1 campground with availability this weekend
Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables offers equestrian camping options near Bristol, Tennessee with dedicated paddocks for horses and full RV hookups. The campground features a mix of back-in sites surrounding a central fire ring area with benches and tables. Horse owners have access to clean bathhouse facilities with showers and complimentary firewood. The small, quiet setting provides ample opportunity for trail riding and exploring wooded areas. Sites are mostly level and include electric, water, and sewer connections suitable for both RVs and tent campers.
The surrounding area offers substantial forest exploration potential with trails accessible directly from the property. Bristol-Kingsport KOA, located approximately 30 miles away, provides an alternative option for travelers with horses, featuring a more developed campground with amenities including a pool and playground. While the KOA doesn't offer dedicated horse corrals, guests note they can pet horses nearby. Both campgrounds require navigating rural roads—Cherokee Trails requires travel down a narrow country road, which may present challenges for larger horse trailers but rewards visitors with a peaceful, horse-focused camping experience in a natural setting away from traffic and noise.
"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
"Kingsport/Bristol has easy access from Interstate 81 and the campground is easily navigated with a large 5th wheel."
"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."
"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 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 this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"Staying at The Cliffhanger Ranch places you in a quiet area surrounded by forests and a small downtown nearby, perfect for adventuring around a new area. "
"What makes this place great is that the entrance is directly across from the Jefferson National Forrest."
from $20 - $35 / 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"
"This equestrian campground in a beautiful state forest allows for other campers to make reservations no more than 30 days in advance; priority is for campers with horses."
"We camped at an equestrian campgrounds, chestnut ridge perhaps? Saw a Family of black bear about a mile from camp then a bobcat in camp later that day!"
Available this weekend
from $16 / night
"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."
"With a wide network of multi-use trails in this area, Fox Creek Horse Camp provides a nice base for exploring on horseback. Sites have a gravel/grass pads, picnic table, and fire ring."
from $5 / night
GuideMother nature is amazing and helps relieve stress from the ones who never deserved to be around you to take and cover it up. So I'll run to God's beauty, and enjoy my fire at the same time. Come on baby light my fire! ;)
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.
LegendWe chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail (30-45 min). Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub (about 2 miles one way). It was exceptional but difficult.
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.
Campground is well maintained, lots of playground equipment for kids and a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground.
No laundry. Bathhouse is just ok, dated but functional.
Owners are nice, and communicate quickly by email or phone. We had issue with the site we reserved and just moved over one site when setting up late and in the rain…told owner next day and it was no problem.
Cherokee National Forest surrounds much of the Bristol, Tennessee area, offering campers access to 650,000 acres of woodlands at elevations ranging from 750 to 5,500 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 80°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds in the area sit along rural roads requiring careful navigation with larger trailers.
Trail riding excursions: Grayson Highlands State Park offers exceptional equestrian camping with miles of multi-use trails. "This state park has wild horses of its own, but has numerous multi-use and equestrian trails and connects with additional trails in the area for up to 66 miles of riding," notes Jean C. about Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Hiking to waterfalls: Natural Tunnel State Park provides hiking opportunities within driving distance of Bristol. "We chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail (30-45 min). Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub (about 2 miles one way). It was exceptional but difficult," shares Beth B. from her stay at Clinch River Family Campground.
Kayaking and fishing: Multiple lakes and rivers near Bristol offer water recreation options. "There is a spot within the park to rent kayaks which was great. There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake. There's also a trail that you can access from the park that leads to Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail," explains Danielle L. about Julian Price Park Campground.
Rural seclusion: Several horse campgrounds near Bristol, Tennessee provide quiet settings away from busy areas. "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," writes Mimi about Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables.
Budget-friendly equestrian facilities: The National Forest offers affordable horse camping options. "With a wide network of multi-use trails in this area, Fox Creek Horse Camp provides a nice base for exploring on horseback. Sites have a gravel/grass pads, picnic table, and fire ring... At $5/night, it's hard to beat the price," reports Jean C. about Fox Creek Horse Camp.
Wildlife encounters: The region offers opportunities to view native animals. "Bobcats, Black Bear, & Wild Horses... We camped at an equestrian campgrounds, chestnut ridge perhaps? Saw a Family of black bear about a mile from camp then a bobcat in camp later that day!" describes Kelly C. about their camping experience at Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Road conditions: Many equestrian camping areas require navigating narrow roads. "Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road... 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," warns Beth B. about Clinch River Family Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds close during winter months or offer limited services. "Although the official season runs May - October, it is open for primitive camping March, April, and November," notes Jean C. regarding Fox Creek Horse Camp.
Weather preparation: Mountain elevations can create challenging camping conditions. "This place is by far the windiest place I've ever camped in. We couldn't get a proper fire started due to the wind! It was blowing up all over the trails at some points! The windchill was a serious issue for some in our group so bring lots of layers and gloves," advises Scott B. about Grayson Highlands.
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide recreational equipment for children. "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," explains Laura H. about Bristol-Kingsport KOA.
Wildlife viewing guidelines: Teach children about safe wildlife viewing, especially around wild horses. "As other photos suggest, there are wild ponies here (notice the adjective wild) that are not intimidated by people. Do everyone a favor and keep your distance, please," cautions Sarah C. from Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water recreation for children during summer months. "Campground is well maintained, lots of playground equipment for kids and a launch for tubes/kayaks. At main road there is a public launch if you want to put in there and then float to campground," notes Beth B. about Clinch River Family Campground.
Site selection: Choose equestrian-friendly RV sites with adequate space for your rig and horse trailer. "The campsites are back-in along a single spur with turn-around at the end. Sites are long, gravel, relatively level with water/electric," advises Jean C. about Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Hookup availability: Verify utility connections at horse campgrounds near Bristol, Tennessee. "Mostly level gravel spots. Sites are close together. Block bathhouse that the spiders enjoy. Beautiful river. Lots of open space pets," reports Dennis about Clinch River Family Campground.
Off-grid preparation: Some equestrian areas have limited services. "Campers are frequently referred to Grindstone campground for potable water and showers, but as of 2021, the dump station and bath houses/water are off; if you need services plan to travel about 15 minutes to Hurricane Campground instead," notes Jean C. about Fox Creek Horse Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bristol, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bristol, TN is Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bristol, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Bristol, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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