Equestrian camping near Hampton, Tennessee offers access to mountain trails and water features within the Blue Ridge region. Located in northeast Tennessee near the North Carolina border, the area sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet with moderate temperatures from late spring through early fall. Several camping facilities provide horse-friendly accommodations with varying levels of amenities and trail access.
What to do
Hiking with lake access: Julian Price Park Campground features trails surrounding a lake with opportunities for swimming and water activities. "This park is right on a gorgeous lake. 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," shares Danielle L.
Explore mountain terrain: Black Mountain Campground provides access to challenging trails including Mt. Mitchell. "It's also very nice to access the trail up to Mt. Mitchell right from the campground. We hiked up there early in the morning and it was fantastic," reports Katrin M. The trails offer significant elevation gains with varying difficulty levels.
Seasonal fishing: The South Toe River runs through several camping areas, allowing for trout fishing. "The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail," notes Myron C. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased locally or online through Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
What campers like
Peaceful forest settings: Equestrian campers appreciate wooded sites that offer privacy between camping spots. "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," says Holli C. about Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and showers are always clean and good taken care of. The camp hosts made sure several times that we had everything we needed," shares Katrin M. about her camping experience in the area.
Natural water features: Sites near rivers or lakes are particularly popular. "We stayed at a site right on the river and could hear the water flowing the whole time we were there," mentions Charles H. The sound of running water provides natural white noise that enhances the camping experience.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: The mountain region experiences significant temperature fluctuations. "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! The windchill was a serious issue for some in our group so bring lots of layers and gloves," advises Scott B. about Grayson Highlands Chestnut Hollow Horse Campground.
Road conditions: Access to some horse campgrounds requires navigation of unpaved roads. "Way up the road! It's a nice place once you get here on the narrow country road," notes Mimi about Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables. Larger vehicles and trailers may face challenges on these routes.
Reservation planning: During peak seasons, securing sites can be difficult without advance planning. "During season, the summer month weekends and holidays...book your reservations online, because they don't do it by phone when calling the campground," recommends Dave V.
Tips for camping with families
Look for amenities: Bristol-Kingsport KOA offers family-friendly facilities beyond basic camping. "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," shares Laura H.
Consider site location: When selecting spots with children, proximity to facilities matters. "I tent camped with a group here and the sites are very rugged and pretty far from water/bathrooms but there is a pool and the staff is very friendly and helpful," mentions Erin R. about her experience at the KOA.
Water recreation options: Families enjoy campgrounds with safe water access. "The trail follows a river with lots of great swimming holes and the rock colony is incredible. Awesome place to camp!" says Danielle L. Always supervise children around water features.
Tips from RVers
Site grading challenges: Rocky Top Campground & RV Park has topography issues that may affect larger vehicles. "The camp on the west side is Dangerous to drive up in a motorhome. I personally drove my 36' up the most curvy incline I wouldn't recommend anyone to give this a second thought if your not a seasoned driver," cautions Debbie O.
Hookup availability: Check for the specific utilities needed for your setup. "They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites. They have 50amp service and full hookup sites," notes Laura H. about the Bristol-Kingsport KOA.
Off-season advantages: Consider visiting equestrian campgrounds during shoulder seasons for better availability. "We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied," suggests Kirsten J. when describing Julian Price Park.
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