3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Young Branch Horse Camp accommodates equestrians with tent sites and direct trail access in Vonore, offering one of the area's most practical horse campgrounds for riders seeking primitive conditions with purpose-built facilities. The campground features fire rings, picnic tables, and trash disposal while maintaining a primitive camping experience. Horses have designated areas with tie-out posts throughout the camping area, particularly in the long field section designed specifically for horse trailer parking. The campground is split into three distinct areas, with the main section including tie-out poles for horses and ample space for camping with equine companions. The gravel center area works well as a communal space for campers.
Located approximately 4 miles down a dirt and gravel road, the horse camp connects directly to riding and hiking trails that provide a good vertical workout through the surrounding forest. A cold stream borders the camping area, excellent for cooling horses after rides and soaking sore muscles. The campground offers multiple large fire pit areas and a fire circle with wood chairs in the main section. While primarily designed for horse-oriented camping, the facilities remain basic with pit-style latrines. The camp's layout accommodates multiple tent campers and vehicles with plenty of room to set up, making it suitable for group equestrian outings. The area becomes completely dark at night, allowing for excellent stargazing opportunities after a day of riding.
"You can easily bike through the loop, or drive. Nice spot to see wildlife as well. Cades Cove is well known for spotting bears, deer and turkey."
"This campground is off the beaten path but found by LOTS so have a reservation. There is an 11 mile loop with historic structures and lots of wildlife. Watch for BEARS!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"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."
"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."
from $49 - $69 / night
"There is a camp store with firewood (you are required to buy it from an authorized location!). Nice roomy campsites, but not as much plant cover as at Elkmont in my experience."
"I wanted to see if there was a difference in the camping experience at the two locations."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 - $94 / night
"The terrain is hilly but plenty of places to hike, we found a nice trail that we followed to the top of the mountain that was gradual and an easy relaxing walk. "
"Located in between campsites 7&8, Young Branch is the more “civilized” part of Citico Creek. There is a toilet, but no hookups. About 6 different sites within the campground."
from $15 / night
"The Lizard Lounge has a separate WiFi but you have to be inside or just outside to use it. Amazing river views and very close to the entrance of the National park."
"Right next to the entrance to the Great Smokey mountains. Townsend is a lovely town for eating and lots of walking trails. It is a short drive into pigeon forge if you want more activities to do."
"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
Available this weekend
from $24 - $40 / night
"The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."
"It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee. There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when available"Tucked away in quiet town of Townsend TN on Hwy 73, the campground has tent sites and RV hookups. There are toilets and a shower for each restroom."
"It was definitely packed but everyone stayed pretty quiet even when kids were playing around the sites. Super clean sites and bath houses. Water on EACH site was the bomb!"
"Sites are first come, first serve, most sites are in the open with a few more private sites around the edge."
"Great for accessing the mountain bike trails at Tsali. The entire campground is first come first serve, never had a problem finding a spot, but does fill up by the weekend."
from $10 - $20 / night
GuideGreat campsites, little closer together than what I like but still nice and shaded all paved. Have three dump stations that are very nice. Will definitely come back. Better have reservations, cause it does stay full.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
GuideWe’re heading down to Florida and this was along our route. Our site was right next to the lake. Quiet and very peaceful until 7am lol! People get going right away lol!
ScoutWe love this campground! We have the best spot although, all of them are nice! Right on Lake Norris with the most beautiful views!
ScoutI've camper here a few times over the years. It's always been a peaceful experience. Bath house has always been pretty clean. Could use an update but over all always been happy with our trips.
GuideThere is a beautiful drive to get to this campground once you get through the traffic jam of Sevierville. Enjoy the scenic and winding river road! Only loop C is open in the off season. Generators are allowed at this time of year, but must be off by 8pm. The women's restroom was revoltingly smelly (some animal had sprayed in there, smelled like male cat x100). I hope this was a temporary situation.
The sites have nice new pads(not perfectly level though) and the tent pads are spacious and flat. Cade's Cove loop was definitely worth taking, and I would do it again and stop at every stop. Take the pull outs and let the people pass you so you can really soak it all in. Also, make sure to get a parking pass and a brochure at the first stop, which explains the sites along the loop. I saw many turkeys showing off their fan tails. And a large black bear chowing down on the sweet, fattening, tender spring grass. Also there were quite a few deer out. The scenery was magnificent!
