BADIN HORSE CAMP
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or fees.
Appalachian Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
Our staff on the Appalachian Ranger District, in cooperation with partners and volunteers, have made great progress clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene on the Pisgah National Forest.
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
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.
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.
Grandfather Ranger District Hurricane Helene Updated Closures
The following recreation sites and trails remain closed:McDowell County:
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).
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.
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.
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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