Best Equestrian Camping near Allardt, TN

East Fork Stables is a HUGE equestrian campground that , guess what....you don’t have to have a horse to stay at! They have a whole loop complete with a pavilion cookhouse and annoying triangle bell that’s perfect for campers, tents and hammocks.

The showerhouse is nice and clean. The sites plenty big and mostly shaded. 

Of course you can use any of the loops but the rest will have some really big animals hanging out. 

There are miles and miles of trails. Waterfalls , overlooks and scenery. A nice gift shop/camp office and cabins.

I stayed here for the Cumberland Plateau Stage Race. The race director actually reserved the whole campground for his event.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere. It is out in the farmlands, but worth the drive.

I drove to it from Cumberland Parkway, a very picturesque drive. The GPS took me right to the entrance no issues like there are with some other parks.

Once there the main areas are very well marked. The camp store has a somewhat useful map that will get you there by road.

My disappointment and frustration was the trails marked on the map. I'm not sure if some spurs are new, not used often or being reclaimed but we would start down a trail that had a trailhead sign and then the trail would just disappear into the weeds or a field with no signage.

The trail to Eagle Point was well used and a good walk to an awesome view.

The Campground is set up in what I call wagon train circles (lol) if your going with a large group it's perfect. People parked their toys and cars in the middle and set up in the sites around the hub.

if your not with a group you will probably have an opportunity to met your neighbor. There is not a lot of shade. There is a pool on site and cute little blue cabins to rent. Newer restrooms and a dumpstation. Tge horse ampground was adjacent to the regular campground.

The Marina and Lodge are at the end of the road and there was a golf course on the way in. Pretty much covers all the bases of outdoor entertainment.

You will drive and drive and drive...and drive on the gravel road. However the road is good and the signage will get you there! Follow the little tent signs to Little Lick Horse Camp in the woods of Daniel Boone NF. The Nathan McClure trailhead is in the campground so there will be other traffic coming in. There are a few good size sites, with picnic table, fire ring and not much else. This is primitive, to include no toilet so bring your bucket or whatever you use.....remember Leave No Trace ;) Dark and starry skies, quiet and woodsy....try not to think about any scary wood based movies. Horses, llamas, trail bikes and dogs would be perfect for this campground. The sites are big enough for more then one tent or hammock. There are several other nice/challenging trails nearby and the Rattlesnake Motorcycle route in the area.

Bandy Creek CG Sep 16-18 Site D19

  We have camped at Bandy Creek Campground in Big South Fork National River and Recreation several times, seasons and for several reasons in addition to camping. 
 It is central to several possibilities to include hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, climbing , etc. and the history of the area is very interesting.
 This trip we came for the Story Telling. A full day of entertainment by several orators to finish with spooky tales in the evening. 
We stayed at D19, our first time in the D loop. Over the years they have upgraded the sites with bear/critter food lockers and there are several bear/critter safe trash collection sites. 
D19 is in a dead end loop so little to no vehicles drive through . The bathhouse is a bit of a walk, the buildings are newer and well maintained. I’ve never gotten the creepy vibe (lol)while using them . There is a trash receptacle right in front of the site. 

Two cons are the main road to the area is right behind this site, though it gives you easy access to the road/visitor center area. And E loop, group camping is in the woods directly across. So it can be a little noisy if occupied. (There were screaming children all afternoon…) WiFi is available at the visitor center otherwise I had a steady one bar while in the campground. There is a swimming pool, volleyball court and playground right by A loop which is primitive camping and there are several trailheads in that area also. So A loop would be a perfect base camp setup if you don’t need power. As I said the visitor center is right across the road and a horse stable behind that . There is a horseback trailhead right across from A loop with a hiking and bike trailhead too.

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is nearby by Jamestown, Tn and Oneida, Tn is about 30 minutes to the East. Both have fuel, grocery , etc. Charit Creek Lodge is an original homestead that can be hiked to from several start points. They offer a unique experience in the woods, overnight accommodations and meals by reservation. You can visit if your hiking/riding through but I don’t know if they still offer any walk in food/beverage.