RangerWe stayed here 5/15- 5/17 and had a wonderful time. The bathrooms were great & the playground was a huge hit with all the kids. They also loved catching little minnows in the streambed of the boat launch. There is a trail that surrounds camp that's great for little adventures or even a short mountain bike
GuideYoung Branch Campground is a bit off the grid, no services cellular or TV. We camped mid November and had the whole place to ourselves. There are 8 back in gravel sites with fire pits, a vault toilet (very clean) and a short stroll down to Cherokee Creek. The terrain is hilly but plenty of places to hike, we found a nice trail that we followed to the top of the mountain that was gradual and an easy relaxing walk. There are many marked campsites along the creek for OTG camping. We spent 3 days here and I could count on one hand the amount of vehicles that passed on the road. It was a great escape to a peaceful wooded forest with the sound of the creek just yards away.
ADDITION: There is a paddock and horse stalls so I'm assuming that horses are welcomed at this location.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
Young Branch Horse Camp offers a primitive equestrian camping experience near Vonore, Tennessee. The campground sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation within the Cherokee National Forest, with access via a forest service road off Highway 360. The area receives average annual rainfall of 55 inches, creating lush vegetation and reliable water sources for horses throughout much of the year.
Trail riding adventures: Tsali Recreation Area features 40+ miles of designated horse trails with alternating usage days to prevent user conflicts. "The Tsali system starts right from the campground. You can ride to & from your campsite and never have to load up," notes Tony C. at Tsali Campground.
Water activities: Cool off in nearby Tellico Lake at Toqua Beach Campground. "This is a very clean, gated campground located right on the lake with available boat slips to rent during your stay," explains Allen S. The campground offers direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating during summer months.
Hiking vertical terrain: Access the extensive trail network from Cades Cove Group Campground for challenging day hikes. "There are plenty of hiking trails accessible from campground," confirms Kim L. The trails range from moderate to difficult with significant elevation changes throughout the surrounding forest.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Vonore area provides excellent chances to spot native wildlife in natural settings. "We have never seen more black bear. It was a very safe distance we watched them about a football field away across a field pretty amazing experience," shares Ashley Y. from Cades Cove Campground.
Stream access: Cold mountain streams provide natural relief during hot riding days. "A cold stream borders the camping area, excellent for cooling horses after rides and soaking sore muscles," states Zane P. from Young Branch Horse Camp. Most equestrian sites maintain proximity to natural water sources.
Stargazing conditions: The remote location creates optimal night sky viewing. "No cell service so you get to completely relax. Absolutely breathtaking scenery," reports Brittni F. Limited light pollution makes astronomical observation particularly rewarding during clear nights.
Reservation requirements: Plan ahead for equestrian camping near Vonore, Tennessee. "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!" advises Ashley Y. Most horse camps require advance booking, especially during peak season from April through October.
Facilities limitations: Most horse camps maintain primitive conditions. "No power at sites, it does have hot showers," explains Byron R. at Gee Creek Campground. Expect basic amenities focused on equestrian needs rather than comfort camping.
Access challenges: Forest service roads require careful navigation. "Located approximately 4 miles down a dirt and gravel road," warns Christina Z. about Bote Mountain. High-clearance vehicles perform better on these access routes, particularly after rain events.
Beginner-friendly trails: Select appropriate riding routes for younger riders. "I've been going here for the last 25 years and enjoying the intermediate Mountain trails. As a flatlander I love to come to tsali to get my legs into shape for the mountains," recommends Don K. Start with shorter, flatter trail segments for inexperienced riders.
Wildlife safety protocols: Maintain proper food storage in bear country. "Make sure to lock your food up in your car or bear proof boxes because there are plenty of bears around," advises Michelle A. from Townsend-Great Smokies KOA. Teach children proper wildlife distance protocols.
Water recreation alternatives: Provide non-riding activities between trail days. "There is a Beach area with volleyball. We didn't have much luck fishing but we tried anyway. Always relaxing," reports Timothy T. This diversity helps keep younger campers engaged throughout your stay.
Site selection for trailers: Choose appropriate sites for horse trailer parking. "We had a 30ft camper and site 18 was the only one i would attempt to get in. Its great for smaller campers and tenters," notes Jana B. about Tsali Campground. Consider length limitations when making reservations.
Limited hookup availability: Most equestrian sites lack full RV amenities. "Sites are concrete and gravel," shares Allen S. Prepare for dry camping conditions with appropriate water storage and battery capacity for extended stays.
Weather contingency plans: Seasonal storms can impact camping comfort. "The group site was great! There was only 20 people allowed at the site but could've held 40. It poured rain all weekend so we made a tarp city and squeezed all of our tents together," reports Madison G. Pack extra tarps and rain gear regardless of forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vonore, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vonore, TN is Cades Cove Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 100 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vonore, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 equestrian camping locations near Vonore, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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