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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.
"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."
from $27 - $121 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $345 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $427 / night
Check Availability"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 ."
from $22 - $53 / night
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LegendThis is a pretty standard campground. Sites are extremely close together and campground is kind of tiny. One bathhouse for the whole campground. This park would probably appeal to equestrians, boaters, and RVers over tent campers. Unfortunately the promixity of other campers was stressful this weekend because of the screaming family right next to us. River views are nice. Probably won’t return.
GuideThe campground is well maintained and the sights are awesome. 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.
GuideWe have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren’t showers by us but there was 1 bathroom. The site is spacious and secluded although the few sites are packed into each other. There are smaller sites but are also closer together. Great place for biking, hiking, and being on the lake. They also have a new splash pad that the kids loved. While we were out there they had park personnel go over a few local birds of prey. We’ll be back!
LegendCampground Review:
We stayed in Yurt#4 for 2 nights at Fairy Stone State Park, about a 4 hour drive from where we live. The Yurt overall was very clean and cozy. The outside of the Yurt looks like it needed a powerwashing, but that didn’t really affect us at all, just kind of unsightly. They have a nice large deck that is great for hanging out on while the kids were asleep. The inside of the Yurt has a full size bed with a twin sized trundle bed that rolls under the full. It also had some rocking chairs inside, a small table and chairs, and a couch. We ended up eating and hanging out inside the Yurt or on the deck most of the time.
There are 4 Yurts to choose from. Two of them (Yurts#1 & 2) do not have a parking spot right in front of them, they are a short walk from a parking area, so I made sure to get one that did since we would be arriving after dark. 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. The Yurt next to us#3 had the fire pit and table right up front next to the parking spot which would be better I think. I would try to get Yurt#3 next time! Overall Yurt camping is so fun! We have done it once before, and it is such a great mix between cabin and tent camping. You get the protection from the elements, a real bed to sleep in, and it’s quick to pack-up- but still a bit rustic since there’s no ac or electricity.
There are hiking trails right across the street from the Yurt, which was awesome! The bathrooms and showers were fine and in close walking distance. They could probably use some updating but didn’t have any major issues with them. Overall the campground is pretty big and a bit of a maze getting around, we needed to use the park map a lot! Probably due to the park being so old there are a lot of old buildings not in use that are pretty cool.
The park is big and there is lots to do! There is a beautiful lake for swimming Tons of hiking trails. They had a great playground for the kids nearby. They had a concert going on somewhere at the park so we had some beautiful orchestral music playing as we were winding down for bed one night. We saw lots of deer roaming around. Note that there is not great cell service in this area.
The place to find the Fairy Stones are outside of the park, down the street a little bit beside a gas station. It was tricky knowing exactly what to look for, but once we found a few Fairy Stones, they were everywhere! So fun searching for them with the kids!
It was such a fun trip, very peaceful, beautiful scenery everywhere!
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Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - we tested out the Banner& Oak Men’s Nebo Hat– Olive
The quality of this hat is great. Nice and thick but breathable fabric, durable construction. We’ve put this hat through the ringer so far with sweaty hikes, long beach and lake days, and everyday wear and tear and it has performed spectacularly. The adjustable snapback makes fitting easy. Has a nice shape, looks great! Love this hat’s patch with well-designed graphics and the neutral olive color– goes with everything. Will definitely purchase again! Also appreciate the fact that the hats are made in the USA! It is my husband’s new go-to daily hat and I think it will last for a long time.
ScoutVery nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water
LegendWe 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. There is little tree cover and a sort of field behind the campsite where you can set up your telescope and see the stars really well. We were also able to rent one of the telescopes they have at the Visitors center (for free!) and use it throughout the stay.
We came the weekend after the fourth of July which was hot but surprisingly not too crowded. We participated in some of the parks' programs this time around and it made it such a great experience, especially for the kids. They had smores around the fire on a Friday night, where they handed out smores ingredients around a big campfire near the visitors center and you could chat with other campers. It was so nice! Then they had a outdoor movie afterwards. The next day we went to a "feed the animals" program, where the kids got to meet and help feed all the animals in the visitors center and learn more about them. There were turtles, snakes, fish! The kids loved it! We did the Junior Ranger hike and the kids all got badges. Hopefully the pool will be open next summer because it was so hot and that would have been awesome! But there is another Virginia State Park nearby, Occoneechee, that has a splash pad that we went to. Such a fun time!
GuideWe 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.
RangerThis 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. The yurt has a double bed, a twin trundle, a couch and some chairs, and a table and chairs. It also has a large wrap around deck with rocking chairs. A picnic table, lamp post, and fire ring are also provided at the site. 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. We even went to the Creeper Trail and rode our bikes from White Top to Damascus.
LegendThe campground at Staunton River State Park has lots of shade, water and electrical hookups, level sites, are not on top of each other, and… gravel sites. I understand the reason for gravel sites, but it is NOT good for tent campers, especially for campers that do not have freestanding tents. The first two attempts at driving tent stakes in resulted in bent stakes. Even though I said the sites are not on top of each other, they are still close enough that you do not get much privacy. The noise from other campers was fairly loud. Two units(e.g., camper+ tent) are allowed, but there is little room for anything, especially since campers are supposed to keep everything within the boundaries of the“timbers.” We got one of the largest sites, and it still was crowded. There was a fire ring with a grate, a picnic table, and two lantern poles, but again, everything was tight. Fitting two vehicles within the limits was nearly impossible. I know we weren’t supposed to set anything up outside the boundaries(please forgive us), but we set up our dining canopy and hammocks outside of the timbers. Despite the campsite limits, I still think this campground and the state park were great. There were many miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. We rode our bikes along a couple of the trails, but we had to steer around horse poop(not always successfully). The trail itself was scenic at times when we rode by the river, and it was not too difficult. There are enough“bumps” for bikers to get their heartbeats jumping, but the trails are easy and moderate. Kayaking and fishing seemed to be two of the more popular activities. There is a boat ramp, and beside the boat ramp, there were several people fishing. Many kayakers came and went as we put our kayaks into the water. The one thing kayakers have to be aware of is the presence of speed boats. We got hit by passing boaters several times. Other activities at this campground/state park are disc golf, playing on the playground, tennis, and swimming. Unfortunately, the swimming area is closed for 2020 because of the pandemic. However, several people were swimming at the boat landing. When it is open, the swimming pool area is exceptional for a state park. There is a water slide and a really nice swimming complex. Staunton River State Park is also designated as an“International Dark Sky Park.” Unfortunately, we did not take advantage of that. After biking and kayaking all day and camp cooking during the evening, we were exhausted. There is no shortage of things to do, and I wish I could have stayed at least a couple more days. Overall, the park is a fairly nice place, but if you take a tent, make sure it is a freestanding tent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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