Douthat State Park offers equestrian camping near Cloverdale, Virginia through its multiple camping areas, each with distinct characteristics. Located in Bath County's Allegheny Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,400 feet, the park experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The 4,500-acre park maintains separate camping areas with White Oak Campground featuring significant elevation changes, while Beaver Dam Campground's relatively flat terrain accommodates horses and trailers.
What to do
Swimming at designated areas: Fairy Stone State Park Campground provides swimming options for visitors after a day of riding. "The lake is perfect for little ones and even grownup kids. Also love the trails that surround the campground," notes Ryan Z.
Hunt for unique minerals: Search for staurolite crystals at Fairy Stone Park, where children can participate in ranger-led activities. "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" shares Russell C.
Mountain biking on park trails: Explore the extensive trail systems throughout the region's parks. At Douthat State Park, one visitor mentioned: "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!"
Fishing in stocked waters: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers fishing opportunities for equestrian campers seeking additional activities. "It's $8 a day for a fishing pass and you can rent John boats or kayaks here as well. In season the lake and creek are stocked with plenty of Rainbow trout," writes John R. from a nearby state park.
What campers like
Well-maintained trail access: Horse riders appreciate direct connections to trail networks. "Trail access for riders connects directly to the park's extensive trail network, making daily rides convenient from the campground," according to park information.
Flat terrain for equestrian setups: Douthat State Park Campground features camping areas suitable for horses and equipment. Jeremy W. notes, "Beaver Dam Campground is relatively flat and similarly wooded while also providing equestrian facilities."
Seasonal variety: Fall offers improved trail conditions for horses. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them are located near the lake. Each one had a campground host and wood for sale," explains Jeremy W., highlighting the park's layout.
Water features and wildlife viewing: The parks offer natural experiences beyond riding. At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, one camper mentioned, "The views were amazing and beautiful. I can't wait to go back again, we loved it."
What you should know
Campground layouts vary significantly: Each area has specific terrain considerations. "White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W.
Seasonal operations: Most equestrian facilities have limited availability. "The park remains open from May through September with both tent and RV camping available," according to park information.
Shower and bathroom quality: Facilities receive regular maintenance but vary in quality. At Greenbrier River Trail, Dave V. reports, "Large, clean Pit Latrine" is available at primitive sites, though some locations offer full facilities.
Water restrictions for horses: The parks maintain specific areas for equestrian water access away from public beaches and swimming areas. One visitor noted, "During summer months, the nearby lake offers a water source, though horses are restricted to designated areas away from the public beach."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Don's Cab-Inns Campground offers educational activities for children. "This park is growing by leaps and bounds. It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff," says Bridget H.
Multiple accommodation options: Choose between traditional camping and cabin options when traveling with children and horses. "Our family loved this campground! It is close to Roanoke and it is off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is located in Explore Park," shares Bridget H.
Proximity to swimming areas: Look for campsites with water access for children to cool off. At Fairy Stone State Park, Katie M. mentions, "We went swimming down at the beach in the morning - $3 per person, but free for campers - just bring your pass! There were beach volleyball courts - a kids water area and a free swimming water area."
Pack extra insect protection: Some areas have persistent insects, especially in summer months. "We would definitely be back to this site - but I recommend stronger bug spray. We all left with more bites than we usually do camping!" warns Kirsten J. at Fairy Stone State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: CB Ranch offers accommodations that work well for visitors with horse trailers. "The farm is 4 miles from a quaint small town with shops and great restaurants. Lots of local attractions from State parks, Greenbrier rails to tails (77 miles long), Greenbrier river (Kayaking) and a couple caves to explore," notes cheryl B.
Leveling challenges: Some equestrian sites require extra attention for leveling larger rigs. "Some sites accommodate larger rigs, though proper leveling may be challenging on certain campsites," according to park information.
Water and hookup access: Verify utility availability before arrival as it varies by location. At Bolar Mountain, Nicole R. mentions, "The campsite was spacious and shaded, they do offer doubles for larger groups. The bathrooms are flush toilets and have a shower."
Camp store supplies: Most equestrian camping areas offer basic supplies for forgotten items. "The Lakeside Camp Store is nice and has a to-go counter for food. The facilities, overall, were well maintained and clean. Firewood is for sale for $6 per bundle," reports Jeremy W.
