Anthony Creek Horse Camp
Anthony Creek Horse Camp is located near the gently rolling waters of Anthony Creek. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Anthony Creek never disappoints. You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Anthony Creek Horse Camp!
More like this: reservable in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 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 | 24 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). |
Anthony Creek offers primitive-woods camping. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. Potable water is available from the campground spigot, about 1/2 mile away, and water for horses can be collected from the nearby stream. However, visitors must bring their own drinking water. The nearby Cades Cove area offers additional amenities. You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Anthony Creek Horse Camp!
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Maryville, TN: Take U.S. 321 North (you'll actually be driving south!) from Maryville to Townsend, TN (about 22 miles). At the traffic light in Townsend, continue straight on TN 73 and follow signs to Cades Cove. From Pigeon Forge, TN take US 321 South (you'll be driving westerly) to Townsend, TN. Turn left (south) at Townsend onto TN 73.
| Nearest town | Townsend, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 35.6022° N, 83.7664° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Cades Cove New Dump Station ↗ | 0.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | GSM Outfitters ↗ | 11 mi |
| RV sales & service | A&L RV Sales ↗ | 27 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Dispersed Site - Scoria Pit, ND from Anthony F.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 14.7 miJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 19,246 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
- James McCampbell BarnBuilding · Townsend · 4.5 mi
- Minnis McCampbell BarnBuilding · Townsend · 4.5 mi
- John F. Shea HouseBuilding · Townsend · 5.2 mi
Natural features
Anthony Creek Horse Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, pristine streams and rivers and clear blue skies that set the backdrop for your camping and horseback riding adventure. At 1,800 feet elevation, Anthony Creek provides a moderate climate, typified by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves the rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. The mountains have a long human history spanning thousands of years, from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early European settlements 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 all the people who once called these mountains home.
Recreation
With access to several of the Smokies' popular horseback riding trails, equestrians will never be bored. Anthony Creek Trail intersects the campground and takes travelers up Bote Mountain, a 3,000 foot altitude gain. Although the trek is fairly strenuous, the trail is one of the most popular in the area due to the extraordinary views. For access to the Appalachian trail, visitors can take the Anthony Creek Trail to either the Bote Mountain Trail or the Russell Field Trail, both of which intersect with the Appalachian Trail. During spring, stopping to see the pink Mountain Laurel blooms on Spence Field is a must for anyone in the area. The nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, providing recreational activities for the entire family. 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. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States.
Nearby
The Cades Cove Campground, Group Campground and Picnic Area are located just a short walk away, providing additional camping for larger groups without horses. The area offers a popular 11-mile loop road, where campers often bike and hike. A camp store offers basic supplies as well as bicycle rentals, and three historic churches are all located along the loop. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
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 Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
Sites at Anthony Creek 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 Anthony Creek 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 Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Anthony Creek Horse Camp have?
3 sites, including 3 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 24 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
Are there showers or a dump station at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
There are no hookups or showers at the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Anthony Creek 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 Anthony Creek Horse Camp?
Townsend, Tennessee. The Cades Cove Campground, Group Campground and Picnic Area are located just a short walk away, providing additional camping for larger groups without horses.
Source: Getting there
What if Anthony Creek Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cades Cove Group (0.3 mi), Cades Cove Campground (0.6 mi), and Abram's Creek Campground (9.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Anthony Creek Horse Camp in?
Anthony Creek Horse Camp is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.