James River State Park is situated in the rolling hills between Lynchburg and Charlottesville, approximately 45 minutes north of Bedford, Virginia. The park encompasses 1,561 acres along the historic James River with elevations ranging from 650 to 1,200 feet. Equestrian facilities in this region typically operate year-round with reduced services during winter months, when temperatures can drop below freezing at night.
What to do
Trail riding adventures: Several trails at Douthat State Park Campground accommodate riders of various skill levels. "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!" shares Robyn S.
Lake activities: Fairy Stone State Park offers water-based recreation near the equestrian facilities. "The lake is perfect for little ones and even grownup kids. Also love the trails that surround the campground," notes Ryan Z. Swimming areas often include designated children's sections and deeper water for more advanced swimmers.
Nature programs: Fairy Stone State Park Campground offers unique guided activities. "We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones. Kayaking was fun," writes Bonnie T. Programs typically run during summer months and holiday weekends with sign-up sheets available at visitor centers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The bathhouses at Don's Cab-Inns Campground receive consistent praise. "These cabins have plenty of room for a family or couple getaway. The AC is very welcoming after a long hot day outside and mini fridge is perfect to unload your cooler from traveling," explains Mel T. Most campsites include electrical hookups and water access points.
Scenic views: The camping areas provide excellent vantage points. "We rented a cabin with fantastic sunset views. This park has great walking and equine trails, a fantastic visitor center, and a wonderful outdoor park/adventure zone for the kiddos," reports Jamie B. about Red Oak Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Red Oak Campground — James River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing. "This is a wonderful spot for viewing the stars because of the lack of light pollution. James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," explains Daryl L. The best viewing occurs between 10 PM and midnight during new moon phases.
What you should know
Site characteristics: Campgrounds near Bedford have varied terrain features. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them (i.e. not Whispering Pines) are located near the lake. White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites," notes Jeremy W. Sites vary in size from 25 to 50 feet in length.
Booking requirements: Most parks require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons. "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," shares Kirsten J. about Fairy Stone State Park.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work," reports Micah B. about James River State Park. Many equestrian campers appreciate the reduced connectivity as it helps disconnect from daily routines.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Parks offer numerous family-friendly options. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun. It was just after covid 19 started and lessening restrictions began so the beach was closed and there were few people at the campground but we had a great time riding bikes and hiking," explains Bridget H. about Fairy Stone State Park.
Accommodation options: James River State Park Campground provides various lodging types for families with horses. "I enjoyed my stay in this wooded campground. The sites were equipped with fire rings and picnic tables and level, gravel areas to park cars in front of your site," notes Virginia G. about the primitive campground area. Cabins typically book 6-11 months in advance.
Educational experiences: Parks provide learning opportunities alongside recreation. "We picked our site though and then hung out at a shelter near the yurts. The shelter was fantastic! It was dry and the kids could play games and we cooked dinner and the dog hung out while we waited for the thunderstorm to pass," shares Kirsten J. Ranger-led programs typically last 30-60 minutes and often include hands-on activities.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "The sites are a little rough but easy to level your rig. The park has great trails around it, they can be pretty challenging when it comes to elevation gain," Keith F. notes about Fairy Stone State Park. Many sites require leveling blocks on at least one side.
Utility connections: Douthat State Park Campground offers various hookup options. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing). The sites are large but there really aren't trees between sites although we were on a corner and so had some sense of privacy," explains Diane P. Full hookups may require 50-foot hoses at some locations.
Access roads: Some equestrian camping areas near Bedford have challenging approaches. "We pulled into this campground the long way! We followed dirt roads through hollers and through cow pastures, passing turkey's and all kinds of creatures along the way! We learned upon arrival - there is a much easier trek between Floyd VA and Fairy Stone - note to self!" advises Kirsten J. Trailers over 30 feet may experience difficulty navigating certain park roads during wet conditions.
