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Reviews for Deep Creek Boarding Stable and Camping
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Bryson City, NC

Overall TRAIL RATING with 22 votes:
Overall CAMP RATING with 22 votes:
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Individual Reviews

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Have been trying to make reservations to this place since January 2017 for October 2018. Was told by text that they would not allow any reservations for October 2018 until October 2017. When I noticed people posting they already had their reservations in for October 2018 I inquired and was told by text that those were regulars and they come every year. Now its almost time that I was allowed to reserve and was told that they were booked for the second part of the trip I wanted. When I responded on how that was possible since you said you wouldn't be taking reservations until October 2017 I was told in all caps that he never has said that he have people wait and said TY. I clearly have it in text. It seems he doesn't want anyone new there, a good old boys club. We will never be staying there and I recommend others to move on. I am just glad we found this out before we actually handed our money over.
Reviewed by: veda962 on 9/14/2017 12:00:33 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 9/14/2017 Hometown: ,

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James Clark the owner is the most accommodating and helpful camp owner I have ever seen. When I rolled in with a bad tire he got someone to come out and replace the tire. This is just one example of how he works to make your stay special. The facility is neat and clean with good stalls. All the camp sites are level and the shower house is kept clean. Truly a great place to ride.
Reviewed by: Tim scarbrough on 6/14/2015 2:52:10 PM
More reviews by Tim scarbrough 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/26/2015 Hometown: ,

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The campground is very handy and has everything right where you camp. We were 15' from the horses and loved his watering system. Rode two days in the Smokies and the trails were great and well marked but due to the government shutdown, James showed us some places to ride outside of the park and let us use his trailers to haul out. We did not ride down the road to the trailhead but he had several trailers which we used to haul out. Would love to go back when we can spend the whole week. Bryson City was only two miles away and was a cute little town with everything. Plenty of little shops.
Reviewed by: Sue Berchtold on 10/9/2013 1:40:26 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 9/28/2013 Hometown: Pleasant Plain, OH

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I have stayed with Mr. Clark twice now and I have to say that this is the best riding in the Southeast. Absolutely beautiful. Mr. Clark is an excellent camp host. In the 2 times I've been there, he called because we got a little heldup on the trails which was not his fault. Be sure to take saws, an ax and extra food incase of problems on the trail! We were held up by a tree for 4 hours--but we have a great story to tell! Saw a black bear and turkey which the horses didn't care one bit. It is a ride down the road to a trailhead which was not busy at all and we rode it twice in the dark. Did about 25 miles a day with 1 day of rest inbetween. The bathhouse was awsome for warm showers after we were done not to mention the fire he had going for us. The trailers he provides are adequate and I am very picky about what I let my horse ride in. He even has a turn out area for the horses to stretch out afterwards so they aren't cooped up in a stall after a hard ride. I prefer a campground with more privacy and not so out in the open but I had fun anyways. I will be back!!!
Reviewed by: Jennifer on 10/4/2012 5:44:54 PM
More reviews by Jennifer 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 6/1/2011 Hometown: Clover, SC

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Mr. Clark is a wonderful host and the campground is great. Barn and Stalls are well laid out and roomy. Wash rack is nice. Trails are by far the best trails I've ever been on. Most beautiful place I've ever ridden. That along with Mr. Clark's hospitality makes it the best place I've ever been.
Reviewed by: Susan Dotson on 9/12/2012 5:26:10 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/25/2012 Hometown: Cecilia, KS

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James Clark is a very accomidating campground owner. We had a great time. Trails are clean, interesting and large.
Reviewed by: susan shirley on 8/12/2012 6:07:51 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/12/2012 Hometown: kenly, NC

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To Debbie....I am NOT telling anybody not to stay their. This is a place for reviews...which also means opinions in case you forgot. When we were their, FOUR other trailers left EARLY....I have NEVER had any campgrounds require a nonrefundable deposit for half the stay. Most places require reservations, with a nonrefundable fee most of the time it is whatever a night would be unless it is a holiday weekend. I also ran into his nephew in Bristle Tn. He said that lots of people leave early bc of having to ride the road. He agreed with EVERYTHING that I said. This was our experience, it was a bad one. One that will NOT be repeated bc we will NOT be back. I will not delete this nor aplolgize for anything that I wrote. What I wrote was the TRUTH. This is a review site and that is what I did. Good for you for liking the place. I however have standards.
Reviewed by: Teresa on 8/1/2012 3:18:03 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/17/2012 Hometown: , OH

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To Theresa from Ohio - the reason Mr. Clark requires a deposit is to insure available for campsites for the long waiting list of folks who want to camp there! Since it is a small camp (12 sites), it fills up fast, especially during peak months, October, for example. If you like mountain riding, this area of the Smokies certainly provides all you want and more. As others have said, Mr. Clark is a lifelong resident of the area, and is extremely helpful in planning and accommodating rides. This is crucial, especially for first time visitors. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but please don't discourage others from visiting with your comments. As you can tell from all other reviews, it's a great place to camp and enjoy the beautiful trails in that part of the Park.
Reviewed by: Debi Houston on 7/31/2012 5:38:38 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/23/2011 Hometown: Albertville, AL

