North Carolina / Swain County / Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Round Bottom Horse Camp

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates April through October. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Round Bottom Horse Camp offers a unique equestrian camping experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located at 3,060 feet elevation along Straight Fork-Round Bottom Road near Cherokee, North Carolina, this specialized horse camp provides access to nearly 550 miles of horse trails throughout the Smokies. The campground features 5 equestrian campsites, each with horse stalls, fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites can accommodate up to 6 people, 4 horses, and 2 vehicles, with a maximum RV length of 35 feet. Campers must bring their own horses and provide proof of current Coggins testing. Stalls are provided for horses, and campers are responsible for cleaning stalls and disposing of manure before departure. The surrounding landscape features picturesque mountain ranges, pristine streams, and diverse wildlife including black bears. The campground provides access to excellent backcountry fishing and some of the most scenic horseback riding in the eastern United States. Note that this campground does not have potable water, showers, or hookups of any kind. Campers must bring adequate water supplies. Strict food storage regulations are enforced due to bear activity. Only certified heat-treated firewood or dead and down wood collected in the park may be used for campfires.

Directions

From Cherokee, NC: Take US 441 north. Just before entering the park, turn right at last traffic light onto Acquoni Road. Go one block, across river, and turn left onto Big Cove Road. Go 9 miles to a tee. Turn right and go 0.9 mile to the end of the pavement. Take the gravel Straight Fork-Round Bottom road, adjacent to a trout rearing facility, 3.5 miles to the horse camp.

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