2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables in Bluff City features paddocks for horses and multiple exploration opportunities in the surrounding woods. This small, quiet campground provides back-in campsites surrounding a central fire ring with benches and tables. The campground offers electric hookups, thirty-amp service, water hookups, and sewer connections for RVs, while also accommodating tent campers and providing cabin options. The bathhouse is clean with shower facilities, and the campground supplies free firewood. Located approximately 15 miles from Elizabethton, the facility maintains level RV spots and clean facilities that accommodate equestrians traveling with their animals.
The horse-friendly campground is situated on a narrow country road that leads to peaceful surroundings ideal for riders seeking seclusion. Beyond the immediate campground, the Bristol-Kingsport KOA also permits horses nearby, with several guests noting the ability to pet horses adjacent to the property. The region offers multiple riding opportunities with access to natural terrain suitable for trail riding. While the campground itself doesn't feature elaborate amenities like pools or playgrounds, its peaceful setting creates an ideal base for horse owners looking to explore the eastern Tennessee landscape. The husband and wife team operating the campground are noted for their hospitality, creating a welcoming environment for equestrians and their animals.
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
"The campground is in an excellent location, just 5-10 minutes away from downtown Blowing Rock and of course it’s right on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway!"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"This is a small quite camp ground with horse stables. Husband and wife working there were very nice."
"Cabins, RV spots mostly level, paddocks for horses. Lots of exploration in the woods potential."
from $15 - $45 / night
"I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting."
"They have cabins, a nice pool, a blob, lots of outdoor activities, playground area, horse shoes, even with it being a smaller KOA Campground there is a lot to do."
"It’s a beautiful, peaceful little campground tucked into the mountains and you can tell a lot of care goes into it."
from $65 - $79 / night
"Absolutely love camping here at warriors path State Park it's beyond one of my favorite places to camp"
"This is a wonderful spot to be to explore the surrounding areas:
- The famous Mount Mitchell trail, starts a short walking distance from the campground."
"River sites are first come first serve Has group camping {must reserve online} Large tent pads Rv sites Fishing Can purchase: Ice Soda/water Ice cream Kindling Fire starter Wood
Hiking: Access to"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $56 / night
"Good trails along the rolling hills and creeks. Very simple rustic site with very little facilities. Pros: very wooded and private large campsites, babbling creek, outhouses."
from $7 / night
"A few friends and I visited this campground in June of 2018 so we could visit the Natural Tunnel and the Devil's Fork Loop Trail."
"What a great experience for the whole family and kids and enjoyed the privacy water was a little cold this time of year but I had a great fire next to the river Under the Stars roasting s'mores"
RangerIt says no overnight camping but there were 3 cars camping so I decided to camp. Drove straight across the entrance where a sign said parking but no camping. Was actually a really good camp spot plenty of room.
ScoutI stayed long term while working in the area, including through the winter months, and loved the propane delivery. Coming home to a full tank already dropped at my site was such a nice perk.
It’s a beautiful, peaceful little campground tucked into the mountains and you can tell a lot of care goes into it. It’s not a parking lot like other places I’ve stayed the sites are tiered on the mountainside but level and large. Staff is friendly, they have a game room and laundry room and the store sells cold beer! It was a nice home away from home while working in town
ScoutAbsolutely love camping here at warriors path State Park it's beyond one of my favorite places to camp
TravelerThere are multiple sites for camping rvs if you are set up for boondocking.
LegendThis is a neat campground. We camp in the area a lot and this campground is either completely empty or totally full. We have stayed here a couple of times when it was empty. We don't have horses so I wouldn't stay here when it is full. For us it is great as a cheap stop if we are traveling through the area at the right time. A nice creek goes through the campground that is right on the highway, so we usually stay in the back to get away from the road noise. Not that there is much traffic in the area at night.
Check it out in our 360° Video and see it like you are there.
https://youtu.be/dlGXzrFK31Q
LegendA quiet, easy-access campground with good site privacy and great lake views. Some site boundaries feel a bit unclear and the bathrooms can get crowded, but the location is perfect for exploring the Blue Ridge. A solid stay, especially with the RV and primitive areas kept separate.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/3NspCX_Zgnw
TravelerThe campground itself was good. Bathhouse was clean-ish. The one shower stall smelled quite moldy/mildewy. Not a lot of amenities. We stayed a week and all days during the week - Monday through Friday, there was construction literally right beside our RV. Constant leaf blowing. I understand that they are doing improvements, that is great. A head's up about it, possible option to stay at another site, a noise discount, or at least letting us know, so we could make a choice, would have been nice. Would never stay here again.
