Camping near Lenoir with horseback riding

World-class hiking in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains attracts campers to Lenoir.

96% (1812 reviews)
96% (1812 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds near Lenoir with horseback riding

99%
(299)

Waterfall camping close to CLT

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Bessemer City, NC
My Neighbor has started his own Campsite, "The Swimming Hole". If mine is booked up and you still want to camp, look him up. His is better suited for small groups but has much more privacy. We have a new road to the campsite; you can now drive down with two-wheel drive vehicle or RV down and park near your tent! There is plenty of soft sand to set up one tent or ten tents; large groups are welcome for an extra fee. A Porta-Potty is available at the campsite. Swimming is usually possible at the base of the falls; however, large amounts of rain can change conditions and make it unusable. I should also add, this is not a completely private campsite deep in the woods. The camp is visible from a shared driveway, and my residence is up a hill that overlooks the area. Also, I do not own the land on the other side of the stream. Occasionally, the owners of that land will spend a weekend afternoon enjoying the waterfall view also. Still much quieter and more private than a regular campground. Glamping tents and additional camping tents are available through a local company. Look in the pictures for the tent with red, white, and blue balloons. Message me for details. Close to US National Whitewater Center (mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking), Kings Mountain National Military Park (Horseback riding and history), Crowders Mountain (Hiking), 3 miles off of I-85 and US-321 for people passing through.
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$57.60
 / night
99%
(139)

The Human Spirit

1 site · RV, Tent100 acres · Hays, NC
True off-grid, primitive camping in untouched nature with almost 100 acres all to yourself! The entire property is secluded with an amazing view of Stone Mountain. - Perfect for 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, side by sides. - Discover several hidden springs throughout - Firepit provided. Firewood bundles and starter bundles are available for purchase. - You can pull right up to the campsite. - Higher clearance vehicle is recommended (truck, SUV, or crossover), however, 4-wheel drive is unnecessary. Please know the 2-mile road up to the campsite is bumpy and narrow. ~70 minutes from Charlotte ~20 minutes from Wilkesboro ~50 minutes from Boone ~50 minutes from the Winston-Salem area ~30 minutes off I-77 ~30 minutes from Stone Mountain public entrance ~30 minutes from Warrior Creek trails ~10 minutes from Doughton Park trailhead Unplug, recharge, and immerse yourself in untouched nature! A couple of highly recommended nearby restaurant options: (both ~20 minutes from campsite) Roaring River Vineyards - great outdoor atmosphere right on the banks of the Roaring River, pet friendly, entertainment, wine, and beer tasting 493 Brewer Mill Rd, Traphill, NC    Nonna & Pops Mercantile - small sandwich and ice cream shop catered to campers, the homemade focaccia bread is TO DIE FOR 6278 Sparta Road North Wilkesboro, NC
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$55
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99%
(237)

Tiny House in Happy Valley

1 site · Lodging300 acres · Lenoir, NC
I moved here from San Francisco, to simplify my life, and accomplish my dreams. The Tiny house was designed and built by architect, Jesse Plaster. It's a unique cozy loft style design, set back in the woods on our property. It's purposely placed next to a creek, with a nice stone fire ring to really enjoy the outdoors. In the cold months, it's heated by a wood burning stove. Also next to the house are logging roads that allow you to hike the Ripshin Mountains. The Yadkin River is near by, and so is Boone and Blowing Rock. If you like mountain biking, bring your bike to ride Kerr Scott, or Zacks Fork trails. Also, check out the workshops at Pattersonschoolfoundation.org They offer sustainable living classes such as cheese making, mushroom foraging, blacksmithing, soap making, kimchi making, etc...  Also ask about our private Yoga sessions. Last but not least, there is a wood burning private sauna that your able to reserve.Come enjoy our Happy Valley! Mi casa es su casa!
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$105
 / night
99%
(94)