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to the review of teresa this is not the truth we were there !
Reviewed by: truthful person on 6/16/2012 1:24:08 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/17/2012 Hometown: , OH

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We will NOT be back. This was the worst campground we have ever stayed at. This place is a dump. Trust me, there is a reason why he asks for a 50% nonrefundable deposit. We left after 3 days (but paid for 7). The quite road that he said you have to ride down to get to the trail head-----28 cars in 1 mile. Not to mention riding on the road and not a dirt or gravel road either. He does have a few trailers there that you can use. They are goose necks and they are so old and rusted out that I refused to put my horses in them. The owner is nice---but what business owner isn't. However, the trails were nice. But we will not be back.
Reviewed by: Teresa on 5/20/2012 8:01:21 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/17/2012 Hometown: Freedom, OH

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My son and I had the pleasure of staying at the Deep Creek boarding stables for four days this autumn.James Clark runs a very nice camp.He is a great host and his facilities are top notch.I would recommend to anyone to stay there.
Reviewed by: Brian Foran on 12/10/2011 8:44:44 PM
More reviews by Brian Foran 		Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 9/12/2011 Hometown: Troy, AL

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The camp is not fancy, but very friendly and functional. Mr James goes out of his way to may your stay pleasant. The trails are gorgeous and some are quite rugged. The creek trails tend to be easier than a "divide" or "ridge" trail. Your horse needs to be shod and in good condition. I will return every summer as long as I am able.
Reviewed by: kamiopony on 9/20/2011 1:57:40 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 6/30/2010 Hometown: Arabi, GA

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This year was our 5th ride at Mr. CLarks. He is the nicest person you will ever want to be aquainted with. Was raised right were he lives. His mother still lives there in the log house of their homestead. The camp is well kept, clean and all the comforts of home. There is a bathhouse, dump station, free fire wood. A wash station for the horses. He supplies wheelbarrows and rakes for the stalls, fire rings and free trailer use if you want to take one off to another trial head. The best trails anywhere!!!!. If you don't know about the trail you pick ask James or his son Jamie if he happens to be in camp. They know every inch of those hills. From steep and challenging, to long wide roads there is something for everyone. Your horse needs to be broke and shod. Lots and lots of water. There are some higher trails with very little water, Thomas Divide is one. The scenery is without a doubt some of the most beautiful in the United States. I have ridden the Bob Marshal wilderness in Montana, which has a breathtaking beauty of its own and this is the closest thing to it you will find and the rates are so reasonable! Just 10.oo a night per stall and 10.oo per night per campsite.Only 1 mile to the closest trail head and others an easy drive. If you want, James will drop you off and pick you back up. If it is your first trip I recommend not going out alone. If you make arrangements ahead of time James or Jamie will be glad to guide you on a ride. We go twice a year and it is never the same twice. Best place hands down!!!!
Reviewed by: sheila on 9/9/2011 6:50:22 AM
More reviews by sheila 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 5/15/2011 Hometown: thomaston, GA

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LOVE MR CLARK, THE HOLD RIDE WAS GREAT, HORSE MUST BE IN SHAPE..HAD LOVELY CAMP FIRE MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE
Reviewed by: TAMMY BASS on 10/16/2010 7:06:54 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 10/11/2010 Hometown: BROOKHAVEN, MS

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We have ridden there many times and love it. James is kind and very hospitable. Trails are the best in the state scenic and wonderful. Stalls are meager but adequate. Horses should be in shape.
Reviewed by: Paul on 10/7/2010 6:33:34 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/20/2009 Hometown: Norwood, NC

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Second stay at Deep Creek. Trails are the prettiest you will ride anywhere but they are tough (not dangerous) so use shoes and pad and make sure your horse is in shape. You can trailer to trailheads but thats not a problem. There are stock trailers to use and believe me its an advantage because you can get to several different trailheads. Mr James Clark is a wonderful man, very helpful and very knowledgable about all the area and trails. Stalls are simple and safe as well as the campground right on the creek. This is a great place.
Reviewed by: Michael Bradley on 9/23/2010 12:02:09 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 9/14/2010 Hometown: Gowers Corner, FL

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my favorite trails i have rode in the smokies...plenty water for horses...they will need it ..they have to work......
Reviewed by: giddyupgal on 6/12/2010 9:04:27 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/10/2009 Hometown: rutherfordton, NC

