Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Harriman. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. Find Tennessee equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activities here include hiking, biking, touring the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road and observing wildlife. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cades Cove never disappoints.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (865) 448-4103 for general information.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
_________ If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. ___ Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies __
$30 / night
$35 - $85 / night
Toqua Campground has Premium RV sites, Standard RV sites, and Primitive Cabins. All RV sites are full hookup.
$49 - $69 / night
True West Campground is OPEN YEAR ROUND!!! We are centrally located by Big South Fork, TN with easy access to a great many outdoor adventures. Saddle your horse up and ride right out of the campground and find the Cumberland Valley Trail head just 1 mile away, there you can take a nice short ride if you wish, find an overlook to stop and have lunch or ride for miles & miles!!! Lots of bicycle trails around here and the hiking is never ending!!
Our facilities include 33 easy access, level RV and camping sites, all with water and electric, some with sewer hookups. Our shower houses are very clean and provide plenty of hot water!
For those who use it, there is WIFI all throughout the 11 acre campground offered for FREE to all our Campers.
Don't have a Camper or Living Quarters? We've got you covered! We have lodging available to rent. Many different options to choose from. There is the Marshal Suite in the main building above the Mercantile Store that sleeps up to 8 or more and the tucked-in-the-woods Miner's Shack Cabin. We also offer the unique experience of sleeping in the Conestoga Covered Wagons for 'Glamping'- with some creature comforts of home (beds & heat/air!!).
If you are in need of horse facilities, we have two large barns with a total of 67 stalls, each with 2 bucket hooks for your water and feed, a saddle rack and a bridle hook. We have two large horse wash bay areas, and a large 60' round pen.
True West Campground has MANY fun filled Events all throughout the year!! Check us out on Facebook to see what's coming up next!
True West also offers parking and the use of the common area to those just passing through for the day and needing access to the trails.
$26 - $165 / night
Pet friendly primitive campsite on 1.5 acre mini-farm. Leashed pets welcome. Water available. Stalls available for additional fee. Bring your horses and explore the local State and Federal Parks. Horse trails, hiking trails, and waterfalls nearby. Max. 2 horses. Maximum stay, 2 nights/3 days.
$10 - $20 / night
The Great Meadows Campground, located on Stearns District of the Daniel Boone National Forest, is developed on both sides of the road. Deer Loop is on the right; Raccoon Loop is on the left. Deer Loop is open year round; but the water is shut off during the winter season. Raccoon Loop is April 1 - November 15. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to Great Meadows Campground. Learn more... View Great Meadows Guide and Map Rock Creek, a designated Kentucky Wild River, runs along the Raccoon Loop. Rock Creek is stocked with rainbow trout March - June and September - December.. Campsite availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Trails nearby: Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail - Section 37 and Section 38; Mark Branch Trail # 635 and Gobblers Arch Trail # 636.
Bear Creek Horse Camp is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Numerous trails snake through the recreation area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors.
Numerous trails snake through the recreation area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors.
Big South Fork is located in north-central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres including rocky gorges and forested plateaus.
Just a few miles from the campground is Blue Heron Mine, also known as Mine 18, a historic abandoned mining town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum. Visitors can hear audio presentations from actual people who lived in the community in the 1950s.
$35 / night
196 Acres on Norris Lake 12 short-term RV sites with water and electric hook-up ($30 per night) , 13 non-electrical-sites with water hookups ($20 per night).
38 Long-term sites ($350 per month) with winter storage option ($150 per month) Group camp with covered shelter, trails, 2 boat ramps, picnic tables, electric and water hookups and grills-must reserve ($60 per night with a $20 deposit that will be applied to the first night camp fee) Two ADA accessible shower/restroom facilities and 2 other bath facilities Dump station ADA campsite-Must have proof of a disabled occupant Security lights at the campground, boat ramp and along shore. Playground equipment Public Swimming Area Boat Ramp for campers only and a public boat ramp Self-guided nature trails Two Pavilions with grills-must reserve ($35 per day) Camping Season March – November
$20 - $60 / night
Visiting in 2 weeks
If you're looking for peace and quiet, then this is the place to be. Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground. Note... Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just erritates the bears.
Our spot was near bathroom and the area was clean. Good hikes nearby. I had good cell reception as well with Verizon so was able to watch a little college football on Saturday.m
Wonderful place, hot water, clean sites. They have a daily trash service and several stores to visit
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. The sites are concrete and gravel.
Cades Cove:
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating: 3
Price 2023: $15 w America The Beautiful
Usage during visit: Packed.