NEW RIVER REDEMPTION

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Jefferson, NC
If you are looking for a secluded campsite deep in the woods, you may want to keep looking. But if you want the ease and peace of a campsite RIGHT ON THE NEW RIVER with everything just steps from your tent, then come out and claim your site! Redemption: To repair or restore. To make good. This campground represents redemption and healing in so many ways. Our hope is that you will find much peace, joy, and adventure here and we promise to do our best to make it everything you expected and more! Numerous large manicured campsites in an open space DIRECTLY ON THE NEW RIVER where adventures abound! Up to 4 guests and 2 tents per site. Newly constructed tiny home provides GLAMPING at its finest! The Liberty cabin shares a space with a few tent sites along the river. With the addition of Liberty, I have limited the number of campers to 4. (Exceptions may be made for holiday weekends). There is plenty of space for everyone and the cabin sits above the tent sites for amazing views and privacy. While HWY 16 can be a bit noisy during busy times, step into the campsites and let the peaceful noise-canceling river serenity whisk you away. Forest views across the river with endless fireflies and stars that light up the night! Zaloo's Canoes, Kayak, and Tubes is within eyesight and will set you up with an amazing float or paddle down river. Plentiful small mouth bass and trout fishing just steps from your site. Outhouse w/washing station. Fire pits at each site as well as a large communal fire pit and picnic tables. Downtown West Jefferson is just 15 minutes away with local breweries, quaint restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, shopping, music, art, and a wonderful farmer's market from May - October. The quaint little town of Lansing, NC is quickly becoming a favorite stop of mine. Check out the Old Orchard Creek General Store, Pie on the Mountain Pizza, the Old Orchard Creek Blueberry Farm, and Molly Chomper for a perfect day in Ashe County. The New River State Park is an easy walk, float, paddle or drive away. This park is absolutely GORGEOUS and impeccably maintained, including hiking trails, public facilities, showers, boat launch and pick up, etc. Just a short drive to multiple Blue Ridge Parkway entry points for ease of access to Boone, Appalachian State University, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Banner Elk, and the Linville Gorge. Mount Jefferson and Grayson Highlands are also just a short drive away for unlimited hiking and incredible mountain views. My personal favorite is hiking with the wild ponies at Grayson Highlands! We have Firewood available for a nominal fee. Just let us know and we will make arrangements to have it ready for you upon arrival. Please respect quiet hours between 10 PM and 8 AM each evening.
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$40
 / night
99%
(352)

Babbling Brook Campground

10 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Moravian Falls, NC
Before the Kerr Scott Reservoir was built, in the 40's and 50's, this neighborhood was a local swimming hole and vacation area. Public buses came from neighboring communities so people could boat, swim, camp, and picnic. While we don't have access to the pond, our part of this land still is calling out to people, 'Come, rest, unload your burdens, and find peace.' When we started this project with Hipcamp, we didn't fully realize that we were reconnecting with the history on this property. So, come, take your shoes off, and wade in the creek. Read a book while laying in a hammock. Sit by the fire and chat with family and friends. Come and participate in our little homesteading project, and leave your burdens behind. LOCAL ACTIVITIES: To the west is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is 30 minutes away. 15 minutes away is Kerr Scott Dam where you can rent kayaks, pontoon boats, as well as other sporting equipment. Fish, go mountain biking on the extensive trails, and hiking. Prayer Mountain is right up the road, about 2 miles away. Heading east, you can find several fine wineries andvineyards that you can visit. There is also a moonshine distillery in town. About a half hour away is an Amish community that has several businesses open to the public, including the Shiloh Bakery and General Store. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. To the northeast, about 45 minutes away, is Stone Mountain. Absolutely fantastic hiking, it is also an old homestead that has been renovated and is open to the public. To the south, there is Rocky Face Park, where there is hiking and rock climbing. Nearby, is Emerald Hollow Mine, where you can go and find, and keep, precious stones you find in the nearby river. There is also a great disk course course, Highland Hills Disc Golf Course, one of the top 25 in the country. There is fun for all ages. Merlefest, the last weekend of April, is a world class Bluegrass festival, is located right in our town. Be sure to look at the activities section below for additional information.
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$49
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94%
(9)

