BADIN HORSE CAMP
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or fees.
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 11:40AM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC
The combination of extremely dry fuels, gusty winds, and reduced relative humidity will lead to an increased risk of wildfires through early this evening. Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. Additionally, exercise caution if operating any equipment that could create sparks, and keep vehicles off of dry leaves and grass. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly. A statewide burn ban issued by the North Carolina Forest Service is currently in place. Open burning of any kind is illegal.
Temporary Road Closure Alert: Curtis Creek Road
Curtis Creek Road will close starting Monday, March 30, just past the Newberry Creek Road intersection, to build a boulder wall that will stabilize the roadway following Hurricane Helene. The closure is needed to reopen Curtis Creek Campground by mid May.This 6-week repair project is a partnership…
Great Lakes Boat Launch- Temporary Closure
The Great Lakes Boat Launch will be closed for the safety of the public and fire crews during Prescribed Burn operations in Jonas County on Tuesday, March 24th.
Elk River Falls Temporary Re-Closure
Temporary Closure: Elk River Falls AreaClosure Order Closure Order MapStarting March 18, the Elk River Falls Area will be temporarily closed on the Pisgah National Forest. This includes closing the Elk River Trail, Elk River Falls and Elk River Road within the closure area in Avery County. The…
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) Closure
Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) on the Nantahala Ranger District will be closed until October 2026 for road improvements. The closure will extend from the intersection of Cowee Bald Road (NFSR 70) to the intersection of Barkers Creek (NFSR 7062). Access to Cowee Bald will only be available from Macon…
Winter Weather Alert
As North Carolina prepares for Winter Storm Gianna, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service urges the public to use extreme caution when visiting the state’s four national forests.Winter weather conditions can make visiting the forest unpredictable and dangerous, even for…
Roan Mountain Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are now in effect for the Roan Mountain area of Appalachian Ranger District due to heightened fire danger caused by Hurricane Helene. The fire restriction is in effect on all National Forest System land from Hughes Gap to Doll Flats on the Appalachian Trail.This…
Pisgah National Forest Driving Safety Alert
Please use caution as you travel in and around the Forest. We have a lot of heavy equipment and repair crews in the area working on roads damaged during Hurricane Helene. Up to 2,000 tons of gravel are being placed EVERY DAY on our Forest Service roads through the summer and fall. That's around 60…
Paint Rock Closure
Effective through May 1, 2035, certain National Forest System lands in the Paint Rock area, located on the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest and the Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest, will be closed to protect cultural resources.This closure is intended to…
Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap
The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9). The detour is mapped…
Kings Mountain Point Fishing Pier Closure
The fishing pier at Kings Mountain Point Day Use Area on the Uwharrie National Forest is closed till further notice due to storm damage. The Day Use area remains open and the three smaller accessible fishing platforms are available for public use.
I-40 Corridor Forest Closure
For the protection and public health and safety for the Interstate 40 reconstruction, a closure is in place for National Forest Service lands and roads south of the I-40 corridor in the Appalachian Ranger District. This includes areas south of Slick Rock Branch drainage, the area west of the Pigeon…
Pisgah Camping Limitations
The following act is prohibited within 1000 feet of a road open to public vehicle travel on the Pisgah Ranger District in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in North Carolina.Camping is prohibited in any area not designated as a campsite depicted on the attached map. This…
Max Patch Restrictions
Restrictions on camping, fires, animals, aircraft and bicycles in Max Patch area.
About
Badin Horse Camp, also known as Old Horse Camp, is a primitive dispersed camping area in the Uwharrie National Forest designed specifically for equestrians. Located in an open field along Mullinix Road, the campground provides horse tie-outs and serves as a convenient base camp for riders exploring the extensive Badin Lake trail system, which offers over 40 miles of designated horseback riding trails through the rolling hills of central North Carolina. This is a truly primitive camping experience with no facilities whatsoever. Campers must arrive in self-contained RVs or horse trailers capable of independent operation, as there is no water, electricity, toilets, or trash service on-site. Campers are required to pack out all trash or dispose of it at the dumpster located at nearby Canebrake Horse Camp. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations and no fees. The Uwharrie National Forest's horse trail system is accessed directly from the campground, making it an ideal spot for multi-day trail riding adventures. The trails wind through hardwood forests and offer a scenic and challenging riding experience in one of North Carolina's most popular equestrian destinations.
Directions
From Troy, take NC Highway 109 North through Uwharrie to Mullinix Road, just past Macedonia Church. Turn left onto Mullinix Road, go past a small bridge, and the horse camp will be on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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