TravelerMost campsites have good privacy and is quiet most hours. All have easy access, but bathrooms are small for number of campers. Some campsites are a little confusing about site areas as it seems they overlap into each other some. The view of the lake is one of the best parts. More campgrounds should separate rv and primitive like they do.
ScoutFR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate. Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out. The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground. There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.
Cherokee National Forest offers multiple horseback riding and equestrian camping options near Elizabethton, Tennessee. The region's terrain combines woodland trails and river access points at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet. Seasonal temperature variations impact trail conditions, with spring bringing muddy paths and summer offering drier terrain for horse travel.
Trail riding from campgrounds: Cherokee Trails Campground provides direct trail access for riders, with one camper noting, "Way up the road! It's a nice place once you get here on the narrow country road. Nice clean bathhouse. Cabins, RV spots mostly level, paddocks for horses. Lots of exploration in the woods potential."
Kayaking near horse-friendly sites: Bristol-Kingsport KOA offers proximity to both equestrian areas and water recreation, with a visitor sharing, "I'd never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting."
Mountain hiking with trailer parking: Black Mountain Campground provides access to multiple trail systems. "You can begin the Mountain to Sea Trail here...the start of the Mt. Mitchell Trail (11.2 roundtrip) begins in the campground with non-campground hikers having a parking lot just across the bridge."
Clean facilities after trail riding: Equestrian campers appreciate facilities at Cedar Ridge Hammock Campground, where one visitor mentioned, "There are 2 main campgrounds here for rvs and tents. Is it a nice safe place for families. Pets welcome. 30 and up a night with a good security faculty."
Quiet surroundings for horses: Horse owners value the peaceful environment at campgrounds like Clinch River Family Campground, with one camper noting, "Definitely back off the main road nice people that run it. Quite, and people were friendly. We visited Natural tunnel and Wilderness Road."
Free firewood availability: Some equestrian-friendly sites provide complimentary firewood, as one camper at Cherokee Trails noted, "This is a small quite camp ground with horse stables. Husband and wife working there were very nice. Campground consist of a fire ring in the middle with benches and tables surrounded by back-in camp sites. There was a nice clean bathhouse with showers. Free firewood."
Limited cell service: Many equestrian camping areas have spotty coverage. At Julian Price Park Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp. BUT, let's say you have a Verizon phone, and you really really need to talk to someone - well, here's the hint of the day. Walk down the main access road toward the junction with your phone on."
Rough access roads: Several horse-friendly campgrounds require navigating difficult roads. One camper at Clinch River Family Campground warned, "Most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road."
Variable site sizes: Equestrian sites vary significantly in size and layout. A visitor to Cherokee Trails observed that sites are "surrounded by back-in camp sites" while another mentioned the presence of "paddocks for horses" indicating specialized equestrian facilities.
Playground access: Rocky Top Campground offers family-friendly amenities despite ongoing improvements. One camper noted, "The campground itself was good. Bathhouse was clean-ish. The one shower stall smelled quite moldy/mildewy. Not a lot of amenities."
Swimming opportunities: Families appreciate water access at several equestrian-friendly sites. At Black Mountain Campground, a camper mentioned, "There is a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole."
Animal interactions for kids: Children enjoy seeing horses at multiple locations. A Bristol-Kingsport KOA visitor shared, "You can even pet the horses nearby," making this location suitable for families wanting equestrian experiences without bringing their own horses.
Electric hookup availability: RVers with horse trailers should note varying electric options. At Cherokee Trails, hookups include "electric hookups, thirty-amp service, water hookups, and sewer connections for RVs."
Site leveling challenges: Some equestrian-friendly campgrounds present leveling difficulties. At Rocky Top Campground, campers noted challenges with the approach road: "The roads to the campground were challenging due to the deep ruts and wash out."
Specialized equestrian RV sites: Certain campgrounds offer designated areas for horse owners with RVs. Cherokee Trails provides "RV spots mostly level" with "paddocks for horses" allowing owners to keep their animals close to their camping setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elizabethton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elizabethton, TN is Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway with a 4.6-star rating from 49 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elizabethton, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Elizabethton, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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