24 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bent River Equestrian offers camping on a working horse farm near Zirconia, North Carolina. The property features primitive tent sites and one RV hookup in an open field setting where campers share space with the resident horses and barn cats. An outdoor cold shower and porta-potty serve as the basic facilities for overnight guests. Dogs are permitted and can enjoy off-leash time when respectful of the horses. The campground provides fire pits at each site, with the host delivering firewood for purchase. The quiet setting accommodates a small number of camping groups while maintaining privacy between sites. Well-behaved pets can enjoy the ample space to run around, though leashing may occasionally be required to respect the horses' space.
Pisgah National Forest's Wash Creek Horse Camp provides access to nearby bridle trails with parking suitable for horse trailers. This year-round campground accommodates both tent and RV campers, with sites featuring picnic tables and designated areas for fires. Clean toilet facilities and trash collection are available on-site. The North Mills River Campground, located a short drive away, offers additional equestrian-friendly camping with access to trails suitable for horseback riding. The campground sits beside the North Mills River, providing water access and scenic views. Both locations serve as convenient bases for accessing the extensive network of horse-friendly trails throughout Pisgah National Forest. The campgrounds experience varying levels of usage, with weekends often busier with a mix of mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians sharing the surrounding trail systems.
"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 is a great campground next to the beautiful North Mills River. Hosts were very accommodating and delivered ice and firewood for a cheap price upon request."
from $31 - $62 / night
Check Availability"I got there just in time to see a beautiful sunset and say hello to the horses. The host is fantastic. I would definitely stay again."
"Cute horses and barn cats to pet and watch"
from $30 - $900 / night
Check Availability"My friend and I hiked the Raven Cliff Falls loop trail a while back and have added it to our list of top 10 favorite trails."
"Wonderful trails with breath taking views and technical climbs plus discrete camping."
from $4 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Chickens and horses on site. Playground and lots of fun. Sites are wooded and quaint. Roads are a little narrow, but passable. One of our favorite sites."
"We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"bit of a drive through the forest to get here, but great spots if you're looking to get away from civilization."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"*this is just for the free campsites- there appears to be paid campsites and maybe RV hook ups very close by."
"They'll deliver firewood ($5) to your site by golf cart, they even will collect your site fees as they drive around."
"This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:
- The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."
from $28 - $56 / night
Check Availability"just a quick 15 minute walk across the river and up the trail (follow Daniel ridge trail loop from parking lot)."
"With that said:
- remote- you have to want to get up here but it's really easy to do once you drive it a few times.
*clearly marked spots. I am actually located at ucc-2. ** The Dead End spot."
from $125 - $149 / night
LegendNot the biggest fan of the Gatlinburg/Tennesse part of the park. The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol.
LegendRanger Review: Eclipse Sun Sleeves at Harmon Den Area(Pisgah National Forest) https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=70836
There are a few dispersed camping sites at Harmon’s Den, and they are spacious sanctuaries beside Cold Springs Creek. Harmon Den is in Pisgah National Forest, and dispersed camping is allowed but only where there is a camping symbol posted along Cold Springs Creek Road. To get to the campsite, you have to get off on Exit 7 along Interstate 40 in North Carolina and travel a gravel road for several miles. You will not want to drive too fast since there are several potholes, washboards, and protruding rocks in the road. At the campsite, there is a fire ring, but there are no other facilities such as bathrooms, showers, electricity, running water, trash cans, camp store, firewood for sale, campground hosts, etc. It is pretty much just a space for camping. With that said, it offers all the exciting activities that national forests offer, such as fishing, biking, hiking, etc. 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. Because it is a popular horse camping area, you have to watch where you step. At our campsite, there was horse poop in several places, and I had to watch my grandson closely so he didn’t step in a pile of horse manure. Expect to encounter horse flies as well. There was also lots of poison ivy, so that was another concern I had about my grandson running freely. Since there are no bathrooms, practicing LNT(Leave No Trace) is important. Unfortunately, there was lots of trash, but that was a teachable moment for my grandson, and we definitely left the campsite better than what we found it. Before it gets dark, make sure you know where you are going to take care of business when you have to get up in the middle of the night. That way, you can avoid stepping in the wrong place. There were also quite a few people fishing in the creek on the way to the campsite since the creek is a popular place for trout fishing. As a matter of fact, a wildlife officer came through our camp with a fishnet full of trout to stock the creek. She asked us if we brought our fishing poles. Unfortunately, that’s one thing I didn’t take camping with me. What was I thinking? Even with the horse poop and the poison ivy, it’s a great area for camping if you like solitude and the sounds of the creek throughout the night. Another reason to camp at Harmon Den is to visit Max Patch while you are there. I would suggest staying at least two nights so you can spend one day just enjoying Max Patch. It is a large mountain bald over which the Appalachian Trail crosses. I have been there in the past when people are having picnics, flying kites, or just lying on a blanket enjoying the magnificent scenery. If you go at the right time of year, one of the trails up to Max Patch will take you by wild blueberries and blackberries. As I stated earlier, the campsites are spacious, and it felt very peaceful just being there.
