L
Lynwood R.
Traveler
TravelerOcconeechee State Park Campground
I was here for a Tuesday night. Staff were outstanding, they helped me check in even though I came right at 4 pm. Site was clean and right by bathroom.
Equestrian Camping near Chatham, VA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Fairy Stone State Park Campground offers equestrian camping opportunities with access to multiple riding trails. The campground features standard tent and RV sites along with cabins and yurts for visitors traveling with horses. Located near Stuart, Virginia, approximately 45 minutes from Chatham, the park maintains clean facilities with picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Trails suitable for horseback riding wind through the wooded terrain, connecting to a network of paths that showcase the natural beauty of the area. The park remains open year-round, though some equestrians note the trails can become challenging after rain with occasional muddy sections.
The equestrian facilities at Staunton River State Park Campground provide additional options for horse owners camping in the region. Designated horse-friendly campsites accommodate trailers with sufficient parking space for vehicles and equipment. The park connects to bridle trails that follow the scenic Staunton River, offering varied terrain for riders of different experience levels. Water access points along the river provide natural watering opportunities for horses during trail rides. Campground bathrooms and showers remain well-maintained, though the single bathhouse can become busy during peak seasons. The International Dark Sky designation makes this location particularly appealing for evening rides followed by stargazing, with the park offering telescope loans to campers interested in viewing the night sky after returning from the trails.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Chatham (4)
1. Staunton River State Park Campground
"The hiking trails are also do horses and parts have been beaten down and there was a lot of horse poop in the trail. Still worth the hike to see the peaceful water though."
"We camped here again at Staunton River State Park, this time we stayed in site 21, which is an electric site near the bathrooms/showers and one of the best for viewing stars."
Check Availabilityfrom $27 - $110 / night
2. Occoneechee State Park Campground
"We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren’t showers by us but there was 1 bathroom."
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
21 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $21 - $384 / night
3. Fairy Stone State Park Campground
"The Yurt we stayed in was a little weird because the Fire Pit and Picnic table is behind and almost under the yurt, down a decently step slope and the yurt sits on stilts on the back side."
"This weekend was a great adventure in SW Virginia. We stayed in a Yurt. It has no electricity or water but the bath house was close."
42 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $27 - $311 / night
4. Callahan's Hideaway
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $53 / night
Drive Time
- 56 min from Greensboro, NC
- 1 hr 5 min from Burlington, NC
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Chatham, VA
1 Photos of 4 Chatham Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Chatham, VA
60 Reviews of 4 Chatham Campgrounds
- BBob B.
RangerStaunton River State Park Campground
Surprisingly Quiet
I've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
John P.
ScoutFairy Stone State Park Campground
Nice new sites
This is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
- DDan B.Scout
Fairy Stone State Park Campground
Park recently redone
Beautiful campground, all sites are paved with designated tent pads,h20,and power 20/30/50 amp. There is plenty to do at park fairy stone hunts, paddling, hiking, beach etc.
Kaylee G.
GuideStaunton River State Park Campground
Small tent sites with easy access to trails
We stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
Camp With Me
LegendStaunton River State Park Campground
Hidden Gem - Dark Sky certified park
Lots of trails, 2 boat launches and nice campground. We stay here every once in a while since it is so close and such a amazing state park.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/g3tsJATaSis?si=3Cl29wwqTO1JF9FW
Brian B.GuideOcconeechee State Park Campground
Epic Cabin Retreat
Went there with my family in March over spring break. Can’t say this was exactly camping the way we did it, but the cabin was absolutely amazing. Each cabin is probably on a 2 acre plot of land and most of them have fantastic views of Kerr Reservoir.
Kitchens are nicely appointed, rooms are nicely decorated, just bring your own sheets and linens and get ready for a fantastic time.
Harry B.ScoutOcconeechee State Park Campground
Decent Campground Iron Bow
Decent bathhouse on Iron Bow. Sites are really close together and narrow so doesn’t leave a lot of room between campers. Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse. The Visitor center is nice with some good souvenirs for purchase and history section. Plenty of spots for fishing and launching watercraft. No designated swimming areas though. No WiFi. Verizon device at the campground worked okay. Clarksville town is quaint with some shops worth checking.
Martin T.TravelerOcconeechee State Park Campground
Very Nice Lakefront Camping
Spent 4 nights here (during a heat wave, no less) and really enjoyed it. Campsites are large and not right on top of each other, and especially if you can book one of the campsites that are on the water, they really do have beautiful views (see pictures).
Pros:
Kid-friendly. We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer and free once you're in the park. I never felt unsafe with my kids running around up to the bath-house or the loop, felt very secluded and safe.
