Round Bottom Horse Camp
Saddle up your horses for a camping trip in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the North Carolina portion of the park, this campsite offers miles of horse trails with a breathtaking backdrop. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Round Bottom never disappoints. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp!
More like this: reservable in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 5 |
Site guide
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). |
Round Bottom offers a traditional outdoor camping experience You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp!
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
There is no street adddress 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 last traffic light onto Acquoni Road. Go one block, acorss river, and turn left onto Big Cove Road (marked by detour sign). Go 9 miles to a tee.
| Nearest town | Cherokee, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.6155° N, 83.2119° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Black Balsam Outdoors ↗ | 16.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 32.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Cherokee National Forest, which overlaps National Forests in North Carolina.
- inCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oconaluftee Baptist ChurchBuilding · Cherokee · 6.9 mi
- Tyson McCarter PlaceBuilding · Gatlinburg · 11.1 mi
- Messer BarnBuilding · Gatlinburg · 11.6 mi
Natural features
Round Bottom Horse Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, pristine mountain streams and rivers and clear blue skies that set the backdrop for your camping and horseback riding adventure. At 3,060 feet elevation, the campground provides a moderate climate, typified by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history. The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years, from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early European settlement in the 1800s to loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees in the 20th century. The park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes, and artifacts that tell the stories of people who once called these mountains home.
Recreation
With access to several of the Smokies' popular horseback riding trails, equestrians will never be bored. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, offering over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from the picnic area. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Nearby
Cherokee, North Carolina, located about 13 miles away, offers fuel and grocery stores.
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
Sites at Round Bottom Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Round Bottom Horse Camp have?
5 sites, including 5 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Round Bottom Horse Camp?
With access to several of the Smokies' popular horseback riding trails, equestrians will never be bored. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Round Bottom Horse Camp?
Cherokee, North Carolina. Cherokee, North Carolina, located about 13 miles away, offers fuel and grocery stores.
Source: Getting there
What if Round Bottom Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Balsam Mountain Campground (4.1 mi), Cataloochee Horse Camp (5.5 mi), and Smokemont Group Camp (6.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Round Bottom Horse Camp in?
Round Bottom Horse Camp is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.