Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Shelby? Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. These scenic and easy-to-reach North Carolina campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
$13 - $31 / night
$12 - $28 / night
Tent camping only - No RV spaces. All campsites at Crowders Mountain State Park are hike-in and primitive. Campground is accessed via a 1 mile trail starting from the visitor center.
Whatever your lodging needs, this Carowinds camp wilderness delivers. Cabins sleep up to 8, and level sites with full hookups easily accommodate both pop-ups and RVs up to 45 feet. Need to house a large group? Great Wilderness Lodge sleeps 14 and offers a large meeting area, equipped kitchen, three bathrooms, and a wraparound, rocking-chair porch.
Everyone will find their own way to unwind with a swimming pool, cornhole, pool table, video games, shuffleboard and free wireless internet in many places. What’s more, registered Camp Wilderness guests can purchase discounted tickets and free shuttle service to the park during park operating days.
Black Mountain Campground sits in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. and borders the South Toe River. Black Mountain is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.
With the South Toe River located adjacent to the campground, visitors will have no shortage of things to do, including picnicking, day hiking, scenic driving and trout fishing. Hikers will be pleased with a variety of trails from which to choose, including a leisurely half-mile walk through the forest or a challenging 5.6-mile hike to Mt. Mitchell.
The campground sits at an elevation of 3,040 feet. The 6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell towers over the area, with several other high peaks of the Black Mountains nearby. This lush Appalachian forest is rich with wildlife, plants and scenery.
Groups can easily head out for a day of scenic driving along Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.
$35 / night
Camping - Primitive and require a hike in of 1.5 miles Please note that fees and permits are required for all overnight stays, including backcountry camping. Backcountry campers must make a reservation online or by calling 1-877-722-6762 before setting up at a campsite. Campers can make same-day reservations up until 9:00pm the day of your arrival. Upon arrival, use the self-check-in through the Reserve America Camping App. Site ATTENTION BACKCOUNTRY CAMPERS Please be advised that these sites will ONLY accomodate a maximum of 6 people. If your group has more than 6 people, additional sites will need to be reserved. Sink gratefully into your sleeping bag after a day of hiking at South Mountains and fall asleep in the stillness of the forest. Twenty-four backpack camping sites are offered in seven areas of the park. Permit and fees are required to camp overnight. Please visit the visitor center prior to hiking to your campsite to fill out the permit and pay the fees. A kiosk outside the visitor center allows campers to register and pay the fees if they arrive when the visitor center is closed. These sites are designated on the park map, and hiking distances to each backpack camping site vary. Each camping area has a pit toilet located nearby. All supplies, including water, must be packed to the sites. To drink water from nearby creeks and streams, use a filtration device or boil the water for at least five minutes. Below is a listing of the backpack campsites and the distance between the campsites and the Jacob Fork parking area: Upper Falls – 1.4 miles 1.5 MILE HIKE TO CAMPSITES Maximum group size of 6 people per site. At the park office, back country campers must record the tag numbers of all vehicles left overnight. Water can be found most of the year in a nearby stream. Water must be filtered prior to use. Fires only in fire ring. A North Carolina State fishing license (basic) and the special trout fishing license are required to fish. Licenses are not sold at the park. Please arrive a minimum of 1 hour prior to sunset to allow time to get to the camping area before dark. North Carolina State park rules and regulations are posted in each park and enforced by rangers. Violating these rules and regulations is a misdemeanor and may result in a fine and revocation of permit. Alcoholic beverages, firearms (including fireworks) and other weapons are prohibited. Campers with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted areas. Park Hours: November -- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; December through February -- 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; March, April and October -- 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM; May through September 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pets are allowed except in park buildings. They must be on a leash no longer than six feet and cannot be left unattended. Posted quiet hours are enforced. Building fires in undesignated areas is prohibited. Unlicensed vehicles and motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs and mini-bikes are prohibited with the exception of mobility-aid devices used by a mobility-impaired person. All vehicles are prohibited from walkways, trails and other areas not designated for such purposes. State vehicle and traffic laws are enforced, and the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. North Carolina State parks are wildlife sanctuaries. No hunting is allowed and collecting plants, minerals and artifacts is prohibited. State fishing regulations are enforced. ** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
