18 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cottonwood Patch Campground accommodates horses with dedicated corrals, making it a standout destination for equestrian camping near Benton, Tennessee. Located within the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest, this campground provides tent and RV camping options with essential amenities including toilets, trash service, and fire rings. The horse corrals offer secure containment for equines while campers enjoy the natural surroundings. Campsites can be reserved in advance, though amenities remain primitive with no showers or drinking water available. The campground maintains a rustic atmosphere suitable for those seeking basic accommodations with their horses. Trail accessibility combined with horse-specific facilities makes this location particularly valuable for riders planning overnight stays.
The equestrian trail network surrounding Benton connects riders to multiple destinations within Cherokee National Forest and nearby wilderness areas. Lost Corral Horse Camp in Delano offers additional horse camping options with basic amenities including toilets and trash service. While primitive in nature, these facilities provide strategic access points to regional bridle trails. Riders should bring their own water supply for both personal use and horse hydration as drinking water is not available at most horse-friendly campgrounds in the area. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with optimal riding typically occurring during spring and fall when temperatures moderate. Most horse camping areas require advance reservations during peak seasons, particularly summer weekends when regional trails see increased traffic from day riders and overnight campers.
"The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN."
"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
from $35 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."
"This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it"
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available."
"There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!"
"There’s a hiking trail that connects to the Benton McKaye just across from campsite and if you are a bringing horses there are two paddocks for them as well."
"Please be kind and do not leave trash behind."
from $5 / night
"This park has amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Lots of shade. It has an equestrian area where you can book horseback rides."
"Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."
"As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"This is a very clean, gated campground located right on the lake with available boat slips to rent during your stay. This is a very open campground with very few trees."
"But with that being said the lake is beautiful. We didn't see the beach till the last day we were there unfortunately. But it look like an awesome area. There is a Beach area with volleyball."
from $49 - $69 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWe love this campsite! The first time we camped here, we were the only ones at the whole site. The most recent time, there were just two other couples so it was still very low key. There’s a hiking trail that connects to the Benton McKaye just across from campsite and if you are a bringing horses there are two paddocks for them as well.
GuideGood sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground. We heard some people on dirt bikes on the trails too.
LegendI visited Bristol Fields for a planned primitive camping event with a group. I’m glad I arrived in daylight because my first drive in on the approximately 4 mile stretch of dirt and gravel road was a little nerve racking. Mostly because I wasn’t 100% sure I was going the correct way and second because there are some nice drop offs from the road. It is a wide road (about 1 1/2 lane)but passing in some areas would be interesting. Stay right and you will find the sign. The campground is primarily for horse oriented camping. It is split into three areas. The first section to the right as you pull in is the area we set up in. Then there is a long field that is obviously for horse trailer parking and camping with tie out poles included. There is a small tree break prior to the last area which has the pit style latrine and a large field for camping use. This whole area is bordered by a nice cold stream that is excellent for soaking your sore muscles in after a horse ride or hike. There is direct access to horse and hiking trails that are not extremely scenic (as in no long views until you get to the top) but will give you a good vertical workout. You can run or bike ride on the road too. There are several large fire pit areas throughout and a fire circle with wood chairs in the main area. There were five of us, three tent campers and two in vans and we had plenty of room to set up. The gravel center with picnic table worked well as our “kitchen” and dining area. Once parked my vehicle didn’t move again until it was time to leave. Total black at night meant excellent star gazing and the creek was the loudest thing out there. It did seem to be a young adult destination in the evenings, but they left when they saw that the site was occupied. A nice feature someone created was a “dam” of rocks with a round pool to sit in. Excellent get away with no electronics to speak of.
RangerThis park has amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Lots of shade. It has an equestrian area where you can book horseback rides. The people that run the park are very friendly and accommodating. Lots of hiking trails both in the park and outside of the park. There were only 2 negatives that we had on this trip. One was our first encounter with "stink bugs". They were everywhere and you couldn't keep them out of the RV. When we got home to Florida we were still killing them inside the RV for almost 5 months! The other negative is that hurricane Micheal was barreling for Florida before our stay was up at Trackrock. We had to cut our stay short so that we wouldn't be driving through a hurricane.
LegendThis campground is definitely designed to be a launching point for those wishing to go horseback riding in the Cohutta Wilderness. We stopped through here on our way to go backpacking in the area. There were several large sites with campers on them and almost everyone had horses tied up near their vehicles. There is an outhouse on the site but it does not appear like there is any regular upkeep being done. There are many really nice trails in the area and several are designated horse only so if you own a horse this is a great option that is very close to the trailheads. Another nice feature of this site is that it is right on the water so that provides a nice atmosphere. Overall though it still smelled like horses and unless that is what you are going for I would not suggest setting up a tent here. Instead go down the road to some of the campgrounds more set up for tents or just head into the backcountry and take up one of the MANY free sites that aren't too long of a hike in.
GuideLevel spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible. A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained.
