Cherokee Trails Campground offers seasonal equestrian camping near Roan Mountain, Tennessee from March through November. The facility provides level campsites with 30-amp hookups, water and sewer connections for both tent campers and RVs. The campground features direct access to bridle trails connecting to popular regional riding areas, making it convenient for horse owners seeking accommodations while exploring the local trail systems.
What to do
Trail riding: Nearby Julian Price Park Campground provides additional outdoor recreation options within driving distance of Cherokee Trails. Visitors note the diverse trail network: "There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake. There's also a trail that you can access from the park that leads to Hebron Rock Colony which is an incredible hiking trail," according to Danielle L.
Water activities: Several water recreation areas complement the equestrian trails near Roan Mountain. "The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail," reports Myron C. about Julian Price Park. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased locally.
Mountain exploration: The region's elevation provides opportunities for challenging hikes and mountain biking. A visitor to Maple Camp Bald mentions, "It's a 6 mile hike up Maple Camp Ridge on trail 191 (Buncombe Horse Range) starting from a small parking lot close to Carolina Hemlocks Campground." Water planning is essential as Francis C. notes, "0.4 miles from the bald is a nice water source."
What campers like
Natural settings: The peaceful environment around equestrian camping areas near Roan Mountain receives consistent praise. At Black Mountain Campground, campers appreciate the waterway ambiance: "Outstanding place for car camping. A river right beside it. Tall majestic trees," writes Scott K., who also notes the campground serves as a good "jumping off point for the Mt. Mitchell trail."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance stands out in visitor reviews. At Cherokee Trails, the bath facilities are well-maintained according to reviews. Similarly at Black Mountain Campground, "The showers and restrooms are always clean and good taken care of," writes Katrin M., adding "The camp hosts made sure several times that we had everything we needed."
Wildlife viewing: The area's diverse ecosystem supports wildlife observation opportunities. Myron C. reports, "While we were in this area, we saw several small deer, including one that came through our campsite." Morning hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing times in the quieter campground areas.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions affect trail accessibility throughout the year. Old Forge Recreation Area operates from April to October, similar to Cherokee Trails' March-November season. The camping areas are "very wooded tent only primitive campground" with "good trails along the rolling hills and creeks," according to Justin S.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful navigation. Regarding Springmaid Mountain, Terri S. cautions, "The roads to the campground were challenging due to the deep ruts and wash out," which can be particularly relevant for those hauling horse trailers.
Reservation policies: Unlike Cherokee Trails' first-come, first-served policy, many nearby campgrounds accept reservations. "Many of the sites in the A loop are reservable, and they have been reserved for several weeks (maybe months) in advance," notes Myron C. Planning ahead is advisable, especially during peak riding seasons in spring and fall.
Tips for camping with families
Campsite selection: Choose sites with adequate space for horse trailers and family equipment. At South Mountains State Park, Jessica L. shares, "We camped at the family camping area, it was great, we had site 6 and it was on the river and the kids loved it!" Sites near water features often provide natural entertainment for children.
Safety precautions: Establish clear boundaries for children around horses and water features. "The tent pad was large enough to setup our 8 man tent and 2 man tent, and leave us plenty of room for our kitchen setup and room around the fire pit," mentions Erica F., highlighting the importance of designated activity areas.
Activity planning: Balance riding time with other recreational options. For families visiting the area, Sarah W. recommends, "Great trails. Great views. The nature trail area was a great way to start and end the day as we hiked back to 'basecamp'."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: When bringing an RV to equestrian camping areas, verify site dimensions and hookup availability. At Rocky Top Campground, Debbie O. warns, "The camp on the west side is Dangerous to drive up in a motorhome. I personally drove my 36' up the most curvy incline I wouldn't recommend anyone to give this a second thought if your not a seasoned driver."
Hookup specifications: Confirm electrical capacity meets your RV's requirements. Most campgrounds in the area offer 30-amp service like Cherokee Trails, while some provide 50-amp options. Jim D. notes Rocky Top Campground has "nice clean campground with affordable pricing," making it worth considering for RVers seeking value.
Dump station protocol: Plan your waste management around available facilities. Cherokee Trails offers a sanitary dump station for RVers, and Laura H. notes that at nearby facilities, "They have 50amp service and full hookup sites," which can be convenient for longer stays with horses.
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