Best Equestrian Camping near Vilas, NC
Looking for the best horse camping near Vilas? It's easy to find Vilas campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Vilas, NC (16)
1. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
46 Reviews•152 Photos•574 SavesBlowing Rock, North CarolinaOverview
Located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in the lush green expanses of North Carolina, Julian Price Campground is a top destination for boating, hiking, fishing and more. Whether it's for a family camping excursion or a peaceful getaway, this campground has something for everyone. Some campsites at this facility are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Status of these sites is not available online.
Recreation
Canoe rentals are available at Price Lake, and other types of non-motorized boats are permitted. Fishing is also available at the lake, with a dock provided.Price Lake Trail offers a refreshing hike around the edge of the water, and the Boone Fork, Green Knob and Tanawha Trails are just a few of the trails that are conveniently accessed through the campground. Hebron Falls: A small waterfall accessed from the Boone Fork Trail. The Cascades: A beautiful waterfall accessed by the easy 1-mile loop Cascades Trail. A great hike for children. Moses Cone Flat Top Manor: A historic estate house (currently undergoing restoration) once owned by the Cone family. The grounds offer 25 miles of carriage roads to hike. Tours of the home are available. Currently houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Wildlife viewing is also popular as campers have a good chance of spotting bears, grouse, turkeys, owls, hawks and more.
Natural Features
Julian Price Campground is adjacent to Price Lake, a pristine body of water that sparkles against the backdrop of rolling Carolina hills. The surrounding forest offers hemlock, white pine, oak, hickory and birch trees, along with a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and an array of vivid orange and red foliage displays in autumn. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Nearby Attractions
The beautiful town of Blowing Rock, located just 20 minutes away on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers fine dining, shopping and more.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$30 / night
2. Stone Mountain State Park Campground
56 Reviews•306 Photos•288 SavesRoaring Gap, North Carolina- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$23 / night
3. South Mountains State Park Campground
30 Reviews•105 Photos•284 SavesCasar, North Carolina- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$12 - $28 / night
4. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
23 Reviews•174 Photos•546 SavesMontreat, North CarolinaOverview
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.
Recreation
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.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
Groups can easily head out for a day of scenic driving along Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking in Mount Mitchell State Park.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$28 - $56 / night
5. Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park
6 Reviews•65 Photos•16 SavesWhitetop, Virginia- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
6. Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables
2 Reviews•13 Photos•45 SavesBristol, Tennessee- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
$15 - $45 / night
7. Springmaid Mountain Cabins and Campground
2 Reviews•12 Photos•10 SavesSpruce Pine, North Carolina- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
8. Sandy Creek Family Campground
7 Reviews•19 Photos•29 SavesTraphill, North Carolina- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
9. Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway
3 Reviews•6 Photos•52 SavesBlue Ridge Parkway, Virginia- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
10. Fox Creek Horse Camp
2 Reviews•41 Photos•11 SavesTroutdale, VirginiaOverview
Fox Creek Horse Camp is a premiere destination for riding enthusiasts who are looking for the rare opportunity to ride from their campsite onto hundreds of miles of trails in the spectacular Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Located at almost 4,000 feet, it serves as a welcome retreat for summer camping and horseback riding.
Recreation
While hiking and horseback riding are the primary attractions near the campground, there are also ample native trout streams, the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, local festivals and music, the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail.
Natural Features
The campground is adjacent to Fox Creek, a small rocky trout stream with large boulders and rhododendron and northern hardwoods along the banks. The campsites are located in open fields on either side of the creek.
Nearby Attractions
The Mount Rogers High country offers opportunities for day trips and overnight pack trips. This open setting offers expansive views, summer rhododendron flowering, blueberry picking, and spectacular fall colors. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Headquarters is located about 20 minutes from the campground and offers maps, directions, and a variety of bookstore items.
- Pets
- Fires
- Equestrian
- Picnic Table
$5 / night
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Vilas
190 Reviews of 16 Vilas Campgrounds
Timothy F.
Guide
Bristol-Kingsport KOA
This is a very nice campground
We arrive very late, after all day travels from Florida. My phone had three bars, Verizon 5G ultra wide signal.
- J
Jackie S.
Traveler
South Mountains State Park Campground
Beautiful
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.
- Terri W.
Scout
Cedar Ridge Hammock Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
Clean and efficent
There are 2 main campgrounds here for rvs and tents. Is it a nice safe place for families. Pets welcome. 30 and up a night with a good security faculty.
Kevin A.
Legend
Stone 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.
- Sarah P.Traveler
Stone Mountain State Park Campground
Great place
The campground, paths, and bathrooms were very clean. Beautiful views at Rock Falls. If we didn't have our dogs with us we would have done hikes longer than 4 miles.
- JJim D.Scout
Rocky Top Campground & RV Park
Dave Smith
Nice clean campground with affordable pricing, I highly recommend this camp
James R.TravelerStone Mountain State Park Campground
BEAUTIFUL SITE
This campground is well-maintained and in a beautiful location.It’s a pretty clean place with a friendly and personable staff.
- BBrian B.Guide
Sandy Creek Family Campground
Nice campground But……
Nice campground. Had a nice site on a little creek. Owner was nice. However, the shower house was the worst of any campground I have ever seen. Dirty, plumbing was a mess. Not sure if I was better off going in than when I came out.
tyrone T.Traveler
Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Hidden gem
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.
