32 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse-friendly campgrounds are limited near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with none of the listed campgrounds explicitly offering horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities. Townsend-Great Smokies KOA, located about 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge, allows pets but doesn't specify horse accommodations in its features list. Cades Cove Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park permits pets but similarly lacks specific horse facilities. Campers interested in horseback riding can access commercial riding stables near these campgrounds, though they cannot bring personal horses. The Little River flows alongside Townsend KOA, providing a beautiful setting with well-maintained campsites featuring stone patios and fire pits.
Several hiking trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park connect to these campgrounds, though trail riding on personal horses is restricted to designated bridle paths in specific park areas. Riverside RV Park & Resort offers peaceful sites along the Little Pigeon River with convenient access from Interstate 40 without going through the busiest traffic areas. For those seeking actual equestrian camping facilities, looking beyond the immediate Pigeon Forge area toward Cherokee National Forest or other Tennessee state parks with designated horse camps would be necessary. The quiet, family-friendly atmosphere of Townsend provides a less crowded alternative to Gatlinburg while still offering park access.
"This is away from the craziness of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It puts you back into the outdoors as the National Parks should be."
"It's pure magic, and if you go to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge you will be SO HAPPY to get back to your peaceful campsite. I will come back!!!!!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Building a fire was next to impossible. I think there might have been thirty minutes without rain, so pictures are limited."
"About 1 hour away from Gatlinburg, but this side is less crowded. The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $50 - $94 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"If I’m not mistaken, the one we were at this time was either the same cabin or one close to it. It is perfectly situated beside the river. "
"But if you’re a tent camper, be aware that the tent sites are located near the road (I will never understand why campsites do this, since we are the ones with no soundproofing)."
"Convenient to highway 66 that runs from Interstate 40 to Sevierville. Not particularly charming, but seems to be clean and well run. Worked well for a one night stay."
"The Tennessee and NC sides each have great things to offer. Just feel that the NC side has more smaller campgrounds and is generally a little more quiet and laid back. Go NC!"
"This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"I chose this campsite as the location of my first backcountry overnight experience, and I was not disappointed. Loved every minute of it. Short hike from your vehicle on Laurel Gap Rd."
"Camp site is about .5 miles downhill from the Bote Mountain and West Prong Trail Head. There are 2 sites that can be used and they are separated from one another."
"Located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is a private campground and has several types of camping opportunities. "
"Campground review: Located in Bryson City, N.C. on Deep Creek, this campground has around 50 sites with full hookups."
TravelerThis is a very well run quiet campground. We got a site right by the river with a patio deck. The campground is clean and well kept. Lovely playground for the kids. 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. I highly recommend this full service campground.
GuideWhat a great campground!! This is away from the craziness of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It puts you back into the outdoors as the National Parks should be. The campground is beautiful and 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.
TravelerI was going to give 5 stars but then I thought of a few things that brought it down 1 star. Rangers / camp store is only open 9am - 5pm. Period. When you check in you're on your own. Signage to sites was not the best - if you are trying to find it in the dark... good luck.
BUT - Smoky Mountains!!!! It's pure magic, and if you go to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge you will be SO HAPPY to get back to your peaceful campsite.
I will come back!!!!!
LegendDespite having rained for a week, staying at this campground wasn’t half bad. Building a fire was next to impossible. I think there might have been thirty minutes without rain, so pictures are limited. Being in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need to be prepared for rain since it is a temperate rain forest. I had brought Boy Scouts to this campground years ago and wanted to go back. This time, we did not stay in the group camping area. Since it was at the beginning of the week, it wasn’t too crowded, although there were two Boy Scout groups in the group camping area. There are several camping areas, and the one we were in allowed generators during the day. I think I heard one, but it was not so bad. Unfortunately, there are gravel tent pads, which is bad news for campers with tents you have to stake down. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. As a tent camper, I hate gravel tent pads. Being in the national park, the amenities are about the same as the other national park campgrounds. However, I was surprised that the bath house had an electrical outlet to be used for blow dryers and shavers. I don’t remember any other Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds having that luxury. But like the other ones in this national park, the bath house does not have showers or campsite hookups for water, sewer, and electricity. There are several trails in the area, but the ones that originate from the campground is the¾ mile nature trail and the Bradley Fork Smokemont Loop. When my son and I hiked this trail, we had to watch out for and step around horse poop. Since this trail is also used by horses, there was lots of it. Fortunately, the nature trail didn’t allow horses. My granddaughter loved walking over the log bridges and skipping rocks at the campground while it wasn’t raining. I think that was her favorite part. As with most of my camping trips, I want to explore, and there is plenty to explore around this campground. Being in the national park, there is a wide variety.
