Powhatan State Park Campground offers equestrians 1,500 acres of mixed woodland and meadow terrain with river access points along the James River. The park features multiple trail systems connected to water access areas, making it ideal for riders of various skill levels. Sites can accommodate horse trailers but require riders to bring portable containment systems as the park has no permanent equine facilities.
What to do
Trail riding with water access: Riders at Pocahontas State Park Campground can enjoy interconnected paths that provide diverse terrain. "Great State Park campground! Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history. LOVE the staff. 20 mins from every store you can imagine, but super quiet at night," notes camper Ashley I.
Fishing from horseback accessible points: Several water access areas allow anglers to try their luck while others in their party ride. At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, visitors report good fishing opportunities. "Fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish," shares Ross B. The 40-acre lake offers multiple access points.
Archery practice: Some parks near Broad Run provide target practice facilities for visitors. "There is even an archery range," reports Erica M. about Bear Creek Lake. These facilities typically operate during daylight hours and require visitors to bring their own equipment.
What campers like
Private trailside camping: Sites situated near trail access points provide convenience for equestrians. At Powhatan State Park, the layout works well for trail access. "The sites in the River Bend Campground (main campground) are private and wooded, especially this time of year when the trees are so full," explains camper RL.
Multiple water features: Equestrian campers appreciate the combination of river access and lake facilities. "The lake itself is very pretty, 40 acres and manmade. We brought innertubes and just floated but we saw people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and paddle boating," says RL about Bear Creek Lake.
Spacious pull-through sites: Horse trailer accommodation requires adequate space, which several campgrounds provide. "Large back in sites," notes Kathie M. about Shenandoah Crossing, which offers additional amenities that equestrians appreciate including "stables and bike rental."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, securing sites in advance is essential, especially for specialized equestrian camping. "Sites 1-14 are available for advance reservation, and sites 15-29 are first-come first-served," explains Stephanie J. about River Bend Loop at Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Camping pad surfaces: Some areas use unconventional materials for tent pads. "The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet," notes Stephanie J. about Bear Creek Lake's tent sites.
Water management concerns: River proximity can create seasonal challenges. "There's also a canoe-in site with 8 primitive sites: no water, electricity, or facilities (there's a pit toilet). Depending on the time of the year they might be in the flood zone if the river is high," warns RL about Powhatan State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Junior ranger programs: Children can participate in structured activities while parents ride. "Junior Ranger program for the kids," mentions Lisa P. about Powhatan State Park, along with "geocaching on grounds, fishing, hiking, boat launch, canoe racks, playground, a store with a nature center."
Seasonal temperature planning: Central Virginia's climate affects comfort levels for both riders and horses. "Cumberland County is only at 455' elevation, so the heat and humidity in the summer is intense—we were very uncomfortable our first night because of this, so fall would probably be the best time to go," advises Stephanie J.
Trail difficulty assessments: Parents should check trail ratings before taking children riding. "The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked for riders of various experience levels," notes a visitor to Powhatan State Park. Most parks publish trail maps with difficulty ratings.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers with horse trailers should prepare for uneven sites at some parks. At Shenandoah Crossing, one camper reported: "We reserved a 'pull-through' RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level."
Length restrictions: Larger rigs combined with horse trailers face limitations. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," cautions Erica M. about Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground.
Hookup availability: Some parks offer limited services for larger rigs. "No full hookup (yes 30/50 amp)," notes Ashley I. about Powhatan State Park. RVers should verify electrical capacity when making reservations, especially when planning extended stays with horses.
