The James River area near Buchanan, Virginia sits within the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 700 to 3,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during day and cool to 60-70°F at night. The region features multiple state parks with dedicated equestrian camping facilities and trail systems spanning over 75 miles of varied terrain suitable for riders of all experience levels.
What to do
Kayaking and water activities: At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, campers can enjoy the clear waters of Lake Moomaw. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," notes Joanna G. The lake offers kayak rentals at the marina for exploring coves and quiet areas.
Mountain biking on maintained trails: Douthat State Park Campground provides extensive mountain biking opportunities. "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!" advises Robyn S. The park maintains both road cycling routes and technical mountain trails.
Hiking through diverse terrain: The region offers trails ranging from easy to challenging. "There are many hiking trails nearby with a variety of difficulty. We chose a couple that provided nice views," shares Diane P. about Douthat State Park. Most parks mark trails clearly with distance and difficulty ratings posted at trailheads.
What campers like
Clean facilities and amenities: Red Oak Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The Red Oak sites were gravel and fairly level and the bathhouse was nice. There is an equestrian camping area (and stalls) for people with horses," reports Daryl L. Most equestrian camping areas near Buchanan maintain separate facilities for horses and humans with regular cleaning schedules.
Dark skies for stargazing: 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 limited light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Quiet environment: Many campgrounds in the region provide peaceful settings away from roads and development. "Generally this is a nice campground...not too big and pretty quiet. I met more people in this campground than all of the others combined, a nice group of folks," writes Thomas R. about his experience at Douthat State Park. Most sites maintain quiet hours from 10pm to 6am.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Red Oak Campground, "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. Download maps and information before arrival.
Reservation timing: Popular equestrian sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We reserved a primitive site online via recreation.gov (despite the fact that many sites are unreservable and are instead first come, first serve - we didn't want to chance it with the long drive)," shares Joanna G. about Bolar Mountain. Booking 3-6 months in advance is recommended for holiday weekends.
Weather considerations: The mountain region experiences rapid weather changes. "In late June 2020, weather along The Greenbrier River Trail was cooler, with late afternoon/early evening rain showers," notes Dave V. about Greenbrier River Trail Primitive Campsites. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of forecast.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access for children: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly water areas. "The lake is nice, and there is nice hiking along the shore," reports Thomas R. about Douthat State Park. Some sites feature shallow entry points with gradually increasing depth.
Educational opportunities: Don's Cab-Inns Campground provides learning activities. "Our family loved this campground! It is close to Roanoke and it is off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is located in Explore Park. 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," shares Bridget H. Many parks offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Playground facilities: For families with younger children, look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night. We hiked many miles while here and had a great weekend," says Bridget H. about James River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for equestrian camping: James River State Park offers specialized sites for horse owners. "The sites are generously sized and flat. A few negatives: 1. There is a bit of a walk from your vehicle but it's not bad. 2. The bathroom is just a potty with hand sanitizer, no running water," advises Conni B. Request corner sites for additional space when traveling with horses.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)," notes Diane P. about camping at Douthat State Park. Most equestrian sites include 30/50 amp service but not all offer full hookups.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. about Douthat State Park. Call ahead to confirm access for rigs over 35 feet.
