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jaci S.
Traveler
TravelerFox Creek Horse Camp
Great spot for boondocking
There are multiple sites for camping rvs if you are set up for boondocking.
Equestrian Camping near Sparta, NC
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground in Grayson Highlands State Park features gravel, relatively level sites with water and electric hookups for equestrian campers. The campground prioritizes horse owners for reservations but allows non-equestrian campers to book within 30 days of arrival. Clean stalls in both open and closed configurations are available for an additional fee. Fox Creek Horse Camp provides hitching posts at each site with a gravel pad, picnic table, and fire ring at the economical rate of $5 per night. Manure collection sites are available at both campgrounds, though only Chestnut Hollow offers shower facilities and flush toilets. The bobcats, black bear, and wild ponies frequently spotted near these horse-friendly campgrounds enhance the camping experience.
The extensive trail network surrounding these equestrian campgrounds connects riders to over 66 miles of scenic mountain terrain. At Collins Cove Horse Campground in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, corrals are provided for horses, with toilets and water hookups available for campers. Riders accessing the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail from Old Virginia Group Horse Camp can accommodate up to 25 horses without trailering to the trailhead. A stream at this group site provides water for horses, though campers must bring their own drinking water. Fox Creek Horse Camp serves as an excellent base for exploring the wide network of multi-use trails throughout the region, with portable toilets available and Grindstone campground nearby for potable water access.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Sparta (12)
1. Stone Mountain State Park Campground
"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."
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $17 - $72 / night
2. Sandy Creek Family Campground
"The grounds are adjacent to the Stone Mountain State Park. Very fun long weekend at a family friendly campground. Would definitely camp here again!"
"Stayed there for a weekend, great location close to Stone Mtn park. Hiked from there into the state park. Very clean kept campground and nice owner"
3. Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway
"Near a creek as well. Just follow the basin creek trail for about a mile and then cross bridge."
"This camp ground is very small and on the side of a very quiet road next to beautiful fields with breath taking views it has no paved roads so bring a truck or suv sedans will get stuck easily there is"
4. Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park
"This equestrian campground in a beautiful state forest allows for other campers to make reservations no more than 30 days in advance; priority is for campers with horses."
"We camped at an equestrian campgrounds, chestnut ridge perhaps? Saw a Family of black bear about a mile from camp then a bobcat in camp later that day!"
20 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $16 / night
5. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
6. Raven Cliff Campground — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
"Other than the bear hunting that went on, was scary..this is a peaceful spot to reset with plenty of hiking trails right next to the creek."
"Trails were well maintained & short walk down to the river. Would definitely stay again!"
from $5 / night
7. Fox Creek Horse Camp
"We don't have horses so I wouldn't stay here when it is full. For us it is great as a cheap stop if we are traveling through the area at the right time."
"With a wide network of multi-use trails in this area, Fox Creek Horse Camp provides a nice base for exploring on horseback. Sites have a gravel/grass pads, picnic table, and fire ring."
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
8. Collins Cove Horse Campground — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
"Tho, no immediate fresh water pumps, walking distance water access for horses and dogs. As well as bathing down from the campgrounds. Creak water. Very spacious and scenic."
from $5 / night
9. Old Virginia Group Horse Camp
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
10. The Glamper at White Oak Stables
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $151 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 11 min from Winston-Salem, NC
- 1 hr 38 min from Blacksburg, VA
- 1 hr 54 min from Kingsport, TN
- 1 hr 59 min from Johnson City, TN
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sparta, NC
5 Photos of 12 Sparta Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sparta, NC
131 Reviews of 12 Sparta Campgrounds
Bridgett W.
GuideCollins Cove Horse Campground — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Spacious Country
Tho, no immediate fresh water pumps, walking distance water access for horses and dogs. As well as bathing down from the campgrounds. Creak water. Very spacious and scenic. The trails are near and beautiful. Lovely for horseback riding or hiking, or just tent camping. Latrine are located at campground, walking distance.
Camp With Me
LegendFox Creek Horse Camp
$5 Campground
This is a neat campground. We camp in the area a lot and this campground is either completely empty or totally full. We have stayed here a couple of times when it was empty. We don't have horses so I wouldn't stay here when it is full. For us it is great as a cheap stop if we are traveling through the area at the right time. A nice creek goes through the campground that is right on the highway, so we usually stay in the back to get away from the road noise. Not that there is much traffic in the area at night.
