17 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bent River Equestrian offers tent camping in a field setting where horses and barn cats roam the property. The 4-site campground includes a portable toilet, cold outdoor shower, and RV hookup platform with table. Campsites are spacious with ample room for dogs to run off-leash when respecting the horses' space. Campers can enjoy sunset views while greeting the resident horses. Fire pits are available at each site, and the host provides helpful information about the surrounding area. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere that campers appreciate, especially during overnight stays.
Located near mountain biking and hiking trails, Bent River serves as a convenient basecamp for outdoor recreation in the North Carolina mountains. The campground sits approximately 35 miles northwest of Taylors, South Carolina, making it accessible for weekend trips. Wash Creek Horse Camp in Pisgah National Forest provides another equestrian camping option with picnic tables, drinking water, toilets, trash service, and a sanitary dump station. Both campgrounds require reservations, with Wash Creek not permitting pets. Trail riders find direct access to forest riding paths from these locations, with multiple loop options ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty. The natural setting and proximity to recreational activities make these campgrounds popular destinations for horse enthusiasts seeking camping accommodations in the region.
"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."
"state 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."
"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"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"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"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"There are several large play areas in walking distance. There appeared to be beautiful lake views from almost every site. We very much enjoyed our stay and plan to return for a longer visit."
"Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground 😊 warning! Don’t feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything!"
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed."
"Mostly away from everyone and was right next to a 9 mile loop hiking trail. Had a great stay in our roof top tent and will be back"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"The first campsite we stayed at was on the Green Valley Trail, the second one was on the Panthertown Valley Trail right near the Schoolhouse Falls Trail, and the third was on Mac's Gap right past the Granny"
"The sites near the middle of Macs Gap trail are huge and there is easy access to a couple streams. Bring a good map and stick to the trails that your map covers."
"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."
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.
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.
GuideThe only amenity is pit toilets. No water, no electric. Only 23 sites, spaced a good distance apart. Each site has a fire pit and picnicking area. Trails nearby. Horses and other pets allowed.
Stayed two nights with three other campers and never heard a sound except for nature. Would return again.
GuideWe stayed at three different campsites throughout our trip (went backpacking 4 days, 3 nights - could have just set up camp and day hiked, buttttt didn't necessarily think that through).
The first campsite we stayed at was on the Green Valley Trail, the second one was on the Panthertown Valley Trail right near the Schoolhouse Falls Trail, and the third was on Mac's Gap right past the Granny Burrell Falls Trail.
All the campsites were beautiful, but the Green Valley Trail campsite was our favorite. It was the most secluded and in an utterly beautiful location. There was foliage covering it from the trail and there was a creek steps away which made it easy to get water and make for. The Panthertown Valley Trail campsite was our least favorite, but that is because it was right off the main trail and not secluded whatsoever and kind of disappointing compared to the Green Valley campsite. It was also dirty with water bottles and socks and lots of mud from horses stepping all over the place. We were also woken up at 2AM by a group of loud hikers which left us concerned because it was down pouring and they were being extremely belligerent. However, we camped here because we were exhausted and wanted to stay near Schoolhouse Falls to be able to swim around and get wet and there were some unknown animal tracks in the sand near Schoolhouse Falls. We stayed on Mac's Gap for the same reason - to be near Granny Burrell after a long day - and even though it was the most crowded trail, it was a lot of fun. There was a pack of llamas we were next to and they were so sweet (part of a boys camp), and we felt the safest from predators (read: bears). Even though there were a lot of people, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie.
You will need a bear canister, practice the Bearmuda Triangle, and make sure to bring a poop shovel. Pack out what you packed in.
LegendThis is a remote campground in the national forest, and it is close to equestrian camping as well. With that said, there will be horseflies. However, it is a quiet campground. A big disadvantage, as far as I am concerned, is that it does not have water access. With that said, plan to dry camp and bring your own water. There is a pit toilet, so that is one good thing I can say about this campground.
Avoid campsite 4 if you are in a tent, unless you have a rake. There are a lot of sweetgum balls. Since I was there at the beginning of the week, there were only two or three other campers and they were in RVs.
Overall, it’s not bad for camping if you are prepared and know that you will need to take everything in, including water.
Campers near Taylors, South Carolina have access to multiple outdoor recreation areas within a 35-50 mile radius. The region sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 900-3,500 feet, creating diverse microclimates for camping throughout the year. Local campgrounds experience average summer temperatures of 85-90°F during day and 60-65°F at night, with rainfall most common in late afternoon.
