Horse camping near Chapel Hill, Tennessee offers direct trail access and overnight lodging for riders. The area's rolling Tennessee hills, situated about 950 feet above sea level, feature moderate temperatures that allow for trail riding throughout most of the year. Local facilities vary in size and terrain, with some campgrounds offering dedicated equestrian areas separated from other camping zones.
What to do
Trail riding at Henry Horton State Park: Located just north of Chapel Hill, this park offers several miles of riding trails. "We were on site 18 and it was very level, paved and double wide. The trails we hiked were well maintained and there is a quiet paved road suitable for bicycling," notes Randy C. about Henry Horton State Park Campground.
Backcountry camping with horses: Some locations permit overnight camping in more remote areas. "The backcountry campsites are just a short trek from the camp store, the hike itself follows the river. We only saw one other couple and no one else was staying at the second site so it was such a secluded weekend," shares Amanda C. about her experience at Henry Horton.
Stargazing with your horses: The rural setting offers excellent night sky viewing opportunities. "The yurt sets on the side of a beautiful Tennessee Hill offering almost a complete view of the nighttime sky. We watched the moon rise over a hill directly in front of the campsite," describes Jeremy H. from Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel.
What campers like
Year-round access: The moderate climate allows for extended camping seasons. "We stayed at this campground recently and because the wifi coverage and speed was so good was actually able to 'work from home' here," shares Randy C. about Henry Horton State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campers appreciate well-maintained shower and restroom facilities. "I vistited in the off season (Nov 24)- the bathrooms were clean, the sites were quiet and it was beautiful. Some sites are level, some aren't," notes Ashley F. about her stay at Henry Horton State Park.
Private campsites: Riders appreciate enough space between sites for horses and gear. "We stayed at River Road RV Park and Horse Camp and had a great experience. It's a quiet, no-frills spot on a working farm—perfect if you're looking for a place to relax and recharge after a day of exploring. The sites were level and clean," reports Christie B.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Some equestrian campgrounds have poor connectivity. "No service for TMobile and almost none for Verizon (was told at&t works, but I can't verify)," warns Danna D. about River Road RV Park and Horse Camp.
Site leveling challenges: Not all sites are perfectly level for trailers. "The site I had was a little awkward backing into and the water hookup was on the wrong side for my camper," notes Nathan R. about Montgomery Bell State Park Campground.
Space for horse trailers: Some sites accommodate large rigs better than others. "This park is very run down. Main reason could not get a signal. Next when looking for a site more than a few were trashed," reports Henry D. about his experience at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for parks with activities beyond riding. "Perfect for families! We loved our stay at HHSP. Plenty of places for the kiddos to ride their bikes," shares Laur H. about Montgomery Bell State Park Campground.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds allow dogs to roam free, which might affect your horse camping experience. "There's a few large dogs allowed to roam off leash. Didn't bother me in the slightest, I love dogs and they were so, so sweet and knew all the basic commands," mentions Danna D. about River Road RV Park.
Educational opportunities: Several locations offer learning experiences about horses or local history. "Interactive heritage festivals and other activities frequently came to the center across the street," notes RL about their stay at Henry Horton State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Horse campers with RVs should verify utility locations. "The utilities are located smartly in the middle of the pad to include an extra sewer connection near the pad's front. Water pressure was okay at around 45 psi," mentions MickandKarla W. about Manchester KOA.
Level sites for trailers: Finding level spots is crucial for horse trailers. "I had full hookup with 30 amp service, though not all of the sites have sewer. A lot of the roads, especially around the campsites were in need of repair," reports Emerson F. about Thousand Trails Natchez Trace.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects site conditions for large rigs. "Gravel roads and level pads. We stopped overnight and did not have to disconnect, as we were perfectly level," notes Scotty W. about Manchester KOA's setup.