The Henhouse on BeulahLand Farm

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Vilas, NC
I have lived here at Beulah Land for thirty five years. My husband and I moved here in 1987 to pursue a slower more purposeful form of life with our four young sons and my 97year old Grandma. In the ensuing years, after Grandma passed away, we took care of my Mom for five years. I had always wanted to live on a farm, so over those decades, we raised and cared for flocks of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, a milk cow, meat cows, sheep, goats, pigs, bunnies, ferrets, iguanas, lovebirds, cockatiels and just about every other kind of animal you can keep as a pet! We have a lot of wonderful memories of that life, but thirty five years later, things are very different. My ex husband and I are happily divorced and best of friends- he sometimes rents a room in the summer to get away from the heat of the Southern California desert! He runs a hostel in Slab City from September to May and also rents out spaces on Airbnb! You will know him if he’s around by his big white beard. He looks like Santa Claus. He’s a good egg. My farm has about an acre of level land and another acre of hillside. The Henhouse campsite is situated up against the hill where there is a pretty rocky cliff overhang. It is located about twenty five or thirty yards from Brushy Fork Creek which runs the length of my property. It is a shallow creek, not much more than a few feet deep in any spot, but fun for creek walking. I cannot promise you will not see a water snake from time to time but I have never seen a poisonous snake on this property in thirty five years years. When you come across the bridge onto Beulah Land Lane (my driveway) you are on a long concrete drive that runs all the way down to my house which is at the end of the driveway. I have tried to include accurate pictures to depict the location because I don't want anyone to be disappointed- There is no big red barn with a silo- there used to be a barn, but it fell down one winter afternoon with a crash under the weight of a big snow, But that’s another story. The campsite is actually on the spot where the barn used to be. There are no farm animals or crops of anything but flowers. :-) There are no fields of wheat or hay, except across the creek on a five acre strip of land which is between the creek and Highway 421. You might see a tractor over there, ploughing up the field in the spring for hay or field corn. You can hear cars on the highway but at night its pretty quiet. I do provide ear plugs for anyone who needs them! We used to build dams all along the creek to make it sing at night. You are welcome to do the same. There will be no hayrides in the fall. (though I do know an awesome place you can go for one) Now, I live here with a few good folks who share the space with us. It is a serene and quiet spot in a lovely valley. The campsite is built around the former outbuildings which have been repurposed, so it is not in the woods. Depending on the weather, it might be warm in the tent during the day, but the Henhouse is shady and almost always a breeze blowing. We have a two story Guest House between my house and the Henhouse. It has two small apartments in it. Neither one of them are worried about a little noise at the campsite. As a matter of fact they both love to play for my guests from time to time- John builds banjos and plays several instruments! His style is primitive bluegrass and he’s been known to break out the instruments for a jug band so everyone can play along! Sam is an eclectic “crooner” who I believe should have a world stage and also plays several instruments! He works at a nearby winery where he plays music and also is a Somalier. If you let me know ahead of time, they really do try to accommodate coming out and singing a few songs around the bonfire with you. Tips are more than welcome. If you look through the pictures, I hope you can get a good idea of what to expect. If you need something you are more than welcome to come up to the main house. I usually do a walkabout in the morning with my coffee so if you're up, I'll probably check on ya. I hope I have presented a clear and accurate description here of what to expect!Learn more about this land:Back when my four boys were growing up, Beulah Land was a working farm where we home schooled and raised a big garden to feed our four hungry boys. as well as edible flowers and herbs to sell to local restaurants. We had every kind of farm animal we could get our hands on: horses, a milk cow, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, goats, sheep, bunnies and a veritable zoo inside the house! Now the boys are gone and as things in life tend to do, my little farm has evolved. What you will find these days is a serene place of rest on the banks of Brushy Fork Creek just five miles north of Boone, The Henhouse at Beulah Land Farm- GLAMPING at its best! A safe private campsite- you are the only campers! We have two wonderful musicians who live in my little guest house- they often do impromptu concerts for us! A very DIFFERENT vacation experience awaits you at The Henhouse at Beulah Land Farm. As you arrive you will find your own little wonderland at The Henhouse- I live at the other end of the property in a hundred year old farmhouse. Walk through the arbor past your picket fence and survey your sweet little campsite. It is a self contained area set up against a cliffside on Beulah Land Farm with a seventeen by seventeen foot army tent, a private outdoor shower and best of all, your own Henhouse Outdoor Kitchen! The whole campsite is strung with fairy lights which create a charming ambience in the evenings And my guests love coming home to it all lit up after a long day of sightseeing or tubing or playing in the mountains. The Henhouse is literally our eighty year old chicken house- which has been remodeled and repurposed as an open air outdoor kitchen. It is completely outfitted with everything you could possibly need in the way of dishes, pots and pans, utensils and even staples for making PANCAKES on your own camp stove. You are also provided with a large cooler for food . For clean up, you will find a basket of dish towels and a dish rack to use when you finish washing your dishes in the big galvanized tub which sets just a few feet away, under the pump faucet. At night, the Henhouse is well lit with strands of Edison bulbs which cast a rosy glow that is bright enough to play games. You might want to set up the old croquet set and play like they used to back in the nineteen twenties! When I researched the history of my home, I was told that it was a community gathering place. The neighbors used to come down here after church in carriages and the ladies in their long dresses would stroll around the lawn and play croquet. Your tent Is covered with a 20 by 30 foot tarp that allows you to keep the windows open rain or shine. It has a super comfy queensized bed made up with soft cotton sheets and blankets. A second bed can be set up for parties of four. You will appreciate the power strip for recharging your phones and computers and the box fans! Several lamps inside the tent create a nice ambience at night. Being in the valley, there is usually a breeze and even the warmest days almost always end in cool mountain evenings. Fall weather can be chilly- it’s hard to predict because sometimes it can be warm, but there are piles of blankets to keep you warm and cozy! Please take time to check the weather before you come and pack accordingly! For your outdoor showering pleasure, enjoy our Pig Pen shower. Thats right. I said Pig Pen. Back in the days I was homeschooling my four sons, our first pig pens were EPIC FAILS! We would be doing school on the couch and hear “Snort Snort” and there would be our two pigs looking in at us with their feet on the window sill. So, finally, we built a concrete pig pen! Much to the boys disappointment, they never came calling again. At the time we were studying the legends of King Arthur. So we decided to name all the pigs after the knights of the round table. Naturally, we called the pig pen, “Hamelot". Well, like the Henhouse, Hamelot has now been repurposed! Silly Hand painted pigs in the shower enclosure will remind you of Beulah Land’s bygone days. Step out of the shower into your own private fenced in enclosure with it’s little garden of flowers and tomatoes! Help yourself! In the back of camp there’s a private porta potty for your use. Behind the Pig Pen is the old Horse Shed. We built this for our old pony, Buck, to get away from the wind and the snow during one of our iciest winters. And do you know what he did? He went up to the top of the hill and stood there with his head down leaning into the wind!! Eventually he did grow to appreciate his little house, and spent quite a bit of time in the old shed. His bit and bridle still hang there. It now functions as a woodshed to keep your firewood nice and dry. Some other amenities of the Henhouse at Beulah Land include a croquet set, a big bonfire ring and Brushy Fork Creek which runs the entire length of our property- it is a lovely shallow tumbling creek. I have made every effort to create a completely outfitted, serene space for you to find not only an inexpensive SAFE and easy “glamping” vacation in a lovely sustainable environment, but a place of rest and peace. Come to the mountains and find your “quiet” again!.
Potable water
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$45
 / night
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Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Lenoir with horseback riding guide