Product Review:
As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought Eclipse Sun Sleeves(https://eclipseglove.com/)..) As a stem cell transplant survivor from stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I can never be in the sun without adequate protection for the rest of my life. That’s why Eclipse clothing is perfect for me. Even in the middle of the summer, I have had to wear long sleeves and a broad-brimmed hat. I had earlier written a review for the Eclipse shawl, but with the Eclipse Sun Sleeves, I can finally wear my short sleeve shirts again. Since I love the outdoors and have some cool t-shirts, all I have to do is put on my sun sleeves and I am protected. The only thing I could see that might need improving would be to figure out how to keep the upper part to stay up. It wasn’t that much of a problem, and I don’t how the company could solve it, but overall, the sun sleeves are great. I would further like to say that because of sun sleeves, those who are allergic to the sun have one less excuse not to go outdoors in the sun..
GuideSpent many weeks here over the past few years. Its a clean and well maintained park with beautiful trails and lake. Perfect for equestrian as most of the trails are horse friendly and there is a large arena free to use. The barn is clean as well and provides stall shavings for a small fee.
Scoutstate Park with equestrian facilities, a lake for fishing and boating, paddle boat rentals, and lots of liking and equestrian trails. Bath houses and dump stations. Many flat camping spaces and lots of shade. A camping store on site and many other stores within a five minute drive.
GuideSmall campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect. No power, can use a generator but only for a few hours during non quiet time. Quiet hours strictly enforced. Horse trails nearby. Roads lead to blue ridge Parkway. There is a shower and working toilet, but also outhouse for off season use. Hosts make you feel like family.
GuideHad a nice experience here. Amber, the host, was very kind and accommodating. She showed us around the grounds which has horses, pigs, chickens, a natural spring, and fruits/vegetables/mushrooms growing around the property. The grounds are conveniently located near the city of Asheville and hiking trails. There was a shared gazebo, cozy fire pit, and cold showers. The only downside was that there wasn’t a secluded spot available for car camping, even though Amber did figure something out for us to be able to stay. Would recommend to get away from your typical campground.
LegendOne of my best friends invited me to go camping with him here, although I knew it was a horse camp and we didn’t have horses. There are lots of trails for horses, and there are places to tie up the horses. Knowing it was a horse camp, I expected there to be horse manure, but manure was everywhere—even on the tent pads. Other than that, which as I said I expected, it was a good place to camp. The sites are spacious and fairly private with woods between each site. You have to reserve in advance to get a code to get through the gate, so you don’t have curiosity seekers coming in. There was supposed to be access to water, but the only pump in the campground was not working. Fortunately, I brought water with me. There was a pit toilet, but when I first went to it, it smelled terrible and was in need of a big time cleaning. The next morning, when I went, it had been“cleaned”(if you want to call it that). My buddy and I decided to go to Max Patch, a mountain bald, a few miles up the road. Max Patch is a beautiful grassy bald with 360° views, and the Appalachian Trail runs across it. Unfortunately, it is popular. By that I mean TOO POPULAR. When we made it there, the parking lot was full, and there were cars lined up for about a half mile down the road. Having been on Max Patch before, I knew it was not going to be a pleasant experience. Overall, the campground is probably okay for horse campers except that there was no water. The pit toilet needed more attention than it was given, but it was a toilet. There’s a good chance I will not go back to this campground. It’s not that I do not recommend it in general. I just don’t recommend it if you are just camping in a tent without horses. However, I do recommend one of the dispersed camping areas not too far down the road, especially if you want to be close to Max Patch. Just don’t go in the more popular seasons.
