Fairy Stone State Park Equestrian Campground accommodates both riders and horses just outside the main park gates near Walnut Cove, North Carolina. Located in Stuart, Virginia, approximately 40 miles north of Walnut Cove, this dedicated horse-friendly area connects directly to the park's bridle trail network. Riders can access woodland paths without needing to trailer horses between rides, allowing for multiple daily excursions on varied terrain.
What to do
Hunt for fairy stones: Visitors to Fairy Stone State Park Campground can search for the unique cross-shaped minerals that give the park its name. As one camper notes, "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," adding they also enjoyed "riding bikes and hiking" during their stay.
Explore hiking networks: Stone Mountain State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems within 60 miles of Walnut Cove. A camper reports, "Great sites. Clean bathrooms, close to many hiking trails and waterfalls," while another mentions that trails are "walkable to the trail head for the Stone Mountain loop."
Visit historical sites: Riders and non-riders can explore 19th century historical features near equestrian camping facilities. At Cedarock Park, campers can visit "a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina" while enjoying "6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many equestrian campgrounds near Walnut Cove offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Tanglewood Park, campers appreciate the "grassy field full of deer beside" their sites, with one noting there are "nearly tame deer all over the place."
Clean facilities: Horse-friendly campgrounds maintain clean amenities despite the challenges of equestrian use. Campers consistently mention "very clean and neat" facilities, with one review noting, "The bathhouses were clean, camp host was very helpful."
Water features: Several equestrian camping options offer lake access within riding distance. A visitor to Cane Creek Campground and RV Park mentions the "beautiful view of lake" and "great hiking trails," while another notes it's "beautiful, located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night."
What you should know
Levelness varies by site: Many campgrounds near Walnut Cove require careful selection for level sites. A Tanglewood camper warns, "sites aren't exactly private - but there was a bit of space between sites," while noting "unlevel lots (we had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level)."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be spotty throughout the region. At Cedarock Park, campers should note park hours affect access: "they lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't."
Reservation requirements: Horse camping areas often require advance booking. Sites at Stone Mountain State Park fill quickly with campers reporting, "It has so much to do and see. We camped at RV site 40 and I think it's the best. There's a roaring large creek that flows behind the site."
Tips for camping with families
Bring water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities for families. A visitor to Stone Mountain notes, "Swimming holes... breath taking," while another family mentions, "Beautiful campground! It is about a 15 minute drive to 3 great wineries and walkable to the trail head."
Pack for noise considerations: Some equestrian sites have unexpected noise factors. A family that stayed at Cedarock Park mentioned, "The only downside is the road noise at night - it was very loud. Next time we will bring something to help quiet the noise."
Look for dedicated play areas: Tanglewood Park offers "horse shoe, volleyball, soccer goals on the camp ground," according to a recent visitor, making it ideal for families with various interests beyond horseback riding.
Tips from RVers
Bring leveling equipment: RV campers consistently mention the need for substantial leveling gear. One camper at Stone Mountain State Park noted their site was "level, well maintained and have tent pads, tables and fire rings," while they "chose a site that had water and electric hook-ups."
Consider hookup options: Many equestrian campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups for RVs. A visitor to Fairy Stone State Park mentioned, "We stayed in Yurt#4 for 2 nights... 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."
Check site specifics: Research individual sites before booking. As one RVer at Cane Creek Campground noted, "Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access and right across from the annual spots so we never really had too much privacy but most of the neighbors were very curteous and friendly."
