Equestrian Camping near Ararat, VA

Equestrian camping near Ararat, Virginia offers access to the mountainous terrain of southwestern Virginia where elevations range from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The area encompasses parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Jefferson National Forest, with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands during summer months. Trail networks throughout the region feature varying difficulty levels with creek crossings and mountain terrain suitable for both novice and experienced riders.

What to do

Sliding rock adventures: At Stone Mountain State Park, a 1.5-mile trail leads to popular swimming holes with natural water features. "We camped here and didn't even leave. It has so much to do and see... There's a roaring large creek that flows behind the site and a grassy field full of deer beside it," writes Charli R. The park's backpack camping spots are located near small waterfalls for those seeking more secluded accommodations.

Fairy stone hunting: The mineral staurolite forms naturally occurring cross-shaped crystals at Fairy Stone State Park about 40 minutes from Ararat. "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!" reports Katie M.

Trail connectivity: Multiple horse trail networks connect throughout the Jefferson National Forest system allowing for extended riding trips. The Basin Cove area provides access points for horseback riders with primitive camping options. "The hike in is excellent, as it follows the river along the way... The site is surrounded by excellent hiking trails and is a great place to set as 'base camp' for day hikes," notes Julie L. about Basin Cove Campground.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Bath facilities at several equestrian campgrounds near Ararat receive consistent positive mentions. "The bath house is kept spotless," writes Jimmy M. about Sandy Creek Family Campground, which serves as an overflow option for Stone Mountain State Park with the benefit of direct trail access to the falls.

Historical connections: The region features historic homesteads and structures throughout the riding trails. "We loved having the fireplace! The cabins have a bathroom, shower, kitchen with sink, fridge, oven/stove, microwave, toaster, everything you need! They have heating and a/c as well. The cabin was built in the 1930s and is so charming!" shares Katie M. about her stay at Fairy Stone State Park's CCC cabins.

Wildlife viewing: Horse campers regularly encounter deer and other wildlife while staying in the area. "Deer roam throughout the park and campground. Clean bath/shower. Easy check in with multiple host on site. All sites paved," reports Brandon about Tanglewood Park, noting the nearly tame deer that frequent the camping areas.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance bookings during peak season (April-October). "About a year ago, this park became half first come first served and half reservation only. Each site has a yellow or red tag on it - the yellow tags have to be reserved by site number. The red tags can be walk up sites," explains Kirsten J. about Fairy Stone State Park.

Water availability: Not all horse camps offer potable water year-round. "There is NO clean water source, you have to bring a filter system with you," cautions Julie L. about Basin Cove Campground. Other primitive sites may have seasonal pumps that become unavailable during winter months.

Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain feature sloped sites requiring leveling equipment. "We had to lower ours by over 4" and still weren't level, but couldn't adjust anymore," reports Tiffany D. about her RV experience, while another camper noted "At $35 a night, there is a lot to enjoy. The only thing you need to be aware of is that some of the sights are very slanted. Very tall levelers are needed."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Multiple sites feature playgrounds and dedicated child areas. "Our sites were creek side. The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and on the playground," shares Ann H. about Sandy Creek Family Campground, which offers a large grassy field with both play equipment and volleyball courts.

Ranger programs: Educational opportunities specifically for children exist at several parks. "The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" explains Russell C. about his family's experience at Fairy Stone State Park.

Swimming access: Beach areas with designated swimming zones provide supervised water recreation. "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 open while we were there," notes Kirsten J.

Tips from RVers

Hookup reliability: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues during peak usage. "Extended family was staying in an RV site while we were there and they had some problems with their power staying on," reports Kirsten J. about Sandy Creek Family Campground.

Cell service limitations: Most equestrian camping areas have limited or no connectivity. "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away," mentions Keith F. about Fairy Stone State Park, while another camper noted that there is "Internet and phone service available in some parts of the park" at Stone Mountain State Park.

Dump station access: Proper waste disposal facilities vary in quality and location. "The biggest negative I would say was the dump station. It was on the hill so you had to back up to it and it wasn't easy location to do so," reports Becca C., providing important information for self-contained units requiring sanitation services.