Fewer than three miles down the road, there is an old mill (Mingus Mill), the Oconaluftee Visitors Center (which has the Mountain Farm Museum), elk, wild turkeys, etc. Within the boundary of the campground I discovered something at the campground that I never knew existed. There was an old church at the campground that was built before Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. We were able to go into the church for me to take a few pictures. It was first constructed in 1836 and rebuilt in 1912. Not too far from the campground is the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, and the Kephart Prong Trail. This campground is also one of the largest campgrounds in the national park that I have been to. Although it is not an equestrian campground, Tow String camping area is“next door,” and it is an equestrian campground. The horseback riders pass beside the campground on route to the Bradley Fork Trail. Overall, this was one of my better experiences with national park campgrounds except for the rain.
GuideSmokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park. About 1 hour away from Gatlinburg, but this side is less crowded. The sites are plenty big, a little tight to back into, but not a big deal. There is no cell service but this is also a great opportunity to disconnect. Right next to the campground there are horse stables, really recommend an early morning horseback ride around the trails Mountains of the campground. Definitely looking forward to visiting again!
LegendOne of my best friends invited me to go camping with him here, although I knew it was a horse camp and we didn’t have horses. There are lots of trails for horses, and there are places to tie up the horses. Knowing it was a horse camp, I expected there to be horse manure, but manure was everywhere—even on the tent pads. Other than that, which as I said I expected, it was a good place to camp. The sites are spacious and fairly private with woods between each site. You have to reserve in advance to get a code to get through the gate, so you don’t have curiosity seekers coming in. There was supposed to be access to water, but the only pump in the campground was not working. Fortunately, I brought water with me. There was a pit toilet, but when I first went to it, it smelled terrible and was in need of a big time cleaning. The next morning, when I went, it had been“cleaned”(if you want to call it that). My buddy and I decided to go to Max Patch, a mountain bald, a few miles up the road. Max Patch is a beautiful grassy bald with 360° views, and the Appalachian Trail runs across it. Unfortunately, it is popular. By that I mean TOO POPULAR. When we made it there, the parking lot was full, and there were cars lined up for about a half mile down the road. Having been on Max Patch before, I knew it was not going to be a pleasant experience. Overall, the campground is probably okay for horse campers except that there was no water. The pit toilet needed more attention than it was given, but it was a toilet. There’s a good chance I will not go back to this campground. It’s not that I do not recommend it in general. I just don’t recommend it if you are just camping in a tent without horses. However, I do recommend one of the dispersed camping areas not too far down the road, especially if you want to be close to Max Patch. Just don’t go in the more popular seasons.
LegendI visited Bristol Fields for a planned primitive camping event with a group. I’m glad I arrived in daylight because my first drive in on the approximately 4 mile stretch of dirt and gravel road was a little nerve racking. Mostly because I wasn’t 100% sure I was going the correct way and second because there are some nice drop offs from the road. It is a wide road (about 1 1/2 lane)but passing in some areas would be interesting. Stay right and you will find the sign. The campground is primarily for horse oriented camping. It is split into three areas. The first section to the right as you pull in is the area we set up in. Then there is a long field that is obviously for horse trailer parking and camping with tie out poles included. There is a small tree break prior to the last area which has the pit style latrine and a large field for camping use. This whole area is bordered by a nice cold stream that is excellent for soaking your sore muscles in after a horse ride or hike. There is direct access to horse and hiking trails that are not extremely scenic (as in no long views until you get to the top) but will give you a good vertical workout. You can run or bike ride on the road too. There are several large fire pit areas throughout and a fire circle with wood chairs in the main area. There were five of us, three tent campers and two in vans and we had plenty of room to set up. The gravel center with picnic table worked well as our “kitchen” and dining area. Once parked my vehicle didn’t move again until it was time to leave. Total black at night meant excellent star gazing and the creek was the loudest thing out there. It did seem to be a young adult destination in the evenings, but they left when they saw that the site was occupied. A nice feature someone created was a “dam” of rocks with a round pool to sit in. Excellent get away with no electronics to speak of.
GuideMy son and I went to this camp ground over memorial day. It's a very big campground with a horse stables area separate from the camping area. The horse stable offers horse rides starting at $40 bucks for an hour through the forest. I asked if experience was needed and the worker said, no experience necessary. I thought it sounded great, but my traveling partner did not (9 year old son). haha
The campground is big, with a lot of sites, but they seem closer together than some campgrounds, some are further out than others, our site was really close to our neigbhors and the creek was just across the road so we really drowned the majority of there noise. I feel like the NPS campground are typcially close together so this was what I expected.
No running water at campsite, but plenty of water spouts around.
No showers in bathrooms.
