Anthony Creek Horse Camp

For Tennesseans, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an unparalleled wilderness experience, a vast playground of forests, streams, and majestic peaks. For those who share their adventures with their equine companions, the park provides dedicated horse camps that serve as gateways to an extensive network of trails. Anthony Creek Horse Camp, nestled within this iconic national park near Townsend, TN, stands as a testament to primitive, nature-immersed camping for equestrians. It’s a place where the focus is firmly on the trails and the raw beauty of the Smokies, offering a rugged yet rewarding experience for horse owners.

Anthony Creek Horse Camp is a unique destination for those seeking to truly connect with the wilderness on horseback. Unlike more amenity-rich campgrounds, this site emphasizes a back-to-basics approach, providing essential facilities while allowing the surrounding nature to be the primary draw. Reviews from experienced campers highlight the excellent trails accessible directly from the camp, and the overall experience of "woods camping in a tranquil setting." While it presents specific challenges, particularly for navigating larger trailers, it offers an authentic, high-traffic trail experience within the national park for those prepared for a more rustic adventure.

Anthony Creek Horse Camp is strategically located on Anthony Creek Trail, Townsend, TN 37882, USA. This address places it directly within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at the far end of the popular Cades Cove Picnic Area. This location is paramount to its appeal, as it provides immediate and direct access to some of the park's most renowned horse trails and scenic areas.

To reach Anthony Creek Horse Camp from Townsend, Tennessee, visitors will take Highway 73, following signs towards Cades Cove. The horse camp is accessed through the back of the Cades Cove picnic area, via an unlocked gate. While the general location is accessible, it's important for prospective campers to note the nuances of navigating to and within the campground. Reviewers mention that turning around trailers, especially those longer than 24 feet, can be "very difficult" and "almost impossible if you didn't have all 3 campsites reserved." This suggests that while it's in a prime location for trail access, the internal layout requires skillful maneuvering for larger rigs.

Despite these navigation challenges, the location is a significant draw. It's a short walk from the Cades Cove Campground, Group Campground, and Picnic Area, meaning amenities like a camp store (at Cades Cove Campground), bicycle rentals, and historic structures along the Cades Cove Loop Road are relatively close. The camp's elevation at 1,800 feet offers moderate temperatures, making it pleasant for camping through much of the year, and ensures picturesque mountain ranges and streams set the backdrop for your horseback riding adventure. The direct access to the Anthony Creek Trail, which leads to popular destinations like Spence Field and the Appalachian Trail, solidifies its status as a premier equestrian basecamp.

Anthony Creek Horse Camp operates as a primitive horse camp within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This means its services are focused on providing fundamental needs for equestrians and their horses, rather than extensive amenities found at private campgrounds. Key services and facilities include:

• Campsites: The campground has three designated campsites, each accommodating up to six people.
• Horse Accommodations: Each campsite is equipped with a hitching post or horse stalls, allowing campers to secure their horses overnight. It's important to note that horses must be kept in stalls and not tied to trees.
• Tent Pads: Each site includes a tent pad, picnic table, and a fire ring/grill for cooking and campfires.
• Pit Toilets: The campground provides basic, non-flush "pit toilets" housed in permanent buildings.
• Water for Horses: Water for horses can be collected from the nearby stream, as there is no running water directly at the campsites.
• Potable Water Access: Potable drinking water for humans is available from a campground spigot located approximately half a mile away, at the main Cades Cove Campground or Picnic Area.
• Waste Management: Refuse containers are provided for proper trash disposal.
• Food Storage: As it is a bear habitat, strict rules apply to food storage; all food and scented items must be kept in a sealed vehicle or solid camping unit when not in use.
• Firewood: Only heat-treated, certified firewood can be brought into the park, or campers can collect dead and down wood within the park. Heat-treated wood is also available for sale at concessioners like the Cades Cove Campground Store.

It is crucial for campers to be self-sufficient with their own drinking water and be prepared for primitive restroom facilities, as showers are not available within the national park's campgrounds.

