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Attention: Anthony Creek Horse Camp was modified in June of 2012. The old hitch rack was replaced by a new vault toilet and a 4-horse stall is located at each campsite. Trailers longer than 24 feet may no longer be able to access the camp.

ANTHONY CREEK HORSE CAMP, TN

Status: Open through Tue Nov 12 2013   Season Dates
3 site(s) found
ALL (3)
EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC (3)

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.

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. 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.

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.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
  • Birding
  • Fire Rings
  • Hiking
  • Horse Stalls
  • Horseback Riding
  • Vault Toilets
  • Wildlife Viewing
Less Than 1000 Feet
  • Picnic Area
Less Than 1 Mile
  • Bike Rentals
  • Dump Station
  • Fishing
  • General Store
  • Historic Sites
  • Horse Rentals
  • Horseback Riding Trails
  • Host
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Pay Phone
  • Riding Stable
  • River Access
  • Trails
Know Before You Go
  • Bear Habitat!!
    • All food and items used to store or prepare food, including coolers, MUST be stored in the trunk or cab of your vehicle/s at all times when not in use.
    • Dispose of garbage promptly in bear-proof dumpsters.
    • This rule is strictly enforced!


  • Firewood Quarantines are in effect!
    • The possession of any firewood originating from any location for which a federal or state firewood quarantine is in effect is prohibited. The movement of firewood into the park from counties adjacent to the park for which a federal or state quarantine is in place is prohibited even if the quarantine allows for movement within the county.
    • Firewood which bears a USDA certificate or which is purchased from a park concessionaire is allowed.
    • The National Park Service STRONGLY discourages the movement of firewood from location to another.
    • More details are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/firewood-alert.htm
    • This rule is strictly enforced!


  • There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park.
  • Quiet hours are in effect from 10 PM to 6 AM. Generator use is restricted to 8 AM to 8 PM.
  • Fires are allowed in fire rings only.
  • A reservation is required for all horse camps and you must have a horse to camp here. A maximum of 6 people and 4 horses may occupy a campsite. All horses must be accompanied by a negative Coggins test. The park stay limit is 14 consecutive days.
  • Stalls are provided but may not be visible from your campsite. Check the site page for details. Horses may not be tied to trees.
  • With the exception of Big Creek, horse camps do not have potable water.
  • A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
  • Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
  • For additional park information call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm

    • Getting There:

    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
    35.60028, -83.76722
    35°36'1"N, 83°46'2"W

    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.


    Contact Information:

    Mailing Address:

    ANTHONY CREEK HORSE CAMP
    c/o Cades Cove Ranger Station

    10042 Campground Drive


    Townsend TN 37882

    Phone Number:

    Information: (865)436-1261

    Special Events:

      The events listed here are not intended to be an all inclusive list. Please contact the park for further details.

    • Bicycle Only Days runs from May through September, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10 a.m. During this time, cars are not permitted on the Cades Cove Loop Road. This season's Bicycle Only Days are from May 08 2013 to Sep 25 2013