Bear Creek Horse Camp offers 30-amp electric hookups and water at equestrian campsites within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The campground features large pull-through sites specifically designed to accommodate horse trailers and RVs together, with water hookups available for both campers and horses. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings with trash collection available throughout the facility. The campground consistently receives excellent ratings from horse owners for its cleanliness and accessibility to riding trails. Operating seasonally from April through October, Bear Creek serves as a dedicated base for exploring the extensive trail system.
The campground provides direct access to over 180 miles of marked equestrian trails throughout Big South Fork. Horse trails connect to multiple wilderness destinations including natural arches, historic sites, and scenic overlooks across the Cumberland Plateau. Potable water for horses is available within the campground, eliminating the need to pack in water supplies for multiple-day rides. Trailer parking is generously sized with ample room for turning and maneuvering even the largest rigs. The nearby Great Meadows Campground offers additional primitive horse camping opportunities with highline areas rather than corrals. Trail access from both campgrounds remains open year-round, though services at Bear Creek are limited outside the main operating season.
$20 - $60 / night
"This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean."
"Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake."
"The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."
"It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee. There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."
$30 / night
"You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."
"This campground is off the beaten path but found by LOTS so have a reservation. There is an 11 mile loop with historic structures and lots of wildlife. Watch for BEARS!"
$20 - $140 / night
"Big South Fork is located in a very remote area of TN and KY. Miles of Great hiking, biking, horse and motorized trails. There is plenty to see and all of it is beautiful. "
"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."
$26 - $42 / night
"Panther Creek SP Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home."
"Nuzzled into the East Tennessee hills. Very pretty. Nice State Park. Would stay here again."
"The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."
"Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."
$50 - $94 / night
"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
"Convenient to highway 66 that runs from Interstate 40 to Sevierville. Not particularly charming, but seems to be clean and well run. Worked well for a one night stay."
$20 - $70 / night
"They have horse sites to bring your horses .and you can camp right with your bourses.They also have RV sites and tent camping. You can fish in the river and go tubing and Canoeing in the river."
"Close to trails and a waterpark too. Love the peace and tranquility. We will be going back again."
"Tucked away in quiet town of Townsend TN on Hwy 73, the campground has tent sites and RV hookups. There are toilets and a shower for each restroom."
"It was definitely packed but everyone stayed pretty quiet even when kids were playing around the sites. Super clean sites and bath houses. Water on EACH site was the bomb!"
LegendStayed here in April, very quiet! Off to itself. Totally set up for the horse crowd with plenty of horse room :) there is a day use parking and unloading area and direct access to the horse trails. Very open and well maintained. Make sure you have the horse power for the hills going out. I had to back down the gravel hill and get a second run to make it up!
RangerWe stayed here even though we didn’t have horses, but those with horses have priority. According to the others at the campground, there are a lot of horse camps and facilities in this area, if you do have horses this is an excellent area to explore. Good hiking trails too. Campground was clean and barely smelled like a farm despite being filled with horses.
TravelerNo electric..but that could have changed, haven't been in a while. Great for kayaking, fishing, wading, hiking, sightseeing(areas close by to check out), also there are some swimming holes..just have to find them. can camp right by the creek and across the road is a few more spots. Get there early, because it is primitive, just to get a spot. Also, close by is a horse camp...actually a left turn prior to great meadows. Have fun.there is water and an enclosed bathroom. No showers
ScoutThis campground is so convenient to Cades Cove. You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey. Make sure to take the necessary steps to store your food. Great spot to go explore the beauty and history of East Tennessee!
GuideThis campground is off the beaten path but found by LOTS so have a reservation. There is an 11 mile loop with historic structures and lots of wildlife. Watch for BEARS! Bears and deer may be just across the road from your campsite. There are bikes and firewood available as well as a small campstore (with ice cream). Lots of trails, a waterfall, rivers and creeks to fish and wade. Horses and wagons to ride. Activities for campers young and old. Night walks and ranger talks. The most beatiful views this side of heaven. Take special note of the view walking back from the John Oliver cabin (the first one).
GuideYoung Branch Campground is a bit off the grid, no services cellular or TV. We camped mid November and had the whole place to ourselves. There are 8 back in gravel sites with fire pits, a vault toilet (very clean) and a short stroll down to Cherokee Creek. The terrain is hilly but plenty of places to hike, we found a nice trail that we followed to the top of the mountain that was gradual and an easy relaxing walk. There are many marked campsites along the creek for OTG camping. We spent 3 days here and I could count on one hand the amount of vehicles that passed on the road. It was a great escape to a peaceful wooded forest with the sound of the creek just yards away.
ADDITION: There is a paddock and horse stalls so I'm assuming that horses are welcomed at this location.
LegendPanther Creek SP
Panther Creek State Park was an unexpected find outside of Knoxville, TN , in Morristown. I’ve driven by the sign but no need to camp so close to home. I ended up sharing a site with a friend who lives even closer, lol This is a small State Park but it offers a lot to do recreation wise. The weekend we stayed there was a youth mountain bike event and cross country running going on. There’s also horseback trails. My only complaint about the trails is they are not marked well. A Boy Scout troop needs to do some merit badge work and improve them . The campground is small, a little tight in the sides and limited on full service sites. It’s a gradual uphill drive through the camp , you curve to the left and then back down the hill. The sites in the upper curve are bigger then the ones on the hill. There are several that offer tent pads and small vehicle pads. Check your lengths and bring your leveling boards. The two showerhouses are next to pavilions. All well maintained. The upper pavilion has a very cool fire pit area. And can accommodate a small gathering. There is a trailhead in the campground and several other trailheads in easy walking, pedaling distance , plus an awesome overlook and more strenuous hike up the road. The boat ramp is in an adjacent area and the lake is beautiful.
