Best Equestrian Camping near Johnson City, TN

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Johnson City. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Johnson City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Johnson City. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Johnson City, Tennessee (12)

    1. Bristol-Kingsport KOA

    4 Reviews
    Kingsport, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 323-7790

    "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."

    3. Rocky Top Campground & RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Kingsport, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 323-2535

    $55 - $76 / night

    4. Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables

    2 Reviews
    Bristol, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 391-0118

    $15 - $45 / 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."

    5. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    47 Reviews
    Blowing Rock, NC
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 963-5911

    $30 / night

    "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!"

    6. Old Forge Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Afton, TN
    23 miles
    Website

    $7 / 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."

    7. Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    26 Reviews
    Montreat, NC
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 675-5616

    $28 - $56 / night

    "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"

    8. Clinch River Family Campground

    6 Reviews
    Duffield, VA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 254-6247

    "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"

    9. Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost

    2 Reviews
    Coeburn, VA
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 614-5585

    $20 - $35 / 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."

    10. Maple Camp Bald

    3 Reviews
    Pisgah National Forest, NC
    40 miles
    Website

    "It’s a 6 mile hike up Maple Camp Ridge on trail 191 (Buncombe Horse Range) starting from a small parking lot close to Carolina Hemlocks Campground."

    "A little below where we set up camp, we found a natural spring for water and theres a decent amount of firewood around. We parked at the top of Mt."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Johnson City, TN

2 Photos of 12 Johnson City Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Johnson City, TN

98 Reviews of 12 Johnson City Campgrounds


  • Susan E.
    Jul. 16, 2020

    Bristol-Kingsport KOA

    What luck!

    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. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.

  • Katy S.
    Jul. 29, 2020

    Black Mountain Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    The best camping option in the Black Mountain area

    Two adjacent campgrounds Briar Bottom Group Campground and Black Mountain Family Campground provide the perfect summer getaway in the heart of the Black Mountains area. The group campground is more expensive, and is more suitable for groups of 10 and more, whereas the family campground is perfect for couples, families, and small groups of friends.

    The sites differ in terms of the privacy and amount of shade. We stayed at site 32 and loved it. The driveway is flat and the site is a little downhill from the road. We noticed that a few sites on the other side of the road (like 31) are uphill, not as convenient in my opinion. 

    The campground has clean bathrooms and free showers with hot water. The campground office sells ice and firewood. The campground doesn't have any cell reception! The closest place where you can connect to the internet is the golf course, or the general store on HW80.

    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. This is a 5.5 mile trail(one way) that will take you 3600 feet up to the Mt Mitchell summit. The trail is super strenuous and takes about 3.5-5 hours one way, depending on your shape. There are no good views from the trail, except at the top of Mt Mitchell. 
    • The South Toe River Loop Trail- it actually has two loops. The upper loop starts between Laurel and Poplar sites, continues along the river, crosses on the bridge and continues up the hill. Eventually it will bring you back to the campground entrance. It's a moderate hike that will take you a couple of hours. The lower loop starts from the showers at the Black Mountain Family Campground, between sites 27 and 28. First it goes into the woods, then takes you to the river, crosses two bridges and loops back through the woods again. This part is easy, no elevation change at all, but the trail is narrow and rocky at places. 
    • Setrock Creek Falls- a nice waterfall just a few steps away from the group campground. 
    • Roaring Fork Falls- a super nice and beautiful cascade located at the intersection of South Toe River Road and HW 80. It's a short drive from the campground and then an easy 0.5 mile hike on the old gravel road. 
    • Black Mountain Crest Trail(also known as Deep Gap Trail or the 5 Peak Trail). Starts from the Mt.Mitchell summit and goes across Mount Craig, Big Tom Mountain, Balsam Cone to Cattail Mountain, all about 6,000 feet. The trail has beautiful views, and is moderate to strenuous, with some ups and downs, rocks, boulders, steps and ropes. We always go from the top to Cattail Mt and back, which is 3 miles each way. The trails continues to Deep Gap and has other options, including a 2 day backpacking trip.
  • H
    Aug. 18, 2021

    Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables

    Nice and peaceful

    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. No pool or playground, but still a nice peaceful campground.

  • Francis C.
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Maple Camp Bald

    Phenomenal view to the East of Mount Mitchell

    It’s a 6 mile hike up Maple Camp Ridge on trail 191 (Buncombe Horse Range) starting from a small parking lot close to Carolina Hemlocks Campground. (Can also be accessed from the Mount Mitchel side). 0.4 miles from the bald is a nice water source. There are 3-4 areas to set up camp, two of them could accommodate multiple tents. An amazing spot to admire sunrises if the weather cooperates.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Bristol-Kingsport KOA

    Convenient and Clean

    Kingsport/Bristol has easy access from Interstate 81 and the campground is easily navigated with a large 5th wheel.

    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. The park is also near Warriors Path State Park, which is fun to go hike and see.

    They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites. They have 50amp service and full hookup sites.

    Cellular reception is decent for TMobile and AT&T.

    This park is frequented by travelers and NASCAR fans.

  • John L.
    May. 29, 2019

    Maple Camp Bald

    What a view!

    A bit of a hike, but a great spot! A little below where we set up camp, we found a natural spring for water and theres a decent amount of firewood around. We parked at the top of Mt. Mitchell and took the Ridgeline trail, eventually turning onto the Big Tom Gap Trail and then a left onto the Buncombe Horse Trail. Instead of taking the Big Tom Gap Trail back, we stayed on the Buncombe Horse Trail and it was worth it to do the full loop. The final ascent to back to the parking lot at the peak of Mt. Mitchell was brutal on the lungs and legs! Do not have a heavy pack! We got lucky with great weather in early March. Having followed the weather for a bit after going, I think I’d be planning for April if we did it again.

  • M
    Nov. 14, 2021

    Cherokee Trails Campground and Stables

    Nice place

    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.

  • K
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Lovely campground with lake access

    Stayed in site A31, a pull-through site. No sites here have hook-ups. This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding. There is wifi at the boat rental area, an easy walk from all parts of the campground where you can rent kayaks, get snacks, etc. All sites are well spaced out(A loop, I didn't see the other loops) but non- lake side sites don't have a ton of tree cover so aren't very private. Tent sites next to the lake are closer together and DO have more trees/ privacy. Several good trails within the campground- the 2.5 mile lake loop which winds around the lake was nice, flat and beautiful.

  • R
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Peaceful campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway

    We stayed at Site E14 during a weekend in July. 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! Our site was peaceful and shaded, easily fit our 14 foot teardrop with screen room and our truck. After walking through the other loops, I preferred ours as it was not as crowded and quieter. Great access to trails, Price Lake trail and Boone Fork trail access is within minutes. Our site was very shaded. The picnic table seating is extremely low to the ground so if you have mobility issues that could be an issue. The bathrooms were old but clean and served the purpose. Overall, I recommend this campground it is so peaceful and perfect location. We can’t wait to come back!!


Guide to Johnson City

Horse camping in Tennessee offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and hit the trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities for horse lovers

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Rocky Top Campground & RV Park, you'll find spacious sites that accommodate both RVs and horses, perfect for a comfortable stay.
  • Old Forge Recreation Area offers a rustic experience with access to trails for horseback riding, ideal for those looking to connect with nature.
  • Maple Camp Bald provides a hike-in experience with beautiful views, making it a great spot for adventurous riders.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused activities and trails

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Johnson City, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Johnson City, TN is Bristol-Kingsport KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Johnson City, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Johnson City, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.