3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fort Valley Ranch accommodates horseback riders with 45 campsites suitable for tent, RV, and cabin camping. The campground provides 30 and 50-amp electrical hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections. Horse trailer parking is available with ample room for vehicles. The campground maintains clean shower facilities and toilets for campers. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings for outdoor meals after a day of riding. The ranch is located in Virginia's Shenandoah region, offering access to mountain terrain and scenic views. Trails through the area connect to larger networks for extended rides.
Located approximately 40 miles west of Haymarket, the ranch serves as a base camp for exploring wooded trails and mountain paths. Riders access various terrain levels suitable for different experience levels. Water crossings and stream access points provide natural watering opportunities for horses throughout the trail system. The campground's positioning allows for day trips to nearby attractions including Shenandoah National Park. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and trail conditions optimal. Trail maps are available at check-in, highlighting routes appropriate for beginners through advanced riders. While staying at the campground, horses must be contained at designated areas when not on trails.
"Lots of activities, and nice hiking trails. Fabulous historical attractions, great visitor center. "
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
Available this weekend
from $34 - $90 / night
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $150 / night
"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
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk."
from $30 / night
"Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone. The bathrooms are ok. "
"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"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
"We recently stayed at Fort Valley Ranch Campground, near Luray, VA and I can only say good things about our experience and the FVR's management."
from $30 - $45 / 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.
ScoutWas looking for a last-minute getaway on a busy weekend, and they seemed the best option. I've always associated private campgrounds with crowding and sites on top of each other. I couldn't have been more wrong about The Cove. There is more wooded space between sites than in many National Parks.
Some sections are best accessed via 4WD, which I think is a great way to keep things from getting too crowded.
Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone.
The bathrooms are ok. Other than the shower area and the reception, most toilets are pit toilets. If you want to be walking distance to showers, make sure to book sites near them. For most sites, it's going to be a hike or a drive.
And on top of that, they have a beach for the kids, boat rentals, and a range.
This was our first visit, but we will definitely be coming back.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
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.
ScoutGood facilities for a NP campground
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
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
Fort Valley Ranch provides equestrian facilities in Virginia's Shenandoah region, about 40 miles west of Haymarket. The campground sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in a valley surrounded by the Massanutten Mountain range. Fall temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, while summer months can reach 85-90°F with moderate humidity.
Trail riding tours: Fort Valley Ranch offers guided horseback tours through mountain terrain for riders of different skill levels. Trails traverse varied elevation with natural water crossings for horses.
Fishing opportunities: Bull Run Regional Park has accessible fishing spots for families. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," notes Jonny D.
Water activities: Pohick Bay Campground provides access to waterfront recreation. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," says Anne K.
Shooting sports: Some horse campgrounds near Haymarket, Virginia offer additional activities. "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake," reports Shanna B. about The Cove Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities at equestrian campgrounds in the region. "The bathrooms are with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Privacy between sites: Many horse-friendly camps offer adequate space between campsites. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," explains Roberta K.
Wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground offers nature observation opportunities. "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," writes Rachel M.
Equestrian amenities: Specialized facilities cater to those bringing horses. Jason G. states about Fort Valley Ranch, "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed."
Insect preparation: Ticks and other insects can be prevalent at equestrian campgrounds. "I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns Ben J. about Cedarville State Forest.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities or transportation routes. "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," notes Drew M.
Reservation requirements: Many equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and trail conditions optimal."
Weather preparedness: Mountain terrain near Haymarket can experience rapid weather changes. "I spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry. When the rain did calm down Cedarville state forest offered some very serene and peaceful views," shares Justin G.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," describes Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Farm animal experiences: Graves Mountain Farm Campground provides agricultural experiences. "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," advises Matt.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water features during summer months. "We found a river access point perfect for swimming and wading," notes Jason G. about locations near Fort Valley Ranch.
Beginner-friendly trails: Several equestrian camps offer trails suitable for novice riders. Trail maps typically mark routes by difficulty level, with gentle paths for beginners and steeper terrain for experienced riders.
Site selection: Choose level sites when possible for easier setup. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Access considerations: Some equestrian campgrounds have challenging access roads. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us," explains Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch.
Utility availability: Water and electrical hookups vary between horse campgrounds near Haymarket. "The campground provides 30 and 50-amp electrical hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections. Horse trailer parking is available with ample room for vehicles."
Seasonal planning: RVers recommend visiting during moderate weather. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," advises Josh J. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Haymarket, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Haymarket, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 3.9-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Haymarket, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Haymarket, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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