$15 / night
The rolling hills of Enoree Ranger District in Chester County are home to the Woods Ferry Recreation Area which includes the Woods Ferry Campground, Woods Ferry Picnic Area, Woods Ferry Boat Ramp. The Woods Ferry Recreation Area is situated in the piedmont of South Carolina along the east bank of the Broad River with elevation averaging around 350 feet and is approximately 40 miles southwest of Rock Hill and 57 miles southeast of Spartanburg. The surrounding area is the rolling hills of upland pine and maturing hardwood forests. It offers a wonderful change is scenery from the area___s typical pine forests. The highlight of the area is the Broad River corridor. The many variety of hardwood trees create an umbrella with their leaves in the summer, keeping you cool during your trail ride or hike. Thatches of pine are mingled in and the sun shines through them providing you warmth in the winter. Wander on the Woods Ferry Horse Trail and you___ll see wild azaleas clumped by the old homesites and dogwoods are scattered through-out the forest. Inhale fragrance of the honeysuckle in these peaceful surroundings.__ The forest and river environment draw a variety of wildlife to the area. Visitors interested in nature watching have an opportunity to see birds such as red-shouldered hawks, great blue herons, osprey, wood ducks, barred owls and the American Bald Eagle.____
The Woods Ferry Recreation Area offers Woods Ferry Campground users access to a wide range of recreational activities such as picnicking, fishing, canoeing, wildlife viewing or trail riding. Its location on the Broad River makes fishing and boating easily accessible. The Woods Ferry Day Use Picnic Area: picnic tables and grills, two group picnic shelters with group grills, three fishing platforms to fish or view wildlife from. A valid South Carolina fishing license is required to fish on the national forests.__ The Woods Ferry Horse Trail is a 26 mile trail system that traverses along the Broad River and hardwood drains of the area. The trail is open to horses, hikers and mountain bikers. Broad River- boating, canoeing and kayaking opportunities abound with current access south of the Neal Shoals Dam, 2 miles downstream from the Woods Ferry Campground.__ The surrounding national forest lands are a great place for big game deer and turkey hunting along with other small game hunting. Hunting and fishing in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Visit www.dnr.sc.gov for more about the SCDNR.
The Woods Ferry Recreation Area offers Woods Ferry Campground users access to a wide range of recreational activities such as picnicking, fishing, canoeing, wildlife viewing or trail riding. Its location on the Broad River makes fishing and boating easily accessible. The Woods Ferry Day Use Picnic Area: picnic tables and grills, two group picnic shelters with group grills, three fishing platforms to fish or view wildlife from. A valid South Carolina fishing license is required to fish on the national forests.__ The Woods Ferry Horse Trail is a 26 mile trail system that traverses along the Broad River and hardwood drains of the area. The trail is open to horses, hikers and mountain bikers. Broad River- boating, canoeing and kayaking opportunities abound with current access south of the Neal Shoals Dam, 2 miles downstream from the Woods Ferry Campground.__ The surrounding national forest lands are a great place for big game deer and turkey hunting along with other small game hunting. Hunting and fishing in South Carolina is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Visit www.dnr.sc.gov for more about the SCDNR.
The Woods Ferry Recreation Area is situated in the piedmont of South Carolina, along the east bank of the Broad River and adjacent to the 26 mile Woods Ferry Horse Trail. It lies within a beautiful wooded floodplain surrounded by upland pine woods and maturing hardwood forests.__ The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests encompass more than 629,000 acres in four districts throughout South Carolina, from the low country Atlantic Coast to the western foothills along the Georgia border. For more information on Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnfs
Leeds Shooting Range, Enoree Ranger District, Sumter National Forest. Bring your own weapon, target and target holder to practice from designated shooting tables down range with at a maximum distance 100 yards. Click here for more information https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/scnfs/recreation/otheractivities. Olde English Tourism District. https://www.oldeenglishdistrict.com/about/district. Find upcoming events, restaurants, artists, farmers markets surrounding the Woods Ferry Recreation Area. Historic Brattonsville. https://www.visityorkcounty.com/things-to-do/history-culture/historic-brattonsville/
$14 / night
Poulous Loop offers a rustic camp setting ideal for exploring the area's hunting opportunities. The surrounding forest environment sustains abundant wildlife populations, making it one of the most desirable hunting areas in the state. During big-game and turkey seasons, the campground is open for hunters. From early January through late March groups can reserve the entire camp for events. Families, churches and clubs might like to reserve the camp for reunions, get togethers and campouts. Other recreation opportunities in the area include trail riding, birding and wildlife viewing, berry picking and photography. Nearby, try your hand at fishing the Broad River at the Woods Ferry Picnic Area. Click here for a printable guide.
