Winesprings Horse Camp

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis at $10 per night per site. The camp area is gated with a combination lock. No potable water available on-site.

About

Wine Spring Horse Camp is a primitive equestrian camping facility located in the Wayah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. The campground features 6 designated camping sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and tethering area specifically designed for horses. The camp area is gated with a combination lock for security. The Wine Spring Trail System offers 15 miles of horse trails, including Wine Spring Trail #379A and Rocky Bald Trail #379B, each forming a 7.5-mile loop. The Wine Spring Loop crosses Goat Bald at 4,800 feet elevation, a large wildlife opening that provides spectacular views to the west of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Chilhowee Mountains in Tennessee. Some sections of the trails are located on Forest Service roads and may have periodic administrative and logging traffic. This is a primitive camping area with no potable water available on-site, so campers must bring their own water supply. Horses should not be tethered to trees or allowed to damage tree bark. Fires are permitted only in designated fire rings. Pack-in, pack-out waste management is required. The campground costs $10 per night per site.

Directions

From Franklin, take US 64 West and turn right at the Wayah Bald directional sign. Immediately turn at Loafer's Glory gas station onto Wayah Road for approximately 10 miles and turn right onto Forest Service Road 711, the first paved road on the right past Wayah Gap (1.6 miles from Wayah Gap). Continue 4.5 miles to Wine Spring Horse Camp. From US 19, turn east on Wayah Road (SR 1310) at the Nantahala River Launch Site, go approximately 12 miles, turn left onto FS 711, and continue 4.5 miles to the campground.

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