B
Bob B.
Ranger
RangerStaunton River State Park Campground
Surprisingly Quiet
I've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
Equestrian Camping near Henderson, NC
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Medoc Mountain State Park offers a dedicated equestrian campground for visitors traveling with horses near Henderson, North Carolina. The equestrian camping area requires horses and provides electric hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp service. Campsites include picnic tables and are reservable in advance. Though no specific horse corrals are listed in the amenities, the equestrian area is designed specifically for horse owners and their animals. The equestrian campground is separate from the park's standard camping areas, providing a more specialized environment for those traveling with horses. Showers and sanitary dump stations are available for campers' convenience. Water hookups and sewer connections serve the sites, making extended stays more comfortable for equestrians who typically require longer setups for their animals and equipment.
Trail access from the equestrian camping area connects riders to Medoc Mountain's bridle trail system. Located approximately 40 miles from Henderson in Hollister, the park offers riders various terrain options through forested areas. The park's location along Little Fishing Creek provides natural water access points for horses during trail rides. Equestrian campers should note that reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons in spring and fall when trail conditions are optimal. The campground's drive-in access accommodates horse trailers with ample parking space at each site. While facilities are well-maintained, equestrians should bring their own portable corrals or tie-out equipment as permanent corrals are not part of the standard amenities. The camp's layout provides sufficient space between sites for horses to rest comfortably while maintaining appropriate distance from neighboring campers.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Henderson (8)
1. Occoneechee State Park Campground
"We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren’t showers by us but there was 1 bathroom."
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
18 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $21 - $384 / night
2. Medoc Mountain State Park Campground
"Good location off of 85. Great trails and equestrian trails!"
"Not far from the Roanoke River and right around the corner from Halifax, this spot is perfect for getting away from it all."
Check Availabilityfrom $27 - $75 / night
3. Staunton River State Park Campground
"The hiking trails are also do horses and parts have been beaten down and there was a lot of horse poop in the trail. Still worth the hike to see the peaceful water though."
"Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks."
Check Availabilityfrom $27 - $110 / night
4. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $72 / night
5. William B. Umstead State Park Campground
"We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months."
"Umstead is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh, NC. It seems to be an outdoor oasis as you can get lost in the woods with the hustle and bustle of the city all around you."
3 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $27 - $75 / night
6. North Carolina State Fairgrounds
"This campground is adjacent to the NC State Fairgrounds. Sites are spacious and full hook ups. Gravel roadways and grass/gravel sites."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
7. Callahan's Hideaway
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $53 / night
8. Medoc Mountain Equestrian Campground (Horse Required) — Medoc Mountain State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
Drive Time
- 30 min from Durham, NC
- 50 min from Raleigh, NC
- 59 min from Rocky Mount, NC
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Henderson, NC
1 Photos of 8 Henderson Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Henderson, NC
121 Reviews of 8 Henderson Campgrounds
Kaylee G.
GuideStaunton River State Park Campground
Small tent sites with easy access to trails
We stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
- eelizabeth L.Guide
Medoc Mountain State Park Campground
Wonderful State Park Campground
Medoc Mountain State Park campground has been recently renovated. All of the full hook up sites and primitive sites are spacious and well kept. We camped in site #26 which was level and spacious. The sites on the outside of the loop are pretty level. The bathrooms/showers are new, spacious, and clean. There is a great playground in walking distance. There are many hiking trails that start near the campground. None of them have amazing views, but they are nice and well marked. I enjoyed the Bluff View trail the most. We were able to hike 6 miles both days we were there. Added bonus: campground is close to I-95. The only drawback is the lack of a close grocery store. Dollar General is less than 5 miles away.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideMedoc Mountain State Park Campground
Newly renovated campground
Beautiful, small, newly renovated campground. Gorgeous bath house. A few sites are level but most aren’t. Quiet. Easy to get to from I-95.