Guide
I 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.
Traveler
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.
ScoutMy husband and I come out to camp at kings mountain state park often and we love it if we decide to go camping or to go out to walk some trails with our dog this is the place we always come to the park rangers are all nice respectful and the keep the place clean and help to make your stay amazing. They also answer any questions you may have about the park like things to do while you are there and to enjoy your stay.
Traveler1st thing was i received an email telling me to check in at trading post and had the wrong address. we arrived as well as 2 other campers at the wrong address and then had to drive a mile or so to turn around. The trading post check in is in the campground!! The park is very pretty with all the trees, but the campsites themselves are very unlevel and laid out very awkwardly. The electric and water are in odd spots on each site. Luckily we were on one of the rare fairly level sites. 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. This would be a very nice park if they spent some money on the individual campsites.
Traveler
Super place, super staff. Kevin the manager and Diane the host are awesome people with plenty of knowledge of the area. The road into the facility (FR 472) turns into a gravel road for the last mile or so with a few small potholes but nothing terrible, we had no problems getting there in a 30' class a RV . Just make sure when you get to the fork in the road STAY TO THE RIGHT! The road on the left is Neil Creek road (which btw has some really nice dispersed camp sites) but if you have a bigger rig and go up that road you will hate life... It twists then gets steep and only a couple places to make a 180. No cell service whatsoever even with a booster... If you walk a 1/4 mile out the gravel road by the 1st A frame house you can get a signal there. The showers have plenty of hot water and are clean. The place is a bear super highway so they take policing your food and garbage very seriously. There are an abundance of hiking trails accessible from the site and are well kept... S
Toe River has some beautiful spots to take a dip if you can handle the cold water.
Scout
On 8/25/23 - 8/27/23, WE went camping for the first time this year and left early that sunday morning. Which turned into a nightmare for my family on the following Monday 8/28/23 we had a social worker come out to investigate my family due to steel creek making a HUGE mix up on giving the wrong site number and wrong information to dss. AND All Steel Creek had to say was they are sorry!! Our life was turned upside down for over two weeks due to Steel Creek giving out wrong information. Shouldn't Steel Creek make sure they give the right information to a department like child protective services? The case was eventually closed because we were the wrong family, but now dss says it will always be on my husband's record with them that he was investigated for child abuse even when we were the wrong family to start with! a weekend that was supposed to be a nice and relaxing vacation turned into my husband having to lose time at work, lawyer fees, and emotional distress for my family. My husband tried to contact Steel Creek after everything was over, but they are screening his calls and staying silent on this situation. The very least they could have done was offer a refund of our stay if not more for everything steel creek has put us through. All of this was due to Steel Creek giving wrong information to the Department of Social Services! Be very aware because this can happen to you! This could be your information given next! I've been going to steel creek since I was a little girl and I'll never go back or recommend this camp ground to anyone and will always tell my story of the wrong steel creek camp ground has put us through especially since the owner Joey has not even reached out to my husband for the trouble his camp ground has caused my family! A little business suggestion for you if at any time a department like social services is calling you for information, you need to make sure yourself and / or your employees are giving out the right information. And to your employees who give false information should be fired! This was an awful situation this camp ground put us in! SHAME ON YOU, STEEL CREEK!
On another note our site was also full of dog crap, people who stay here with dogs are supposed to clean up after them and 90% of them never do so just know if you do choose to stay at this campground have plans on dodging dog crap during your stay. If it's not dog crap you will hear of the many dogs barking the whole time during your stay, which is annoying when you are trying to relax with your family.
TravelerI came on a Sat in August for First Come First Serve (yeah, not the best plan) and they were just taking the "We are Full' sign down to say they had two sites. One was right across from the welcome hut. I took the other and it was lovely. This campground is VERY shady and has water and bathrooms and showers that are well maintained. There are wonderful sites for families big and small around the central "soccer" field and sites for small-medium trailers and tents and camper vans in "Bear Alley" around the outside. One or two pull in sites for bigger rigs.
