Horse camping options in Pisgah National Forest near Waynesville, North Carolina are primarily centered around the Harmon Den area, which sits at approximately 2,700 feet elevation. Located about 25 miles from Waynesville, this region offers primitive equestrian camping with access to miles of forest service trails winding through dense hardwood forests. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, requiring campers to prepare accordingly.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: The Harmon Den Area provides direct access to forest service trails suitable for horseback riding. A camper noted, "Harmon Den is mostly known as a horse camp, although car camping without horses is a common occurrence. When I was there, I passed by a couple of car campers that did not have horses. I did see a few vehicles with horse trailers pass by on the road."
Waterfall hikes: Several horse-accessible trails lead to waterfalls within a 5-10 mile radius. At North Mills River, campers enjoy "fly-fishing, hiking, & horse trails." One visitor mentioned, "As you wind back to reach the campground, there is a section to the right of the road for hook-ups. Across the bridge there are more spots for tents and campers. There are also primitive sites up two different roads."
Wildlife viewing: Many equestrian trails offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. According to a camper at Cataloochee Campground, "The wild life here is so wonderful. If you want to see the elk, you're going to have to be up early. I use to be in the park at 5 AM with night vision gear, I saw some very nice elk. If you go in the winter, the elk are out eating most of the day."
What campers like
Peaceful creek sounds: Horse campers particularly enjoy sites near water sources where horses can drink. A visitor to Big Creek Campground shared, "We stayed in Big Creek for 3 nights and wish we could have stayed longer. The camp is beautiful and you are surrounded by the magical sounds of rushing water. There are two creeks nearby, one big and one small."
Secluded forest settings: Equestrian campers appreciate the privacy offered by dispersed sites. At Upper Cove Creek, a camper noted, "The campsites are very secluded and quiet." Another mentioned, "It was a great site, although there are only a few campsites on the road to it. We ended up driving to the top and someone already claimed it, so we had to go back down to a less convenient spot."
Historical sites: Many horse trails pass by historical structures. One camper at Cataloochee Campground wrote, "There are historical homesteads, a school, churches and cemetery to take you back in time. Trails by creeks there to hike. Bears, turkeys, deer and the Elk."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Horse campgrounds near Waynesville are primarily primitive. A camper at Tricorner Knob Shelter explained, "To safeguard against bear encounters, bear cables were available and necessary to hang all food overnight. Additionally, there is a water source available at the site."