Anthony Creek Horse Camp stands out for several key features that appeal directly to the dedicated horse-camping enthusiast and those seeking an authentic wilderness experience:

• Direct Trail Access: The paramount highlight is the immediate access to an extensive network of horse trails, including the Anthony Creek Trail which leads to significant destinations like Spence Field and intersects with the Appalachian Trail. This allows equestrians to begin their rides directly from camp.
• Primitive Woods Camping: The camp offers a true "primitive-woods camping" experience, appealing to those who desire a rugged, immersed-in-nature adventure away from modern distractions.
• Tranquil Setting: Despite being a popular area, the camp itself is described as a "tranquil setting" for woods camping, offering a peaceful base for relaxation.
• Beautiful Natural Surroundings: The campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, streams, and boasts changing seasonal beauty, from spring wildflowers to vibrant fall colors.
• Bear Habitat: The presence of wildlife, including bears and turkeys, adds an exciting and authentic wilderness element to the camping experience.
• Proximity to Cades Cove Attractions: While primitive, the camp's location near the Cades Cove Picnic Area provides access to the popular 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, historic structures, and a camp store for basic supplies.
• High Traffic Trails (for Horses): While one review notes the trail is "terrible for horses" like a "dry creek bed," another suggests the trails are "excellent!" and well-maintained. This indicates a challenging, yet highly rewarding, trail system for experienced riders.
• Reservation Required: The fact that reservations are required (via Recreation.gov) ensures a dedicated spot, which is essential for horse camps.

These features underscore its appeal to experienced equestrians who prioritize trail access and a genuine wilderness experience.

As a campground operated within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Anthony Creek Horse Camp does not typically offer "promotions or special offers" in the commercial sense. Pricing is standardized by the National Park Service. However, the inherent "offer" or value proposition of camping here includes:

• Affordable Access to a National Park: Compared to private campgrounds, national park campgrounds often offer a more economical way to stay directly within a protected and highly scenic area.
• Unrivaled Trail Access: The primary value is the direct, unhindered access to miles of horse trails, which is a priceless commodity for equestrian enthusiasts.
• Group Reservations: While a review mentions difficulty with trailer turnarounds unless "all 3 campsites reserved," this hints at the possibility of reserving the entire small campground for a private group, offering a unique group camping experience with added space and privacy.

Reservations for Anthony Creek Horse Camp are required and can be made up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Fees vary by season and site size. It is advisable to book well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as there are only three sites available.

For reservations or specific inquiries about Anthony Creek Horse Camp, use the official National Park Service reservation system and contact information:

• Address: Anthony Creek Trail, Townsend, TN 37882, USA (Located within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, via Cades Cove Picnic Area)
• Reservation Phone: 1-877-444-6777 (Recreation.gov)
• Park Information Phone: (865) 448-4103 (Cades Cove Ranger Station/Campground Office - for general inquiries or late arrival notifications)

Remember that direct contact with the park office is primarily for operational questions, while all reservations must be made through Recreation.gov.

For Tennesseans, particularly those with a deep love for horses and a desire for authentic wilderness experiences, Anthony Creek Horse Camp in Townsend is an exceptionally suitable, albeit demanding, destination. Its primary appeal lies in its unparalleled location directly within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For local equestrians, this means immediate access to hundreds of miles of designated horse trails, eliminating the need for long trailering drives to trailheads. The ability to ride directly from your campsite into the heart of the Smokies is a unique and invaluable opportunity that few other locations can offer.

While the campground is described as primitive and presents challenges for large trailers, this ruggedness can be a draw for seasoned local campers who appreciate a less commercialized, more immersive natural experience. It caters to those who prioritize the adventure of the trail and the raw beauty of the wilderness over extensive amenities. The tranquil setting and the constant presence of nature, including wildlife sightings, offer a profound escape from daily life, allowing Tennesseans to truly disconnect and recharge in their own backyard.

The fact that it is part of the National Park system also means it offers a consistent, managed experience, albeit with national park rules. For locals who are intimately familiar with the region and the demands of mountain terrain, the challenges of trailer maneuverability or the "dry creek bed" nature of some trails might be less daunting, viewed as part of the authentic adventure. Anthony Creek Horse Camp provides a unique niche for Tennessee's horse-owning community, offering a direct, no-frills gateway to some of the most spectacular equestrian trails in the southeastern United States.