I'd come First Come First serve on a Sunday night or Monday night and scope out sites that would be best for you. You pay extra for the access to wonderful hiking trails, the deep Forest feel, and did I mention SHOWERS? It is pretty remote and off a long dirt road off route 80. You don't need a 4x4 but it's a slow careful drive .... and you are NOT going to want to take day trips to Burnsville or Marion. Plan to stay and bring what you need. Bring that bug spray and screen tent.
GuideJacob Branch: Three sites arranged around a clearing. Two pit privies and a BEAR BOX! Woot!! The sites are a bit difficult to pitch on, due to the abundance of roots, hardpan earth, and slope, but you’ll find a spot. I didn’t hang, but there are certainly spots that would be suitable. Water is just down the hill. It’s ample and clear, as of May 2023. There are several ways to hike in, as many of the South Mountains SP trails intersect and wander around a bunch giving a bunch of options for how to get in and out. The variety makes for a nice loop instead of just an in-and-out. Get inventive. Trails are broad and veeeeeery hilly in places. If your knees complain, bring the trekking poles. You’ll thank me.
Shinny Creek: Perfect trip if you have kids…or just want something close by. It’s only a bit over a mile to these four sites (see video tour) nestled by a stream. Clear, flat sites. Bear box. Critter-proof trash bin. Pit privy. Water access from every site within ten paces, so water and entertainment are always available. The trail here is easy peasy rolling hills that follows the river past Bear Falls all the way up to the sites.
GuideCampground has decent amenities, sites are small and on top of each other. Bathrooms and showers leave a lot to be desired. My site is not what was pictured on the website, and I paid to reserve it, so buyer beware. Camp store is decent, and playground is nice. River swimming is the real attraction, and to my kids it was worth it.
GuideCamp sites are nice, close bathrooms, nice facilities. Park boasts about lots to do but there is no road through the whole Park so more than half of the trails you are not easily able to get through. Drove around to other access point and its nothing but a fence and a field. Park is very pretty and the water is nice.
GuideI stayed in beautiful weather in October. I recommend this campgrounds and park for is trails and beauty. Very good facilities as well.
TravelerLovely shaded campground. Boat rentals at Lake York. National Military Battlefield nearby. WiFi available at the Trading Post, but not at campsites. Some sites have cell service, site #48 does not for Verizon. Site #48 is not level but not bad. Park is tidy and clean. Quiet on a Wednesday.
TravelerCampsite 5 is a bit in the way of other campsites but still an amazing place
TravelerUpper Falls Campground is amazing during winter.
LegendLarge sites, mostly level, with table and fire ring. Decent bath/shower buildings. Large day use area with pavilions, tables, grills and playgrounds. Cute camp store.
ScoutCheck in is at the trading post. They have a small amount of camping equipment but very little grocery items, mostly just snacks and coffee. WI-FI is available there. There are tables outside for you to use but if it's raining I suggest going to the shelter just up the hill,#2. You can get 2 bars there. Verizon was 1-2 bars depending on location. There was plenty of OTA TV channels. All of the bath houses were clean but the ones by sites 103 and 7 had been remodeled and had heat and hand dryers. The other two didn't appear to have heat and there was no hand dryers, so take a towel. Hand soap was available at all. Every site needs more gravel not only on the pad but around the picnic table. Many were like site 43 which had very little gravel so when it rains, you would be in mud. The dump stations also needs a lot more gravel. The second one from the campground was very muddy. Currently site 36 has a large mulch mound at the back. Sites 29 and 46 didn't have a cover for the electrical post. As previously stated, you must really check the site description or plan on bringing lots of levelers. Most sites were shady. There is NO privacy at any site but the worst were the ones next to pull-thru. The hiking trails were very well marked and maintained.
LegendWe enjoyed this campground, but most sites were as close together as dome commercial/independent campgrounds that aside,the one recently remodeled facility was great, the other older facilities were a bit lacking. Sites were mostly not level, but also not too obtuse
Cell coverage not the greatest, but managed 6 or 7 meg down on Visible and T-mobile
Lovely for Change of Leaves. Friendly staff & hosts
ScoutWe made a reservation well in advance but the owner decided to cancel our confirmed reservation to accommodate a previous renter who decided to stay longer. THANK YOU YATES FAMILY! Obviously there was no consideration if we were left without a place to stay. Did they offer help finding another campground, NO. Did they offer to compensate us, NO.
ScoutGreat local family campground with lots of great hiking trails.
