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Bent River Equestrian campground offers tent and RV camping in a horse-friendly environment near Saluda. The 5-star rated campground provides a spacious field setting where campers can enjoy time with their pets while respecting the horses' space. Outdoor facilities include a clean portable toilet, cold outdoor shower, fire pits, and open areas for recreation. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed when near the horses. The farm setting allows well-behaved dogs off-leash time with plenty of space to run. Horse owners staying at Bent River appreciate the rural setting that balances privacy with accessibility to local attractions.
Located between mountain biking and hiking trails, Bent River Equestrian provides an excellent base for outdoor recreation in western North Carolina. The campground is approximately 30 minutes from Pisgah National Forest, offering access to numerous trail systems. North Mills River Campground, another horse-friendly option in the region, features dedicated trails for horseback riding and accommodates both tent and RV campers. The campground sits alongside a river that provides opportunities for fishing and cooling off after trail rides. Visitors note the spacious sites with ample privacy from trees and vegetation. Both campgrounds maintain a quiet atmosphere that appeals to equestrians seeking a peaceful natural setting, with hosts available to deliver firewood and assist with camping needs.
"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"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"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 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"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"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 Availabilityfrom $125 - $149 / night
"Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use."
"state Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations."
"*this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by."
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.
GuideSpent many weeks here over the past few years. Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use. The barn is clean as well and provides stall shavings for a small fee.
Scoutstate Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations. Many flat camping spaces and lots of shade. A camping store on site and many other stores within a five minute drive.
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.
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.
North Carolina's Saluda region sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation in the Blue Ridge foothills, creating varied camping conditions from lowland river settings to mountainous forest terrain. The area receives about 67 inches of annual rainfall, supporting lush vegetation and year-round streams. Camping options near Saluda range from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with equestrian facilities, with most sites open from April through October.
Fly fishing spots: North Mills River Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout its grounds. "We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlmiited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," notes Shannon K. at North Mills River Campground.
Waterfall hiking: Several waterfalls within 20-30 minutes of camping areas provide day trip options. "A nice trail to SetRock Falls, right on the campground property...and several other foot trails to keep you busy and hiking," according to Dave V. about Black Mountain Campground.
Horseback trails: Multiple equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer direct trail access. At Wash Creek Horse Camp, Larry M. confirms the appeal: "Awesome trails for u & ur horses."
Winter camping: Some campgrounds remain partially open during colder months with reduced rates. "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," reports Julie T. about North Mills River Campground.
Natural water features: Many campsites offer riverside or creek-adjacent spots. At North Mills River Campground, Amanda O. simply states it's "Beautiful and quiet" with "Creekfront" sites.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds provide good separation between camping areas. Max O. notes about Mills River Dispersed: "Gorgeous lush forest, ice-cold flowing stream immediately off most camp spots, well maintained and leveled places to pitch a tent."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts various wildlife species. Amber G. at Paradise Ridge Permaculture explains: "I like it wild, I like to still invite animals that have always crossed our path. All of which are more afraid of us and will run or saunder off when seen."
Equestrian camping environment: Horse-friendly sites have specialized facilities. Katie C. reports about Bent River Equestrian: "I tent camped overnight as it was half way to my destination. I got there just in time to see a beautiful sunset and say hello to the horses. The host is fantastic."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on gravel forest roads. According to Tavi C. at Mills River Dispersed: "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. It's doable but you should go very slow and watch out for giant holes and ridges."
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. Jonathan N. observes at North Mills River Campground: "I would recommend this little spot to anyone looking for a quick getaway from the traffic and humdrum of the nearby townships... A big chain grocer is also just a 10 minute drive up the road, making it easy to grab last minute items you may have forgotten."
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Some areas close completely after Hurricane Helene damage, as Robert B. reports: "FR 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."
Permit requirements: Some areas require advance registration. For Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, permits must be secured before arrival, with designated trailside camping areas marked along hiking routes.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds feature safe water play areas. Tracy S. notes about Lazy J Campground: "Tent sites right on the river. You can tube down and get out right at your site. Three Falls waterfall is just up the road. You can get tubes at the office."
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds include farm animal viewing opportunities. "This is a horse farm so respecting their space was our first priority, and occasionally required leashing our dogs but didn't hinder us at all," explains Kim S. about Bent River Equestrian.
Bathroom facilities: Campground restroom quality varies widely. "The facilities are good, nice hot water in sinks and showers. Clean bathrooms etc. We also had a spigot and plug near our campsite if we needed them," reports Kirsten J. about Lazy J Campground.
Short hiking options: Trails suitable for children can be found within many campgrounds. Amanda from North Mills River Campground mentions: "Campsite was clean and well maintained. My family enjoyed being so close to the river and exploring a new area."
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have limited RV access due to narrow roads. At Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed, Angela M. cautions: "Not for big rigs, RVs, etc. It's a tent or as I use the tree tent."
Dump stations: Only select campgrounds offer sanitary dumps. North Mills River Campground has this facility, making it a practical option for self-contained RVs needing to manage waste.
Generator policies: Check noise regulations as they vary by location. Most dispersed camping areas prohibit generators, while established campgrounds have quiet hours.
Road navigation: Forest roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. Ricky J. notes about Lazy J Campground: "HWY 215 runs along the camp site but since it was the weekend there was very little traffic. Hosts were very friendly, bath house was clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Saluda, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Saluda, NC is North Mills River with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Saluda, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Saluda, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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