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Equestrian Camping near Aylett, VA

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    Pocahontas State Park Campground near Chesterfield, Virginia accommodates equestrians with spacious campsites and numerous trails for riding. The campground features over 120 sites including tent areas, RV spots with electric and water hookups, cabins, and yurts. Though not specifically equipped with horse corrals, the park permits horses on select trails and provides adequate parking for horse trailers. The campground maintains clean facilities with flush toilets and hot showers. Sites are well-spaced and shaded, offering picnic tables and fire rings. Access to the park includes drive-in, boat-in, and walk-in options. The park remains open year-round with peak usage during spring through fall.

    The extensive trail system at Pocahontas State Park allows riders to explore over 7,500 acres of woodland terrain. Multiple trail options range from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging routes that wind through diverse landscapes. Riders access the trail network directly from the camping areas, making daily rides convenient. Water access points are available throughout the property for horses. The campground requires reservations, especially during weekends and peak seasons. Sites are level and accommodate various camping setups. The park's proximity to Petersburg and Richmond provides opportunities to explore nearby attractions between rides. Many campers note the well-maintained trails and the park's suitability for multi-day equestrian excursions as primary reasons for repeat visits.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Aylett (3)

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      1. Pocahontas State Park Campground

      4.5(81)38mi from Aylett131 sitesGlamping

      "Largest State Park in Virginia - nearly 8,000 acres. We stayed two nights and paddled around Swift Creek Lake on Sunday. The staff was amazing."

      "There is a small gift shop at the main entrance. The camp store was closed during our stay. We did not make use of the laundry, bathrooms or showers."

      from $37 - $459 / night

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      2. Powhatan State Park Campground

      4.5(21)45mi from Aylett41 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "access to human food."

      "Like most Virginia state parks the River Bend campground is well spaced out and great for RV camping."

      from $16 - $97 / night

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      3. Chippokes State Park Campground

      4.5(21)49mi from Aylett59 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside."

      "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."

      from $37 - $345 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Aylett, VA

    123 Reviews of 3 Aylett Campgrounds

    • RL
      Jun. 29, 2020

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      Biggest State Park

      Largest State Park in Virginia - nearly 8,000 acres. We stayed two nights and paddled around Swift Creek Lake on Sunday. The staff was amazing. Camp store has ice, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and wood is $5 a bucket (honor system). Bathhouses (showers separate of restrooms) were very clean. The first campground you come to definitely has more shade than the second loop so if you're looking to hammock camp, pick the first campground. In both campgrounds, some sites are a bit close together and/or close to the road. Tons of trails, some for mixed use and other for mountain bikers, some for horses, and some for hiking only. Great location! Will definitely be back!

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 6, 2022

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      Awesome State Park Campground

      We spent three nights here (May 17-19, 2022). This is an awesome State Park CG with wide, level pull through and back-in sites.

      There is a small gift shop at the main entrance. The camp store was closed during our stay. We did not make use of the laundry, bathrooms or showers.

      Activities include: hiking/walking, mtn biking (three levels of difficulty– wish I brought my mtn bike), boating, fishing, swimming, equestrian, etc. The trails are excellent. The forest and lakes are absolutely amazing. There is so much to see and do.

      This is the kind of park that you hate to leave. We would most definitely stay here again (and again). How fun!

    • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 31, 2018

      Powhatan State Park Campground

      Peaceful and well-maintained campsites, just a short drive from the city

      Powhatan State Park is a relatively new addition to the VA State Parks system; the park itself has only been open since 2003. The primitive, canoe-in campground opened with the park, and the loop with electric and water hookups opened in 2016.

      **Canoe-In Campground: **

      When we stayed, we stayed in the canoe-in campground, although we hiked in the approximate 1/4 mile from the parking lot, rather than coming in by boat. This is a quiet, beautiful loop, with 8 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There are composting toilets here and no potable water, so you will need to bring enough water for your trip or purification methods. Proper food storage is also essential back here; while this section of Virginia does not have the bear activity you’d find in the mountains, there are still raccoons and other wildlife who should not have access to human food. There are no bear boxes, so treat food storage as you would in the backcountry. 

      -Sites 7 and 8 are closes to the toilets, and back up to the woods leading towards the Turkey Trail; hikers are visible from site 8 and audible from site 7.  

      -Sites 4 and 5 back up to a very wooded area, and are further back from the gravel loop. Site 4 is closest to the boat ramp and is visible; site 5 is probably the most private in the loop. 

      -Sites 1,2, and 6 are in the center loop, but have more space between them than inner-loop sites usually have. Sites 1 and 2 are right against the River Trail however, so will have hikers walking directly past during the day. 

      The canoe-in loop sits against the James River; there is a rack to stow your canoe/kayak overnight, and a pay by honor-system pile of firewood. Due to the thick foliage there is no actual river-view during the warmer months, but it’s easily accessbile. When we stayed in early spring there were a lot of vines that served as “natural playground” for our kids; they used them as swings, monkey bars, and enjoyed getting their feet wet at the base of the canoe ramp, so much that they declined hiking or driving to the park’s man-made playground. This loop makes a great “trial run” site for anyone considering a future backcountry trip; the walk to the parking lot is short enough to make multiple trips if you need to, and you still have access to the park amenities if you don’t mind a walk/drive to get there.

      River Bend Loop

      The River Bend Loop has 29 sites with water and electric hook-ups, though very little privacy between sites. The surrounding trees give all but the first three sites decent shade and a wooded atmosphere, and this is a great loop for RVs or tent campers who enjoy being close to other sites. If you are looking for a feeling of isolation however, you would be better off minimizing your gear and walking to the primitive sites, or going to a different park altogether. The bathrooms here have electricity, flush toilets, and showers with hot water. Sites 1-14 are available for advance reservation, and sites 15-29 are first-come first-served. Site 25 offers the most privacy for tent campers, and it’s very large, but if the campground is at full occupancy all sites are going to have a crowded feel.

      There are several hiking trails at this park ranging from very easy to moderate, and a couple of them are horse-friendly; our kids enjoy seeing horses on the trail with them, but be mindful if you have kids/dogs who may be afraid of the horses. The park also has a playground, picnic shelters, and ranger activities on the weekends, and there are three yurts available to book.

      This is a very open, well-maintained park, and the camping options should appeal to a wide spectrum of campers, and my only reason for giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the lack of privacy in the drive-up campsites. It feels a lot like a hidden gem; the hookup campground fills up during warmer weather, but all of our visits here have been very quiet and peaceful. If you are looking for camping options near Richmond, I highly recommend this park!

    • Andrea N.
      Jul. 18, 2016

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      A great park for a weekend get-away

      The trails at this park are very well maintained. They are designated as hiking, biking, and/or horseback riding, so you'll know which trails are best for your activity.

      This park has some of the best bike trails in the state - over 25 miles. Several new mountain-bike-only trails opened just this year. The difficulties are clearly marked as Novice through Expert. They even installed maintenance equipment at the entrance of each new trail so you can make minor adjustments without carrying your own equipment.

      A number of the hiking trails through this park are wide fire roads. Smaller paths wind throughout the park connecting the larger trails together. Be sure to get a park map before you start your adventure. This is the largest state park in Virginia and it's easy to get turned around.

      If you're into Geocaching, or want to learn how, you can pick up a hand-held GPS from the park office along with a list of the geocaches located in the park. The geocaches are rotated on a fairly frequent basis, so there will always be new caches for you to find.

      Pocahontas State Park has a great Nature Center where you can pet or hold some of the smaller snakes, and watch the box turtles wander around. Here you can learn about the local plants and wildlife so you know what to look for out on the trail. There are even craft activities for the little ones. Just check with the park office or the Nature Center for a schedule of events.

      For water lovers there is a large swimming pool that is open during the summer months. If you're camping for the night, your entrance to the pool is included in your stay. Or, if you prefer kayaks and canoes, you can put in at Swift Creek Lake for a flatwater paddle. The park has rental equipment if need to borrow gear.

      The southern end of the park has been designed for the horse lovers. There is ample parking for trailers and miles of wide trails so you don't have to ride single file. The park includes new facilities for your horses including two exercise rings. There are no overnight facilities for horses at this park.

      The camping sites are nothing special. Tent and RV camping are in the same area. They do provide plenty of room for your tent, and include a picnic table and fire ring. Many of the sites are in almost full sun, so you may want to bring a shade of some type with you.

      Beware that there is a huge tick population in this park. Be sure to wear bug spray if you'll be out in the woods at any point.

      All-in-all, this is a fantastic park for families. There is a little bit of everything for everyone in your family.

    • RL
      Jul. 2, 2020

      Powhatan State Park Campground

      Nice Trails

      The campground was nearly empty on a Sunday night and my simple request to drive around the campground before choosing a site was denied. I ended up blindly choosing a site from the map, and it wasn’t awful but it wouldn’t have been my first choice. Considering the empty campground, it just didn't make sense that I couldn't select a site. 

      The River Trail was a nice walk. I did the Turkey, River, and Gold Dust Trails loop which is an easy 2.5 miles with some river views and meadow + wooded paths. I walked around the primitive hike-in/canoe-in campground which is nice and tucked away.

    • J
      Jul. 3, 2024

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      Huge park with plenty to do!

      Our site was nice and level. Covered by shade the majority of the day. Playground was decent and pretty centrally located on the campground. Firewood for sale by QR code was convenient. The trails were nice and it was a nice walk to the aquatic recreation park. Access to the aquatic park is free for campers. The bathrooms were clean but the one close to my site the outside was falling apart. Don’t know how the camp store is because it is only open Thursday to Sunday and has almost different hours every day. Overall great campground we will be going back

    • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 6, 2020

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      State Park with Some Limitations

      This was the first time camping with just my grandson and me, and I looked forward to him playing in the water, playing at the playground, fishing, and kayaking on the water. Unfortunately, the pandemic restrictions caused the playgrounds, the boat rental, and the swimming complex to be closed. With no swim beach and no play area, that stretched my imagination to keep him entertained. I took this into consideration when reviewing this campground, but there were other reasons for disappointment. 

      According to the website, you can purchase a fishing license at the park office. This was not true, so I had to drive seven miles to purchase one. While I was there, I also bought two bags of ice since it was more reasonable than the price at the campground. When I was ready to dispose of the trash, I discovered that the nearest trash disposal was not within a reasonable walking distance, so driving to the trash bin was the best option. The sites were level, and many of them were either paved or gravel. I liked the separation and privacy between most of the campsites. The lower numbered sites had lots of shade. Unfortunately, most of those had been reserved. The site we had was large, but the shade was minimal. I guess the site being so large is a double-edged sword. We had a small teardrop, and the distance from our little kitchenette in the back of the camper to the picnic table on the gravel pad was quite a walk to carry a heavy cooler by yourself.

      I’m glad I wasn’t staying in a tent this time. The gravel pad between the pull-through and the picnic table would not have been pleasant. The two nights that we stayed at this campground, the temperature was in the mid-90s for most of the day, so not being able to swim made us miserably hot. The worst part, however, was going to the bath house and shower. The showers were large, and the bath house was clean, but there was NO ventilation. There were no windows or exhaust fan. Stepping inside was like stepping into a sauna. Immediately after turning off the water in the shower, I started sweating from the heat in the shower. It looked as though there might have been a heater, but without having ventilation during the summer, it was TERRIBLE planning. 

      There is a boat ramp, but when I got there, it said“swimming prohibited.” I was hoping my five-year-old grandson could at least play in the water. I let him anyway(technically, he wasn’t swimming). The boat ramp is small, and motors are not allowed. The only place to fish was really from a boat. There were not many places from the shore to cast. Fortunately, we did take a kayak with us. At the boat launch site, there was a swing set, but it was also closed. To get to the boat ramp and lake, we had to drive 1.8 miles to get there, which isn’t a bad thing, but everything(camp store, trash dump, etc.) seemed out of walking distance. We got a chance to hike a little on one of the trails, which was fairly easy. If the whole family would have come camping with us, I could have tried one of the bike trails. From the campground, I saw one of the bike trails, which looked pleasantly challenging. 

      There are two camp stores, but the one within walking distance of the campground was closed for the summer. The camp store near the entrance was a decent size, but you would have to drive to it from the campground. There are picnic shelters, meeting facilities, a CCC museum(which was closed), a snack bar(which was closed), and laundry facilities. Overall, it wouldn’t be such a bad campground to stay at if everything was open.  Also, despite so many things not being open (swim complex, all of the playgrounds, one of the camp stores, the boat rentals, the CCC museum, etc.), I was charged FULL PRICE!!!  However, even with everything open, there are reasons I would prefer to camp elsewhere next time.

    • Philip S.
      May. 11, 2018

      Chippokes State Park Campground

      Great park, clean, and close to tons to do!

      We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside. There's also a large pool during the season with a camp store, snacks. The staff are always great, the sites are level and not too close together, with plenty of shade. The bathrooms and showers are kept clean and the showers are huge! There's plenty to do on the grounds, hiking, biking, touring the plantation, geocaching, and yes, even Pokemon Go! About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids! You can follow history or ride plenty of roller coasters at Busch Gardens.

    • Gary G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 20, 2022

      Pocahontas State Park Campground

      Excellent camping with a variety of activities available!

      The campsites were private, well maintained, and shady.  The facilities were also well maintained.  Flush toilets and free hot showers were abundant.

      With only 120 sites, the traffic and noise was acceptable.  There was cell coverage for our Verizon phones.  There was a nice playground for the grandkids, a small campground store, dry firewood, and friendly campground hosts.

      The day use area is incredible and less than a mile walk through the woods on a hike/bike/crawl/stroller gravel surface.  The day area includes awesome MTB trails, hiking trails, kayaking/fishing spots and a water park.

      No doubt we will return to this Virginia State Park in the future!

    Guide to Aylett

    Pocahontas State Park Campground accommodates equestrian camping near Chesterfield, Virginia with trail access suitable for horses across its 7,500-acre property. While the campground lacks dedicated horse corrals, it provides adequate space for equestrian campers to manage their horses and equipment. The park maintains specific trails designated for equestrian use, separate from hiking and biking paths. Camping options include both primitive sites and those with electric and water hookups. Bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets are centrally located within each camping loop.

    What to do

    River access fishing: Pocahontas State Park offers multiple fishing locations with access to Swift Creek Lake. "Lots of trails, nature center, pool, and creek for kayaking and fishing. You can also rent water equipment while you're there. Very good for beginners," notes Samantha G. from Pocahontas State Park Campground.

    Historical exploration: Visit Chippokes Plantation for a glimpse into agricultural history. "This hidden gem is just a short distance from Williamsburg but yet so remote! The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day and how they can survive into the future," shares Rose H. about Chippokes State Park Campground.

    Off-road biking: The extensive trail networks provide mountain biking opportunities for various skill levels. "Great State Park campground! Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history," reports Ashley I. about her experience at Pocahontas State Park.

    What campers like

    Private, wooded sites: Campers consistently mention site privacy and natural surroundings. "Some of the campsites are surrounded with forest. Very quiet and peaceful," says Gregg S. about Powhatan State Park Campground.

    Modern facilities: Many campgrounds in the region feature updated amenities. "Bathrooms are individual with a shower in each one. Lots of geocaching on grounds, fishing, hiking, boat launch, canoe racks, playground, a store with a nature center, and a Junior Ranger program for the kids," mentions Lisa P. about Powhatan State Park.

    Water recreation options: The James River and associated waterways provide opportunities for multiple activities. "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland," suggests Christina from Chippokes State Park Campground.

    What you should know

    Accessibility and terrain: Most campgrounds feature gravel sites with varying levelness. "Sites are very spacious and good distance between other campers. Nice privacy. Large Bath house dump stations were great. Some sites were very level. We were on site seven which was very long but very unlevel," reports Jim L. from Powhatan State Park.

    Seasonal considerations: Campground amenities and activities vary by season. "The pool doesn't look like it's been opened in years but there is a little beach area near the welcome center," notes Johnathan M. from Chippokes State Park.

    Reservation requirements: Campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Every camper's dream spot. Seriously, this modern giant state park has it all: mostly private sites, a paved road for biking, plenty of tree cover (even in winter) a lifetime's worth of trails to explore, and clean, legit bathrooms and showers. Firewood for sale by QR code, almost total darkness at night," shares N P. about Pocahontas State Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Junior Ranger programs: Several parks offer educational opportunities for children. "Staff were wonderful, huge place that is well kept, trails are trimmed back daily. Lots of geocaching on grounds, fishing, hiking, boat launch, canoe racks, playground, a store with a nature center, and a Junior Ranger program for the kids," mentions Lisa P. about Powhatan State Park.

    Accessible water areas: Look for shallow water access points. "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!" says Susan P. about Chippokes State Park.

    Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean," suggests Danielle H. about Chippokes State Park, highlighting activities that combine education and recreation.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are available at most sites, but full hookups are limited. "Campground is waaayyy back in the back of park. Only a few years old. No full hookup (yes 30/50 amp). Well maintained trails, level sites. No river access in campground," explains Ashley I. about Powhatan State Park.

    Site selection considerations: Pay attention to site layout when reserving. "The campsites on the A loop are a little more on an angle, they converted tent site lots to camper lots so they come with a level tent area as well," advises Johnathan M. about Chippokes State Park.

    Accessibility from urban areas: Most campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance of amenities. "20 mins from every store you can imagine, but super quiet at night. Sites are well spaced," notes Ashley I. about Pocahontas State Park.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Aylett, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Aylett, VA is Pocahontas State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 81 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Aylett, VA?

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

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