B
Bob B.
Ranger
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.
Equestrian Camping near Clarksville, VA
4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Medoc Mountain State Park offers specialized equestrian camping options 53 miles southeast of Clarksville in Hollister, North Carolina. The park maintains a dedicated equestrian campground with sites specifically designed for visitors traveling with horses. Camping areas feature electric hookups, fifty-amp and thirty-amp service, sewer connections, and water hookups to accommodate both horse trailers and RVs. Trails remain accessible for riders throughout the year, with park rules requiring horses at the equestrian camping area. The bathhouses with showers are regularly cleaned, though tent campers should note the gravel camping pads designed primarily for drainage rather than tent comfort. The equestrian campground requires advance reservations.
Located 36 miles from Clarksville, Occoneechee State Park provides an alternative for horse enthusiasts with camping options in its equestrian area. Larger trailers can be accommodated in the spacious, secluded equestrian sites, though these sites lack immediate shower access with only one bathroom facility nearby. The park features multiple trail systems suitable for riding, including the Plantation Trail with historical markers and old-growth vegetation. Campsite spacing in the equestrian area offers good separation between individual sites, though the few available spaces are situated relatively close together. Visitors appreciate the diverse recreational opportunities beyond horseback riding, including access to Buggs Island Lake for fishing and boating, a splash pad for cooling off during summer months, and several hiking trails that connect to various park amenities.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Clarksville (6)
1. Occoneechee State Park Campground
"Occoneechee is right on the shores of Kerr Lake in Clarksville, VA. There are several nice trails to explore as well as a marina right in the park."
"Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse."
25 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $21 - $384 / night
2. 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
3. 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
4. Medoc Mountain State Park Campground
"Good location off of 85. Great trails and equestrian trails!"
"Not far from the Roanoke River and right around the corner from Halifax, this spot is perfect for getting away from it all."
Check Availabilityfrom $27 - $75 / night
5. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $72 / night
6. Medoc Mountain Equestrian Campground (Horse Required) — Medoc Mountain State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
Drive Time
- 51 min from Durham, NC
- 1 hr 11 min from Raleigh, NC
- 1 hr 30 min from Rocky Mount, NC
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Clarksville, VA
1 Photos of 6 Clarksville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Clarksville, VA
84 Reviews of 6 Clarksville Campgrounds
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.
- eelizabeth L.Guide
Medoc Mountain State Park Campground
Wonderful State Park Campground
Medoc Mountain State Park campground has been recently renovated. All of the full hook up sites and primitive sites are spacious and well kept. We camped in site #26 which was level and spacious. The sites on the outside of the loop are pretty level. The bathrooms/showers are new, spacious, and clean. There is a great playground in walking distance. There are many hiking trails that start near the campground. None of them have amazing views, but they are nice and well marked. I enjoyed the Bluff View trail the most. We were able to hike 6 miles both days we were there. Added bonus: campground is close to I-95. The only drawback is the lack of a close grocery store. Dollar General is less than 5 miles away.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideMedoc Mountain State Park Campground
Newly renovated campground
Beautiful, small, newly renovated campground. Gorgeous bath house. A few sites are level but most aren’t. Quiet. Easy to get to from I-95.
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.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendB.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Family Friendly Campground
B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.
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 Clarksville
Equestrian camping near Clarksville, Virginia offers direct access to miles of maintained trails through the region's mixed hardwood forests and waterfront areas. The area sits at elevations between 300-500 feet, with mild winters and warm summers that support year-round camping for horseback riders. Seasonal temperature variations affect trail conditions, with spring and fall providing optimal riding weather when temperatures typically range from 50-75°F.
What to do
Night sky viewing: Staunton River State Park provides exceptional stargazing opportunities as an International Dark Sky Park. "The park offers rentals of telescopes for free at the very nice Visitor's Center!" notes Carrie A., who also mentions the "designated star watching area" that makes this location special for astronomy enthusiasts.
Water activities: Occoneechee State Park offers multiple ways to enjoy Buggs Island Lake. "Kayaking was the BEST experience I have had yet!" according to Julie A. The park provides "fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and SUPing" options for visitors, as Lisa M. points out in her review of the recreational opportunities.
Mountain biking: Riders looking for trail adventures beyond horseback can find suitable terrain at Medoc Mountain State Park. "Nice sites and great for mountain bikers," comments Stacey S., highlighting the park's appeal to cyclists. The park offers over 10 miles of trails that accommodate various skill levels.
What campers like
Secluded sites: B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake provides a sense of privacy that many campers appreciate. "B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway," writes Maria Mercedes M., who enjoyed that it's "strictly hike-in and tent-only" which meant "true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads."
Historical exploration: The Plantation Trail at Occoneechee State Park offers educational opportunities during your stay. One visitor described it as "a large historical site that was once a homestead" with "a cemetery, historical markers, and an old chimney" plus "old growth - from the gigantic boxwoods (hundreds of years old) to the wild daffodils growing in the woods."
Wildlife observation: Staunton River State Park provides abundant opportunities to see local fauna. "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds," reports Elena B. The park's natural setting creates ideal conditions for wildlife viewing throughout the seasons.
What you should know
Site surfaces: Tent campers should be prepared for gravel tent pads at various campgrounds in the area. At Occoneechee State Park, Kelly J. notes this can be uncomfortable: "who tents on gravel when you have to sleep on the ground? not cool." Bringing additional padding or a cot can improve comfort on these surfaces.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds near Clarksville. At Medoc Mountain State Park, visitors experience "No cell service!" as RENEE D. mentions. This digital disconnection can be either a welcome break or a challenge depending on your needs.
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality differs between parks. Staunton River State Park receives positive reviews for bathrooms, with Bonnie T. stating they have "Clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, beautiful scenery." However, at Occoneechee State Park, some visitors noted that "showers also had no lip so water just got everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger-led activities at Staunton River State Park. "Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles," shares a camper named Katie, highlighting the educational value for children.
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. Falls Lake State Recreation Area provides "a playground near the site" that impressed amanda L., who found the park "family friendly" despite some sites being "gravelly and not super private."
Biking opportunities: Many campgrounds feature bike-friendly environments for children. At Medoc Mountain State Park, Becqui M. observed that "My girl rode her bike around the campground and it was perfectly safe," making it an ideal activity for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookups: Verify the specific hookup options before booking. In the equestrian campground at Medoc Mountain State Park, electric hookups, water connections, and sewer hookups are available, with both fifty-amp and thirty-amp service options to accommodate various RV electrical systems.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require minimal adjustment. At Staunton River State Park, Rick S. noted, "Our site required minimal leveling" and "Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches," making it accessible for larger rigs.
Water tank preparation: At Medoc Mountain State Park, campers should arrive with filled water tanks. "There are communal water spigots throughout the campground, but they don't easily allow hose connections, so be sure to fill your water tank before arriving," advises Rick S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Clarksville, VA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarksville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarksville, VA is Occoneechee State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Clarksville, VA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarksville, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Clarksville, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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