2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Equestrian Campground — South Mountains State Park in Connelly Springs accommodates horse owners with electric hookup sites that include both 30-amp and 50-amp service. The campground features water hookups, sewer connections, and shower facilities for riders after a day on the trails. Tent and RV camping options are available with picnic tables at each site. While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, the camping area connects directly to the park's bridle trail system. Sites are reservable in advance, which is recommended during peak riding seasons. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities and fire rings at each site, with firewood available for purchase. Trails are well-maintained and suitable for various skill levels of riders.
South Mountains State Park offers an extensive network of equestrian trails that provide scenic views throughout the 100,000-acre forest. The trails wind through diverse terrain including hardwood forests, mountain streams, and open meadows ideal for horseback riding. Water access for horses is available at several points along the trail system. Horse trailer parking is spacious and accommodates various sizes of rigs with no restrictive length limitations. The park requires that riders carry proof of negative Coggins test for their horses. Most trails remain open year-round, though seasonal closures may occur after heavy rainfall to protect trail surfaces. Primitive camping options exist along some of the longer trails for extended riding trips, allowing multi-day journeys through the park's backcountry areas. Trail maps specific to equestrian routes are available at the park office.
"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"
"They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."
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."
Available this weekend
from $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
GuideMother nature is amazing and helps relieve stress from the ones who never deserved to be around you to take and cover it up. So I'll run to God's beauty, and enjoy my fire at the same time. Come on baby light my fire! ;)
GuideThis 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
ScoutAbsolutely love camping here at warriors path State Park it's beyond one of my favorite places to camp
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.
Equestrian camping options near Spruce Pine, North Carolina provide access to over 100 miles of maintained trail systems throughout Pisgah National Forest. The region sits at elevations between 2,500-3,500 feet, offering moderate temperatures during spring and fall riding seasons. Water crossings and mixed terrain create varied riding conditions, with many trails connecting directly to camping facilities.
Trail riding at South Mountains State Park: The park maintains an extensive network of equestrian trails with varied terrain for different skill levels. Trail maps specific to horse routes are available at the park office. "I took my horses and grandson to camp in the equestrian campsite. There's a beautiful creek you can ride your horses in or just play if you want," notes Jackie S. about Equestrian Campground — South Mountains State Park.
Hiking to waterfalls: Many equestrian trails connect to hiking paths leading to scenic waterfalls. "We stayed for 3 nights- family campsite (sites 6-9 are best IMO) was used as basecamp. We also had a primitive site that we backpacked to for a night. Great trails. Great views," reports Sarah W. about her experience at South Mountains State Park Family Campground.
Fly fishing near trails: Several campgrounds offer stream access for anglers. "We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," explains Shannon K. about North Mills River.
Clean facilities: Horse owners appreciate well-maintained bathroom facilities after long rides. "The bathrooms are very clean with AC," mentions Jackie S. about the equestrian facilities at South Mountains State Park. At North Mills River, campers note that "Facilities were kept in excellent condition" according to Tara F.
Stream sounds: Many equestrian sites are positioned near water features. "It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful. Bathroom was clean. Site was clean," reports Julie T. about her winter camping experience at North Mills River.
Trail access: Direct trail connections from campsites rank high with equestrians. "The campground features a creek that runs along the campground and many trails to explore," notes David M. about Black Mountain Campground. Riders appreciate trails that connect directly to camping areas without needing to trailer horses between rides.
Seasonal closures: Weather impacts trail and facility availability. "FR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you caught walking beyond the gate," warns Robert B. about Julian Price Park Campground after storm damage.
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camping areas can be challenging. "The roads to the campground were challenging due to the deep ruts and wash out," cautions Terri S. about Springmaid Mountain Cabins and Campground, which offers both cabins and camping for equestrians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Spruce Pine, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Spruce Pine, 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 Spruce Pine, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Spruce Pine, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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