Can you reserve a site at Tow String Horse Camp?

Yes, Tow String Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Tow String Horse Camp?

35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Tow String Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tow String Horse Camp.

Are campfires allowed at Tow String Horse Camp?

Campfires are allowed at Tow String Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Tow String Horse Camp, North Carolina — 3 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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 scenic backdrop. 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 mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Tow String 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 also a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles (1287 km) of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Tow String Camp. 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. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. 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

Tow String offers traditional woods camping, perfect for a getaway trip.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Tow String Horse Camp!

Tow String Horse Camp has no electricity or running water (horses can drink from a nearby stream). All campsites have a picnic table, lantern post, and a grill / fire ring. The campground has portable toilets. There are no horse stalls or hitches. Please tie horses to your trailer.

Natural Features

Tow String Horse Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, with a moderate climate characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early 19th century European settlers, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.

Nearby Attractions

The campsite is located just four miles (6.4 km) from Cherokee, North Carolina, which offers groceries and fuel.

The facts

3 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 35 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Horse Camp 001-003

Site types

3 Equestrian Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

3 campsites at Tow String Horse Camp

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
001	Horse Camp 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	6	🐾
002	Horse Camp 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	6	🐾
003	Horse Camp 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

There is no street address for the horse camp.

Tow String horse camp is located 4 miles north of Cherokee, NC off Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441). Turn right at sign for Tow String. Turn left after crossing bridge.

35.53947, -83.29660 · 35°32'22.1"N 83°17'47.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	46	51	59	68	75	80	83	82	78	69	58	49
Low °F	26	29	34	42	51	59	63	61	55	43	33	29
Precip in	4.7	5.0	5.8	4.9	4.7	5.1	5.2	4.2	4.0	3.1	4.2	5.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Tow String Horse Camp

Can you reserve a site at Tow String Horse Camp?: Yes, Tow String Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Tow String Horse Camp have?: 3 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Tow String Horse Camp?: 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Tow String Horse Camp?: Yes, pets are allowed at Tow String Horse Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Tow String Horse Camp?: Campfires are allowed at Tow String Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Tow String Horse Camp

Smokemont Campground 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Smokemont Group Camp 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Collins Creek Picnic Pavilion 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Round Bottom Horse Camp 7.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Balsam Mountain Campground 7.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Deep Creek Group Camp 9.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Deep Creek Campground (NC) 9.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion 9.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clingmans Dome Solar Eclipse Event August 21 2017 11.3 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Oconaluftee Visitor Center 1.9 mi · Facility
Balsam Mt. Campground 7.1 mi · Campground
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center (Milepost 451.2) 10.3 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 828-497-9270
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Tow String Horse Camp