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Best Equestrian Camping near Elm City, NC

73 Reviews

Medoc Mountain State Park Campground features a dedicated equestrian campground for horse owners in Hollister, approximately 40 miles from Elm City. The equestrian camping area requires campers to bring horses, as indicated by its designation as "Horse Required." The campground provides electric hookups including both 30-amp and 50-amp options for RVs and trailers. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with sites specifically designed to accommodate both horse trailers and camping equipment. The park maintains numerous equestrian trails that connect directly to the campground for convenient access. Reviewers note the park's great trails and equestrian facilities are well-maintained with clean restrooms and hot showers available.

The extensive trail system at Medoc Mountain State Park provides multiple options for riders seeking varied terrain and scenery. Several miles of designated horse trails wind through the wooded landscape, offering access to the park's natural features including Fishing Creek. Trail riders can explore over 10 miles of trails throughout the park with routes suitable for different experience levels. The equestrian trails remain separate from mountain biking paths in many areas, providing a safer riding experience. Water access points along Fishing Creek allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. The campground's location approximately 10 miles from Interstate 95 makes it accessible for travelers with horse trailers seeking overnight accommodations while traveling through eastern North Carolina. Camp hosts and rangers maintain a visible presence throughout the park, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for equestrians.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Elm City, North Carolina (5)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Elm City, NC

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Elm City, NC

73 Reviews of 5 Elm City Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2023

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Over-Priced Parking lot !

    I have stayed there twice over the past couple years.  The only changes to this Campground are the Prices !!  ..which keep going up (to $35 day now).  For this, you get a parking space with full hookups.. that's it, no Amenities whatsoever!

    It's pretty much a "Camper Trap", because there are so few options in the North Carolina Piedmont.  Spaces are tight, a lot of the people there are long-term workers, that totally ignore any "Dust" decorum, speeding through the area as if they were on public streets!

  • Joy B.
    Mar. 19, 2022

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Plain Jane Camping

    This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites. Most sites appear to be fairly level; we did have to use blocks on one side. There are no amenities so you must be fully self-contained. There seem to be quite a few long-term campers. Campground is quiet and security staff very friendly. Equestrian facility is next door. Sites are first come first serve; no reservations.

  • J D.
    May. 21, 2021

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    $30/night RV/campers/busses

    Water, sewer, electrical hook-ups It's a pretty relaxing spot. Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover.

  • J
    Apr. 30, 2022

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Camping in two locations

    The actual address is 801 Youth Center Drive. One camping location is up in the woods behind the horse complex. The other is on the actual fairgrounds property along Youth Center Drive. These are less desirable unless you are doing an event on the fairgrounds and want to be closer.

  • Liz C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2025

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Basic and affordable

    No amenities, but the price reflects that. Conveniently located to everything this area offers. Fun to check out whatever is happening at the fairgrounds and the horse complex is across the street. Big rig friendly but you might need to park your your truck/road a ver short walk away if you have a very large rig. The issue here is lack of oversight. There are security folks, but only if you call and request them. There is trash pickup, but no other staff anywhere. So people break the various rules often. Mainly they stay longer than 14 days. There were squatters when we were here one time - about 5 rigs and they wouldn’t leave and had no reservations. They were gone two weeks later when we came back (state troopers and Raleigh PD had to get involved).

  • Cannon W.
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Medoc Mountain State Park Campground

    Get place to get away

    Not far from the Roanoke River and right around the corner from Halifax, this spot is perfect for getting away from it all. Walking trails along the mountainside with small bridges over a creek offer a scenic view. Gazebo with grills and bathrooms are located a small walk from the tent sites.

  • R
    Sep. 29, 2017

    Medoc Mountain State Park Campground

    It isn't a real mountain...

    A small (only 34 spots) but relatively new (or refurbished) state park. Our site required minimal leveling. Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches. The camp hosts were visible and attentive. Unlike other NC State Parks, the bath house seemed quite new and was spacious. Showers were hot and had great water pressure. Half the sites have electric, none have individual water. There are communal water spigots throughout the campground, but they don't easily allow hose connections, so be sure to fill your water tank before arriving (there's no potable water at the dump station, either). LOTS of hiking and horse trails throughout the park. The mountain biking trails were closed during our visit. Limited cellphone coverage (3G was spotty). The Ranger and local Sheriff made several drives through the park. Overall, another top-notch experience at an NC State Park.

  • K
    Aug. 4, 2021

    North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    Great place if needing to be in Raleigh

    I live in Raleigh and use this campground if I need a place to work on the rig or staging before going out for months at a time.  Full hookups are available at all sites and very convenient to downtown Raleigh.  Check-in is simple and you can pick your own spot.  Most weekends have a horse show next door.

    Only cons are the sites are grassy and can get swampy when wet, and not very level.

Guide to Elm City

Medoc Mountain State Park offers equestrian camping facilities approximately 40 miles from Elm City, North Carolina. Located in the northern Piedmont region at elevations between 220-325 feet, the park features gently rolling terrain that creates varied riding experiences throughout the seasons. The modest elevation changes provide gentle climbs rather than steep trails, making it accessible for riders of all experience levels.

What to do

Paddle Fishing Creek: Canoeing opportunities extend beyond just hiking at Medoc Mountain State Park Campground. "We also conoed down the creek. The creek is about 2.5 miles long and took us only 2 hours to paddle," notes reviewer Caroline G.

Mountain biking: Trails at William B. Umstead State Park Campground offer options for cyclists seeking variety. "Consider bringing your bike with you too!" suggests Daniel P., while another visitor notes that Medoc Mountain State Park is "nice for mountain bikers" according to Stacey S.

Group camping excursions: Medoc Mountain accommodates larger parties with dedicated areas. "I came here with a large group and really liked it! We were all crammed into the 4 large group sites," writes Melinda J., highlighting the park's ability to handle group outings.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Sites at equestrian campgrounds near Elm City maintain good separation. "The sites are very wooded and quiet," reports Kristen W. about nearby B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area, which features similar wooded camping experiences.

Clean facilities: Beyond the trails, campers appreciate the amenities. "Bathroom facilities with hot showers located near every loop," notes J D. at Falls Lake, while at Umstead, "Showers, bathrooms, and running drinking water is nearby" according to Sydney S.

Level camping pads: Horse campgrounds in eastern North Carolina typically feature well-designed sites. "Our site required minimal leveling. Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches," writes Rick S., emphasizing the accessibility of campsites even with larger rigs and horse trailers.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging. "No cell service! 😀" notes RENEE D. about Medoc Mountain State Park, which can be either a blessing or inconvenience depending on your perspective.

Water tank preparation: Plan for your water needs carefully. "There are communal water spigots throughout the campground, but they don't easily allow hose connections, so be sure to fill your water tank before arriving," advises Rick S.

Surrounding area limitations: Some visitors find the regions around horse campgrounds in eastern North Carolina to have limited amenities. "Outside the park was sketchy so make sure you have all you need," cautions William R., suggesting visitors arrive prepared with necessary supplies.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly hiking options: William B. Umstead State Park provides accessible trails for younger hikers. "There are multiple trails, for varying skill level," notes Samantha P., making it adaptable for different ages and abilities.

Bike-friendly campgrounds: Children can safely explore the campgrounds. "My girl rode her bike around the campground and it was perfectly safe," shares Becqui M., describing her experience camping with her teenage daughter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elm City, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elm City, NC is Medoc Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 25 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elm City, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Elm City, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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