Bristol Fields Horse Camp
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations required.
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
Bristol Fields Horse Camp is a primitive equestrian campground located on Fires Creek in the Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest. Designed specifically for horse campers, the facility offers 6 campsites total: 4 single sites and 2 double sites, all equipped with horse tethering posts. The campground serves as a gateway to approximately 19 miles of designated horse trails and numerous forest roads in the scenic Fires Creek area. The rustic setting provides basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site, but no potable water is available so campers must bring their own. The campground is situated along Fires Creek, offering a natural water source for horses. Riders can access the Bristol Trail and Fires Creek Rim Trail system directly from camp, exploring the beautiful Tusquitee Mountains with opportunities to traverse high elevation balds and scenic mountain vistas. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis year-round, Bristol Fields charges $8 per night for single sites and $16 for double sites. Interagency Senior/Access passes provide a 50% discount. The remote location requires travel on gravel Forest Road 340 for several miles, making it ideal for experienced horse campers seeking a backcountry experience in the southern Appalachians.
Directions
From Hayesville, take SR 1307 for 3 miles to SR 1300, go 5.7 miles to SR 1344 (FR 340). Go 7 miles on FR 340 (gravel road).
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $8 - $16 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| sm.fs.tusquiteerd@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (828) 837-5152 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!