Can you reserve a site at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, Anthony Creek Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?

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

Are pets allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp.

Are campfires allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?

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

Anthony Creek Horse Camp, Tennessee — 3 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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!

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. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from Anthony Creek via the Cades Cove Loop Road.

Facilities

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!

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Charges & Cancellations

• If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund.

• Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

The facts

3 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 24 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Sites 001-003

Site types

3 Equestrian Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

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

Book on Recreation.gov

3 campsites at Anthony Creek Horse Camp

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001	Sites 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
002	Sites 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾
003	Sites 001-003	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	24 ft	6	🐾

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. Follow signs to Cades Cove.

The horse camp is accessed through the back of the Cades Cove picnic area, through an unlocked gate.

35.60223, -83.76640 · 35°36'8.0"N 83°45'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 82°F in Jul, down to 47°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	47	51	59	69	74	79	82	81	77	68	59	50
Low °F	26	29	35	43	51	59	63	61	56	44	34	29
Precip in	5.6	4.9	5.3	5.2	5.1	5.5	6.1	4.4	5.0	3.3	4.4	5.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.6 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 Anthony Creek Horse Camp

Can you reserve a site at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?: Yes, Anthony Creek Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Anthony Creek Horse Camp have?: 3 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?: 24 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?: Yes, pets are allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp?: Campfires are allowed at Anthony Creek Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Anthony Creek Horse Camp

Cades Cove Group 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cades Cove Campground 0.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Abram's Creek Campground 9.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Look Rock Campground 9.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elkmont Group Camp 10.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Appalachian Clubhouse 11 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elkmont Campground 11 mi · Campground · we watch it
The Great Smoky Mountains Firefly Viewing Lottery 11.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Spence Cabin 11.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Archived Firefly Event Lottery 11.2 mi · Permit · we watch it
Cades Cove Visitor Center 4.5 mi · Facility

Contact

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

Anthony Creek Horse Camp