Best Equestrian Camping near Pinnacle, NC

Collins Cove Horse Campground in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest provides the only dedicated horse corral facilities near Pinnacle, North Carolina. The primitive campground accommodates tent camping with equine-specific amenities including water hookups for horses, toilet facilities, and trash service. Located at 330 Collins Cove Road in Ivanhoe, Virginia, the campground offers direct access to forest bridle trails. Horse owners appreciate the combination of basic amenities with proper equestrian facilities. The campground maintains facilities specifically designed for overnight stays with horses, though the sites lack electric hookups, showers, or RV accommodations.

Trail riders staying at Collins Cove can access extensive bridle paths throughout the national forest trail system. The campground serves as a convenient base camp for exploring the region's scenic mountain terrain on horseback. While the facilities are primitive compared to full-service equestrian campgrounds, the dedicated horse corrals provide secure containment for horses overnight. For those seeking more developed accommodations, Stone Mountain State Park offers camping options within driving distance of horse trails, though without on-site corrals. Riders should bring all necessary feed and equipment as supply points are limited in this rural area. The natural forest setting provides ample grazing opportunities along trails, with access to natural water sources throughout the riding areas.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Pinnacle, North Carolina (8)

    1. Tanglewood Park

    13 Reviews
    Clemmons, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 703-6400

    $35 / night

    "Walking path paved. Bike trails and horse trails. Near to I40 but any noise from that is very minimal. Full hookups. Wi fi present but not strong enough for any streaming. Will definitely return"

    "Great hosts, spacious spots, nearby dog park, loved staying here. The bath houses are a little dated but very clean. There is horse shoe, volleyball, soccer goals on the camp ground."

    2. Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Roaring Gap, NC
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 957-8185

    $17 - $72 / night

    "But, ya know North Carolina summers."

    "The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."

    3. Fairy Stone State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Proctor Lake, TX
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 930-2424

    $30 / night

    "The Yurt we stayed in was a little weird because the Fire Pit and Picnic table is behind and almost under the yurt, down a decently step slope and the yurt sits on stilts on the back side."

    "The red tags can be walk up sites.   We met Ron, the camp host immediately.  He was making his way around campsites in his golf cart - as friendly as can be! "

    4. Sandy Creek Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Traphill, NC
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 957-8525

    "The grounds are adjacent to the Stone Mountain State Park. Very fun long weekend at a family friendly campground. Would definitely camp here again!"

    "Stayed there for a weekend, great location close to Stone Mtn park. Hiked from there into the state park. Very clean kept campground and nice owner"

    5. Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway

    3 Reviews
    Blue Ridge Parkway, VA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 348-3487

    "Near a creek as well. Just follow the basin creek trail for about a mile and then cross bridge."

    "This camp ground is very small and on the side of a very quiet road next to beautiful fields with breath taking views it has no paved roads so bring a truck or suv sedans will get stuck easily there is"

    6. Love Valley Campground

    1 Review
    Stony Point, NC
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 592-2231

    7. The Glamper at White Oak Stables

    Be the first to review!
    Hays, NC
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (803) 235-6093

    $25 - $151 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Pinnacle, NC

3 Photos of 8 Pinnacle Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Pinnacle, NC

90 Reviews of 8 Pinnacle Campgrounds


  • Kaitlyn F.
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    Absolutely beautiful

    We came here as our second ever camping trip and it wasn’t exactly what we were expecting but it was definitely an adventure. It was beautiful and quiet and relaxing. The only thing we were not happy about is the insane amount of bugs in the bathroom. But, ya know North Carolina summers.

  • Michelle I.
    Apr. 25, 2021

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    Beautiful park, nasty facilities

    I went back and forth on whether I should give this rating two stars or three. In the end, I chose three stars because the mountain itself is so amazing. Geologically this was great place to visit and the trails were well marked and maintained. Beautiful hike. The campground was beautiful but the facilities were run down and dirty. It had, by far, the nastiest park/campground facilities I’ve seen in Kentucky, North Carolina or Virginia this year. I know this park is mobbed on the weekends, but I checked in on a Tuesday and stayed for two nights. The facilities, including the campground bathhouse and the park’s “comfort stations” were dirty, smelly and had bugs in them. The trash in the bathhouse was not emptied in the two days I was there. There was not a single exterior light to the bathhouse, not even something as reasonable as a motion sensor light that would be more energy efficient than a constant lighting option.
    Compared to New River State Park, despite the giant Stone Mountain, this was the bottom of the barrel.

  • Kristy Gary B.
    Apr. 9, 2019

    Tanglewood Park

    Beautiful

    What a lovely campground. Sites are long and wide but some have quite a slope to them. There are large shady trees but no vegetation between sites. 3 camp hosts that rotate duties. Walking path paved. Bike trails and horse trails. Near to I40 but any noise from that is very minimal. Full hookups. Wi fi present but not strong enough for any streaming. Will definitely return

  • Nomad Nurse Z
    Nov. 4, 2021

    Tanglewood Park

    Nice and new!

