2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cottonwood Patch Campground accommodates horse campers with on-site horse corrals in Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. This established campground features tent and RV camping with direct access to riding trails. Restroom facilities with vault toilets are available on-site, though no drinking water, showers, or electrical hookups are provided. The campground maintains a reservation system for equestrian campers planning overnight stays. Fire rings at each campsite allow for campfires, and the facility welcomes pets alongside horses. The corrals provide secure containment for horses while campers enjoy the forested setting.
Young Branch Horse Camp near Vonore offers dedicated horse camping facilities 35 miles from Reliance. Located within Cherokee National Forest, this primitive campground connects to an extensive network of bridle trails suitable for day rides. The campground provides picnic tables and restroom facilities but lacks water hookups and electrical service. Riders appreciate the well-maintained trails that wind through varied terrain with stream crossings and mountain views. Both Lost Corral Horse Camp in Delano and Young Branch maintain toilet facilities and designated camping areas for horse owners. Trail difficulty ranges from easy flat paths to more challenging mountain routes, accommodating riders of different experience levels. Horse owners must bring their own feed and water containers, as natural water sources may be seasonal.
"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. "
Available this weekend
"This is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it"
"Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."
"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
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
Available this weekend
from $8 / night
"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!"
"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."
from $5 / night
"Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."
"This park has amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Lots of shade. It has an equestrian area where you can book horseback rides."
"As an Eagle Scout from around this area, this was our go-to place for summer camp and occasional other camping trips as well."
from $10 - $25 / 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.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
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!
RangerWe stayed here 5/15- 5/17 and had a wonderful time. The bathrooms were great & the playground was a huge hit with all the kids. They also loved catching little minnows in the streambed of the boat launch. There is a trail that surrounds camp that's great for little adventures or even a short mountain bike
ScoutWe stayed at one of the tent sites. Power and water at each side was a huge bonus. They had converters you could borrow for free for the plug. Bathrooms are old, but very well maintained and clean. For kids there’s 2 playgrounds, a fishing/ swimming pond, hiking trails. They told us they can also do pony rides but we never made it to the stables. We loved our stay and would definitely go back!
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.
GuideBeautiful spots down Jacks river directly and conveniently on the water. Remote but could see being busy during warmer seasons. We loved it.
TravelerI’m not a planner so I tend to find spots late in the day and just take what I get. I was so pleased when I pulled into the park at sunset to find only one other camper! The park is beautiful and very well kept. A ranger drove by while I was having coffee the next morning and was very laid back and completely unbothered that I had arrived after hours. This was a Monday morning and he told me they were packed over the weekend and I was floored because it was so clean! The restroom is huge with showers and was older but clean. Absolutely recommend.
LegendThis is one of the quietest campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Sites are nestled in the woods in a cove in the Smokies. No cell service. No internet. No cable tv. Just peace and quiet! This is a national park campgrounds, so no water, electric or hookups. There is a dump station and modern bathrooms. Cold water showers. There is a camp store with basics. There is a lot of traffic especially on weekends with visitors driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop Road.
Equestrian camping options near Reliance, Tennessee offer direct access to mountain trail systems within the Cherokee National Forest. The area's forested terrain at 1,500-2,000 feet elevation features numerous stream crossings and seasonal weather fluctuations. Horse-friendly campgrounds typically provide basic amenities while focusing on trail access rather than modern conveniences.
Horseback riding on mountain trails: At Young Branch Horse Camp in Vonore, riders can access an extensive network of forest trails. "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," notes camper Zane P.
Swimming in natural water spots: The Hickey Gap Campground in Georgia provides creek access just steps from campsites. "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," writes Mike H. The nearby waterfall makes for a refreshing day trip from camp.
Historic structure exploration: Cades Cove Campground offers history enthusiasts access to preserved cabins and churches. "Go on the car tour loop and make sure to stop and look at the cabins and church. History at its finest," recommends Buck R. The 11-mile loop around the cove provides multiple stopping points for exploring pioneer structures.
Creek-side camping spots: Jacks River Fields Campground receives praise for its water-adjacent sites. "We love this campsite! The first time we camped here, we were the only ones at the whole site," shares Liz B., adding that "there's a hiking trail that connects to the Benton McKaye just across from campsite."
Off-peak season tranquility: Campers appreciate the solitude found during shoulder seasons. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," reports Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground. Weekday visits in spring and fall typically see fewer visitors than summer weekends.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's forests support diverse wildlife populations. "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," notes Ashley Y. about her experience at Cades Cove.
Road conditions and access challenges: Several campgrounds have rough access roads requiring careful driving. About Hickey Gap Campground, Mike H. warns, "The road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep."
Bear safety requirements: Hickey Gap Campground enforces strict food storage rules. "There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box," reports Mike H. These precautions are common throughout the region's campgrounds.
Limited cell service: Most equestrian campgrounds near Reliance operate in communication dead zones. Carol B. notes about Cades Cove: "No cell service for Verizon and none for many miles on the drive to the site." Prepare for being disconnected during your stay.
Playgrounds and activities: Gee Creek Campground provides kid-friendly facilities. "The campground also has a playground to keep kids entertained," mentions Anna M. Mickey L. adds that the campground has "clean facilities and nice playground."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly biking. "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," shares Jeremy H.
Educational experiences: The Scout camp facilities occasionally open to public camping. "One of the best campgrounds, hands down. With a large lake, open field, and well maintained roads and accommodations - Woodruff is one of my favorite camps!" says Ethan about Camp Woodruff.
Site leveling requirements: Trackrock Campground has terrain challenges for larger rigs. "Road needs some work sites aren't super level but it was ok," notes Kathy C. Bring leveling blocks and plan for potentially uneven parking.
Seasonal pest considerations: RV campers report specific regional pests. "One was our first encounter with 'stink bugs'. They were everywhere and you couldn't keep them out of the RV. When we got home to Florida we were still killing them inside the RV for almost 5 months!" warns Suzie F. about Trackrock Campground.
RV size limitations: Most horse camps accommodate smaller rigs but present challenges for larger models. Anthony M. cautions about Trackrock: "Very steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving. Our camper came in contact with the side of our bed and tailgate multiple times." Consider total vehicle length when choosing an equestrian campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Reliance, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Reliance, TN is Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Reliance, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Reliance, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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