy. "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," notes Kim S. about equestrian camping at Bent River Equestrian.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "We were the only campers there. It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful. Only one side of campground is open in winter," advises Julie T. about North Mills River.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is sparse throughout the region. "No cell service, and gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," warns Jenni P. about South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Like everywhere in Pisgah, when it rains, it pours, so bring a tarp if you can," recommends Scott K. about Black Mountain Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming holes provide relief during summer months. "There is a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole," describes Dave V. about Black Mountain.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "There is a huge playground and ball field at the campground," notes Mike B. about Black Mountain Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Farm animals at some campgrounds appeal to children. "We live not too far from this campground, so it's more like our backyard outdoor playground. We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing," shares Shannon K. about Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Each site comes with a gravel platform for your tent, picnic table, bear box, and a fire pit with a grill top. I opted to set up my backpacking tent in the bed of my pickup, but the site was very clean and well maintained," writes Jonathan N. about North Mills River.
Access challenges: Forest roads to horse camps can be difficult for larger vehicles. "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," reports Karen S. about Kings Mountain.
Hookup locations: Utilities may be positioned awkwardly at some sites. "The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites," notes Karen S. about Kings Mountain State Park.
