2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Cottonwood Patch Campground provides equestrian facilities in the Georgia mountains near Dayton, Tennessee. The campground features designated horse corrals for campers traveling with horses, making it suitable for overnight trail riding excursions. Basic amenities include toilet facilities and trash disposal, though drinking water is not available on site. The grounds accommodate both tent and RV camping with drive-in access. Reservations are required for the horse corrals and camping spots. The campground maintains a pet-friendly policy, allowing riders to bring dogs along with their horses during their stay.
Located within reasonable driving distance from Dayton, Lost Corral Horse Camp offers another option for equestrian camping in the region. This established campground provides tent and RV sites with drive-in and walk-in access. Though limited in amenities, the camp maintains toilet facilities and trash collection. The surrounding area features trail networks suitable for day rides. Visiting riders should note that water hookups and electric connections are not available at this location. Both Cottonwood Patch and Lost Corral serve as practical base camps for exploring the extensive trail systems throughout the mountainous terrain of eastern Tennessee and northern Georgia.
"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 next weekend
"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."
"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."
"This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it"
"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!"
from $2 - $38 / night
"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
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
Available next weekend
from $8 / night
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.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
TravelerI’m not a planner so I tend to find spots late in the day and just take what I get. I was so pleased when I pulled into the park at sunset to find only one other camper! The park is beautiful and very well kept. A ranger drove by while I was having coffee the next morning and was very laid back and completely unbothered that I had arrived after hours. This was a Monday morning and he told me they were packed over the weekend and I was floored because it was so clean! The restroom is huge with showers and was older but clean. Absolutely recommend.
Equestrian camping opportunities near Dayton, Tennessee extend throughout the southern Appalachian foothills, with elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet. The region features a humid subtropical climate with average summer temperatures around 85°F and winter lows near 25°F. Several campgrounds in the area maintain dedicated facilities for horses, including corrals, staging areas, and direct access to trail networks.
Waterfall hiking trails: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers multiple waterfall access points. "So many trails, so little time. One of the best hiking parks I've ever been to. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all. Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," says Myke C.
Creek swimming: Hickey Gap Campground in the Cohutta WMA provides direct access to swimming areas. "This area is easily accessible but can be packed during prime camping season! There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!" notes John B.
Overnight trail riding: For equestrian camping near Dayton, Tennessee, the Cottonwood Patch Campground serves as a convenient staging area. "Level spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible. A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can," reports Bob P. The sites accommodate riders looking for multi-day horse camping experiences.
Creek-side sleeping arrangements: Davis Pond Campsite offers waterfront camping. "Down 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," writes William S.
No hookup wilderness experience: Gee Creek Campground near Delano maintains a more rustic camping environment. "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. The park has a nice size bath house that is heated during the winter," describes Gregg G.
Free camping options: Several equestrian camping areas near Dayton, Tennessee offer no-fee sites. "This spot is super neat! About 45 mins outside Chattanooga, it's a beautiful drive. Last 7 miles are on a windy gravel road. This is what camping should be!! Free, first come first serve, with some fire pits and picnic tables and plenty of room to pitch a tent," shares Tessa B. about Davis Pond.
Limited drinking water access: Many horse-friendly campgrounds lack water hookups. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," notes Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground.
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds enforce bear-safe food storage. "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," explains Mike H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dayton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dayton, 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 Dayton, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Dayton, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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