Lake is scenic, we saw fireflies at dusk, it was a great setting for a camping trip.
Everything seems pretty well-maintained. Bathrooms are aging but were cleaned at least once a day, it was fine. There is firewood at every bathhouse you can take on the honor system and pay for via cashbox, which is nice. Campsites are clean and well-maintained.
Lots of lake recreation options (boat rental, fishing, etc.) in or near the park.
Cons:
Maybe it was just our campsite, which backed up to a large wooded area, but they were the most aggressive squirrels I've ever come across. If we went to the bathroom for five minutes and left food on the table, the squirrels would be there eating it when we came back. And would hover at the edge of the campsite or get into the car if the hatchback was open.
Camp store is....fine, pretty minimal in terms of provisions. But not a big deal because Clarksville is five minutes or so away and has plenty of stores.
Tents pads are all gravel. Didn't bother us but definitely would not want to tent camp here if you didn't have a good high-quality sleeping pad.
The biggest con was that there is no swimming area/beach in the park. You can try to wade in from the campsite but that generally requires scaling up/down some fairly treacherous rocks, and navigating driftwood and rocks in the water. We drove a few minutes away outside the park to find one, but would be really nice to have some kind of little swimming area inside the park, very strange to me they don't have one.
But all in all a lovely place for a camping trip, we all had a great time.
Guide to Chatham
Horse camping opportunities within 45 miles of Chatham, Virginia offer diverse terrain for riders of all experience levels. The area features rolling hills and mature woodlands with elevation changes from 700 to 1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, with spring and fall providing milder conditions for riders and their horses.
What to do
Stargazing after trail rides: Staunton River State Park Campground maintains International Dark Sky designation with telescope loans available. "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," notes Bridget H., who appreciated the night sky visibility after returning from riding trails.
Fairy stone hunting: Located near Fairy Stone State Park Campground, visitors can search for cross-shaped minerals at the designated hunting site. "We learned about the mysterious 'Fairy Stones' and went to the hunt site to see for ourselves. Sure enough - we found several fairy stones and the kids were very happy!" shares Kirsten J., describing this unique activity after riding the park's equestrian trails.
Kayaking on Bugg's Island Lake: Occoneechee State Park Campground provides access for water recreation. "On our last day, we paddled around Bugg's Lake. Used the boat launch near the office - nice place to put in," reports RL, who visited after exploring the equestrian trails in the area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Staunton River State Park gets high marks for maintenance. "Clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, beautiful scenery," says Bonnie T., who appreciated returning to well-kept amenities after trail rides.
Cabin options for non-tent campers: Don's Cab-Inns Campground offers alternatives to traditional camping near equestrian areas. "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," reports Mel T.
Water access points: Many sites feature convenient lake access for horses and riders. "The campgrounds are right next to the water for easy access. Pet friendly which is a must," mentions Heather L. about the equestrian-friendly setup at Occoneechee State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Fairy Stone State Park Campground has minimal connectivity. "Note that there is not great cell service in this area," cautions Katie M., important information for riders who may need to coordinate with others.
Site conditions vary by season: Many horse campgrounds near Chatham have weather-dependent trail quality. "The park remains open year-round, though some equestrians note the trails can become challenging after rain with occasional muddy sections," according to visitor reports.
Reservation requirements: Some equestrian sites must be booked in advance. "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," explains Kirsten J. about Fairy Stone Park's system.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Staunton River State Park offers interactive learning experiences. "Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles and we invoked in feeding. Also lots of any pelts to learn about," reports Katie about the family programming available.
Cabin comfort for young riders: Multi-bedroom options accommodate families with horses. "It's a 3BR/2BA spacious cabin, wooded and lakeside. Great sunsets and nice big deck," describes RL about accommodations at Occoneechee State Park.
Kid-friendly activities between rides: Parks offer complementary 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," Kirsten J. shares about Fairy Stone's amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Callahan's Hideaway provides space for rigs and trailers. "Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and short walk or drive to the water," notes Brett C., highlighting the convenient layout for those traveling with horses and equipment.
Utility details: Electric availability varies by campground. "All new facilities and only $25 a night. Electric on the site, water and dump station located nearby," explains Terry F. about the RV accommodations at Don's Cab-Inns, which is convenient to area equestrian trails.
Maneuverability considerations: Some parks have specific limitations. "Sites are a little rough but easy to level your rig," shares Keith F. about Fairy Stone State Park, important for those navigating larger vehicles with horse trailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Chatham, VA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chatham, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chatham, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Chatham, VA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chatham, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Chatham, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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