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Best Equestrian Camping near Ooltewah, TN

200 Reviews

Cottonwood Patch Campground features horse corrals in the Cohutta Wilderness area, offering primitive campsites with picnic tables and level spots. The campground primarily serves as a launching point for horseback riding excursions in the surrounding wilderness areas, with multiple designated equestrian trails nearby. Toilet facilities include maintained pit toilets, though some visitors note minimal regular upkeep. The location provides convenient river access for both horses and riders, with multiple large sites designed to accommodate horse trailers. Sites are specifically configured for equestrian use with ample space for both camping equipment and animals.

Located directly on the water, Cottonwood Patch provides excellent trail access for horseback riding in the Cohutta Wilderness. Several trails in the surrounding area are designated horse-only, making this an ideal base camp for riding enthusiasts. The campground's proximity to trailheads eliminates long travel times between camp and riding areas. Lost Corral Horse Camp in nearby Delano, Tennessee offers additional equestrian camping options with similar toilet facilities and trash collection services. Both locations feature primitive conditions with no electric hookups or drinking water available on site, requiring campers to bring their own water supply for both human and equine needs. Horse owners should arrive prepared with appropriate containment systems as facilities are basic but functional.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Ooltewah, Tennessee (11)

    1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Hiking trails, great water falls, horse back riding, fishing, golf and wildlife. There are cabins available as well. Shower houses are clean and well situated."

    "There is also a riding stable close by. The kids loved it! I got to ride Leonard the horse who looked a bit like the Wonky Donkey. 😂"

    2. Shady Grove

    1 Review
    Fort Oglethorpe, GA
    12 miles

    $2 - $38 / night

    3. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

    29 Reviews
    Delano, TN
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 263-0050

    $35 - $85 / 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. "

    4. Tennessee Wall Camp

    3 Reviews
    Lookout Mountain, TN
    20 miles

    "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."

    5. Davis Pond Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Signal Mountain, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 658-5551

    "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."

    6. Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA)

    4 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 695-6736

    "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!"

    7. Cottonwood Patch Campground

    2 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 695-6736

    $8 / night

    "A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."

    8. Sawmill Lake Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    34 miles
    Website

    "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."

    9. Jacks River Fields Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

    3 Reviews
    Cherry Log, GA
    33 miles

    $5 / night

    "There’s a hiking trail that connects to the Benton McKaye just across from campsite and if you are a bringing horses there are two paddocks for them as well."

    "Please be kind and do not leave trash behind."

    10. Lost Corral Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Delano, TN
    31 miles
    Website

    "This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Ooltewah, TN

5 Photos of 11 Ooltewah Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Ooltewah, TN

200 Reviews of 11 Ooltewah Campgrounds

  • Abigail P.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Sawmill Lake Campsite

    Primitive camping perfect for Rocktown climbers

    If you’re looking for amazing scenery, this is not the place. 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. Meant we could spend most of the climbing, rather than making a long approach. My group went for several days over thanksgiving 2018, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nights turned a bit chilly, so make sure to pack layers if camping in the fall or winter season. I think you’re technically supposed to have a Georgia outdoors permit to stay here (which we did), but we did not encounter a single ranger during our six-day stay. Check the Rocktown forum on Mountain Project for up-to-date info on permit requirements.

    The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times.

    You can pretty much set up camp anywhere there’s open ground. Plenty of trees around for hammock camping as well. My group of 10 people had no problem finding open areas to set up camp together. There are several man-made fire pits, and plenty of wood and brush lying around to scavenge for fire-making. There are no water hookups, so make sure to pack plenty of water with you. There is also an area at the campground for equestrian camping, though we didn’t check that out, as, alas, none of us had horses.

  • D
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    One of the nicest campgrounds we camped.