Site Privacy: Tightly packed.
Site Spacing: Most sites are close
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Low
Road Noise: None. Not near main road
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: At toilet facilities.
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Yes. Flush toilets
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: some
Cell Service (AT&T):
Setting: Open with some woods. Not pretty in my opinion. Nearby driving loop w trails is well worth the stay over.
Weather: 70s and low 80s
Bugs: Not bad
Solar: There are enough trees to interfere w fixed roof panels.
Host: Around. They do no regulate offenses as tightly as I’d expected.
Sites: B+ (door side more private w thick shrubbery & pretty private back: 68, 80, 83, 43, 45,46 47,48,50 , 16. 4, 5, 21
B- (door points to corner but shrubbery is open, and private in back) 70 , 18, 42,1. - still better than most sites .
C. Back of site a bit more private: 72,81, 84, 85, 44, 60,62,
Most others are at least semi private to rear only
Beautiful park with lots of activities for kids. The hiking trails were well maintained but vary in difficulty (easy to moderate; side trails to overlooks steep and rocky). Over 200 rv sites, most are close to each other; plan ahead to get a good site. We reserved a year in advanced and at that time no full hook ups were available. The park is a top visited park in TN - it’s crowded.
Review from the perspective of a motorcycle traveler tent camping. Tent sites are along a stream on Racoon side. Got surprised by a bear while gathering firewood nearby. Clean and well maintained although it was a sleepless night because of a group of drunk locals.
Cades coves was a good campground for our first visit to the smoky mountains. The sites were pretty close to each other but the store was convenient and awesome proximity when we biked the loop. Far drive from all of the other hikes and adventures we did.
My dog and I enjoyed 4 nights here! The sites are well spaced and the tent pad is nice and even. The bathroom could use an update but I’m happy they were flush toilets because that means no smell! There is no cell service with T-Mobile, so have a good book, downloaded shows, crossword book, or what have you. Cades Cove Loop is very close and I saw turkeys and bears every day on the loop- I heard a turkey in the campground but never saw him; also heard coyotes every night.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
70 yr olds in 17’ trailer:
Overall Rating: 4.5
Price: $16 w senior annual pass
Usage during visit: 70% during weekend
Site Privacy: 4 - best sites
Site Spacing: 4
Site surface: blacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise 5 some children having fun. That’s fine. No adult noise
Road Noise: 5. Some sites near the park road will have some, however traffic is light during our stay.
Electricity: Yes, but not tent sites.
Water: Yes
Sewer: No
Dump Station : Yes
Bathroom: 4. Clean and heated.
Pull Throughs : Some
Cell Service (Verizon): 3 hit and miss
Setting: in pine/ deciduous forest
Weather: 3. Mostly chilly and intermittent rain.
Bugs: Mosquitoes, but very few right now
Solar: Doesn’t look like it will be very good
Host: inconspicuous
Location: Pine/ deciduous forest with many dogwoods flowering.
Extra Notes: some sites back up close to sites in other sub-loops. Watch for that when you study th CG map.
Clean, quiet campground with bike rentals available. The loop is extremely close by and offers lots of wildlife and nature to take in.
Absolutely no service with Verizon so be prepared with a good book or downloaded shows if you need.
Absolutely loved this park! Our site was an ADA and it was excellent. Lots of trails, waterfalls, and a great nature center.
Bandy Creek CG Sep 16-18 Site D19
We have camped at Bandy Creek Campground in Big South Fork National River and Recreation several times, seasons and for several reasons in addition to camping.
It is central to several possibilities to include hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, climbing , etc. and the history of the area is very interesting.
This trip we came for the Story Telling. A full day of entertainment by several orators to finish with spooky tales in the evening.
We stayed at D19, our first time in the D loop. Over the years they have upgraded the sites with bear/critter food lockers and there are several bear/critter safe trash collection sites.
D19 is in a dead end loop so little to no vehicles drive through . The bathhouse is a bit of a walk, the buildings are newer and well maintained. I’ve never gotten the creepy vibe (lol)while using them . There is a trash receptacle right in front of the site. Two cons are the main road to the area is right behind this site, though it gives you easy access to the road/visitor center area. And E loop, group camping is in the woods directly across. So it can be a little noisy if occupied. (There were screaming children all afternoon…) WiFi is available at the visitor center otherwise I had a steady one bar while in the campground. There is a swimming pool, volleyball court and playground right by A loop which is primitive camping and there are several trailheads in that area also. So A loop would be a perfect base camp setup if you don’t need power. As I said the visitor center is right across the road and a horse stable behind that . There is a horseback trailhead right across from A loop with a hiking and bike trailhead too.