Most of the sites are really shaded, but some do have full sun. There was one near us that had no trees and I am thinking they wished they had some. It seemed "dark" early as you are in a valley, which was a unique experience for my son.
temperatures were cool in the evenings, so we didn't need any A/C which was nice sicne there is no power hook ups. We didn't notice many generators running during the day. I did imagine the people will only running to top off the batteries, but who knows.
We woke up and went to clingmans dome one morning and it really cold and really windy. If you plan for sunrise, pack a warm jacket. I wore a fleece vest and fleece jacket and was cold till we walked to the observation tower. It's a short paved walk, but it is straight uphill, so be aware of it. the experience is one that should be had if you are in the area. When we arrived around 530 am the parking lot was about 1/3 full. but I've heard stories that this parking lot is always very full, which is why we went sunrise instead of sunset.
There was a lot of people fishing the nearby bradley fork and lots of reports of trout caught. I did fish one pool for about 30 minutes, and did not have any fish to hand, but I saw quite a few fish in the pool over the weekend. the water temperture was 54 degress, but my son and some other boys swam in the creek everyday. It was not hot, but kids have a different threshold for cold I guess, and the excitement of the moving water in teh creek is hard to resist. I got in to my knees. I would like to return without my son and do some adequate walking away from the campground upstream to get into some less pressured water. It's on my list.
We went to cherokee but not the casino area. It was the section right outside the park. Which is a mixure of old stuff, new stuff, and things that are closed or being revamped, or who knows. We ate lunch one day at a pizza resturant right there called wize guys and it was good pizza.
My 9 year old son rated this campground as 10 out of 10.
LegendRanger Review: Eclipse Sun Sleeves at Harmon Den Area(Pisgah National Forest) https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=70836
There are a few dispersed camping sites at Harmon’s Den, and they are spacious sanctuaries beside Cold Springs Creek. Harmon Den is in Pisgah National Forest, and dispersed camping is allowed but only where there is a camping symbol posted along Cold Springs Creek Road. To get to the campsite, you have to get off on Exit 7 along Interstate 40 in North Carolina and travel a gravel road for several miles. You will not want to drive too fast since there are several potholes, washboards, and protruding rocks in the road. At the campsite, there is a fire ring, but there are no other facilities such as bathrooms, showers, electricity, running water, trash cans, camp store, firewood for sale, campground hosts, etc. It is pretty much just a space for camping. With that said, it offers all the exciting activities that national forests offer, such as fishing, biking, hiking, etc. Harmon Den is mostly known as a horse camp, although car camping without horses is a common occurrence. When I was there, I passed by a couple of car campers that did not have horses. I did see a few vehicles with horse trailers pass by on the road. Because it is a popular horse camping area, you have to watch where you step. At our campsite, there was horse poop in several places, and I had to watch my grandson closely so he didn’t step in a pile of horse manure. Expect to encounter horse flies as well. There was also lots of poison ivy, so that was another concern I had about my grandson running freely. Since there are no bathrooms, practicing LNT(Leave No Trace) is important. Unfortunately, there was lots of trash, but that was a teachable moment for my grandson, and we definitely left the campsite better than what we found it. Before it gets dark, make sure you know where you are going to take care of business when you have to get up in the middle of the night. That way, you can avoid stepping in the wrong place. There were also quite a few people fishing in the creek on the way to the campsite since the creek is a popular place for trout fishing. As a matter of fact, a wildlife officer came through our camp with a fishnet full of trout to stock the creek. She asked us if we brought our fishing poles. Unfortunately, that’s one thing I didn’t take camping with me. What was I thinking? Even with the horse poop and the poison ivy, it’s a great area for camping if you like solitude and the sounds of the creek throughout the night. Another reason to camp at Harmon Den is to visit Max Patch while you are there. I would suggest staying at least two nights so you can spend one day just enjoying Max Patch. It is a large mountain bald over which the Appalachian Trail crosses. I have been there in the past when people are having picnics, flying kites, or just lying on a blanket enjoying the magnificent scenery. If you go at the right time of year, one of the trails up to Max Patch will take you by wild blueberries and blackberries. As I stated earlier, the campsites are spacious, and it felt very peaceful just being there.
Product Review:
As a Dyrt Ranger I get to occasionally try out outdoor products while camping and this trip I brought Eclipse Sun Sleeves(https://eclipseglove.com/)..) As a stem cell transplant survivor from stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I can never be in the sun without adequate protection for the rest of my life. That’s why Eclipse clothing is perfect for me. Even in the middle of the summer, I have had to wear long sleeves and a broad-brimmed hat. I had earlier written a review for the Eclipse shawl, but with the Eclipse Sun Sleeves, I can finally wear my short sleeve shirts again. Since I love the outdoors and have some cool t-shirts, all I have to do is put on my sun sleeves and I am protected. The only thing I could see that might need improving would be to figure out how to keep the upper part to stay up. It wasn’t that much of a problem, and I don’t how the company could solve it, but overall, the sun sleeves are great. I would further like to say that because of sun sleeves, those who are allergic to the sun have one less excuse not to go outdoors in the sun..
