Saddle up and embark on an unforgettable camping trip in one of America's most treasured landscapes—the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the North Carolina portion of the park, Round Bottom Horse Camp offers equestrian enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty and rich history of this region on horseback. With miles of scenic horse trails and an environment steeped in Southern Appalachian culture, this campsite is an equestrian paradise that blends adventure with tranquility.
A Scenic Haven for Horse Riders
Round Bottom Horse Camp is nestled at an elevation of 3,060 feet, providing campers with a moderate climate that ranges from mild winters to hot, humid summers. The campsite is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, pristine streams, and clear blue skies, creating an idyllic setting for your horseback riding adventure. Whether you're exploring trails blanketed in vibrant spring wildflowers or riding through forests ablaze with vivid fall colors, the scenery at Round Bottom is nothing short of spectacular.
The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world-renowned for its incredible diversity of plant and animal life, as well as its ancient mountain landscapes. As the most visited national park in America, it offers visitors a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural significance. Round Bottom Horse Camp is your gateway to this remarkable wilderness, where the sights and sounds of the Southern Appalachian Mountains are waiting to be discovered.
Rich Cultural History
The Great Smoky Mountains are not just a haven for nature lovers; they also preserve a rich cultural tapestry that spans thousands of years. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early European settlers in the 1800s, and from the loggers to the Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees in the 20th century, the park is a living museum of human history. Round Bottom Horse Camp places you right in the heart of this cultural heritage, allowing you to explore the historic structures, landscapes, and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Essential Information for Campers
Round Bottom Horse Camp is designed exclusively for equestrian campers—meaning you must have a horse to camp here. This ensures that the campsite maintains its focus on horseback riding and offers a specialized experience for equestrian enthusiasts. The campsite provides access to numerous trails that weave through the lush forests and along the sparkling streams of the Great Smoky Mountains, giving riders an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the natural world.
Plan Your Equestrian Adventure
Whether you're a seasoned rider or a novice looking to explore the mountains on horseback, Round Bottom Horse Camp offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and adventure. The camp's location within Great Smoky Mountains National Park ensures that every trail leads to new discoveries, from stunning vistas to quiet moments by the river.
Prepare your horse, pack your gear, and get ready to experience one of the most beautiful and historically rich areas of the United States. At Round Bottom Horse Camp, the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains is yours to explore, one trail at a time.
Directions:
There is no street address for the horse camp. Round Bottom Horse Camp is located about 9 miles NW of Cherokee, NC.
From Cherokee, NC: Take US 441 north. Just before entering the park, turn right at the last traffic light onto Acquoni Road. Go one block, across the river, and turn left onto Big Cove Road (marked by a detour sign). Go 9 miles to a tee. Turn right and go 0.9 miles 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.
From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (US 441 South) towards Cherokee, NC. Exit the park into Cherokee and turn left at the first traffic light. Go one block, across the river, and turn left onto Big Cove Road (marked by a detour sign). Continue with the directions above.
Facilities and Amenities at Round Bottom Horse Camp
- Equestrian trails
- Fire Pit
- Horse Stall/Corral
- Picnic Table
- Pets Allowed
- Pit Toilets
- Trailheads
Cost Details:
- Equestrian Nonelectric - $30.00
Notes:
- Round Bottom offers a traditional outdoor camping experience.
- You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp!
- Beginning March 1, a valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite.
- Caution: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be kept in a sealed vehicle or camping unit of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. All scented items, as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in the dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food, and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
- Dispose of garbage promptly in bear-proof dumpsters. This rule is strictly enforced!
- You MUST have a horse to camp in a horse camp. All horses must have a current Coggins test. A maximum of 6 people and 4 horses may occupy a campsite. Campers are responsible for cleaning their stalls before departure and placing waste in a manure trailer.
- Fires are allowed in fire rings only. Important Information: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced. Horse feed is also covered by food storage regulations.
- Pets are allowed in the horse camp but must be on a leash at all times and not left unattended. Pets are not allowed on trails.
- Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park.
- There are no showers or electric, water, or sewer hook-ups in the park.
- Quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generator use is restricted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Stalls are provided but may not be visible from your campsite. Check the site page for details. Horses may not be tied to trees.
- Except for Big Creek, horse camps do not have potable water.
- A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
- Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
- For additional park information call 865-436-1200.
- For campground inquiries, please call: 865-436-1261 OR 828-497-9270
If you want to discover and explore other campsites and horse trails, here are some of them that you may visit:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Balsam Mountain Trail to Appalachian Trail Junction
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Polls Gap-Rough Fork Tr to Caldwell Fork Tr
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Hyatt Ridge Loop Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Enloe Creek Trail
Round Bottom Horse Camp does require reservations for overnight accommodations. Please visit their page here on Top Horse Trails - Round Bottom Horse Camp for more information