3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Young Branch Horse Camp, positioned within the Citico Creek area in Vonore, caters specifically to equestrians seeking trail access in the Cherokee National Forest. The campground features about six sites that accommodate tent camping with horses, though no hookups are available for RVs. While the campground lacks dedicated horse corrals, the sites are well-maintained and medium-sized, providing adequate space for horse trailers. Basic amenities include vault toilets and trash collection, but no drinking water is available on site. Located between campsites 7 and 8, Young Branch represents the more developed section of the Citico Creek camping area. The sites remain clean despite regular equestrian use.
Bear Creek Horse Camp in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers equestrian-focused camping with essential amenities for horse owners. The campground provides water hookups and 30-amp electrical connections at sites designed to accommodate both tents and smaller RVs with horse trailers. Vault toilets and a sanitary dump station serve campers during the April through October operating season. The camp connects directly to the extensive trail system within Big South Fork, allowing riders immediate access to miles of bridle paths through varied terrain. Campground roads are navigable for horse trailers, though the sites are not suitable for big rigs. Pets are permitted throughout the campground, making it convenient for equestrians traveling with dogs in addition to horses. Picnic tables and designated areas for fires enhance the camping experience.
"We come here when in Oak Ridge for business thanks to recommendations from locals. There is excellent and serious hiking and backpacking here."
"The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when available"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!"
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"Big South Fork is located in a very remote area of TN and KY. Miles of Great hiking, biking, horse and motorized trails. There is plenty to see and all of it is beautiful. "
"D19 is in a dead end loop so little to no vehicles drive through . The bathhouse is a bit of a walk, the buildings are newer and well maintained."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $140 / 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."
"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
"This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean."
"Our site was right next to the lake. Quiet and very peaceful until 7am lol! People get going right away lol!"
from $20 - $60 / 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
"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!"
"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
"We didn't have any horses but everyone treated us with welcoming vibes and kindness. The owners and family are attentive, kind, and hard working. The grounds are well kept."
"Lots of room for horses. They had campsites, covered wagons and cabin space."
Available this weekend
from $26 - $165 / 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.
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!
ScoutWe had a great time. Nice people who are friendly and helpful.
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.
ScoutStalls/barn is filthy. The owners had their own horses removed from their custody by animal control for neglect. The horses were skin and bones even though they sell feed in their store.
GuideI have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.
Horse campgrounds near Oak Ridge, Tennessee offer access to extensive trail systems within the Cumberland Plateau region. The area features elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet with a humid subtropical climate that averages 50 inches of rainfall annually. Most equestrian campgrounds connect directly to trail networks through the Cherokee National Forest or Big South Fork, allowing riders immediate trail access without trailering horses between sites.
Trail riding in Big South Fork: Access over 180 miles of horse trails directly from Bear Creek Horse Camp, which connects to the extensive trail system within Big South Fork. "We stayed here in April, very quiet! Off to itself. Totally set up for the horse crowd with plenty of horse room. There is a day use parking and unloading area and direct access to the horse trails," notes Shelly S.
Bike the Cades Cove Loop: Many campgrounds provide access to this popular scenic drive which closes to vehicles on certain days. "On certain days they close off the loop of Cades Cove for bicycles to be able to ride. At the store near the campground they rent bikes for a reasonable rate. We took the entire family on the loop bike ride. This was so much fun," shares Jeremy H. from Cades Cove Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers excellent opportunities for animal spotting from safe distances. "This is a very unique spot in the smokies. I 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," explains Ashley Y. about her visit to Cades Cove.
Convenient river access: Campgrounds positioned along waterways provide recreation opportunities. "The Little River runs behind it. Go tubing!!! So much fun," recommends Cathy O. about Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, which offers waterfront access for cooling off during summer months.
Dedicated equestrian facilities: Horse camps have specific amenities for equestrians. "Each campground had a place for horses, the campground was clean, easy to drive, easy to set up, and the bath house was very clean," notes Hailey S. about Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Clean bathhouses: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities. "The bathrooms/bathhouses were spotless! Free sawdust to campers for their stalls. Water all throughout the barn and easy to get to," shares Heather S. about True West Campground & Stables, a dedicated horse camping facility.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. "No cell service for Verizon and none for many miles on the drive to the site," warns Carol B. about Cades Cove Campground. Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information before arriving.
Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "We spent the long Thanksgiving weekend here. Other campgrounds in the area were closed, but this one is open year round. Bathrooms and showers remain open as well," reports Jason W. about Anderson County Park.
Site selection considerations: Lake-view sites fill quickly but offer special advantages. "Sites were very clean and spacious and all have spectacular views of the lake," adds Jason W. about Anderson County Park's waterfront locations.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are better suited for families wanting community experiences. "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," advises DrDavid P. about Cades Cove.
Look for recreational amenities: Facilities with pools and playgrounds enhance family stays. "There is a swimming pool, with lifeguards," notes Lori H. about Bandy Creek Campground, adding that the campground also features "a large swimming pool, with lifeguards."
Evaluate trail difficulty: Not all trails are suitable for younger children. "Most of the trails are much longer than 2 miles, so there wasn't much to do with our two toddlers," cautions Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek Campground.
Site size limitations: Many equestrian campgrounds have specific constraints. "Campground roads are navigable for horse trailers, though the sites are not suitable for big rigs," notes a camper about Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Parking considerations: Some sites have limitations on vehicle arrangements. "The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware. There are limited parking spots near the shower house," warns Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek Campground.
Waterfront premium sites: Lakeside camping options provide special experiences. "This is a very clean, gated campground located right on the lake with available boat slips to rent during your stay. The sites are concrete and gravel," reports Allen S. about Toqua Beach Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Oak Ridge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Oak Ridge, TN is Frozen Head State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Oak Ridge, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Oak Ridge, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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