Graves Mountain Farm Campground provides primitive equestrian camping in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campground sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with seasonal creeks running throughout the property. Temperatures range from highs in the 90s during summer to lows in the 20s during winter months, with most visitors camping between April and October.
What to do
Horseback riding tours: At Fort Valley Ranch, visitors can enjoy guided trail rides through the Massanutten Mountains. "Within a 10-minute drive, there are opportunities for hiking and river activities. We found a river access point perfect for swimming and wading," notes Jason G.
Live music and festivals: Evening entertainment adds to the horse campground experience near Culpeper. "Awesome views, good food in the restaurant up the hill. Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner," reports Alex R. from Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Hiking in Shenandoah National Park: Camp near park entrances for day hiking. "I like this campsite particularly because its close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA. Lots of beautiful hikes and bike course with awesome views of the valley," explains Tom C. about Big Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Mountain views: The landscape offers scenic vistas throughout the region. "Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy. The fireflies are spectacular. At dusk, the ground shimmers, and then after they disperse, you will still see them flit by the tent throughout the night," describes Veronica S. from Big Meadows Campground.
Wildlife watching: Animal sightings enhance the camping experience in Virginia's horse country. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," notes Veronica S. about wildlife at Big Meadows.
Peaceful settings: Some equestrian camping areas offer quiet retreats. "Great site to camp. Dog friendly. Bathrooms available. Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired," mentions Lucinda B. about Graves Mountain Farm Lodge.
What you should know
Site layouts and privacy: Consider spacing between campsites when booking. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Though there is privacy and it was fairly quiet in the afternoon, at night it can get loud with kids running around and being noisy," warns Veronica S. about Big Meadows Campground.
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom conditions differ significantly between campgrounds. "The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports Carol B. about Big Meadows Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping comfort. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30) and shared the campground with a mix of tent campers, car/van campers, and a few larger units," shares Carol B.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Kid-friendly options abound at horse campgrounds near Culpeper. "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," advises Matt from Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities enhance family camping trips. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," explains Kim L. about Big Meadows.
Safety precautions: Wildlife requires proper food storage. "Big Meadows Campground was wonderful. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife. Fire ring with grate was available. Large site size," shares Terri S. from Big Meadows.
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some horse campgrounds. "Most of the sites, both RV and primitive are near the stable, bathrooms and showers. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch.
Road access: Mountain roads require careful navigation with larger rigs. "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. The access was smooth and hassle-free," shares Jason G.
Water availability: Potable water sources vary between locations. "We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the lovely mountain views. We also enjoyed access to potable water to fill our tank. I was quite grateful we had brought our own port-a-potty," notes Susan A. from Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
