Best Equestrian Camping near Chatham, VA

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 Sites Near Chatham, Virginia (5)

    1. Staunton River State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Henrico, VA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 572-4623

    "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."

    2. Fairy Stone State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Proctor Lake, VA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (276) 930-2424

    $30 / night

    "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."

    3. Occoneechee State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Clarksville, VA
    50 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Don's Cab-Inns Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hardy, VA
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 427-1800

    $25 - $100 / night

    "First, it is a private campground located in a public park - in this case, Explore Park in Roanoke, Virginia (milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway)."

    "The AC is very welcoming after a long hot day outside and mini fridge is perfect to unload your cooler from traveling. Also, an outlet to charge your phone."

    5. Callahan's Hideaway

    3 Reviews
    Red Oak, VA
    40 miles
    +1 (434) 471-1699

    $22 - $53 / night

    "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 ."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Chatham, VA

1 Photos of 5 Chatham Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Chatham, VA

59 Reviews of 5 Chatham Campgrounds


  • RL
    May. 20, 2023

    Staunton River State Park Campground

    Tent Camping

    This 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.

  • Chaz M.
    Apr. 26, 2020

    Staunton River State Park Campground

    Nice Area for Exploring

    The 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.

  • Samantha G.
    Sep. 3, 2018

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Awesome with lots of things to do.

    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. 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!

  • Katie M.
    Sep. 12, 2019

    Fairy Stone State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Banner & Oak Hat at Fairy Stone State Park

    Campground 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!

    ……………………………… 

    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.

  • Brett C.
    Nov. 1, 2022

    Callahan's Hideaway

    Nice place to camp and relax .

    Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water

  • Katie M.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Staunton River State Park Campground

    Great activities/family friendly camping

    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. 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!

  • Tara S.
    May. 28, 2019

    Don's Cab-Inns Campground

    Glamping on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

    Don's Cab-Inns Campground unique for several reasons. First, it is a private campground located in a public park - in this case, Explore Park in Roanoke, Virginia (milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Explore Park is run by Roanoke County, who partners with different vendors to create a full outdoor experience for folks who want to the gamut of outdoor adventures without having to drive all over the place. Within Explore Park, you can hike, mountain bike, take a trail ride on horseback, paddle the Roanoke River, go tubing, pitch a tent, embark on an aerial adventure course, and more. 

    Explore Park is, as far as I know, the only public park and campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway that isn't run by the National Park Service. There are many different camping options at Explore Park. At Don's Cab-Inns, you can stay in a standard RV site with electricity hook-ups, a tiny cabin that sleeps between 4 and 6 people, or a yurt, which has electricity and a bathroom.

    Another private company, Blue Mountain Adventures, offers primitive tent camping, and glamping tents, which I'll also review.

    I stopped at Explore Park and Don's Cab-Inns Campground while road tripping on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The campground opened in the fall of 2018, and everything still feels brand new. Of the 18 or so sites available, I think half of them were full during my visit on a weekend in early May.

    The little cabins include a full-size bed below and another in the loft, air conditioning, heat, electricity, a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a coffee pot. There is a fire pit, water spigot, and picnic table outside the cabin, as well as a lovely front porch to relax on. 

    You do have to bring your own bed linens or a sleeping bag with you. The brand new bathhouse includes private bathrooms with showers, and there is a small store on site for buying ice, firewood, and necessities like bug spray or soap. 

    Cost for the small cabins is $75 per night. The yurts, which have their own full bathroom are $100 per night.  

    My cabin was delightful. My bed was comfortable, and Don was a delightful host. He even showed me around the other sites so I could see what I was missing. This is definitely a five-star campground, and Roanoke is an awesome town to explore -- breweries, a walkable downtown, and great hiking and mountain biking.

  • Mel T.
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Don's Cab-Inns Campground

    Great Glamping getaway!

    We stayed in one of Don’s Cab-Inns over fourth of July weekend. It was a great stay and glam camping at it’s finest. 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. Also, an outlet to charge your phone. There is a water pump centrally located for clean water to cook or drink. Bathrooms are clean and right across the way. Both the bathrooms/showers and cabin are push code to get into. This makes it so easy and convenient. You don’t need to worry about losing a key or wondering who in your travel party has the key. Parking is right outside the cabin. Every cabin also has their own picnic table and fire pit. The site is located just off the grid from city life, but still within a quick driving distance to a mall, dollar store, places to eat, and a Krispy Kreme. We stayed here because it was a short distance to all our mountain hiking activities. The site also has activities they offer. You can play bean bag toss or buy wood for a camp fire. A short walk up the street they have biking, hiking, kayaking and tubing available. We just enjoyed walking to the river and jumping in to cool off! We also met Don and he was super helpful and friendly. Great stay all around.

  • Bridget H.
    Oct. 28, 2020

    Fairy Stone State Park Campground

    Great Adventure in SW Virginia

    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. 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.


Guide to Chatham

Virginia offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with several campgrounds providing excellent amenities and activities tailored for equestrian adventurers.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Equestrian campgrounds include spacious sites

  • Callahan's Hideaway offers ample space for horse camping, making it a comfortable choice for those traveling with their equine companions.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

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 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Chatham, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Chatham, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.