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State Park
Tow String Horse Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Cherokee, NC
Verify with the state park system
State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.
Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
Reserve or permit
- Reserve on Recreation.gov
Book a site directly with the operator.
Verify by phone or mail
- Operator:828-497-9270
- Address:Mailing address is c/o Oconaluftee Ranger Station, 60 Enloe-Floyd Bottoms Road · Cherokee, NC · 28719
Live availability
via Recreation.govSee every open campground nearbySame dates & filters, across the whole area
Availability is a recent snapshot, not a live hold — you always complete the booking on recreation.gov.
About
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 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!**
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 from Cherokee, North Carolina, which offers groceries and fuel.
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Amenities
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in 1:00 PM
Check-out 12:00 PM
Pet Policy
Pets allowed on leash
Campground Rules
- Campfires generally permitted — verify current fire restrictions before lighting
Individual Sites (3)
In this park
Trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Tow String Horse Camp
Chambers Cemetery Access
Tennessee
0.6 mi
Trail
Tow String Horse Trail
Tennessee
2.2 mi
Trail
Smokemont Stables Trail to Towstring Horse Trail
Tennessee
0.7 mi
Trail

Mingo Falls Trail
North Carolina
0.3 mi213 ftgain
TrailModerate
Mingus Creek Trail
Tennessee
1.6 mi
Trail

Mount Noble Fire Tower
North Carolina
4.5 mi1,959 ftgain
TrailDifficult
Nearby Campgrounds
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