Equestrian camping near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee offers several options for horse enthusiasts beyond the immediate area. While Pigeon Forge itself has limited facilities for horses, the surrounding region within 1-2 hours provides designated horse camps and trails. Temperatures in the area range from 26°F in winter to 85°F in summer, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year. The mountainous terrain sits at elevations between 1,000-6,600 feet, affecting both horse and human comfort during camping trips.
Bicycle the Cades Cove Loop: At Cades Cove Campground, visitors can rent bikes to explore the scenic 11-mile loop. "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.
Explore historic buildings: Cataloochee Valley offers well-preserved structures from early settlers. "There are historical homesteads, a school, churches and cemetery to take you back in time. Trails by creeks there to hike. Bears, turkeys, deer and the Elk," notes Jodie K., who stayed at Cataloochee Campground.
Wade in mountain streams: Cool off during summer months in the clear, cold water. "The area around the shelter is high, rocky, and remote. Expect 10-15 degrees less than the Park headquarters," says Bill S. about Tricorner Knob area. Many creek-side campsites allow for easy water access during hot afternoons.
Horse trails beyond Pigeon Forge: While horse facilities aren't common at most Pigeon Forge campgrounds, Robbie S. mentions, "We stayed in the horse camp. The smokies are beautiful" at Cades Cove, one of the few areas with equestrian facilities nearby. For true equestrian camping, travelers must venture to designated horse camps in Cherokee National Forest.
Relative solitude: The North Carolina side of the mountains offers quieter alternatives. "I think you need to check out both parts of the park. The Tennessee and NC sides each have great things to offer. Just feel that the NC side has more smaller campgrounds and is generally a little more quiet and laid back," explains Michael K. about Cataloochee Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings top many campers' experiences. Ashley Y. notes that Cades Cove offers "Amazing wildlife! Awesome historical buildings. 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."
Limited amenities at some sites: Many national park campgrounds lack modern conveniences. "Cataloochee is my favorite campground in the great Smoky Mountains national Park. It's secluded, on the small side, and quiet," explains Kristina, though she warns that "There are flush toilets and there is drinking water, but that's it. No electrical hook ups."
Challenging access roads: Some of the best sites require difficult drives. "Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves," according to campground information. Even getting to Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA can be tricky: "Long and windy road to get to the area," mentions Aliy L.
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds operate on varied schedules. "We camped here in November and didn't have a problem getting a site, but the place did fill up!" shares Buck R. about Cades Cove. "November is when the leaves are changing. Temps cool at night, moderately nice during the day...got snow at Clingman's Dome however during the day!"
Tent-only areas for family bonding: Big Creek Campground offers a unique tent-only experience. "Sites are limited and must be reserved through the phone or website," advises Todd R. Glynne E. adds, "The only tent-only campground in the GSMNP considered frontcountry. Well maintained sites and restroom area."
Kid-friendly water activities: Tubing opportunities abound near campgrounds. "There's tons to do for the whole family! Fishing licenses on site. Fish from stocked pond or streams. Play areas for kids," says Sarah L. about the Cherokee KOA area. At Deep Creek, another camper notes, "You can put in your tube at one side of campground and float to end of tent sites."
Short hiking options: When camping with younger children, seek trails with minimal elevation. "Cades Cove itself is a gorgeous loop but the campground isn't as private and secluded as one would expect for camping," explains Monica P., though she adds there are "Several hiking trails are accessible from campground."
River access sites worth the premium: At Riverside RV Park & Resort, waterfront sites offer special amenities. "Easy to get from Knoxville without going through the craziest part of traffic in Sevierville. There are many RV sites and cabins along the bend of the Little Pidgeon River. Fire rings all along the river with everyone out at night sitting along the river," shares Jeff T.
Layout considerations: RV campers should research site orientation before booking. "We stayed in 12 and it was fine. There are plenty of trees for shade," mentions Andra S. about Deep Creek. Some sites at Townsend-Great Smokies KOA offer premium features: "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," according to Katie C.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies greatly across the region. "We needed to work and do school while there and the Verizon cell service was limited and the WiFi signal was not great at our rig," notes John about Townsend KOA. Plan ahead for service gaps if you need to stay connected during your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pigeon Forge, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pigeon Forge, TN is Cades Cove Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 99 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pigeon Forge, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 equestrian camping locations near Pigeon Forge, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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