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Best Equestrian Camping near Gatesville, NC

29 Reviews

Northwest River Park & Campground features equestrian trails accessible to campers with horses. Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, the park maintains riding paths with water access points for horse watering. Campsites accommodate tents, RVs, and cabin stays with electric hookups, water connections, and sanitary dump facilities available. The park operates seasonally from April 1 through November 30. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided at each site, and shower facilities are available for campers. The campground experiences occasional flooding in sites closest to wetland areas, particularly during heavy rainfall. Most campsites lack privacy between units, which creates a social camping atmosphere.

Trails within Northwest River Park connect to the broader natural area where riders can access several miles of paths suitable for different riding abilities. Trail riding opportunities include wooded sections along the river and more open terrain. The park offers firewood for purchase at $6 per bundle, and staff conduct regular campground checks. Trailer parking is available near equestrian-designated sites. The campground typically remains quiet at night despite reaching full capacity on holiday weekends. Bathrooms and shower facilities are consistently clean and well-maintained. Advance reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak season. Campers should contact the park directly rather than using third-party reservation systems to avoid communication issues when modifying bookings.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Gatesville, North Carolina (2)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Gatesville, NC

1 Photos of 2 Gatesville Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Gatesville, NC

29 Reviews of 2 Gatesville Campgrounds

  • Elizabeth V.
    Aug. 25, 2019

    Northwest River Park & Campground

    Hometown fun

    I have spent my childhood here and I am excited to share it with my kids. We hike here when visiting grandparents. Chesapeake Public Park’s does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus.

  • K
    Sep. 3, 2021

    Blackwater Birds and Bees

    Secluded stay next to river

    Site was shaded, private, and right next to the river, so we had our own private access for swimming and bathing. Plenty of room for several tents and lots of parking space. Plenty of land to walk around and check out the farm.

    Bathrooms were very clean and just a short walk from the site. Hosts are friendly and generous, especially with the use of the kayaks. We took kayaks out on the pond and the river and caught lots of fish!

    They're building a farm store and allowed us to shop during our stay.

  • Cliff M.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Chesapeake Campground

    Great inner city campground

    This is a former KOA, I stayed here years ago when it was a KOA, and have spent considerable amount of time here fairly recently. They cater mostly to monthly campers, and aside from allowing some small decks to be built next to the RV's, it otherwise looks very clean. They do keep a few sites open for transient campers. If you need to stay for a duration in the Norfolk-Va Beach area (we're talking months), this is the place to be! Several sites have good access to satellite system.

  • M
    Apr. 18, 2021

    Blackwater Birds and Bees

    Wonderful and peaceful trip!

    What a great camp! A small family farm with 5 sites around the property. We chose site 2 for our family of three and a dog and it was the perfect size. The hosts were so friendly, and we were able to walk around and see the chicken coop, small lake, and barnyard with goats and geese. The campsites are great (about a 5 min walk apart), with a fire pit, picnic table, trash, and ours had a set up for a hammock. Even with what it looked like every campsite full, it was peaceful and pretty. Our toddler had a blast! They are a working farm so it was fun to have the option to buy eggs, herbs or wine. We picked up a t-shirt on the way out and will be back for the troller :)

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Northwest River Park & Campground

    Turned away

    Arrived shortly after 8 pm after a long day's drive. The sun was going down but it wasn't dark yet. The campground office was locked and deserted. No posted instructions about after hours registration, no pay box. Ran into a park ranger who informed me the campground was closed for the evening; as in, would not take my money. Seriously? The campground is behind a gate with a keypad, so no chance of driving in and talking to the camp host. The ranger was kind and apologetic at least.

    Drove a little further south and found a nice site at Bells Island Campground. The host there was happy to take my money.

  • RL
    Dec. 22, 2021

    Blackwater Birds and Bees

    Awesome River Site

    Great little site right on the river! Short walk to other great river put-in sites for kayaking and swimming. The campground has loaner kayaks 🛶

    Cute little bathhouse with flushing toilets. Slightly tricky getting to the site in the dark - just follow the host’s directions really well. We had a great time and bought some homemade wine from the farm store. They also left us drinking water on the picnic table at the site. Beautiful wildflowers all around the property! Want to return in the spring.

  • Gary D.
    Nov. 5, 2024

    Northwest River Park & Campground

    Large sites

    Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks. Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic.

  • Erin H.
    Jun. 24, 2020

    Blackwater Birds and Bees

    A Hidden Gem in Zuni, Virginia.

    Blackwater Birds and Bees offers many treasures. Without giving too much away, setting up camp, I noticed a sweet bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers and a small tasting jar of honey from their apiary on the picnic table! There is a pond on the property, with several canoes and kayaks to graciously borrow. I took to the Blackwater River that runs along the property, which I highly recommend for a peaceful and scenic paddle. The goats and chickens are all smiles behind the blueberry patch and a fresh bog. See if you can spy the carnivorous plants! If you venture past the southern Virginia peanut plantations you’re heading in the right direction, to a beautiful property with amazing camping!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2025

    Northwest River Park & Campground

    Under construction ~

    This is a beautiful campground! There are only seven campers here in this campground, and I can't believe it. The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers. There are picnic tables and fire pits at each site, however my picnic table has a very very warped bench. But it makes no difference to me as it is only me, and I have my own chairs! The bathrooms are clean and well lit. The only thing I have a problem with here, is that there are no garbage cans or dumpsters near the campsites. The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park, nowhere near the campground! There is lots to do within this camp, let alone in the area around the camp. I have noticed two hiking trails, I have seen the kayaks that are for rent and the area you launch, all we need now is some nicer weather. Other info, I asked if they had weekly rates and was told yes. But of course you are limited to 14 days like so many other campgrounds. When I arrived and talked to the clerk about the weekly rates, all he did was multiply the daily rate by the number of days. There is no discounted weekly rate. They also do not take Sam's club, do not have senior discounts, etc.. I don't know if their site on the the dirt shows the price, but it was $42 for the first night and drops to $38 per night for the rest of my stay.

Guide to Gatesville

Horse camping in North Carolina offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, perfect for those looking to explore the great outdoors with their horses.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities for horse owners

  • Merchants Millpond State Park Campground provides horse camping options along with features like picnic tables and drinking water, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Northwest River Park & Campground offers ample space for horse camping, along with access to trails that are ideal for riding and exploring the scenic surroundings.

Most campgrounds have horse-friendly activities available

  • Chesapeake Campground features nearby trails and open spaces, making it a great spot for families who want to enjoy horseback riding while also engaging in other outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gatesville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gatesville, NC is Northwest River Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.

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