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is nearby by Jamestown, Tn and Oneida, Tn is about 30 minutes to the East. Both have fuel, grocery , etc. Charit Creek Lodge is an original homestead that can be hiked to from several start points. They offer a unique experience in the woods, overnight accommodations and meals by reservation. You can visit if your hiking/riding through but I don’t know if they still offer any walk in food/beverage.
There are a lot of very different camp sites. It’s good to do your research to see for the site is laid out. Some are drive through and others are back in. It is very close to excellent hiking. Bring your bikes to discover more of the park.
There is so much to do as soon as you get there. Plenty of hikes and water activities. The falls are beautiful with so many risky lookout points. Will definitely be back!
I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend here. Other campgrounds in the area were closed, but this one is open year round. Bathrooms and showers remain open as well. Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake.
Loved our site that backed up to a large field with playground!!! Perfect for families with kids that want to play while still having access to your rig. AMAZING hiking and views of the falls! Well worth the hike to the floor of the falls.
They have gravel lots that are somewhat level. We stayed at site 104. People before us absolutely left a mess. 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. We didn't have much luck fishing but we tried anyway. Always relaxing. Awesome place we're going to stay in 114 next time if we can get it
We stayed here for a week at the beginning of May and loved it. Quiet spot with easy to access trails around the campgrounds for our two dogs. The roads into the park are fun with some winding roads. Our smaller class C (24ft) handled it just fine but I could see some larger trucks having a slow time if they followed our path which was Hwy30 from Spencer.
The amenities are great, cute camp stores, shops & restaurants. Showers were clean with excellent water pressure. Some sits have sewer hookup but outs was just water & electric. Dump stations are scattered throughout and easy to access however.
Quickly made our list of parks we’d like to revisit in the future.
Overall it was nice, but not my favorite place I’ve been to. I thought I chose a campsite right on the water, but we couldn’t actually see the water. However, we did walk around the site to where we could get in the water and it was really pretty there. There was a playground, the bathrooms were in pretty good shape, they had a dump site, and water. So yeah, my husband and I both liked it, but we would just visit some other campsites before coming right back to this one.
Great place to take the family to enjoy nature. Plenty of trails and wildlife to see. 15 minute drive Townsend. Very quiet at night so you can hear the night owls and coyotes at night.
Falls Creek Falls park is excellent for natural beauty. Wonderful sites, trails, activities for all ages. Campground is good. Few full hook up sites. Gas is a bit of a drive, so fill up before entering the park.
Had a good time. Falls were beautiful but since you can drive and park by the overlook, be ready for a lot of people and dogs. If you like hiking, the trails were very low trafficked, and well maintained.
We stayed in the D campground (which is the closest walking distance to the Falls), however, campsites D180-210 are already close enough together (like your normal campgrounds), BUT when you add the elevation factor, some sites feel right in top of each other.
We have a truck camper and booked the last site available, which was a pull through in between other pull through sites (D192), but I wouldn’t book any of the pull through sites in D, unless you are booking adjacent ones for guests.
Also, 192 may be the smallest site with the worst layout, so take my review with a grain of salt. For instance, the hookups are on the opposite side as other, so I have to face my camper the opposite way, seemingly sharing our firepit and grill areas with our neighbors. This may be great if you know your neighbors, but not ideal for introverts like us (see photo).
Don’t get me wrong; we still had a good time, but the noise levels from other sites having a good time will encroach on your good time as well, making it feel less like camping, and more like a tailgate.
If I could do it over, I’d book more in advance and book a back-in site; one that isn’t right next to the road, or without too many other sites nearby. Sites along the same line as D204+ (same side as the bathrooms) seem to be the best sites.
Lastly, the facilities were but excellent: Campground D had small, but clean bathrooms and showers, and the main Guest Center is super close, with firewood, camping supplies, souvenirs, etc.
4.5/5 with 0.5 removed for layout of Campground D
So the campsite is very open, flat and the spaces are pretty small. You can pretty much hear conversations from other campsites at yours. Honestly this is not my kind of camping, Walmart parking lot offers similar ambiance.
Very close to nature
If you’re wanting seclusion, this isn’t the campground for you. But if you want accessibility and lots of things to do this place is great.
Camping near Harriman, Tennessee, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Harriman, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Harriman, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Harriman, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 143 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Harriman, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Harriman, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
