Looking for the best campgrounds near Lafayette, TN? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Tennessee camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Lafayette, TN. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$25 - $50 / night
"There's even a place to park your horse if horsecamping is something that interests you, very Kentucky, indeed."
$25 - $30 / night
"It was LOUD from 8am to 4, 5, and even 6pm somedays with working trucks and digging up the Tennessee Rock. "
$5 / night
"Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is right on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder and not a short drive from anywhere."
"There is a tent pad, hooks for lanterns or packs, horse hitches, and a fire ring with a grate attached."
$50 / night
"Horses are allowed in the campground and you will see a lot of people taking their horses for a few runs around the road through the campsite"
LegendWhile visiting Mammoth Cave, we drove through the campgrounds checking them out for family that was going to be traveling here in the next couple of months. These sites looked super nice, but many are reserved for group camping and equestrian camping it seemed. It does seem like some people didn’t have horses too, so there must be regular camping as well. The campground was small, but wooded and seemed to offer some seclusion from others and it was a reprieve from the busy park.
RangerHalf the sites are for horses so it’s a little more barn-like than I expected. Lots of trees but not all sites are shady. Small and simple, didn’t really do much here besides spend the night. If you don’t have a horse you might want to look elsewhere but really I have no complaints.
RangerWOW we loved this park and caves and hikes, the kids could not stop talking and talking about the caves. This campground is close to the visitor center and you’ll need site reservations in summer. Showers are wonderfully hot but there’s no RV hookups. Our sites were pretty close to another but I think some of them had some more privacy. We met someone camping here with their horse which sounded like so much fun (but don’t worry the horse sites are farther away so no barn smells).
Guidesites: horse sites available. wooded area around campground. semi-private sites. amenities: lake. pool. other attractions: lodge/camping cabins. restaurant. I would go back again.
LegendRanger Review: Renogy Water Filtration at Maple Springs Campground Mammoth Cave NP.
Campground Review: Maple Springs Campground is a horse and group campground in Mammoth Cave NP. From the main park you take the Green River Ferry across you guessed it Green River to the far side.
Pro: this area is definitely less traveled than the main park.
Con: you are sharing the trails with horse and bike ( not really a con but..)
Pro: there are some good technical single track trails that take you into the “woods” AND there are free dispersed camping sites! Just check in with the main camp office first. Many, many interesting things to see.
Con: got nothing
Pro: the campground is well spaced out, horse trailer and horse friendly, pretty good shade. I am not a horse person so I can’t speak from that expertise. Plenty of room for groups, there was a Boy Scout invasion when we visited.
Con: pit toilets…..
Pro: direct trail access
Con: pit toilets, though they are clean and well maintained
Product Review: I packed the Renogy Water Filtration
****https://www.renogy.com/
in my hydration bag no problem. . I would suggest pre-assembly due to a few small parts. There are three “main parts” after initial assembly. Intake hose with initial filter and float, the Renogy hand pump and the out put hose. (These are not the official terms, they are my laymen terms) I left the “flusher” at the campsite while hiking. You use it when you are complete with filtration to back flush the “core”.
The only problem I had with the Renogy was handling all the components and three dogs and my cell phone for video capture;) Otherwise it was total ease of use!
1: Place initial filter with float in your source water.
2: place out put tube in your capture vessel
3: pump handle until capture vessel is full and make sure your initial filter is not sitting in the bottom silt.
I sampled my filtered water (yesterday) and have had no ill effects.
A few things to note, I used a run off stream and filtered water from above the trail crossing (I didn’t want any extra trail apple or other flavoring). I have used other filters and water sources before and even with filtration sometimes the water doesn’t taste “pristine” but it’s still palatable. The stream I used was fresh rainwater from the night before and day of. Avoid stagnant water and water with obvious metal contamination. I’m no expert, so there are more tips, read up before extensive use.
GuideThe sites are pretty close together but it does indeed live up to the resort part in the name. You can purchase WiFi access. There’s a pool, cabin, golf course. It’s also a horse camp with several miles of trails.
LegendNice large camping areas, secluded and quiet, easy access to the trails. Well maintained full hookup for RVs and plenty of room for your horse too. There are also several primitive spots you can backpack into, check in with the staff before beginning your adventure.
LegendMake sure you have your map and know which trail(s) you want to link up to. Winging it may make for a long afternoon :) excellent campground area for the horse enthusiast and sometimes very full! A cool thing I noticed was a handicap loading area for horseback.
GuideI visited the Maple Springs Campground in Mammoth Cave National Park for a total of 3 days/2 nights. I chose this site because it was pet friendly. Each site was spacious with room for up to three tents without feeling crowded. The sites were also spaced far enough apart that you never have to interact with your neighbors. Each site has two grated fire pits as well as picnic tables.
The campground offered several facilities such as a communal fire pit and a few privies and water supply stations. Everything was clean and in order while I was there.
Horses are allowed in the campground and you will see a lot of people taking their horses for a few runs around the road through the campsite as a warm up in the early mornings. My dogs did not like the horses at first but they got used to it as the trip went on. Keep this in mind if you plan to bring any four legged friends!
The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray and my gear had been treated with permethrin. Seriously, the ticks were gnarly.
Overall, this was a great place to stay. I would happily go back if I felt that I had more control over the bug situation. I hope I can learn a little more about tick control and make my way back there soon!
Horse camping in Tennessee offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lafayette, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lafayette, TN is Mammoth Cave Campground — Mammoth Cave National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 134 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lafayette, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Lafayette, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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