Equestrian camping near Maryville, Tennessee offers access to over 550 miles of trails throughout the surrounding mountains. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, camping areas range from 800 to 1,500 feet in elevation with typical summer daytime temperatures between 75-85°F and cooler 55-65°F nights. Fall camping season features lower humidity and cooler temperatures ideal for longer trail rides.
What to do
Morning trail rides: Trails accessible from Tsali Campground connect to panoramic lake views. "Tsali has one of the best views of the lake and GSMNP that I know of," notes Mickey L., who recommends early rides before summer heat builds.
Fishing access: Several creek-side sites allow convenient fishing without breaking camp. Christina Z. describes Bote Mountain Campsite 18 as "a little slice of creekside heaven" where "West Prong of the Little River runs right through both separated sites, so plenty of water is an understatement."
Historical site visits: Spend time exploring 19th century structures along driving and riding routes. As Ashley Y. notes, Cades Cove provides "amazing wildlife! Awesome historical buildings" with opportunities to observe "black bear... at a very safe distance."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several horse camps offer good separation between campsites. At Young Branch Horse Camp, Zane P. describes "about 6 different sites within the campground. Medium sized sites, but well taken care of," making it a "great part of Citico Creek area."
Vehicle accessibility: Most horse camps accommodate trailer parking with suitable road conditions. Robbie S. appreciates that Anthony Creek Horse Camp offers "easy access to the trails right from camp" without needing to transport horses after arrival.
Water access: Many campers value proximity to creeks and rivers for both horses and personal enjoyment. At Toqua Beach Campground, Timothy T. notes "beautiful lake views" with a "beach area with volleyball" and mentions trying fishing, adding "always relaxing."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites must be booked well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Ashley Y. advises about Cades Cove Campground: "Make your reservations far in advance this is a destination!"
Seasonal closures: Many horse camps operate on limited seasonal schedules. Kim L. notes that checking in can require schedule adjustments: "Only negative is the requirement to check in between 9-10:00 am the following day if one arrived later than check in time, which caused me to change hiking plans."
Site preparation: Some sites have specific surface types which affect camping comfort. At Riverside RV Park & Resort, Seth P. mentions the campground is "convenient to highway 66 that runs from Interstate 40 to Sevierville. Not particularly charming, but seems to be clean and well run."
Tips for camping with families
Quiet locations: For families seeking less crowded areas, consider alternatives to main campgrounds. Dr. David P. shares about Cades Cove: "This is a great campground, but can get a little busy... If you want nature and solitude, go somewhere else. If you want nature, love community, and want someone for your kids to play with, this is perfect."
Activity options: Many campgrounds near Maryville offer family-friendly amenities beyond riding. At Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, Katie C. appreciates sites that are "spacious and on the river. Close to the biking trails and Cades cove. Spots are clean, fire pits are great, well maintained pavers patio and nicely landscaped."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Family-friendly wildlife viewing is common in several areas. Buck R. describes Cades Cove as "right in the middle of nowhere" where you can see "everything from deer, Bear, turkeys, and more" along the "long paved road."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger rigs, scout locations with sufficient parking areas. At Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA, Benjamin C. advises checking site conditions: "It had rained the day we arrived and evidently the past few days because the camp was very muddy. The first site they tried to put us at was all grass and mud. No pavement or gravel. We had our 27' 5th wheel camper. I kindly asked for a better site."
Hookup availability: Some equestrian sites offer limited hookups for RVs. Allen S. describes Toqua Campground as "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."
Weather considerations: Fall and spring camping requires preparation for temperature changes. Jennifer L. notes that some sites offer "easily accommodated date changes" which can be helpful during unpredictable weather seasons.
