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Bristol Fields Horse Camp features basic equestrian facilities for self-sufficient riders near Hayesville. The primitive campground offers an open field designed specifically for horse trailer parking with tie-out poles throughout the area. Access requires navigating approximately 4 miles of dirt and gravel road with some steep drop-offs, making arrival during daylight hours advisable. The campground is divided into three distinct camping areas, with the main section providing direct access to horse and hiking trails. Sites include fire pits and a communal fire circle with wooden chairs, while a small cold stream borders the property, excellent for cooling horses after rides.
Located within Nantahala National Forest, Bristol Fields provides direct trail access for riders seeking vertical terrain challenges. The trails offer good workouts though limited long-distance views until reaching higher elevations. The site includes a pit-style latrine but no drinking water, electric hookups, or shower facilities. Complete blackout conditions at night create excellent stargazing opportunities. Horse owners should come prepared with all necessary supplies as the remote location offers no nearby amenities. Occasional evening visitors tend to depart when they see the campground occupied. A user-created rock dam in the stream forms a natural pool area where horses can cool down after trail rides.
"Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."
"This park has amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Lots of shade. It has an equestrian area where you can book horseback rides."
"There’s a river that runs a long the outside of the campground. Good swimming holes. A store that sells food (the best ice cream), firewood & camping supplies."
"This campground is off the beaten path but found by LOTS so have a reservation. There is an 11 mile loop with historic structures and lots of wildlife. Watch for BEARS!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"The site is surrounded by trees and connects to the nature trail which goes down to the Hiwasee, so there can be some mild foot traffic nearby. It's simple, with a firepit and maybe picnic tables."
"As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"I’m glad I arrived in daylight because my first drive in on the approximately 4 mile stretch of dirt and gravel road was a little nerve racking."
"The entrance to this park is right across the street to an entrance to the Appalachian Trail. A beautiful trout stream runs through the park, close to all the campsites."
"Our site was about 30 feet away from the Nantahala river. The bathrooms and showers were spotless. Keep in mind that it’s far from any store or restaurant so bring food along. No cell service."
from $26 - $100 / night
Check Availability"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
from $50 - $94 / night
Check Availability"Awesome campsites close to the water. Near Standing Indian Campgound."
"Clean showers and toilets (including running water), easily accessible tent sites for large groups, litter-free, friendly staff, short hiking trails, less than an hour from Nantahala rafting"
"Sites are first come, first serve, most sites are in the open with a few more private sites around the edge."
"Great for accessing the mountain bike trails at Tsali. The entire campground is first come first serve, never had a problem finding a spot, but does fill up by the weekend."
from $10 - $20 / night
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GuideGreat campsites, little closer together than what I like but still nice and shaded all paved. Have three dump stations that are very nice. Will definitely come back. Better have reservations, cause it does stay full.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
GuideThere is a beautiful drive to get to this campground once you get through the traffic jam of Sevierville. Enjoy the scenic and winding river road! Only loop C is open in the off season. Generators are allowed at this time of year, but must be off by 8pm. The women's restroom was revoltingly smelly (some animal had sprayed in there, smelled like male cat x100). I hope this was a temporary situation.
The sites have nice new pads(not perfectly level though) and the tent pads are spacious and flat. Cade's Cove loop was definitely worth taking, and I would do it again and stop at every stop. Take the pull outs and let the people pass you so you can really soak it all in. Also, make sure to get a parking pass and a brochure at the first stop, which explains the sites along the loop. I saw many turkeys showing off their fan tails. And a large black bear chowing down on the sweet, fattening, tender spring grass. Also there were quite a few deer out. The scenery was magnificent!
RangerWe stayed here 5/15- 5/17 and had a wonderful time. The bathrooms were great & the playground was a huge hit with all the kids. They also loved catching little minnows in the streambed of the boat launch. There is a trail that surrounds camp that's great for little adventures or even a short mountain bike
ScoutThe staff are fantastic and they keep the maintenance up. The bathrooms are the cleanest I have had at a campground. A lot of locals camping and they are great people to visit with.
ScoutWe stayed at one of the tent sites. Power and water at each side was a huge bonus. They had converters you could borrow for free for the plug. Bathrooms are old, but very well maintained and clean. For kids there’s 2 playgrounds, a fishing/ swimming pond, hiking trails. They told us they can also do pony rides but we never made it to the stables. We loved our stay and would definitely go back!
GuideYoung Branch Campground is a bit off the grid, no services cellular or TV. We camped mid November and had the whole place to ourselves. There are 8 back in gravel sites with fire pits, a vault toilet (very clean) and a short stroll down to Cherokee Creek. The terrain is hilly but plenty of places to hike, we found a nice trail that we followed to the top of the mountain that was gradual and an easy relaxing walk. There are many marked campsites along the creek for OTG camping. We spent 3 days here and I could count on one hand the amount of vehicles that passed on the road. It was a great escape to a peaceful wooded forest with the sound of the creek just yards away.
