2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cottonwood Patch Campground provides basic accommodations specifically designed for equestrians in the Cohutta Wilderness area. The campground features level sites with picnic tables and has a maintained pit toilet. While not situated directly on the river, water access is available nearby. The sites are spacious enough to accommodate horse trailers and multiple tents, with room for horses to be tied near vehicles. Many of the visitors are horseback riders who use this location as a base camp for exploring the extensive trail network in the surrounding wilderness. Several large sites commonly feature campers with horses tied nearby, creating a community atmosphere among fellow equestrians.
The campground serves as an excellent launching point for those wishing to ride in the Cohutta Wilderness. Located close to multiple trailheads, riders can easily access designated horse trails directly from the camping area. Several trails in the vicinity are horse-only, providing dedicated paths for equestrians without hiker traffic. The proximity to water sources allows horses to drink and cool off after trail rides. While the campground maintains a rustic, primitive character with minimal amenities, its strategic location near the wilderness trail system makes it particularly valuable for overnight horse trips. The campground area retains the distinct scent of horses, which some visitors note creates an authentic equestrian camping experience. Tent campers without horses might prefer more secluded backcountry sites found further along the trails.
"There is a parking lot right off the road after a fun ~30 minute drive through residential roads right on the water, then sites with fire pits are scattered throughout a small clearing."
"You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits."
"This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables."
"About 45 mins outside Chattanooga, it’s a beautiful drive. Last 7 miles are on a windy gravel road. The last 1/2 mile gets a little dicey and needs a vehicle with some clearance."
from $2 - $38 / night
"It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers."
"This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking."
from $25 - $30 / night
"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
"Park at either the Alabama or the Tennessee trailhead (make sure not to park at the horse trailhead earlier on the road) and descend down into the canyon."
"It is also at an easy access point to the falls as well as the other trails in the area. The site has easy access to water most of the year and can provide space for over 10 tents."
"This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available."
"There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!"
"Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
Available this weekend
from $8 / night
ScoutI was worried that I would arrive and find all the campsites occupied. This was not the case. When I got there around 5:30 there was only one other site taken. I didn’t see them until the next morning. By morning, there were two other sites occupied.
TravelerHard to find, really busy but most of them were hikers let left at nightfall.
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.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful. Took a couple of rounds of trial and error to find the spot, which is just a pro for me personally. Once we got there, the place was beautiful. Logging is going on right now, so we were woken up around 6:30 am by the beautiful sounds of machinery and whatnot. Did not catch anything in the pond unfortunately. That’s to be expected when you’re only armed with a Barbie fishing pole and no patience. I have saved the spot and will always be returning whenever I visit Chattanooga!!
GuideThe road to get to the sites is long, bumpy, and very curvy (so you’ve got to go slow). The sites themselves were full of trash, graffiti, and a homeless camp. We elected to not stay.
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
GuideYou take a sometimes single lane road to get there. Very windy at points. There is a parking lot to hold 4+ cars. You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits. There is one private site past the marked site if you keep going you will find a large level gravel lot with a single fire pit that would be much better for van or truck camping. Past this point it turns back into residential.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
TravelerI’m not a planner so I tend to find spots late in the day and just take what I get. I was so pleased when I pulled into the park at sunset to find only one other camper! The park is beautiful and very well kept. A ranger drove by while I was having coffee the next morning and was very laid back and completely unbothered that I had arrived after hours. This was a Monday morning and he told me they were packed over the weekend and I was floored because it was so clean! The restroom is huge with showers and was older but clean. Absolutely recommend.
Equestrian camping near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee offers special facilities for trail riders in the scenic Appalachian foothills. Most horse campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 1,000-2,500 feet with access to extensive trail systems through hardwood forests. Sites typically feature larger clearings to accommodate horse trailers and dedicated areas for tethering mounts away from tents and vehicles.
Trail riding to waterfalls: At Hickey Gap in the Cohutta Wilderness Management Area, riders can access waterfall trails directly from camp. "There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!" notes John B.
Rock climbing excursions: Near Tennessee Wall Camp, climbers can access prominent routes with minimal approach hiking. "We really enjoyed our night tent camping here. There is a parking lot right off the road after a fun ~30 minute drive through residential roads right on the water," reports Suzie K.
Fishing access: Equestrians camping at several wilderness areas can bring fishing gear for creek access. "The little pond is a breeding ground for lots of bugs, but it's peaceful and pretty to look at. Not many fish biting this time of year. We did see a couple go out on an inflatable boat," observes Tessa B. at Davis Pond.
Spacious sites for gear: Horse campers appreciate the larger clearings available at wilderness campsites. "Great sites with fire pits," mentions Lakisha D. about Tennessee Wall Camp, where sites can accommodate multiple tents and gear.
Water proximity: Many horse-friendly sites offer water access for cooling off after rides. At Davis Pond, one camper notes, "On arrival there is a huge meadow area. Tons of spots to pitch a tent or park vehicles. We used our truck tent and a fire pit and were super happy with the setup."
Community atmosphere: Fall Creek Falls State Park offers both isolation and social camping options. "Campground A & B are great for families with kids. C & D are more quiet. Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," advises Richard F.
Road conditions: Access roads to wilderness horse camps often require higher clearance vehicles. At Davis Pond, Tessa B. warns: "Last 7 miles are on a windy gravel road. The last 1/2 mile gets a little dicey and needs a vehicle with some clearance."
Water availability: Most horse camps have natural water sources requiring filtration. At Walls of Jericho, Steve V. reports, "Water can be sourced from Turkey Creek if it is flowing, but should be treated/filtered (on this visit Turkey Creek was pretty dry after a very dry summer, but Hurricane Creek is just a short walk away)."
Wildlife awareness: Equestrians should secure food properly in bear country. At Hickey Gap, Mike H. observed, "There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean. There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box."
Beginner-friendly trails: Several equestrian campgrounds offer easier trails for young riders. "There is plenty of hiking to do in this area. The rock formations are truly beautiful and fairly unique to this camping area," notes Ethan K. about Walls of Jericho.
Swimming spots: After trail rides, many families enjoy cooling off in nearby creeks. At Hickey Gap, Julia B. suggests, "Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There's a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek."
Educational opportunities: Gee Creek Campground offers nature programs for families. "A trail runs the perimeter of the camp and the Hiwasee River runs next to the campground. The campground also has a playground to keep kids entertained," says Anna M.
Site selection: For those traveling with horse trailers and RVs, site choice matters. "Tim's Ford 'Fairview' is very beautiful. Very nice and peaceful. Very nice bathhouses and a friendly staff. It's not a huge campground so you may want to reserve early," advises Doug H. about Fairview Campground.
Leveling needs: Horse campers with trailers should bring leveling equipment. At Gee Creek Campground, Gregg G. notes, "The sites on the North side of loop A are fairly uneven and would require a significant amount of leveling blocks if using a camper."
Off-grid preparation: Most horse campgrounds lack full hookups. Mike H. points out about Hickey Gap, "Lastly, the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lookout Mountain, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lookout Mountain, TN is Tennessee Wall Camp with a 4.0-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lookout Mountain, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Lookout Mountain, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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