Horse Riding and Camping

Got a horse? You can explore miles of forest roads and trails in North Carolina’s national forests. If you like camping with your horse, several places offer camps with trails nearby.

Badin Lake vicinity: In Uwharrie National Forest, the 40-mile Badin Lake trail system offers multi-day horseback-riding opportunities. You can park for day rides in the field beside Badin Horse Camp off Mullinix Road. Just off the trail system, Canebrake Horse Camp provides overnight facilities for you and your horse. The most developed horse camp in the North Carolina’s national forests, Canebrake offers showers, restrooms, electrical hookups and a horse-washing station.

Barnardsville vicinity: In Pisgah National Forest’s Big Ivy area, high-elevation trails form 16 miles of interconnecting loops. Spend the night at one of 10 designated dispersed campsites along Forest Road 74.

Brevard vicinity: The Trace Ridge area of Pisgah National Forest, located between North Mills River and the Cradle of Forestry, offers numerous designated horse trails and forest roads for multi-day rides.

Wolf Ford Horse Camp is located off Yellow Gap Road about three miles northeast of the Cradle of Forestry in America Visitor Center. This 14-site camp provides access to many miles of equestrian trails in the South Mills River area.

Wash Creek Horse Camp is a group reservation site located five miles northeast of North Mills River Recreation area. It offers access to equestrian trails in the North Mills River, Trace Ridge and Wash Creek areas. For information about reservations, call Pisgah District at 828-877-3265.

Bryson City vicinity: Try Tsali Recreation Area, in Nantahala National Forest for an easy, scenic day ride. Each day, half of the 42 designated trail miles are open to horses and half are open to mountain bikes.

Franklin vicinity: Two horse-trail complexes in Nantahala National Forest offer riding experiences at elevations above 4,000 feet. Southwest of Franklin, more than 20 miles of designated horse trails are located in the Standing Indian area. You can set up camp at Hurricane Creek for nightly fee. Fifteen miles west of Franklin, you can ride 15 miles in the scenic Wine Spring area on designated horse trails. The adjacent Wine Spring Campground offers five sites equipped with horse-tethering areas. Reservations are required; for information, contact Nantahala Ranger District.

Hayesville vicinity: Ride right out of Bristol Horse Camp onto a network of forest roads and 19 miles of horse trails in the Fires Creek area north of Hayesville.

Harmon Den vicinity: The 10 campsites at Harmon Den Horse Camp, accommodate up to four horses and eight people each. Each site has a horse stall, and water and vault toilets are available