Overview

Explore the untamed wilderness of eastern North Carolina from a Lenoir base camp. Set in the Lower Creek Valley near the Catawba River, Lenoir is filled with cultural attractions like sculpture parks, wineries, and the Edgar Allan Poe House and flanked by hilly forests and creeks. Campers find four seasons of outdoor fun nearby, where popular activities include kayaking along picturesque Wilson Creek, hiking to the top of Hibriten Mountain, and fishing in any of the region’s hundreds of water courses. Many of Lenoir’s best campsites and cabin rentals, both rustic and furnished, are conveniently located near top spots like South Mountains State Park and Pisgah National Forest.

Where to go

South Mountains State Park

Enjoy a rustic backcountry experience at South Mountains State Park, about an hour’s drive from Lenoir. Featuring 40 miles of woodland trails, visitors can hike its hilly terrain, backpack to discover its 80-foot tall waterfall, or fish for trout in its clear mountain streams. Trot along equestrian trails or test your mountain biking prowess along cycling paths. The park offers year-round activities with campgrounds and RV parks close by.

Hibriten Mountain

A celebrated Lenoir landmark, Hibriten Mountain is on the western edge of the Brushy Mountains. The summit stretches 1,000 feet above surrounding green landscapes and beckons climbers to hike to the top to enjoy its majestic views. In addition to hiking, the mountain is a popular hang gliding destination and site of annual 5K and 10k marathons for charity. Nearby cabin rentals and campsites afford visitors plenty of options for camping.

Pisgah National Forest

Just 30 minutes from Lenoir, Pisgah National Forest is a must-visit destination for hikers and kayakers. Wilson Creek spills over rocks and hills, offering postcard-worthy views to visitors. Park visitors enjoy activities like swimming, fishing, tubing, and hiking to witness park marvels like Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and Moore Cove Falls. With nearby RV parks, tent campsites, cabin rentals, and family-friendly campgrounds, the national forest features accommodations for all types of campers and glampers.

When to go

With its foothills location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir offers outdoor excitement year-round, with peak camping season between April and October. During mild winters, the region attracts hardy backpackers to its nearby national and state recreation areas. Campers will find lots of accommodations to choose from, including luxury furnished cabins, rustic cabins, amenity-rich campgrounds, and RV parks with convenient sewer, water, and electricity hookups. Many of these sites are close to restaurants and supply shops selling camping and fishing gear.

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