- AAndy B.Traveler
Stone Mountain State Park Campground
Great clean campground
First time visiting and camping, really enjoyed how clean and quiet the campground was. Campsite itself was perfect, close to hiking and easily accessible. Definitely will return!
- KKathryn M.Traveler
Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Deep Forest Bears and Shade
I 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.
Glacia C.GuideSouth Mountains State Park Campground
South Mountains NCSP: Jacob Branch Backcountry Sites
Jacob 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.
- Kristi D.Legend
Stone Mountain State Park Campground
Lovely campground and trails
Awesome place! Campgrounds were nice and spaced out, well maintained...we were right by a small stream that you could hear...stone loop mountain trail is incredible! Long and strenuous but all ages were hiking it...homestead was so neat to walk around at the base of the mountain. Only negative is there showers. Very frustrating....you have to push the shower head to get water...great way to conserve but it gave you no time to enjoy the water. Made it hard to shower and it came out blasting all over the place....only complaint :)
- jjaneGuide
Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Off blue ridge parkway
I really like his place. Stayed on the lake side. Plenty of room great walking area and friendly people
- Keri P.Guide
South Mountains State Park Campground
Huge Park, Not a lot of Access
Camp 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.
- Michael W.Legend
Fox Creek Horse Camp
Well maintained remote
Passed thru found it. Looks remarkable and remote. 5.00 or less with pass
Mark K.GuideSouth Mountains State Park Campground
October Camping
I stayed in beautiful weather in October. I recommend this campgrounds and park for is trails and beauty. Very good facilities as well.
Mitch + Kristi N.GuideStone Mountain State Park Campground
fantastic hiking
the campground is very well maintained with lots of space between sites. shower / bathrooms are clean. we were in the electric loop. some of the non electric sites are not large enough for even a small pop up. the hiking here is some of our favorites in NC. mountains, waterfalls, old homesteads, there’s something for everyone.
Chester H.GuideStone Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful place.
Great trails, and lots to do. Climbing up Stone Mountain was fun.
Austin W.TravelerSouth Mountains State Park Campground
Went back in January, still amazing
Campsite 5 is a bit in the way of other campsites but still an amazing place
- Austin W.Traveler
South Mountains State Park Campground
Best camping in Eastern NC
Upper Falls Campground is amazing during winter.
- MMelissa G.Guide
Stone Mountain State Park Campground
Beautiful campground
I loved staying at this campground. My campsite had a lake view and was high enough to see over the tents that would be in front of me by the lake. Clean bathrooms, and friendly staff. A lot was going on that weekend so it was quite noisy across the lake. (Weddings, festivals, Highland Games) i can’t wait to go back.
- DDavid B.
RangerStone Mountain State Park Campground
Stone Mountain State Park = Awesome
I stayed here for three nights in early November, 2022. The camp sites are mostly level, well maintained and have tent pads, tables and fire rings. I chose a site that had water and electric hook-ups. The bathrooms were heated, clean and the men’ bathroom had two showers.
- SStephen D.Guide
Stone Mountain State Park Campground
Wonderful park
Great place to spend a night. Everything open during the winter
Phillip C.GuideJulian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Great location, great views!
We got a quiet spot with no one around us. There are spots right on the lake but we didn’t book far enough in advance.
Johnny T.ScoutStone Mountain State Park Campground
Fantastic State Park
Definitely visit the falls, it has a lot of stairs, but it is quite close/short walk, and very worth it! Also, the longer trails have amazing views, including the flora, the distant landscapes, and (chiefly) the spectacular rock formations.
Also good facilities in general. Am going back soon with a group, to explore even more of this park. Another good thing is how easy it is to access from the Triad or Charlotte, and even from Raleigh it isn't that bad of driving time. An extra bonus is all of the wineries nearby!
Patrice S.TravelerJulian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway
Great site on water
Spent a weekend car camping at Julian Price which served as a great Basecamp for exploring the Blue Ridge and surrounding area. The site has a nice tent pad, fire pit and picnic table. It would be amazing in the spring because it's loaded with rhododendron. The site is near a bathroom and there is quite a bit of traffic throughout the camp. And of course you hear the Parkway but if you go into it knowing you are staying at a campground that is highly trafficked with somewhat close and loud neighbors...then you've picked a great campsite to car camp.
Guide to Vilas
Horse camping in North Carolina offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse lovers, you can enjoy the great outdoors while ensuring your equine companions are well taken care of.
Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities
- Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park features clean bathrooms with showers and laundry facilities, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
- Fox Creek Horse Camp offers gravel and grass pads for camping, along with hitching posts and portable toilets for convenience.
- Old Virginia Group Horse Camp provides ample space for trailers and horses, with a stream nearby for hydration.
Equestrian campers enjoy these nearby activities
- At Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway, you can hike along beautiful trails while enjoying the serene sounds of nature.
- Steele Creek Park & Campground is close to river swimming, providing a refreshing break after a day of riding.
- Maple Camp Bald offers stunning views and a moderate hike, perfect for those looking to explore the surrounding wilderness.
Most campgrounds have horse-focused features
- Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables includes paddocks for horses and a clean bathhouse, ensuring a pleasant stay for both you and your horse.
- Rocky Top Campground & RV Park provides a well-maintained environment with electric hookups and firewood available for campers.
- Sandy Creek Family Campground features a creekside location and a playground, making it a family-friendly option for horse camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vilas, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vilas, NC is Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway with a 4.7-star rating from 46 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vilas, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Vilas, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring