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Tow String Horse Camp

NPSNational Park Service — Cherokee · North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

AgencyNPSNational Park Service
AreaGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
LocationCherokee · North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · 35.53947, -83.29660 · Map
Sites3 public sites counted from the federal listing — 3 equestrian nonelectric
Getting a siteReservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below.
HookupsElectric at 0 of 3 sites
Water hookups at 0 of 3 sites
Sewer hookups at 0 of 3 sites
Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 3 sites
Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way.
Max RV lengthLongest reported site fits 35 ft
Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 3 sites · 30 ft: 3 sites · 35 ft: 3 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites
Months openNot in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov.
FeesIndividual 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.
Check-in / outIn 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing)
AccessibilityN
Phone828-497-9270

Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →

This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-08-14.

From the official listing

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.

Directions, from the listing

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.

Nearest federal campgrounds

NPSNational Park ServiceSmokemont Campground
1 mi straight-line · Cherokee North Carolina
NPSNational Park ServiceSmokemont Group Camp
2 mi straight-line · Cherokee North Carolina
NPSNational Park ServiceCollins Creek Picnic Pavilion
3 mi straight-line · Cherokee North Carolina
NPSNational Park ServiceRound Bottom Horse Camp
7 mi straight-line · Cherokee North Carolina
NPSNational Park ServiceBalsam Mountain Campground
7 mi straight-line · Cherokee North Carolina

Trip Card — Tow String Horse Camp

Cherokee · North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

AgencyNPS · National Park Service
LocationCherokee · North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
FeesIndividual 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 excee…
Getting a siteReservable
HookupsNone reported
Max RVUp to 35 ft
Months openNot in federal data
Sites3 sites

Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232481 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.