GuideFrozen Head is a wonderful place. For starters, the ranger that was on duty at the Visitor's Center was so helpful and kind. The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric). There are also many well kept backcountry sites with fire pits if you are backpacking. The surroundings are gorgeous: the foothills of the Appalachians and the hiking is superb and challenging. If you are able, make sure to hike to the Lookout Tower! This is a great park and campground if you want to experience the beauty of East Tennessee without the crowds of the Smoky Mountains.
ScoutStalls/barn is filthy. The owners had their own horses removed from their custody by animal control for neglect. The horses were skin and bones even though they sell feed in their store.
Equestrian camping near Andersonville, Tennessee offers direct access to the Cumberland Plateau, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,300 feet throughout the region. The area receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation and diverse wildlife habitats. Trail conditions typically remain accessible from April through October, with some primitive options available year-round.
Fishing opportunities: Anderson County Park provides waterfront sites where anglers can catch smallmouth bass and other lake species. "This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground," notes Mary D. from Anderson County Park.
Hiking trails: Big South Fork offers varied terrain for all experience levels, from easy riverside walks to challenging mountain ascents. "You could easily spend your entire summer in this area and explore somewhere new every day," explains a reviewer from Bandy Creek Campground.
Mountain biking: The trail systems accommodate cyclists with dedicated routes. "The mountain biking was so much fun we didn't care! Hiking and biking was an A+. Great place for families because of the surrounding wooded activities," reports Penny M. from Panther Creek State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The Cumberland Plateau supports diverse animal populations including deer, turkey, and occasionally black bears. "We loved the campground. Clean and staff are awesome. The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," shares Cathy O.
Natural water features: Campsites near rivers and lakes remain popular for recreation and ambiance. "Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake," according to Jason W. who stayed at Anderson County Park during late fall.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high on camper priorities. "The bathrooms were immaculate! Seriously the cleanest campground restrooms I believe I've seen. Ours had a filtered water bottle fill up fountain too," notes a visitor to Bandy Creek Campground.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate separation from neighbors. "The campground has 50 full-hookup sites. A pavilion, shower house. The Park has tennis courts, a swimming pool, 60 miles of trails and a boat ramp for Cherokee Lake," explains Jim L. from Panther Creek State Park.
Trail access: Direct connections to trail systems reduce travel time for outdoor activities. "The campground puts you back into the outdoors as the National Parks should be. The campground is beautiful and on certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride," says Jeremy H.
Seasonal variations: Weather affects site conditions and availability throughout the year. "I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend here. Other campgrounds in the area were closed, but this one is open year round. Bathrooms and showers remain open as well," notes Jason W.
Limited connectivity: Cell service remains inconsistent throughout the region. "No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts," reports Mary D. from Anderson County Park.
Horse-friendly protocols: Equestrian campers must follow specific guidelines for waste management and trail use. "We stayed here even though we didn't have horses, but those with horses have priority. According to the others at the campground, there are a lot of horse camps and facilities in this area," explains Dan N. from Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Trail conditions: Terrain varies significantly across the Cumberland Plateau. "While at least 2 miles apart over dense forest and rocky areas, down (and up) a mountainside we spoke to each other on the Midlands with perfect clarity," shares Shelly S. describing the topography at Bandy Creek.
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities during summer months. "The campground host was exceptionally friendly. The bath houses were clean, and have some nice pavilions for gatherings," notes Dusty W. from Panther Creek State Park.
Kid-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and level spaces for activities. "This is a great campground, but can get a little busy. That doesn't make it good or bad, but you need to know what to plan for. If you want nature, love community, and want someone for your kids to play with, this is perfect," advises DrDavid P. from Cades Cove Campground.
Wildlife education: Ranger programs offer learning opportunities for children. "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. I have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience," shares Ashley Y.
Food storage safety: Bear-proof containers protect supplies and teach conservation. "Each site has a food storage box. Lots of hiking in the surrounding area," explains Carissa D., highlighting important wildlife management practices.
Site length considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "The sites weren't the most private we've ever stayed at, but the mountain biking was so much fun we didn't care! Hiking and biking was an A+," notes Penny M.
Hookup availability: Water and electrical connections vary by campground. "Easy to get from Knoxville without going into the craziest part of traffic in Sevierville. There are many RV sites and cabins along the bend of the Little Pidgeon River," explains Jeff T. from Riverside RV Park & Resort.
Level pad requirements: Terrain may require additional equipment for proper setup. "The sites are a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware. There are limited parking spots near the shower house," warns Chelsea D.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste management facilities. "Paved spots with lots of shade. Bathrooms are clean. Bathhouse has an outside sink and a water bottle fountain to refill your bottles," notes Carissa D. about Bandy Creek Campground's practical amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Andersonville, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Andersonville, TN is Anderson County Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Andersonville, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 equestrian camping locations near Andersonville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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