3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camp Winery offers tent camping with access for horses, providing a relaxing camping experience set among tree-lined sites. The property lies close to several regional trails where riders can exercise their horses. Open fields adjacent to the camping area provide space for horses to move around when not in use on the trails. The grounds feature drinking water for animals and humans, fires are permitted with designated fire rings at each site, and picnic tables are available for campers. Tent and RV accommodation options are available at this establishment, though there are no dedicated horse corrals mentioned in the facilities list.
Equestrian trail access remains limited near Damascus, with most developed equestrian facilities requiring travel to neighboring regions. Bull Run Regional Park, located approximately 35 miles from Damascus in Centreville, Virginia, provides additional camping options with more amenities, though without dedicated horse corrals. The campground includes electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities that accommodate both tent and RV campers throughout the year. The lack of dedicated horse facilities in the immediate Damascus area often leads equestrians to bring portable corral panels or use high-line setups at general campgrounds. Trail riders should contact individual campgrounds directly to confirm current horse policies and determine if temporary containment systems are permitted.
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
Available this weekend
from $34 - $90 / night
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $150 / night
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk."
from $30 / night
from $22 - $100 / night
from $10 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
ScoutI am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
TravelerNice clean and open sites but we stayed in the 400 section which was separate from the main campground. Very easy check in. Did it online and just pulled up to the little shack they have and grabbed our packet. We didn’t use the bathhouse but it was very clean. A little older and could probably use a little updating. The campground is only a mile and a half from town which was awesome and direct access to battlefield trails right there. The only complaint we had was the WiFi was awful. Maybe it was because of the section we were in but once the campground filled up it was useless.
Equestrian camping near Damascus, Maryland offers options for riders seeking trail access in Maryland's rolling Piedmont region. The area sits at approximately 650 feet elevation with a moderate climate suitable for year-round camping. Summer temperatures typically reach highs in the 80s while winter lows rarely drop below 20°F, making spring and fall particularly favorable for horse camping excursions.
Trail riding beyond Damascus: While direct trail access in Damascus is limited, nearby Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania offers extensive riding opportunities. "We've been here a few times and only choose this campground. Everyone from the campers to the staff are inviting and friendly. Artillery Ridge is close to the battlefields and has all the fun of larger campgrounds," notes Cathy D. about Artillery Ridge Campground.
Explore historical sites: The region's rich Civil War history provides educational opportunities while camping. "Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts. So close to history," explains MJ B. about the historic significance of Gettysburg Campground, located about 35 miles from Damascus.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access for when you're not riding. "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site," shares Justine I. from Artillery Ridge Campground, while Jenny P. mentions "Great spot. Nice creek with ducks" at Gettysburg Campground.
Proximity to DC attractions: Many campers appreciate the ability to combine countryside camping with urban exploration. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat," reports Josh J. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Nature viewing: Wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience in the region. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates. Moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC," notes Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good standards for comfort during horse camping trips. "Very nice staff and clean facilities. Bathhouse is updated and clean. The RV sites are gravel and pretty level," writes Zack about Artillery Ridge Campground, while Nurse N. reports about Cedarville State Forest: "Clean sites include table and fire pit. Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm."
Tick prevention essential: Wooded areas around Damascus require tick protection for humans and horses. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently. Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it!" warns Nurse N. about Cedarville State Forest, while Kasey M. adds: "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions affect camping quality throughout the year. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," shares Roberta K. about Bull Run Regional Park, which operates year-round.
Site selection matters: Campground layout can significantly impact your experience. "W arrived late at night and finding our site was easy. Very spacious sites and awesome views of the forest," reports Charyssa G. about Bull Run Regional Park, while Kelly J. notes about Gettysburg Campground: "we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river."
Structured activities: Many campgrounds offer organized entertainment for children. "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares Ben G. about Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Water recreation options: Swimming facilities provide relief during summer horse camping trips. "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt," explains Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites offer learning experiences for children. "We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield," details MJ B. about staying at Gettysburg Campground while exploring the historic area.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for varied terrain when bringing RVs for equestrian camping. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds accommodate large rigs better than others. "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem," cautions Nurse N. about Cedarville State Forest.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad," reports Jim G., though he notes "the sites are quite packed together."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Damascus, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Damascus, MD is Camp Winery with a 5.0-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Damascus, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Damascus, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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