ScoutThey have two campgrounds, newest has 50amp service with sewer hook up and mostly drive thru campsites, but out in the open with no shade trees. Older campground is heavily wooded with beautiful forest and some sites have water frontage to tie up your boat. 30 amp service with no sewer, all sites are paved and pretty level. All the bath houses are nice and clean. Beautiful place to camp! One of our favorite places to camp!
Scout
We stayed 3 nights in a 31' travel trailer at site 80. Staff at counter was very friendly and provided all the information needed. Site was level side to side and paved with asphalt only wide enough for the camper. 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. It had started raining after setup and the dirt quickly became mud. The bathhouse is close and clean, all tile. I wish there were curtains separating shower from dress area though. The shuttle to Carowinds was frequent and convenient. All in all, the campground was nice, we would stay again.
ScoutIn full disclosure. We bought a camper and decided on this campground as our maiden voyage. It’s close to the dealer we bought the camper from, and had available sites on short notice.
We’ve tent camped here before and enjoyed our stay and will this time as well.
I’ve never towed a camper before and I’m still learning. Any sites that have a moderate slope can be a challenge. Especially to a newbie.
I’m this case we made it work using leveling chocks on one side of the camper. No complaints. We wish we made a better site selection that’s more level. Lol.
A nice quiet place that’s well maintained, but with minimal amenities. We like the quiet and hiking trails and enjoy our stays here.
ScoutNice campground close to Carowinds... Quiet and family friendly. Stayed there a couple of times. Pull thru sites are mostly shaded.
ScoutBeautiful place with a lot to offer! The hikes near the falls were quite busy on Memorial Day weekend, but the backcountry campsites were quiet and well-kept. Lots of places to play on the river, rock hopping or swimming around the Jacob Fork Parking area. We were able to park there since we had campsite reservations but others were waiting in a long line to park for day-use, so be aware. We stayed at the Little River backcountry campground, which requires a 1.5 mile hike in, and has a pit toilet but no running water, bathrooms, or trash cans. The Reserve America site lacked some site specifics— From the Little River campground, the closest water source is a creek 0.6 miles (1.2 miles round trip) away- filter it- the walk back to camp is a steep uphill. There is no firewood provided up at the campground but there’s lots of deadfall, bring a saw if you have one. The pit toilet had plenty of TP when we were there, and there was a central bear bin for use by all campers. The four sites were well-spaced so we did not see other campers, with the exception of site 1 which is right off the entrance trail to the campground. Be aware that the hike up to the campground, though only 1.5 miles, is pretty steep from the Jacob Fork parking area (600ft elevation gain) and most of the day hikes (the falls, chestnut knob) leave out of that parking area. So one option would be to hike down to your cooler in the car and grill lunch or dinner at one of the shady picnic areas near the parking lot and river while day-hiking, then hike back up to camp overnight. Overall, recommend!
ScoutOlder campground lots of shade. staff very friendly and helpful. We were really surprised with how much has been invested in Carowinds over the years by Cedar Fair that the campground has been untouched. Bathrooms/bathhouses were very clean and seem to be the one part of the campground that has been updated. One section of the campground has been turned into long term camping and many looked like they had been there for years. campground was quiet other than noise from air traffic as airport is nearby but it was minor. Campsites have decent space in between each other which is great bc the sites are small in length and you will be parking either beside the rig or sideways in front of it. We stayed in a back-in site and most back-in sites seemed rather level but pull throughs were hit or miss on that aspect. If you are staying here to go to the park then it is very convenient and has an excellent shuttle that runs frequently and drops you off near the front gate. Very small camp store that has most of the basics. Campground overall is clean, safe and secure but we expected a little more from theme park campground. We live nearby and are pass holders at Carowinds so we will likely stay frequently due to the convenience.
GuideMy husband and I stayed a night. The sites are tight but there's shade and since we have to be close to the Charlotte airport it was perfect. Far enough not to have super loud plane noise but a very easy drive.
ScoutThis is a great place to camp. It is somewhat close to Charlotte, but is little known. There are extensive hiking trails. The grade of the trails is from easy to hard. They have a 70 foot waterfall that has a stairway along the side of it. This has car camping, backpack camping, horse and bike camping. You can even fish there if you have a license.
Horse camping in North Carolina offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities tailored for both riders and their horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shelby, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shelby, NC is Kings Mountain — Kings Mountain State Park with a 4-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shelby, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Shelby, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
