Equestrian campgrounds near Mayodan, North Carolina offer access to scenic woodland trails and creek crossings throughout the Piedmont region. Located in Rockingham County at approximately 700 feet elevation, this area features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while winter temperatures can drop to 30-40°F at night.
What to do
Hunt for fairy stones: At Fairy Stone State Park Campground, visitors can search for the distinctive staurolite mineral formations. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," reports Bridget H. The hunting area is located just outside the park near a gas station.
Kayaking and fishing: The park's lake offers water recreation options during warmer months. "Kayaking was fun," notes Bonnie T., while Ryan Z. adds that "The lake is perfect for little ones and even grownup kids."
Explore multi-use trail systems: Horse-friendly trails with moderate terrain connect through woodlands. The trails at Cedarock Park include "6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails," according to Kelsey L., who adds the park is "almost 500 acres in size."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained bathhouses. At Tanglewood Park, "The bath houses are a little dated but very clean," reports Nomad Nurse Z. Charlie H. simply states it's a "Very clean and neat park."
Ranger programs: Educational activities are popular with families. "We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones," writes Bonnie T. Russell C. mentions "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!"
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region feature abundant wildlife. At Tanglewood, Brandon notes there are "Deer roam throughout the park and campground," while Kelly H. reports "Nearly tame deer all over the place."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be limited at horse campgrounds near Mayodan. Keith F. notes about Fairy Stone, "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away." Similarly, Katie M. mentions, "There is no cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do!"
Site conditions vary: Be prepared for potentially uneven terrain. At Cane Creek Campground and RV Park, Mandy L. recommends specific sites: "The 40s sites seem to be the best spots to get for a view or access to Lake activities."
Seasonal considerations: Some parks have limited operating hours. Cedarock Park's hours change seasonally, with shorter hours (8am-6pm) from November through March, and extended hours during summer months (8am-9pm).
Tips for camping with families
Pack additional bug spray: Insect protection is essential, particularly in summer months. Kirsten J. notes, "I recommend stronger bug spray. We all left with more bites that we usually do camping!"
Utilize park activities: Cane Creek Campground offers numerous family-friendly amenities. Krista H. confirms, "Plenty of places to tent camp or RV camp! Places to fish things for kids to play on and of course places to shower after!"
Consider cabin options: For families with young children, cabins provide comfort while maintaining an outdoor experience. Katie M. describes the Fairy Stone cabins as having "a bathroom, shower, kitchen with sink, fridge, oven/stove, microwave, toaster, everything you need!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Several equestrian campgrounds near Mayodan require substantial leveling equipment. At Tanglewood Park, Marjorie W. warns, "some of the sights are very slanted. Very tall levelers are needed."
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer complete services. Tiffany D. notes Tanglewood has "full hookups (w,e,s), lots were wide, Easy to get in and out of," while also mentioning "unlevel lots (we had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level)."
Ample space: Horse trailer access requires specific site considerations. Dave B. describes Tanglewood as having "Wide spaces with lots of room under big shade trees," which can accommodate larger vehicles needed for horse transport.