Waterfall hiking: 15 miles of trails lead to multiple cascades at Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trailside Camping, a primitive camping option with nearby attractions. "I seem to always believe my most recent adventure is my most favorite but no where in the upstate of SC has stood out to me like this area. Wonderful trails with breath taking views and technical climbs plus discrete camping," notes Maddi P.
Fishing access: Several stocked streams provide trout fishing opportunities near North Mills River. "We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlmiited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," reports Shannon K. The river maintains a consistent flow, making it accessible for anglers with different skill levels.
Rock scrambling: Technical routes available at several overlooks. "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. I was really bummed about the removal of the cable crossing, but still loved the trail due to climbing ladders and walking along The Cathedral," shares Maggie J. about Mountain Bridge Wilderness.
Seclusion: Limited cell service creates digital detachment at many campgrounds. Ashley S. notes about Oconee State Park Campground: "The area very serene, quiet and pretty. Nice hiking area and swimming area. If you need to get ahold of someone though you'll have to drive 10 to 15 minutes into town."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk opportunities for spotting local fauna. "We saw people fishing and I believe you can rent canoes as well in the park. You definitely need more than 2 days to explore this cute little park. There are multiple hiking trails near by and definitely a lot of wild life," explains Jessica S. about her stay at Oconee State Park.
Budget-friendly options: Dispersed camping sites available for $5-11 per night in off-season. "Just a stone's throw from the bustle of Asheville, yet secluded enough to forget it all, this little gem is conveniently located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest... after November 1st the prices get cut in half, so I stayed for $11 (hard to beat)!" shares Jonathan N. about North Mills River.
Bear activity: Active in multiple areas, requiring proper food storage. A visitor to Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area warns: "Just spent the weekend at Panthertown Valley and loved it! However - be aware that the bears here are extremely bad. I actually had an encounter with a very large bear who charged my group and destroyed at tent, and heard similar stories from other campers."
Weather variability: Rapid changes occur due to mountain terrain. "We tent camped here the first weekend in June. Bathrooms were always clean and seem to have been recently redone. Sites were small but not overly so," notes Jay B. about Oconee, before adding: "There are tons of hiking opportunities in the area with tons of waterfalls. We did get to hike to a few, but wish we had more time to spend there."
Primitive conditions: Limited facilities at many sites require self-sufficiency. "It is important to note that there are no bathrooms, so a good cathole shovel is a nice tool to have," advises Julie L. about Panthertown Valley, also mentioning: "You will really need to pack a bear safe food container and absolutely store food using a bear line well away from camp."
Water activities: Swimming holes provide natural cooling options during summer months. At South Cove County Park, Amanda W. notes: "If you have a boat or jetski there is a ramp. Has showers and restrooms. Mostly for RVs however there are a few tent sites that have tree cover. The lake is great for swimming. The campground also offers paddle board and kayak rentals."
Playground access: Multiple play areas available at family-friendly campgrounds. "We loved this campground! Perfect for kids, right on the lake. Loved the playground," shares Roxy M. about South Cove County Park, though she warns: "Don't feed the geese! The campers next to us fed them and the next day we woke up with goose poop on everything!"
Wildlife education opportunities: Local animals can become teaching moments at several sites. "I had a wonderful opportunity to spend a couple of days at a cabin with friends for a workshop. I also highly recommend stopping by the local fish hatchery, not only educational but fascinating as well!" suggests Maddi P. regarding Oconee State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most campgrounds near Taylors. Constance O. advises about Oconee State Park: "Well maintained campground, with pretty views. Campsites are often uneven with alot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV."
Access limitations: Narrow roads restrict larger vehicles at several horse campgrounds near Taylors, South Carolina. "Bit of a drive through the forest to get here, but great spots if you're looking to get away from civilization," writes Max O. about Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp, adding that "if you want the feel of a community campground this is for you."
Utility connections: Limited hookups available seasonally at select locations. Michael W. describes Brick House Campground: "Easy access from I26. Spent a week here and really enjoying it. Has 21 spots. All have legal gravel pads, fire rings with grill bars. Vault toilets clean and trash containers serviced. Within good driving distance to larger towns. Access for bigger rigs too."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Taylors, SC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Taylors, SC is Croft State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Taylors, SC?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Taylors, SC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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