    Great hosts, spacious spots, nearby dog park, loved staying here. The bath houses are a little dated but very clean. There is horse shoe, volleyball, soccer goals on the camp ground. I would stay here all the time if I could!

  • Katie M.
    Sep. 12, 2019

    Fairy Stone State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Banner & Oak Hat at Fairy Stone State Park

    Campground Review:

    We stayed in Yurt#4 for 2 nights at Fairy Stone State Park, about a 4 hour drive from where we live. The Yurt overall was very clean and cozy. The outside of the Yurt looks like it needed a powerwashing, but that didn’t really affect us at all, just kind of unsightly. They have a nice large deck that is great for hanging out on while the kids were asleep. The inside of the Yurt has a full size bed with a twin sized trundle bed that rolls under the full. It also had some rocking chairs inside, a small table and chairs, and a couch. We ended up eating and hanging out inside the Yurt or on the deck most of the time. 

    There are 4 Yurts to choose from. Two of them (Yurts#1 & 2) do not have a parking spot right in front of them, they are a short walk from a parking area, so I made sure to get one that did since we would be arriving after dark. The Yurt we stayed in was a little weird because the Fire Pit and Picnic table is behind and almost under the yurt, down a decently step slope and the yurt sits on stilts on the back side. The Yurt next to us#3 had the fire pit and table right up front next to the parking spot which would be better I think. I would try to get Yurt#3 next time! Overall Yurt camping is so fun! We have done it once before, and it is such a great mix between cabin and tent camping. You get the protection from the elements, a real bed to sleep in, and it’s quick to pack-up- but still a bit rustic since there’s no ac or electricity. 

    There are hiking trails right across the street from the Yurt, which was awesome! The bathrooms and showers were fine and in close walking distance. They could probably use some updating but didn’t have any major issues with them. Overall the campground is pretty big and a bit of a maze getting around, we needed to use the park map a lot! Probably due to the park being so old there are a lot of old buildings not in use that are pretty cool. 

    The park is big and there is lots to do! There is a beautiful lake for swimming Tons of hiking trails. They had a great playground for the kids nearby. They had a concert going on somewhere at the park so we had some beautiful orchestral music playing as we were winding down for bed one night. We saw lots of deer roaming around. Note that there is not great cell service in this area. 

    The place to find the Fairy Stones are outside of the park, down the street a little bit beside a gas station. It was tricky knowing exactly what to look for, but once we found a few Fairy Stones, they were everywhere! So fun searching for them with the kids! 

    It was such a fun trip, very peaceful, beautiful scenery everywhere!

    ……………………………… 

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - we tested out the Banner& Oak Men’s Nebo Hat– Olive  

    The quality of this hat is great. Nice and thick but breathable fabric, durable construction. We’ve put this hat through the ringer so far with sweaty hikes, long beach and lake days, and everyday wear and tear and it has performed spectacularly. The adjustable snapback makes fitting easy. Has a nice shape, looks great! Love this hat’s patch with well-designed graphics and the neutral olive color– goes with everything. Will definitely purchase again! Also appreciate the fact that the hats are made in the USA! It is my husband’s new go-to daily hat and I think it will last for a long time.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 11, 2019

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    One night only

    We stayed for one night only on our way to Dreher Island SP. We didn't get in until after 4 pm, but there was still enough daylight to see how pretty the campground was. We had site 60 for the night. We tow a 19' a-frame camper with a Toyota Tacoma and had lots of room on the pad. The pad was pretty level so set up was easy. The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog. We were in campground B (electric) and the sites were decent. There wasn't a lot shade for us, but up in the tent area they were surrounded by trees and it looked like they all had tent pads, some better than others. The shower house was nice, clean, flush toilets, and good showers. By the shower house they also had an outside sink to wash your dishes. We didn't get to hike, but everyone said we should if we ever go back. It's on our list to visit again.

  • Karen S.
    Jul. 18, 2018

    Tanglewood Park

    Friendliest staff

    Geast campground, lots of shad. Some of the sites are very steep. Situated in a beautiful park with lots of activities. Dog park. Trails. Nearby lake, pool

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 8, 2016

    Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    Gorgeous Park!

    Jotting down my thoughts about Stone Mountain State Park won't do it justice...my photos will speak louder and clearer...but being there in person and experiencing this wonderful park will convince you to return time and again!

    I've only stayed at Stone Mountain State Park twice, but plan on making it a yearly venture. So we did not hike all the trails, but the one's we did were stunning and memorable.

    The campgrounds are super clean and neat, the showerhouse/bathroom a positive too. When car camping, even though their sites are clean and tidy...I personally don't like the "tent pads." Most (as in this case) are gravel...which is rough on tent floors, even with a ground cloth or footprint. It is quiet, even though there is no real foliage or barriers between sites. The RVing crowd really seemed to gravitate here.

    We drove down to the meadow, where there is another newer, very nice restroom, with drinking fountains out front...that's the trailhead for both the waterfall trail and also the summit of Stone Mountain. It is a loop, if you are adventurous and ambitious...and in good physical condition. The elevation changes are dramatic and it is a lengthy trail.

