13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cottonwood Patch Campground offers one of the few dedicated horse corral options near Sale Creek, Tennessee. The campground provides horse-friendly camping with on-site corrals for overnight equestrian stays. Tent and RV accommodations are available, with toilets and trash facilities maintained for all campers. The dirt and gravel sites accommodate horse trailers with enough space for proper parking and unloading. Reservations are required for campsite use and access to the horse corrals. Cottonwood Patch maintains a pet-friendly policy, allowing dogs to accompany riders during their stay. The campground shows moderate reviews from previous equestrian campers, with amenities rated at 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Lost Corral Horse Camp in Delano offers additional equestrian camping options approximately 40 miles from Sale Creek. The campground connects to multiple trail systems suitable for day rides of varying difficulty levels. Basic facilities include toilets and trash disposal, though drinking water is not available on-site. The simple, rustic camping experience appeals to serious trail riders looking for direct trail access rather than luxury amenities. Horse owners should bring their own water supply for both themselves and their animals. Both Cottonwood Patch and Lost Corral serve as strategic bases for exploring the broader regional trail networks through the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas. Fall and spring typically offer the most comfortable riding conditions, with summer months often bringing higher humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms.
"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. 😂"
from $8 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $35 - $85 / night
Check Availability"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."
"You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits."
"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."
from $2 - $38 / night
"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 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!"
"A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained."
from $8 / night
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TravelerOffers 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.
LegendThis 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.
GuideLevel 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.
ScoutThis is a campground for horses, you don't have a direct view of the water, but do have access to it
RangerDown 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.
GuideFall 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. 😂
LegendFall 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.
TravelerWe 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!
ScoutVery nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays. 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. Friendly staff at the park office. Nice place!
Fall Creek Falls State Park, located 60 miles northwest of Sale Creek, provides multiple equestrian camping options with over 20 miles of dedicated horse trails. The campground accommodates various camping styles from tent sites to RV hookups within the 26,000-acre state park. Temperatures range from 40-85°F throughout typical camping seasons, with humidity levels increasing during summer months when afternoon thunderstorms frequently occur in this region.
Hiking to waterfalls: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems with impressive cascades. "So many trails, so little time. One of the best hiking parks I've ever been to. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights," notes Myke C., who recommends hiking to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls and swimming in the cascades near the nature center.
Waterfall swimming: The Cohutta Wilderness area provides natural swimming opportunities near camping areas. At Hickey Gap, "There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!" according to John B., making it perfect for cooling off during hot Tennessee summers.
Horse trail riding: For riders seeking trails beyond Sale Creek, multiple networks connect throughout the Cherokee National Forest. Sandra V. describes Fall Creek Falls as having "many hiking trails at all levels of difficulty" with "daily deer sightings," providing varied terrain for riders of all experience levels.
Creek fishing: Many campgrounds offer streamside access for fishing. "A little biased as I know the owner but its great place to stay tons of activities to do right on site!!!" says Alan about Shady Grove, referring to the fishing opportunities in the area.
Quiet wilderness atmosphere: Smaller campgrounds provide secluded experiences. "We were the only campers around and we had an amazing time! Picked a spot right beside a stream. Pretty cold in the mornings but serenity is bliss!" shares Sarah N. about Jacks River Fields Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution around Sale Creek creates ideal night sky viewing. Joseph M. describes his experience at Fall Creek Falls: "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping."
Accessibility to trails: Many sites provide direct access to trail systems. "There's a great trail that connects the campgrounds with the Woodland Trail. Once you've parked at the campground, there's no need to get in your car until you leave!" says Rebecca P. about Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Creekside camping: Several campgrounds offer water-adjacent sites. "Great sites with fire pits," says Lakisha D. about Tennessee Wall Camp, while Mike H. describes Hickey Gap as "a beautiful little spot next to a creek" with five available sites.
Horse facility limitations: Not all equestrian sites near Sale Creek have full facilities. "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," explains Bob P. about Cottonwood Patch Campground.
Bear awareness: Several campgrounds report bear activity requiring proper food storage. "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," warns Mike H. about Hickey Gap.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require traveling on unpaved roads. "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," cautions Mike H. about accessing Hickey Gap.
Varying campground crowds: Occupancy fluctuates seasonally with some sites becoming crowded. "This area is easily accessible but can be packed during prime camping season!" notes John B. about Hickey Gap, while Byron R. observes that Gee Creek Campground is "very quiet" during winter.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer dedicated facilities for children. Sandra V. recommends Fall Creek Falls for novice campers, noting "Modern bathhouses located in each camping area, swimming pool, golf course and restaurant make roughing it easier for those who need more comfort while camping."
Space considerations: Check site size before booking with groups. Andrea S. warns about Fall Creek Falls: "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas. Anna M. notes Gee Creek "has a playground to keep kids entertained," making it good for families with younger children who need activity options beyond hiking.
Family-friendly loop selection: Choose camping loops designed for families. "Campground A & B are great for families with kids. C&D are more quiet," advises Richard F. about Fall Creek Falls State Park, helping families pick appropriate locations.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require additional equipment for RV leveling. Richard F. cautions about Fall Creek Falls: "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out."
Alternative camping structures: Some sites accommodate various camping styles beyond tents. Tessa B. shares about Davis Pond: "We used our truck tent and a fire pit and were super happy with the setup," describing a compromise between RV and tent camping.
Winter facility differences: Services vary seasonally at many campgrounds. "During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers," reports Byron R. about Gee Creek Campground.
Dump station quality: Some parks offer recently improved waste facilities. Richard F. notes Fall Creek Falls has an "Upgraded dump station all asphalt with 6 dumps," a significant consideration for RVers planning longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sale Creek, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sale Creek, 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 Sale Creek, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Sale Creek, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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