Camp With Me
LegendStaunton River State Park Campground
Hidden Gem - Dark Sky certified park
Lots of trails, 2 boat launches and nice campground. We stay here every once in a while since it is so close and such a amazing state park.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/g3tsJATaSis?si=3Cl29wwqTO1JF9FW
Brian B.GuideOcconeechee State Park Campground
Epic Cabin Retreat
Went there with my family in March over spring break. Can’t say this was exactly camping the way we did it, but the cabin was absolutely amazing. Each cabin is probably on a 2 acre plot of land and most of them have fantastic views of Kerr Reservoir.
Kitchens are nicely appointed, rooms are nicely decorated, just bring your own sheets and linens and get ready for a fantastic time.
Harry B.
ScoutOcconeechee State Park Campground
Decent Campground Iron Bow
Decent bathhouse on Iron Bow. Sites are really close together and narrow so doesn’t leave a lot of room between campers. Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse. The Visitor center is nice with some good souvenirs for purchase and history section. Plenty of spots for fishing and launching watercraft. No designated swimming areas though. No WiFi. Verizon device at the campground worked okay. Clarksville town is quaint with some shops worth checking.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendB.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Family Friendly Campground
B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.
Barbara P.ScoutNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds
Clean quiet campground
The staff are all very friendly and helpful
Guide to Henderson
Medoc Mountain State Park offers specialized equestrian facilities approximately 40 miles from Henderson, North Carolina. The eastern piedmont terrain creates varied riding conditions with elevations between 200-325 feet. The area experiences hot summers with highs in the 90s and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for equestrian camping visits.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Medoc Mountain trails provide diverse terrain beyond the standard bridle paths. At Falls Lake State Recreation Area, "There are a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths" according to Sarah M., making it suitable for riders seeking different trail experiences.
Water-based activities: Take advantage of nearby waterways during your equestrian camping trip. "We also conoed down the creek. The creek is about 2.5 miles long and took us only 2 hours to paddle," notes Caroline G. about Medoc Mountain State Park.
Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting from horseback. At Staunton River State Park, Elena B. reports, "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Horse campers appreciate the generous sizing of equestrian sites. At Medoc Mountain State Park, a reviewer noted, "Our site required minimal leveling. Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches," helpful for those with horse trailers.
Clean facilities: Equestrian campers value well-maintained amenities. At Occoneechee State Park, Julie A. mentioned, "Showers and potties were cleaner than most places I have been! A++++ all the way around!"
Accessibility: The location provides good access for horse trailers. "Good location off of 85. Great trails and equestrian trails!" states Elizabeth V. about Medoc Mountain State Park.
What you should know
Specific equestrian requirements: Horse ownership is mandatory for accessing the equestrian campground. A Medoc Mountain reviewer stated, "There are some pretty easy hiking trails, great for kids. Really beautiful wooded area," but these are separate from the bridle trail system.
Limited amenities: Some equestrian sites have basic facilities. At William B. Umstead State Park, "Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door," notes Cara G.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall offer optimal conditions for horse camping near Henderson. A Medoc Mountain camper observed that "bathhouses were clean and well situated," but availability varies by season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some nearby equestrian camping areas include child-friendly facilities. At B.W. Wells Campground, amanda L. noted "Loved that there was a playground near the site. The site itself was gravelly and not super private but it was great- the hikes around were stunning."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning activities during your horse camping trip. At Staunton River State Park, "The park offers rentals of telescopes too. They also have a nature learning lab, some cool animals, and a fantastic gift shop," according to Bridget H.
Safety considerations: Maintain appropriate supervision around horses and water features. One Occoneechee visitor mentioned, "Driving around the campground, there are some fantastic waterfront sites in the same loop as the yurts that we'd love to come back and stay at! They have great views of Buggs Island Lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Horse campgrounds near Henderson offer various utility options. The North Carolina State Fairgrounds provides "Water, sewer, electrical hook-ups. It's a pretty relaxing spot. Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance," according to J D.
Space for larger rigs: Many equestrian sites accommodate substantial vehicles. Samantha G. noted, "We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren't showers by us but there was 1 bathroom. The site is spacious and secluded."
Alternative camping options: When equestrian sites are unavailable, consider nearby standard camping. Rick S. observed at Medoc Mountain, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Henderson, NC?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Henderson, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Henderson, NC is Occoneechee State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Henderson, NC?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Henderson, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Henderson, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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