    The waterfall is spectacular and runs a distance over the smooth rock, pouring down into the ravine below. A remarkable wooden staircase/boardwalk will take you from the top of the falls to the bottom, if you are willing to climb it. Remember, what goes down, must go up.

    The trails along the stream below are equally impressive and enjoyable and they meander. Innumerable photo opportunities.

    If you decided not to go down the "endless" staircase, you can return to the fork in the trail where a lone fireplace remains...and start heading up. The grade is not overwhelming and is slight at first, but it gets tougher and steeper...switchbacks are the norm. The trail opens up on a couple of occasions to give spectacular views, but you must venture out onto the stone face.

    You ultimately reach a signpost that lets you know you are on the summit and gives the elevation of 2306 ft. Seems higher. To see the surrounding mountains, you must walk out onto the bald. Sit and take it all in. If you decide to wait out a sunset...remember to bring illumination to light your path back down...it gets dark quickly and navigating in the woods can get sketchy.

    What you don't see from the summit is an impressive homestead below...which I highly recommend you take in. The homestead is in remarkable shape, well-maintained and numerous info placards to bring you up on the history.

    You just don't get tired of visiting wonderful places like Stone Mountain State Park.

  • K
    Nov. 12, 2021

    Tanglewood Park

    Beautiful location

    Great location in town park. Full hookups and friendly hosts. Easy to get to and many services close by.


Guide to Pinnacle

Collins Cove Horse Campground serves as one of several equestrian-focused camping areas within the region surrounding Pinnacle, North Carolina. Located at elevation ranges between 1,200-1,800 feet, this section of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains experiences moderate seasonal temperature variations. Trail networks connect multiple horse-friendly facilities across county and state lines, with most bridle paths remaining accessible from April through October.

What to do

Waterfall hiking at Stone Mountain: Access multiple waterfalls through the trail system at Stone Mountain State Park Campground. The park features swimming holes beneath several falls for cooling off in summer months. "Beautiful campground, amazing hikes & waterfalls and the best stargazing you could ask for," notes Emily D.

Fairy stone hunting: Visit the designated hunting area near Fairy Stone State Park Campground to search for the unique cross-shaped minerals. The hunt site is located just outside park boundaries beside a gas station. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," reports Bridget H., who enjoyed this unique geological activity.

Creek exploration: Many campgrounds feature accessible creeks for wading and play. At Sandy Creek Family Campground, sites along the water provide direct access. "Our sites were creek side. The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and on the playground," writes Ann H., highlighting how the water features enhance family camping experiences.

What campers like

Direct trail access: Campgrounds connected to hiking networks allow for immediate trail entry without driving. A camper at Basin Cove — Blue Ridge Parkway notes, "The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as 'base camp' for day hikes," making it ideal for those wanting wilderness immersion.

Wildlife viewing: The natural settings provide opportunities to observe deer and other forest animals. At Tanglewood Park, campers frequently spot wildlife. "Deer roam throughout the park and campground," mentions Brandon in his review, highlighting the regular animal encounters.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high among camper priorities in this region. Barry at Sandy Creek Family Campground "takes great care of the place and customer service is top notch," according to Jimmy M., who specifically noted that "the bath house is kept spotless."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have limited connectivity. At Fairy Stone State Park Campground, "There is no cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do!" warns Katie M.

Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional equipment for properly leveling RVs and trailers. "Unlevel lots (we had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level, but couldn't adjust anymore)," mentions Tiffany D. about Tanglewood Park, reflecting a common challenge throughout the area's sloped terrain.

Water filtration needs: Primitive sites require bringing filtration systems for safe drinking water. Julie L. cautions about Basin Cove: "There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you," an important consideration for backcountry campers.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds offer built-in recreation areas that keep children engaged. Sandy Creek Family Campground provides "a nice creek for them to play in" and scheduled "kids activities," making it family-friendly according to Robbie N.

Junior ranger programs: State parks in the region offer educational activities for children. Stone Mountain State Park has ranger-led programs throughout summer months. "We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones," shares Bonnie T. about her family's experience at Fairy Stone State Park.

Short-distance backcountry options: For introducing children to more primitive camping without difficult hikes, Basin Cove provides an ideal setting. As Hollz explains, it's "great for taking beginner backcountry tent/hammock campers" with an "easy hike in, but far enough that you won't find high-maintenance campers or crowds."

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: For those requiring complete utilities, select campgrounds offer water, electric, and sewer connections. At Tanglewood Park, sites include "full hookups (w,e,s)" and are "wide, easy to get in and out of," according to Tiffany D.

Dump station positioning: Consider access angles when planning waste disposal. Becca C. notes that at Sandy Creek Family Campground, "the dump station was on the hill so you had to back up to it and it wasn't easy location to do so," which could present challenges for larger rigs.

Electric reliability concerns: Some campgrounds experience occasional power issues. When staying at Sandy Creek, some RVers "had some problems with their power staying on," according to Kirsten J., suggesting bringing backup power options for essential equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pinnacle, NC is Tanglewood Park with a 4.6-star rating from 13 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Pinnacle, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.