ScoutThis is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it
GuideThis place has absolutely breathtaking views, nice lake, well stocked little office store, nice game room, did not do the equestrian part, but I’m sure it’s well worth it.. town is not far and has some good shopping and local restaurants. Definitely worth the trip...
RangerDown a long and winding (and dusty) gravel road into the WMA is the Davis Pond camp site, a real gem with shady trees and a fishing pond.
This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables. However, it can easily accommodate many more campers in the space and has multiple dirt-and-rock fire pits.
While there is a two-station pit toilet, it's a bit of a horror show with a lot of trash accumulating in the structure. Another downside, after I set up my tent I noticed that some hornets were flying into a nearby dead tree. I quickly moved to another spot but luckily noticed it before it got dark.
There's a gravel parking lot with a trail map and sign in sheet right next to the camping area.
In addition to the multiple trails (for hiking, ATVs, and horses) closer to the entrance to the WMA (and far from the camp) is a shooting range.
Equestrian camping near Benton, Tennessee offers access to the extensive trail networks of the Cherokee National Forest at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,500 feet. The region experiences mild spring and fall seasons with average temperatures between 50-75°F, while summer temperatures can reach into the 90s with higher humidity. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in this region maintain primitive facilities with limited seasonal availability from March through November.
Creek swimming access: Gee Creek Campground provides water recreation options along the Hiwassee River. "Very beautiful, clean, awesome rangers," notes jessecah W., highlighting the natural water features that make this campground popular during warmer months.
Trail riding exploration: Jacks River Fields Campground connects directly to extensive riding trails. "There's a hiking trail that connects to the Benton McKaye just across from campsite and if you are a bringing horses there are two paddocks for them as well," shares Liz B., emphasizing the dual-purpose nature of this facility for hikers and riders.
Waterfall hiking: Nearby Hickey Gap offers waterfall access approximately one mile from camp. "There's a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek," mentions Julia B., pointing out a natural feature accessible from this free campground.
Lake fishing: Trackrock Campground maintains a stocked pond for visitor use. "Fishing and swimming is allowed here," explains Karen R., describing one of the recreational amenities available at this more developed camping facility near Benton.
Creek-side campsites: Multiple campgrounds feature water-adjacent sites. "We stayed on site 36 which backed up to the national forest. Beautiful mountain views," reports Elaine H. about her experience at Trackrock Campground.
Equestrian facilities: Horse-friendly campgrounds provide specialized amenities. "This campground is definitely designed to be a launching point for those wishing to go horseback riding in the Cohutta Wilderness," explains Asher K. about Cottonwood Patch Campground, noting its practical design for equestrian campers.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers mention the peaceful setting. "We were the only campers around and we had an amazing time! Picked a spot right beside a stream," shares Sarah N. about her stay at Jacks River Fields Campground, highlighting the solitude available at less-developed sites.
Clean facilities: Gee Creek maintains well-kept bathhouses. "Nice bathhouse that is cleaned multiple times a day. The Rangers check in daily and are very friendly," reports Anna M., detailing the maintenance standards at this state park campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to wilderness campgrounds can be challenging. "The road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns," warns Mike H. about Hickey Gap, providing important access information.
Wildlife awareness: The region has active wildlife including venomous snakes and bears. "I saw 3 copper heads at the creek," mentions Bob P. about Hickey Gap, while noting the campground's bear boxes and warning signs.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping offers different experiences. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," explains Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground, highlighting the off-season conditions.
Water sources: Most primitive horse camps lack potable water. "Level spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible," notes Bob P. about Cottonwood Patch, describing the physical layout without mentioning drinking water availability.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer child-friendly facilities. "The campground also has a playground to keep kids entertained," mentions Anna M. about Gee Creek Campground, pointing out a feature important to families with young children.
Swimming options: Trackrock Campground provides controlled swimming areas. "Lake is clean and refreshing," reports Kathy C., describing the water quality at one of the more developed family-friendly facilities.
Activity planning: Nearby attractions offer additional recreation. "We had a great family outing. Bathrooms were clean and site were nice too," shares Nathan B. about his Gee Creek experience, mentioning the bathroom facilities that can be important for family camping.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Pretty cold in the mornings but serenity is bliss!" notes Sarah N., highlighting temperature fluctuations even during warmer seasons that families should prepare for.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Sites on the North side of loop A are fairly uneven and would require a significant amount of leveling blocks if using a camper," advises Gregg G. about Gee Creek Campground, providing specific information about site conditions.
Hookup availability: Toqua Beach Campground offers more developed RV sites. "They have gravel lots that are somewhat level. We stayed at site 104," reports Timothy T., describing the surface conditions important for RV setup.
Size restrictions: Roads and sites can limit larger rigs. "Fifth Wheel Owners BEWARE! Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving," cautions Anthony M. about his experience at Trackrock, detailing specific challenges for larger recreational vehicles.
Connectivity options: Some campgrounds offer limited WiFi. "There was wifi available so we were able to utilize our Fire TV without any problems," notes Ellen S., mentioning an amenity that can be important for RV campers requiring minimal connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Benton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Benton, TN is Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Benton, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Benton, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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