Young Branch Horse Camp
Open — Open year-round. The campground recently reopened in December 2025 following improvements to Citico Creek. First-come, first-served with $15 per site payment via fee tube on-site.
Scioto Shooting Range Safety Closure December 30
Forest Service staff plan to conduct hazard tree mitigation at the Scioto Shooting Range on December 30. The range will be closed on December 30 while crews address hazardous trees at the site. Shooting will not be allowed at Scioto Shooting Range on December 30.
Little Sylco Project closes portion of FS 221
The US Forest Service plans to disrupt access to portions of FS 221 beginning Nov. 10 south of Parksville Lake while permanent water crossing repairs are completed to improve access across the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County.
Little Milligan Boat Ramp Temporary Closure Planned
Temporary closure for Little Milligan Boat Ramp Recreation Area is planned to start in the fall of 2025 for visitor health and safety during logging operations. A specific start date for the closure is to be determined.
About
Young Branch Horse Camp is a primitive equestrian campground situated along Citico Creek in the Cherokee National Forest, Monroe County, Tennessee. Designed specifically for horse camping, the facility provides 25 individual horse stalls and a communal corral that can accommodate up to 10 horses if they are compatible. The campground features 7 campsites with a maximum capacity of 5 people per site and 35 people total for the entire campground. This is a primitive pack-in, pack-out facility with no potable water available on-site, though horses have easy access to Citico Creek for watering. The campground is equipped with vault toilets and picnic tables at each site. All visitors must be prepared to pack out their trash and dispose of horse manure in provided bins before departure. Food storage restrictions apply throughout the Tellico Ranger District, requiring all food and beverages to be stored in bear-proof containers, locked vehicles, or hard-sided campers when not being consumed or prepared. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the Little Citico Horse Trail Complex and is accessible via Forest Road 35, a single-lane gravel road. Located approximately 19 miles from Vonore and 28 miles from Tellico Plains, Young Branch offers a remote equestrian camping experience in the heart of Cherokee National Forest. Horses must be kept in designated areas including corrals, stalls, or trailers and are not permitted to be tied to trees or allowed in open grassy areas.
Directions
From Vonore: Follow Highway 360 south 7.2 miles to County Road 455. Continue on County Road 455 for 9 miles to Forest Road 35 (single lane gravel road). Take FR 35 for 3.5 miles. The campground will be on your right. From Tellico Plains: Travel east on Highway 165 for 1 mile. Turn left onto Highway 360 for 14 miles. Turn right onto County Road 455 and continue 8.9 miles to FR 35. Continue for 3.5 miles. The campground will be on your right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (423) 476-9700 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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