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This was our first visit to Deep Creek. After a blowout on our trailer and arriving 4 hours late, Mr. Clark had a fire going at our campsite. He was super and the camp was great. Shower and dump station there. Covered stalls with water to each one. Open field for one hour turnout daily if needed for your horse. We camped right on the creek. The Deep Creek trails were only a 20 min ride to the park. They were great and had beautiful views. We trailered to the Tunnel to Nowhere with the stock trailer Mr. Clark has available for his campers use. Those trails were absolutely beautiful. We will go back next spring and I know this will be a place we will return time and time again.
Reviewed by: Steven & Jureda Sprouse on 12/3/2009 12:54:32 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 11/8/2009 Hometown: Jonesville, SC

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Gotta write about "myman" James and Deep Creek. Like many of you I ride all over and really enjoy myself, Deep Creek is really a great place to ride .. water and electric aat all sites .. sewer hookups at 3 sites .. Jame (owner) is a piece of work and is most helpful .. he came to our site to check on us .. helped with Maps and suggested trails .. even drove us to a trail head way off and took the truck and trailer to the other end for us .. we rode 22+ miles to get back .. trails were fantastic .. cannot say enough about it .. restaurants and all are just a few miles away .. we gave the horses a rest after riding 40+ miiles in 2 days and went to the casino at Cherokee to make a deposit .. there is a fantastic tack shop in the area that is impressive .. James can give you directions .. we'll be going back!
Reviewed by: Tom Collin on 9/15/2009 12:50:51 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Winstson-Salem, NC

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The Smokies are one of our favorite places to ride. It is rigorous so your horses should be in good condition. It's also rocky so shoes or boots are a must. The camp is well maintained. Ask for a spot on the river. The only reason I didn't give the camp 5 stars is that it's about a mile from the trail head. He does have trailers he let's you use (free). If you're there for more than a couple of days it's nice to got to different trail heads anyway.
Reviewed by: jtrider on 9/12/2009 6:20:14 AM
More reviews by jtrider 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/20/2009 Hometown: Columbus, NC

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You can't beat the hospitality at the campground!! It's not fancy but perfectly fine. Great deal and super easy to get to - even for longer trailers. Trails are awesome! Easy 20 minute ride to Deep Creek Trail head from camp. Many other trail heads nearby and James has several trailers available for campers to use to trailer to further out (such as Tunnel to Nowhere). Warning: Nolan Devide has a few very challenging spots high up - you'd want a solid horse. But if you want to avoid that kind of challenge, the other trails we took were only moderately challenging but were pretty and fun (lovely look-outs). We took a short loop at the Tunnel one day and those trails were very relaxing and gorgeous (rushing creek, lots of mtn laurel). We plan on going back and staying at Deep Creek again!
Reviewed by: Blaine on 9/7/2009 4:07:13 PM
More reviews by Blaine 		Experience: Expert Ride Date: 9/4/2009 Hometown: Gray, GA

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This was by far the best 4th July riding trip ever! Mr. James is so helpful and is very knowledgeable of the trails. The scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect. I think the warmest day was 83 degrees!! We rode in the morning and the kids were able to go tubing in the afternoon. The fireworks were great to watch from the camp. We were a large group with 4 families, 5 kids, and 12 horses. Mr. James went out of his way to check on us and make sure we had what we needed. He even helped us find a mechanic on a holiday weekend when we had truck trouble. You won't meet anyone nicer. The camp is very simple; on the creek with hills all around. Trailers are available for use free of charge. This is one of our favorite places now. We have already planned a return visit.
Reviewed by: J. Sizemore on 8/5/2009 2:14:00 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/4/2009 Hometown: Barnesville, GA

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James is a great host. Very helpful and knowledgeable. There were 8 in our group with varing riding abilities and we all found trails that were perfect for each of us. We are already talking about going back this fall.The scenery is awsome, lots of water for the horses on the trails.
Reviewed by: Barbi on 7/27/2009 10:59:33 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/19/2009 Hometown: Hayesville, NC

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Awesome trails, campground, and camp host (James). There are many, many trails that will accomodate all levels of rider, horse and trail preference. The best thing to do is ask James (who knows the trails like the back of his hand), or ask other campers who may have been there before. Easy to very challenging (at least for us Northerners from Michigan). Lots to do in the area in the event you and/or your horses need at break. three full hook-up sites with sewer or camp next to the river with electric and water. Very reasonable rates. Free trailer use for those who want to venture to other areas of the park. Free campfire wood. Bryson City (2 miles from camp) has a great laundomat, restaurants, shops and friendly residents.
Reviewed by: Dawn on 7/25/2009 11:42:19 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 6/24/2009 Hometown: Oxford, MI

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Trails are great, well marked and nicely maintained. The campground is adequate!! A step above primitive camping. But James is eager to help with anything. Take your own shavings though as theirs are typically wet. We will return but better prepared.
Reviewed by: Anonymous on 7/10/2009 2:04:21 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/20/2008 Hometown: , NC