NPS · North Carolina

Round Bottom Horse Camp

Cherokee CDP, North Carolina · Coordinates 35.61546, -83.21192

Sun streams through the trees over Balsam Mountain Road
Photo: NPS Photo. Data source: Recreation.gov · source
Individual sites imported5
ReservationAccepted
Maximum RV length35 ft
ElectricNot verified
WaterNot verified
PetsNot verified

About this campground

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.

Data interpretation: campground-level amenity flags mean the amenity is reported somewhere in the campground—not at every site. “Not verified” is intentionally different from “No.”

Source and freshness

Sources: Campsite Atlas plus authenticated Recreation.gov RIDB enrichment, moderated camper reports and verified park submissions where shown
RIDB synchronized: 10/20/2026, 2:09:58 PM
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The twelve questions campers actually ask

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Price and extra fees

Official source · Recreation.gov RIDB · verified Oct 20, 2026Report / correct
Fee statusFees charged

Official fee notes: 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.

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Booking and arrival

Imported data · Recreation.gov campsite data · verified Oct 20, 2026Report / correct
ReservationsAccepted

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Check-in / check-out1:00 PM / 12:00 PM
Late arrivalNot verified
Self check-inNot verified

Check-in time comes from individual campsite records on Recreation.gov; confirm with the facility.

Late-arrival policy has not been verified. Call ahead before arriving after office hours.

RV compatibility

Official source · Recreation.gov RIDB · verified Oct 20, 2026Report / correct
Maximum RV length reportedUp to 35 ft
Pull-through / back-in sites0 pull-through · 5 back-in
Big-rig friendly (40 ft+ with pull-through or 45 ft+ driveway)Not verified

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Real campsite photos

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Campground photos (rights-verified)0
Site-level camper photos0

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Amenities

Official source · Recreation.gov RIDB · verified Oct 20, 2026Report / correct
ElectricNot verified
WaterNot verified
SewerNot verified
CampfiresSome sites
Shaded sites5
Sites5

Campground-level flags mean the amenity is reported somewhere in the campground, not at every site.

Quietness

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Quietness indicatorInsufficient reports (0 of 3 needed)
  • 0 moderated noise reports; at least 3 are needed before an indicator is shown.
Quiet hoursNot verified
GeneratorsNot verified
Sites in a designated quiet areaNone documented

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Cell signal & internet

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Remote-work readinessUnknown
Campground Wi-FiNot verified

No carrier or speed reports yet. Tower locations are not presented as proof of coverage. · Report / correct

Pet rules

Official source · Recreation.gov RIDB · verified Oct 20, 2026Report / correct
DogsNot verified
CatsNot verified
Pet feeNot verified
Breed / size limitsNot verified
Leash ruleNot verified
Dog walk / off-leash areaNot verified · Not verified

Accessibility

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Campsites flagged accessibleNone documented
  • Step-free site access: information unavailable
  • Accessible restroom: information unavailable
  • Accessible shower: information unavailable
  • Firm, stable pathways: information unavailable
  • Short distance to facilities: information unavailable
  • Accessible parking: information unavailable
  • Accessible picnic table: information unavailable
  • Accessible trail: information unavailable

Facility-level features and individual-site accessibility are listed separately; one accessible amenity never makes the whole campground accessible.

Road access

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Road surfaceNot verified
DifficultyNot verified
High clearance / 4WDNot verified · Not verified
Seasonal accessNot verified
Camping permissionVerify current rules with the agency

Official directions: 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. Turn right and go 0.9 mile to the end of the pavement. Take the gravel Straight Fork-Round Bottom road, adjacent to a trout rearing facility, 3.5 miles to the horse camp. From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (US 441 South) towards Cherokee, NC. Exit the park into Cherokee and turn left at the first traffic light. Go one block, across river, and turn left onto Big Cove Road (marked by detour sign). Continue with directions above.

Road access never implies camping permission; motor-vehicle maps and directions are not legal authorisation.

Weather and restrictions

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Closure statusNot verified — check the managing agency

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Recent camper reports

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Authenticated RIDB data

Individual campsites

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Campsite API
001Horse Camp 001-005 · EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC · Drive-In
Max vehicle 35 ftEntry Back-InDriveway UnknownSite size UnknownElectric UnknownWater UnknownSewer UnknownShade FullPets UnknownCheck-in 1:00 PM
002Horse Camp 001-005 · EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC · Drive-In
Max vehicle 35 ftEntry Back-InDriveway UnknownSite size UnknownElectric UnknownWater UnknownSewer UnknownShade FullPets UnknownCheck-in 1:00 PM
003Horse Camp 001-005 · EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC · Drive-In
Max vehicle 35 ftEntry Back-InDriveway UnknownSite size UnknownElectric UnknownWater UnknownSewer UnknownShade FullPets UnknownCheck-in 1:00 PM
004Horse Camp 001-005 · EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC · Drive-In
Max vehicle 35 ftEntry Back-InDriveway UnknownSite size UnknownElectric UnknownWater UnknownSewer UnknownShade FullPets UnknownCheck-in 1:00 PM
005Horse Camp 001-005 · EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC · Drive-In
Max vehicle 35 ftEntry Back-InDriveway UnknownSite size UnknownElectric UnknownWater UnknownSewer UnknownShade FullPets UnknownCheck-in 1:00 PM
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Noise & quiet

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