Check it out in our 360° Video and see it like you are there.
https://youtu.be/dlGXzrFK31Q
- Bridgett W.Guide
Raven Cliff Campground — George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Primitive camping, park by campsite. Truly accessible. Plenty of trails and peace and quit between traffic. Alot of locals use this spot to fish and hunt bear. Be due diligent while staying. But truly a peaceful resting stay!
We stayed a week. Truly peaceful. There's alot of traffic from locals and wellness checks by law enforcement. Your truly looked after! Other than the bear hunting that went on, was scary..this is a peaceful spot to reset with plenty of hiking trails right next to the creek.
- Camp With MeLegend
Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Great Camping right on the Blue Ridge Parkway
A 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
Ethan H.TravelerJulian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Great Primitive Campsite
Most 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.
- Lanna M.
ScoutLove Valley Campground
Clean
Probably the second cleanest campground I had ever been to
Duane C.ScoutJulian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Closed
Campground is closed due to hurricane damage.
Kevin A.LegendStone Mountain State Park Campground
One of our favorite state parks
We’ve camped at Stone Mountain multiple times over the years. We tent-camped when my boys were small. Most recently in our RV (3-4 times in the past three years). It is a great park. The hiking is excellent. The campsites are large and spacious. The park is well-kept. Make sure you hike to the top. The views are great, and you can spend time at the Homestead farm in the valley below.
We camped here this past weekend and enjoyed it once again. We were at site 56. It is an excellent site on the stream, with no site immediately next to you, so there is lots of privacy. The firepit, picnic table, water, and electricity are all great. We had limited cell service for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We could send and receive text messages, but coverage was very spotty.
We will be back again in the Fall.
Guide to Sparta
The Blue Ridge Mountains near Sparta, North Carolina provide access to mountain forests, rolling terrain, and elevations between 1,500-5,700 feet across the North Carolina-Virginia border. Equestrian campers find extensive trail networks, with many facilities offering stall options during spring through fall seasons when temperatures range from 40-80°F. Trail connectivity creates opportunities for multi-day riding excursions without returning to camp.
What to do
Stone Mountain hiking: Stone Mountain State Park offers numerous trails connecting to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. "Great sites. Clean bathrooms, close to many hiking trails and waterfalls," notes Joe B. in his review of Stone Mountain State Park Campground. Another camper shares, "We camped here and didn't even leave. It has so much to do and see."
Waterfall access: Nearby Sandy Creek Family Campground connects to Stone Mountain Park's water features. According to Jimmy M., the campground offers "access to a sliding rock and waterfall in Stone Mountain State Park with an approximate 1 mile easy hike." Sandy Creek Family Campground sits adjacent to the state park boundary, making it convenient for waterfall exploration.
Primitive backpacking: For those seeking more solitude, Basin Cove Campground requires a one-mile hike in. "The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way," explains Julie L. "The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as 'base camp' for day hikes."
What campers like
Water features: The region's streams and lakes enhance camping experiences. At Julian Price Park, "there is a spot within the park to rent kayaks which was great. There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake," according to Danielle L. Julian Price Park Campground also connects to "Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail. The trail follows a river with lots of great swimming holes."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations. At Stone Mountain, Charli R. reports "a grassy field full of deer beside" their campsite. Basin Cove offers excellent stargazing opportunities, with one camper noting "Stars are amazing!" at Basin Cove Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. Sandy Creek Family Campground gets praise for its "bath house kept spotless" according to Jimmy M. Another camper notes that at Stone Mountain State Park "the bathrooms were heated, clean and the men's bathroom had two showers."
What you should know
Reservation timing: For horse campers, campground policies vary. At Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground, "priority is for campers with horses" while "other campers can make reservations no more than 30 days in advance," explains Jean C. Understanding these timing constraints helps secure preferred sites.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. Julie L. notes that at Basin Cove "there is NO clean water source, you must bring a filter system with you." Similarly, at Old Virginia Group Horse Camp, "there is no potable water available, so plan to bring your own."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Sparta, NC?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sparta, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sparta, NC is Stone Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Sparta, NC?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sparta, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Sparta, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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