TravelerCompared to some other state parks in SC, this one was less crowded and more peaceful. It had rained right before we arrived, and we got stuck in the mud trying to back-in our pop-up on a hill (lake campground #29). The campers all pitched in to pull us out. It was silent at night. Nice hiking around lake, fishing, and boat rental. Saw some turtles while paddling, and there were frogs and lots of fireflies near our campsite. We enjoyed seeing the equestrian visitors too.
GuideIt’s also a horse camp with a large ring. The first camping loop is the best. Head back to the end of the camping loop away from the office and find a trail that leads down to a nice swimming creek. Great place for exploring all over the park. Sites were well spaced with picnic table and fire ring.
North Carolina's western mountains provide varied terrain for horse riding and camping experiences. Zirconia sits at approximately 2,300 feet elevation with the surrounding areas featuring a mix of hardwood forests and open meadows. Dispersed camping options near Zirconia offer both designated and primitive sites, with several locations providing specific accommodations for horses and riders.
Trail riding opportunities: The Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp provides access to forest trails specifically designed for equestrian use. "Love this place," notes Larry M. in his review, highlighting the appeal of the trail system to riders. The campground serves as a convenient base for day trips on horseback.
Fishing access: North Mills River Campground offers excellent fishing access along its waterways. "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish!" reports Natalie M. Trout fishing is particularly popular in the cold mountain streams.
Waterfall viewing: Several hiking trails lead to waterfalls within a short distance of camping areas. At Upper Cove Creek - UCC1 Dispersed, visitors can find "Beautiful waterfall (whaleback falls I think?) just a quick 15 minute walk across the river and up the trail (follow Daniel ridge trail loop from parking lot)," according to Dai C., making it an easily accessible natural attraction.
Privacy between sites: Bent River Equestrian offers spacious camping areas that provide separation between visitors. "We went over Labor Day weekend with 5 or 6 other groups and still felt like we had full privacy," notes leslie in her review, highlighting how even during busy holiday periods, the setup maintains a sense of seclusion.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept restrooms and shower buildings. At Black Mountain Campground, "The restrooms are very clean and were new when we were there... The hosts do a marvelous job of keeping this campground spotless and attractive," writes Mike B., reflecting the general standard of facility upkeep throughout the area's established campgrounds.
Creek sounds: Many sites position campers near flowing water. "The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful," Julie T. shares about her experience at North Mills River Campground, describing the natural sleep aid many campers value.
Seasonal operation: Some campgrounds in the area close partially during winter months. "I went camping here on November 2nd, just after half of the campground closes for the off season. Usually starting at $22 per night, after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11," reports Jonathan N. about North Mills River Campground, highlighting potential cost savings during shoulder seasons.
Weather considerations: Mountain weather can change quickly, with temperature drops at night even during summer months. Prepare for variable conditions with appropriate clothing and gear.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the Zirconia region have limited or no cellular connectivity. At Paradise Ridge Permaculture, there is "Zero phone connection whatsoever (T Mobile 5g / LTE). Greater earth love connection a thousandfold," as Dai C. puts it, indicating the digital disconnect that comes with the territory.
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "There is a huge playground and ball field at the campground," notes Mike B. about Black Mountain Campground, providing options for kids to burn energy after a day outdoors.
Farm animal experiences: Lazy J Campground offers interactions with farm animals that appeal to younger campers. "Had chickens running around the camp site," mentions Ricky J., adding an educational component to a family camping trip.
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming areas provide cooling options during warmer months. "There is a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole," describes Dave V. about Black Mountain Campground, detailing a feature that particularly appeals to families with children.
Site levelness challenges: Many mountain campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Oconee State Park Campground, "Campsites are often uneven with alot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV," warns Constance O., suggesting careful site selection for larger vehicles.
Road access considerations: Forest service roads leading to some campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. "The dirt road to get there as well as the pull off for the campsite are rough and a bit dangerous for low/regular cars. It's doable but you should go very slow and watch out for giant holes and ridges," Tavi C. notes about Mills River Dispersed camping, indicating potential access issues.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region, with many campgrounds offering only partial or no hook-ups for RVs, requiring self-sufficiency for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Zirconia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Zirconia, NC is North Mills River with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Zirconia, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Zirconia, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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