2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
East Fork Campground and Horse Stables in Durbin, West Virginia provides equestrian campers with full hook-up sites situated directly on the river. The campground features stables for horses and caters specifically to riders, with most visitors bringing their own horses for extended stays. The facilities include clean bathrooms and showers, with water and electric hookups available for $32 per night. The campground maintains a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by mountains, making it ideal for trail riders seeking quiet natural settings.
Located within the Monongahela National Forest region, East Fork offers access to numerous riding trails. The campground sits near what locals call "The Quiet Zone" due to its proximity to the Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory, where cell phones, Wi-Fi, and other electronic devices are restricted within a 10-mile radius. This creates an unusually peaceful environment for horse camping. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the north end of the Greenbrier River Trail and the West Fork Rail Trail. Very nice owners manage the property, though riders should note that the nearby town offers limited services, so bringing all necessary supplies, feed, and equipment is essential. The campground's riverside location provides natural water access for horses after trail rides.
"The bathroom was just a short walk away. There are no hookups in this campground. We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower. "
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
Available this weekend
from $30 - $75 / night
"Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses."
"General: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak."
"The hiking and lake is amazing."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $37 / night
"It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia). Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "
"Sites are well situated, and very private. Especially the walk up sites, they're the real gem. Every site has a picnic table and fire ring."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $32 / night
"I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."
"This was our first camping trip to actually visit lake Moomaw in Warm Springs Virginia. We had been close before but never made it to the lake itself."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $85 / night
"This was my first stop on my cross country trip from Virginia to California and out of all the amazing places I’ve seen, this is by far my favorite spot!"
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"There is an equestrian camping area (and stalls) for people with horses. The cabins and lodges have 2, 3, and 6 bedrooms and look beautiful. There is even a canoe-in campground. "
"Lots of beautiful hiking/biking/equestrian trails to explore. Bathrooms were very clean and nice. Bundles of firewood sold $7 each. Nice fire ring at each site. Pet friendly."
from $37 - $98 / night
"Very peaceful, surrounded by mountains. The campground had stables and catered to people with horses, but we felt very welcomed by the owners."
"We stayed for one night but most of the others staying there had horses and were staying a while."
"Laurel fork campground is a nice place to go if you are looking to get away from the busy life. It’s not a very large camp ground or heavily populated. Finding a spot shouldn’t be a problem."
"Biggest surprise, given the location on the creek and remoteness of the campground ( settled deep in the woods) , there were No Bugs to speak of! Tons of wildflowers and butterflies!"
"Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain"
"Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired."
from $12 / night
TravelerLong drive thru spots, lots of space between campsites. Really inexpensive laundry ($1 to wash $1 to dry) $5 showers for 10 minutes. Nice bathrooms. Dry camping at its finest. Close drive to Grand caverns and Luray caverns.
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
ScoutFirst camping trip in VA and honestly the only time we’ll come here. Noisy, plots are on the main road people speed down, loud music at all times. Plus the bathroom was great, taken care of but this isn’t camping. Great if you need people around you.
ScoutWe were there for a short time Arriving on Aug. 17th. Our trip plan was to see the steam engine trains.
Camp grounds was very clean and well kept. The sites were grass with gravel pads where the camper was placed. We plan to come back again and stay longer. There are a lot of places to visit and enjoy the area site seeing.
The manager was very accommodating. We had a problem with a water line. The manager came over and helped us find parts and repair the water line.
ScoutGood facilities for a NP campground
ScoutVery clean and quiet. Good services, including firewood availability. Drawback is that it’s 7.5 miles down a dead end road. Closet gas is at least 10 miles and groceries are a half hour away. Go prepared.
RangerThis is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
GuideGreat summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
TravelerBeautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
Equestrian camping near Churchville, Virginia offers access to miles of mountain trails and riverside sites within the Monongahela National Forest region. The area sits at elevations between 1,800-4,800 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures that typically range 10-15°F below surrounding valleys. Campers should note that many campgrounds in this region have limited or no cell service due to proximity to the Green Bank Observatory's radio-quiet zone.
Trail riding access: Douthat State Park Campground offers direct access to mountain biking trails and horseback riding paths. "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!" reports Robyn S.
Fishing opportunities: The mountain streams and lakes provide excellent fishing spots, particularly for trout. Tim M. notes at Spruce Knob Lake Campground: "Lake is stocked with trout spring and fall. It is an easy drive to many of the local trout streams such as the Gandy, the Glady and Shavers Fork."
Stargazing: The area has minimal light pollution, making it ideal for 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. at Red Oak Campground.
Creek-side camping: Primitive riverside sites provide natural water access and peaceful surroundings. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, Tommy S. shares: "We lucked out with a very spacious site right at the creek's edge. Towering pines lined the sight, and provided a gorgeous backdrop for the stars and fireflies at night. This site I believe was two sites down from the one at the gigantic cliff carved up by the bend in the creek."
Privacy between sites: Many sites offer natural separation for a more secluded experience. "Laurel fork campground is a nice place to go if you are looking to get away from the busy life. It's not a very large camp ground or heavily populated. Finding a spot shouldn't be a problem," notes Adam W.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities despite remote locations. According to Dana M. at Laurel Fork Campground, "Pit toilet was very clean and well stocked. Animal proof trash disposal was very convenient and newly emptied. Our site was right on the creek and the sound was awesome for sleeping."
Remote locations: Many campgrounds require driving on gravel roads with limited services nearby. "It takes forever on dirt forest service roads to finally stumble upon this place, making its beauty that much more enchanting," explains Christopher B. about Laurel Fork Campground.
Radio quiet zone restrictions: The Green Bank Observatory creates a technology-limited area. Randall T. at Yokums Vacationland and Princess Snowbirds Indian Village cautions: "Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
Seasonal conditions: Higher elevations can experience significant temperature changes and weather impacts. "Download your maps before you come, because there's no cell service and you'll truly get away. In mid April the campground had plenty of space, but nearby Spruce Knob Lake was encircled by fishers seeking trout from the latest release," advises Jean C.
Look for educational programs: Rangers often provide family-friendly activities. Bridget H. shares about Red Oak Campground: "The rangers here are very interactive and very helpful. We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night."
Farm experiences: Some campgrounds offer animal interactions for children. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, Matt notes: "For kids, there is a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge. Free range horses come back at dusk and head out at dawn -- fun to watch from the campground, especially for kiddos."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers frequent wildlife encounters. Rachel M. from Big Meadows Campground reports: "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night."
Site selection: Choose campsites based on your specific needs and rig size. Jeremy W. advises about Douthat State Park: "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites."
Water and electricity details: Understand available hookups before arrival. Dana P. notes: "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."
Flooding awareness: Riverside sites can experience rapid water level changes. Kelly G. warns about camping at Yokums: "I couldn't figure out why I was the only one picking a choice spot by the river. The first night was great. I had a little trail down to the waters edge and sat on giant boulders to eat my meals. I should have checked the weather. The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Churchville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Churchville, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 131 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Churchville, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Churchville, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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