federalfederal

ROUND BOTTOM HORSE CAMP

federal · Cherokee, NC

DirectionsCall
  • dump station7.0 mi
  • fuel station7.6 mi

NPS Photo · Data Source: Recreation.gov

About

Overview 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! 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. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities. 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. Facilities Round Bottom offers a traditional outdoor camping experience You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp! 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. Nearby Attractions Cherokee, North Carolina, located about 13 miles away, offers fuel and grocery stores.

Around this stay

Nearest surrounding services and recreation within ~25 mi — not on-site amenities.

  • dump station

    NPS

    7.0 mi
  • fuel station

    Energy Fuels

    7.6 mi
  • grocery

    Soco Groceries & Meat

    9.0 mi
  • potable water

    Potable water

    11 mi
  • trailhead

    Beech Gap Trail Trailhead

    0.6 mi
  • attraction

    Cataloochee Valley - Elk Watching

    5.9 mi

Contact & access

Source and verification

Last verified: 10/6/2026

See the Sources tab for provenance detail.