2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cottonwood Patch Campground offers dedicated horse corrals for equestrians camping near Cleveland, Tennessee. The primitive camping area accommodates both tent and RV campers with trail access for riders. Toilet facilities and trash collection are available, though there are no water hookups or electrical connections at the sites. Lost Corral Horse Camp in Delano provides another option for horse enthusiasts, situated near the Hiwassee River with trail access. This campground is very nice for camping with horses, though campers don't have a direct view of the water. Both campgrounds maintain toilet facilities and trash disposal, creating functional base camps for riders exploring the surrounding trails. Reservations are available for Cottonwood Patch through an online system, while Lost Corral operates on a first-come basis.
Riders access numerous bridle trails directly from these horse-friendly campgrounds, connecting to scenic routes through the Cherokee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness areas. The Hiwassee River provides water access, though riders should note it runs fast and cold. Horse owners should bring their own feed and water containers as onsite resources are limited. Most sites can accommodate multiple horses and camping setups, with ample room for truck and trailer parking. The campgrounds serve as gateways to extensive trail networks, with options ranging from gentle riverside paths to more challenging mountain terrain. These equestrian campsites typically fill quickly during summer months and holiday weekends, making advance planning essential for group horse camping excursions.
"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."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
Available this weekend
"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 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!"
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
Available this weekend
from $8 / night
"This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it"
"There is a parking lot right off the road after a fun ~30 minute drive through residential roads right on the water, then sites with fire pits are scattered throughout a small clearing."
"You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits."
from $2 - $38 / night
"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 lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables."
"About 45 mins outside Chattanooga, it’s a beautiful drive. Last 7 miles are on a windy gravel road. The last 1/2 mile gets a little dicey and needs a vehicle with some clearance."
ScoutI was worried that I would arrive and find all the campsites occupied. This was not the case. When I got there around 5:30 there was only one other site taken. I didn’t see them until the next morning. By morning, there were two other sites occupied.
TravelerHard to find, really busy but most of them were hikers let left at nightfall.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful. Took a couple of rounds of trial and error to find the spot, which is just a pro for me personally. Once we got there, the place was beautiful. Logging is going on right now, so we were woken up around 6:30 am by the beautiful sounds of machinery and whatnot. Did not catch anything in the pond unfortunately. That’s to be expected when you’re only armed with a Barbie fishing pole and no patience. I have saved the spot and will always be returning whenever I visit Chattanooga!!
GuideThe road to get to the sites is long, bumpy, and very curvy (so you’ve got to go slow). The sites themselves were full of trash, graffiti, and a homeless camp. We elected to not stay.
RangerWe stayed here 5/15- 5/17 and had a wonderful time. The bathrooms were great & the playground was a huge hit with all the kids. They also loved catching little minnows in the streambed of the boat launch. There is a trail that surrounds camp that's great for little adventures or even a short mountain bike
GuideYou take a sometimes single lane road to get there. Very windy at points. There is a parking lot to hold 4+ cars. You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits. There is one private site past the marked site if you keep going you will find a large level gravel lot with a single fire pit that would be much better for van or truck camping. Past this point it turns back into residential.
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.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
The Cherokee National Forest surrounds Cleveland, Tennessee, with camping options scattered throughout its 650,000 acres. Horse campgrounds near Cleveland offer dedicated facilities at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,500 feet, with most sites experiencing moderate humidity and temperatures that range from 85°F in summer to below freezing in winter. Most equestrian camping areas maintain basic facilities while providing direct trail access.
Hiking near waterfalls: At Hickey Gap Campground, trails lead to impressive cascades. "There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!" notes John B.
Fishing opportunities: The Hiwassee River offers productive fishing spots near several camping areas. "The Gee Creek Campground is apart of the Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park. The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN," reports Gregg G. from Gee Creek Campground.
Bouldering and climbing: Sawmill Lake Campsite provides access to notable climbing areas. "It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers," shares Abigail P.
Seasonal quietness: Winter camping offers solitude at many locations. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," says Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground.
Swimming spots: Natural swimming areas provide summer relief. "We could spend weeks here and never get board," notes Brandie D. about Fall Creek Falls State Park, adding, "The park itself has a scenic loop drive of the gorge, multiple waterfalls to visit, miles on end of hiking trails in which some cross rope bridges, awesome swimming holes, and even an olympic pool."
Creekside camping: Several sites offer water-adjacent camping. "We were the only campers around and we had an amazing time! Picked a spot right beside a stream," shares Sarah N. about Jacks River Fields Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to equestrian 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 Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Toilet conditions vary widely at horse campgrounds near Cleveland, Tennessee. "I don't know if anyone even manages it. That's how bad it was. I guess that's what you get from no camp fees," reports Tessa B. about Davis Pond Campsite.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the Cherokee National Forest. "There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean. There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box," notes Mike H. about Hickey Gap.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas. "Clean facilities and nice playground. Whippoorwill called through the evening which was cool," shares Mickey L. about Gee Creek Campground.
Beginner-friendly options: Look for campgrounds with amenities for new campers. "We love to camp at Fall Creek Falls State Park and think this would be a great park for novice campers due to the fact that the facilities are very nice," recommends Sandra V.
Spacing considerations: Campground layouts affect family experiences. "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's," cautions Andrea S. about Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Leveling requirements: Some campsites require substantial leveling equipment. "The 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.
Seasonal accessibility: Winter conditions impact RV camping options. "Very quiet in winter," reports Keith R. about Gee Creek Campground, which maintains year-round accessibility but with limited amenities during colder months.
Clearance considerations: Vehicle clearance matters for accessing some equestrian camping areas. "The last 1/2 mile gets a little dicey and needs a vehicle with some clearance," notes Tessa B. about Davis Pond Campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cleveland, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Cleveland, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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