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Best Equestrian Camping near Sunbury, NC

50 Reviews

Northwest River Park & Campground features equestrian trails among its recreational offerings located 36 miles west of Sunbury. The campground accommodates tent campers, RVs, and cabin stays with hookups for water and electric at most sites. Horse owners can access multiple trails through the park's 763 acres of natural setting. The park does not offer permanent horse corrals, so visitors must bring portable containment for their animals. Bath houses are clean and well-maintained, and firewood is available for purchase at $6 per bundle. Some campers note that certain sites near wetlands can flood during heavy rainfall periods.

The equestrian trail system connects to the park's extensive hiking network that runs alongside the Northwest River. Horse trailer parking is available in designated areas, though advance arrangements are recommended for equestrian camping. The trails provide varying terrain through wooded areas and open fields, suitable for riders of different experience levels. Water access points along the river allow horses to drink during rides. Campers should be aware that gates close early in the evening, so arriving before 8pm is essential for check-in. The park operates seasonally from April 1 through November 30, with weekends typically filling to capacity while weekdays remain less crowded for horse camping.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Sunbury, North Carolina (3)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sunbury, NC

1 Photos of 3 Sunbury Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sunbury, NC

50 Reviews of 3 Sunbury 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.

  • RL
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Beautiful Plantation

    Awesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.

    Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.

    Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.

    The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. The access to the little beaches are short but moderately steep, especially with lots of beach gear or strollers. It also seems to get washed out so watch your steps.

    The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.

    Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.

    Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.

    We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.

    Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.

  • 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.

  • Ashley I.
    Nov. 4, 2020

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    And another great VA State Park!

    Love Chippokes! Feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Beautiful trails. Great (paved) campground! Feels like you're a million miles away from it all.

  • Rian C.
    Jun. 11, 2019

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Prehistoric shells and twisted trees

    This place is amazing, almost surreal. Knobby tree stumps wind up from the river, surrounded by fossilized shells falling from eroding sand banks. The camp ground is a short walk away.

  • Amanda D.
    May. 9, 2019

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Beautiful, clean, spacious!

    Chippokes is a gem! Quaint park with a variety of activities. You can tour the mansion on the property along with some other historical sites, or just take a stroll along the shoreline of the gorgeous, sprawling James River. My son, furbaby, and I camped in their RV/tent site with easy access to their bathrooms which were spotless (and maintained multiple times a day) and warm! We bought firewood (there is a drop where you can just deposit money and grab a bundle) next to the bathrooms along with a locked ice bin so you can buy ice from the campground host. Everything we saw was well-maintained. We navigated our way to a mile-hike to the river so we could fish off a kayak dock. I was surprised when we arrived that they don’t rent kayaks (though it appears they have the capability to, perhaps they only do it for special occasions or times of year). All the staff we encountered were super friendly and helpful. You can even buy ice cream at the visitors center! This was a big plus for my son. We’ll definitely be returning!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Great park for cultural and natural history

    Chippokes State Park is located on the grounds of an old historic plantation, actually one if the original plantations in the area dating back to the 1600’s. The land grant was huge, and as a state park now it provides a rich opportunity to learn about the James River, the natural and indigenous history of the region, the settlement history and role of this plantation in Virginia History, and more. Visiting here provides hiking opportunities to learn about fossils along the river shore, the temperate forest in the woods, and history around the old plantation. Taking the ferry across the river from Jamestown to get here was part of the adventure too. There is a nature center and visitor center that provides lots of info and programs near the river , a network of easy park roads for biking, and the plantation itself, set back further away from the river, provides a wealth of learning, including about the history of crops and trade in this area, and about the lives of the slaves who worked the plantation. The grounds right around the plantation are, in fact, a memorial to the hundreds of souls who lived and worked the land here. It was an amazing learning experience to come to the park, and the options to stay over in the park include standard campsites in a wooded campground, or cabins. The campground has all the usual state park amenities, and was very quiet when we were there in November—so late fall is a great time to come, as the fall weather was amazing

  • 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 :)

Guide to Sunbury

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

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Tips for equestrian camping near Sunbury, North Carolina

  • Ensure your horse is comfortable with the terrain by taking short rides around Merchants Millpond State Park Campground before venturing out on longer trails.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for both you and your horse, as some campgrounds like Chesapeake Campground may not have immediate access to water sources.
  • Check the weather forecast and prepare for changing conditions, especially in areas like Northwest River Park & Campground, where rain can affect trail conditions.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Sunbury, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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