ADDITION: There is a paddock and horse stalls so I'm assuming that horses are welcomed at this location.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
TravelerI’m not a planner so I tend to find spots late in the day and just take what I get. I was so pleased when I pulled into the park at sunset to find only one other camper! The park is beautiful and very well kept. A ranger drove by while I was having coffee the next morning and was very laid back and completely unbothered that I had arrived after hours. This was a Monday morning and he told me they were packed over the weekend and I was floored because it was so clean! The restroom is huge with showers and was older but clean. Absolutely recommend.
Bristol Fields Horse Camp sits within the Nantahala National Forest at an elevation of approximately 2,100 feet, providing equestrians with direct access to vertical terrain trails. The 4-mile access road requires careful navigation, especially in larger vehicles. Night temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, creating ideal conditions for stargazing due to the remote location's minimal light pollution.
Trail riding with elevation gain: Horse riders at Trackrock Campground & Cabins can access mountain trails directly from their campsites. "Horseback riding on site!! Beautiful mountain views," notes Elaine H., who visited in October. The nearby terrain offers similar vertical challenges to Bristol Fields.
Cooling off in natural streams: After trail riding at Standing Indian Campground, horses and humans can refresh in the cold mountain waters. "A beautiful trout stream runs through the park, close to all the campsites," writes John K., highlighting a feature similar to Bristol Fields' stream with its natural rock dam pool.
Mountain biking on designated trails: For non-equestrian visitors, the area offers extensive mountain biking options. "The Tsali system starts right from the campground. You can ride to & from your campsite and never have to load up," explains Tony C. about nearby trails, providing an alternative activity for visitors to the region.
Complete darkness for stargazing: Like Bristol Fields, nearby camping areas offer exceptional night sky viewing. At Gee Creek Campground, "Total black at night meant excellent star gazing and the creek was the loudest thing out there," according to Shelly S., highlighting the similar lack of light pollution.
Primitive camping with basic facilities: Campers appreciate the self-sufficient nature of the region's campgrounds. "It is a wide road (about 1 1/2 lane) but passing in some areas would be interesting," notes a reviewer about access roads similar to Bristol Fields' approach, preparing visitors for the rustic experience ahead.
Close proximity to natural water sources: The sound of running water enhances the camping experience throughout the region. At Cades Cove Group Campground, "There is a lovely stream near the picnic area," shares Hilary B., mirroring the small stream that borders Bristol Fields.
Remote location requires preparation: The horse campgrounds near Tusquitee National Forest demand self-sufficiency. "This is an amazing Nation Forest that covers a huge area and encompasses many campgrounds. Most of the places to camp here are backcountry sites," explains Asher K. about Nantahala National Forest, emphasizing the need for thorough planning.
Water availability varies seasonally: Unlike established campgrounds, primitive sites like Bristol Fields may have limited water sources. "Check for availability of water since it depends on the season," advises Asher K., highlighting the importance of bringing adequate supplies.
Evening visitors common in remote areas: Similar to Bristol Fields' occasional evening visitors, other remote sites experience similar patterns. "It did seem to be a young adult destination in the evenings, but they left when they saw that the site was occupied," notes a reviewer about a similar experience in the area.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevations create significant day-to-night temperature changes. "We stayed here for 4 days in the tent section. We had a well shaded site w/a little creek behind it," shares Frank S. from Trackrock Campground, recommending proper gear for comfort.
Visit during daylight hours: Navigating unfamiliar forest roads is challenging after dark. "I'm glad I arrived in daylight because my first drive in on the approximately 4 mile stretch of dirt and gravel road was a little nerve racking," advises one visitor, echoing the recommendation for Bristol Fields.
Bring entertainment for children: With no electronic distractions, plan nature-based activities. At Standing Indian, "the headwaters of the Nantaha River flow through the campground providing a gathering place for families to enjoy playing in a cold mountain stream," says Nancy R., suggesting similar possibilities at Bristol Fields' stream.
Evaluate site access carefully: RV access to equestrian campgrounds requires planning. "Fifth Wheel Owners BEWARE!! Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving," warns Anthony M. about Trackrock, highlighting terrain challenges similar to Bristol Fields' access road with steep drop-offs.
Level sites may be limited: Horse-oriented campgrounds prioritize trailer parking over RV needs. "We were nervous about parking and getting set up- but they helped us get a spot that was easy to pull into," shares Jessica M., suggesting seeking assistance when available.
Consider smaller RVs only: Large rigs face significant challenges on forest roads. "I would not attempt to tow a 5th wheel or other large trailer to this location. Place is beautiful though. Tow your pop-up or pitch a tent," advises John K. about mountain campgrounds, applicable to Bristol Fields' limited access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tusquitee National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tusquitee National Forest is Trackrock Campground & Cabins with a 4.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tusquitee National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 equestrian camping locations near Tusquitee National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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