    Offers everything you can possibly want. Hiking trails, great water falls, horse back riding, fishing, golf and wildlife. There are cabins available as well. Shower houses are clean and well situated.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2017

    Cottonwood Patch Campground

    Horses

    This campground is definitely designed to be a launching point for those wishing to go horseback riding in the Cohutta Wilderness. We stopped through here on our way to go backpacking in the area. There were several large sites with campers on them and almost everyone had horses tied up near their vehicles. There is an outhouse on the site but it does not appear like there is any regular upkeep being done. There are many really nice trails in the area and several are designated horse only so if you own a horse this is a great option that is very close to the trailheads. Another nice feature of this site is that it is right on the water so that provides a nice atmosphere. Overall though it still smelled like horses and unless that is what you are going for I would not suggest setting up a tent here. Instead go down the road to some of the campgrounds more set up for tents or just head into the backcountry and take up one of the MANY free sites that aren't too long of a hike in.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2024

    Cottonwood Patch Campground

    Fairly primitive

    Level spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible. A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained.

  • Candy O.
    Apr. 19, 2019

    Lost Corral Horse Camp

    Very nice area for camping with horses

    This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it

  • William S.
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Davis Pond Campsite

    Away from it all

    Down a long and winding (and dusty) gravel road into the WMA is the Davis Pond camp site, a real gem with shady trees and a fishing pond. 

    This lightly developed site has two picnic tables, and two lantern posts near the tables. However, it can easily accommodate many more campers in the space and has multiple dirt-and-rock fire pits.

    While there is a two-station pit toilet, it's a bit of a horror show with a lot of trash accumulating in the structure. Another downside, after I set up my tent I noticed that some hornets were flying into a nearby dead tree. I quickly moved to another spot but luckily noticed it before it got dark.

    There's a gravel parking lot with a trail map and sign in sheet right next to the camping area. 

    In addition to the multiple trails (for hiking, ATVs, and horses) closer to the entrance to the WMA (and far from the camp) is a shooting range.

  • K
    Sep. 12, 2020

    Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    We love this State Park!

    Fall Creek Falls is a beautiful park. The campsite was nice and spacious, and the kids loved having swings right by our site. There a several nice hikes, waterfalls and swimming holes. There wasn’t much water in the falls when we were there last, but it was still beautiful. There is also a riding stable close by. The kids loved it! I got to ride Leonard the horse who looked a bit like the Wonky Donkey. 😂

  • Nate H.
    Dec. 9, 2020

    Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    Roaming Deer

    Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base. Sometimes the falls are just a small trickle and sometimes they are flowing, depending on rainfall amounts. There are also smaller falls with pools that you can swim in, and those are next to the parking area. There’s a great amount of wildlife in the park, the deer were everywhere, and they are not afraid of humans. They will walk directly through your campsite. The park also has a lake, golf course, pool, playground, great biking, so much to do. The campground is large and has walk-in tent sites and RV sites with hookups. The sites are well spaced and wooded, so even if the campground is full, you don’t feel overcrowded. I always enjoy camping here and I highly recommend Fall Creek Falls.

  • Matthew
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    Tons To Do

    We stayed Memorial Weekend of 2021 for a total of 4 nights. Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks. We hiked Fall Creek Falls trail, visited the nature center, walked the suspension bridge, went to the Cane Creek Falls overlook, swam in the Cascades, ate pizza at the snack bar, watched people catch stocked trout at George Hole, and played on the playground. The weather was a little damp, but we didn’t let that stop us!

Guide to Ooltewah

Horse camping in Tennessee offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with well-equipped facilities for both riders and their horses.

Equestrian campgrounds include amenities for both riders and horses

Tips for equestrian camping near Ooltewah, Tennessee

  • When visiting Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA), be prepared for a rugged drive; the road is rocky and steep, so a reliable vehicle is essential.
  • At Mountain Cove Resort, enjoy the beautiful mountain views while ensuring your horse has a safe place to rest after a day of riding.
  • Always check for local wildlife warnings, as seen at Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA), where bears are known to roam, and secure your food accordingly.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ooltewah, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ooltewah, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 145 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ooltewah, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Ooltewah, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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