12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
East Fork Campground and Horse Stables near Durbin offers designated camping facilities for trail riders bringing horses. The campground accommodates tent and RV camping with electric hookups, fifty-amp service, water hookups, and sewer connections. Horses are stabled separately from the camping area in the dedicated stables. The campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and access to trash disposal. Campers appreciate the well-maintained trails that connect directly to the campground, allowing for easy access to riding routes without trailering horses to separate locations.
Situated near the Monongahela National Forest, East Fork provides access to extensive trail networks suitable for day rides or longer excursions. The stables include individual stalls with water access and storage areas for tack and feed. Riders have reported excellent trail conditions with varied terrain suitable for different experience levels. Fort Valley Ranch in Virginia offers another horse-friendly option with 45 campsites, including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabin accommodations. The campground operates seasonally with specific horse policies regarding manure disposal and trail etiquette. Trail riders should reserve sites well in advance as the limited number of equestrian campsites fill quickly during peak riding seasons from spring through fall.
"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."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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"
"Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses."
"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
Check Availability"There is Rockcliff lake and small beach area, an overlook (Lina Constable Overlook) to hike to right off the camp loop but it’s 1 mile steep incline at times but worth every step. Gorgeous!"
"The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1. The site was super clean and well maintained. Lots of hiking trails and a very easy one that loops around the Rockcliff Lake."
from $25 - $105 / night
Check Availability"It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice."
"Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"I go there to climb and both sites are close to the rocks. I have camped there just about every month of the year. Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
LegendI grew up going to this campground. It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice.
There is a nice pool, arcade, camp store, horse riding, and the camp sites are pretty nice.
All around good place to camp.
GuideLooked forward to camping at Graves Mountain and enjoy the festivities. The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field as you can not access the others fields. Horse trailers, rvs, tents, and overland trailers all park right next that to each other. We set up away from everyone to properly distance ourselves due to their covid protocols. They told us to move next to others but there was no space. We got our money back and moved to another site. I would avoid this campsite. If you want to visit it for the apple or Fall festival just camp somewhere else and drive to it. No amenities. No cell service.
TravelerBOTTOM LINE: 3.5 Stars. We had a fine time camping here, but probably would not stay again unless some friends were going and wanted to stay. Not bad, but not great and not my personal preference for camping. Any recommendation to stay would be dependent on what you're looking for--it might be for you, but just wasn't for us.
Acknowledging that reviews are totally subjective, here is a brief summary of some of the pros and cons (in our humble opinion):[
PROS/CONS
Pros:
Cons:
Again, we recognize a lot is subjective; but it just wasn't for us. We'd camp here again if others wanted to, but wouldn't choose to come back.
I'm happy to elaborate on any particular bullets.
HELPFUL TIPS:
LegendLovely time in the yurt! Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites.
ScoutBeautiful sunsets over the stables and horse pastures. We reserved a “pull-through” RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level. Also, after staying for two weeks, the bathhouse next to our site was closed because of lack of electricity. Which forced us to drive up to the indoor pool (nice) and use the showers there. Inconvenient, but we made it work.
ScoutWe camped several nights in our 23ft. travel trailer. Our site A85 was just long enough to fit our trailer and truck. We were able to use our generator at this site. 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. They were clean and even though the campground was nearly full we never had to wait in line. We also did our laundry one evening. The machines were all working and it was quite reasonably priced. Big Meadows campground is so conveniently located to the Visitor's center and many local trails. The horse stables were just down the road. The lodge/restaurant was near the campground and we enjoyed a special dinner out one evening on the deck overlooking the beautiful Luray Valley.
RangerWe stayed at a "group" site D167, which allows up to 15 people and 4 cars. While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people. First of all, it's located in the middle of a large patch of grass right next to other family campsites, so no privacy at all. If you travel with friends you might want to stay up a little longer and have a good laugh around the fire, but this site isn't really designed this way. The quiet hours are after 10PM and it's enforced. Second, the space is really limited, especially if your group members have larger tents. Also, there's no overflow parking, except at the entrance to the campground.
The showers are nice and clean, but they are coin operated.
The rangers are very strict. We had some food related items left on the table (salt/pepper shakers) and they were confiscated while we were hiking. I'm not saying it's wrong, but be aware, because these rules are not enforced at the same level in different places. We ended up with a $80 fine.
Also, since this is a national park, you cannot bring the firewood from outside, have to buy it in the park.
Other than that, we enjoyed our stay. The campground location allow an easy access to many trails within Shenandoah National Park, as well as close by, such as our favorite Old Rag Mountain. It's also technically a part of the NP, so keep your entrance receipt to show at the Old Rag's parking lot.
Make sure you taste blackberry ice cream at the general store at the entrance. It's a local specialty and it's delicious!!!
TravelerWe have stayed here several times. Big beautiful paved sites with furniture to boot. Complete with gas grills and outdoor sinks. Plenty to do at the resort..... Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride or eat at the "real" restaurant. My favorite campground hands down!
TravelerStayed in July of 2016. Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center. Only down fall is proximity to neighbors.
East Fork Campground and Horse Stables offers dedicated equestrian camping facilities with trail access across the Monongahela National Forest. The campground provides separate stabling for horses away from the camping area with individual stalls that include water access and tack storage space. Located at 3,000-4,800 feet elevation throughout the region, horse trails in this part of West Virginia and Virginia range from relatively flat converted rail trails to challenging mountain terrain suitable for experienced riders. Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through early November due to harsh winter conditions.
Horseback riding on mountain trails: At Spruce Knob Lake Campground, riders can access extensive trail networks. "It's very remote, but you're at the top of a mountain so it's gorgeous," notes Brittany M. The campground connects to trails with "excellent birding especially in spring or fall during migration," according to Tim M.
Fishing at stocked ponds and lakes: Trout Pond Recreation Area provides opportunities for anglers. "The lake water was crystal clear and is surrounded by beautiful views of the mountains," reports Laure D. Fred F. adds, "Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with freshwater jellyfish."
Hiking mountain terrain: Trails throughout the region offer diverse difficulty levels. "There's a really cool rock formation where the creek goes under the Whitmer Road Bridge," Jennifer R. mentions about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping. For more established trails, Christopher B. recommends Laurel Fork Campground: "This place feel and literally is in the middle of nowhere. It takes forever on dirt forest service roads to finally stumble upon this place, making its beauty that much more enchanting."
Secluded campsites with creek access: At Gandy Creek, "Each site is secluded and creek front. We stayed at the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical," shares Sandra B. Tommy S. adds, "I noticed it as I was collecting firewood on the opposite shore, and felt some water about 20 degrees cooler than the creek joining from the mountains."
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution around Big Meadows Campground creates exceptional night sky viewing. "And finally, 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," says Veronica S. According to Jean C. at Spruce Knob Lake, "You're in the middle of nowhere, so you do have a truly dark sky."
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," Rachel M. notes about Big Meadows. At Laurel Fork Campground, Dana M. observed "Tons of wildflowers and butterflies!"
Remote locations with limited services: Many equestrian campgrounds have minimal amenities. "It's very remote. Pit toilet, no sinks or sanitizer. Limited running water," Brittany M. warns about Spruce Knob Lake. "Do not expect cell service, we didn't have any for about 45 min driving there."
Weather and flooding concerns: River campsites can experience rapid changes. Kelly G. at Yokums Vacationland recounts, "The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising. I was so scared I went and slept in my car somewhere else. Later I learned this area is prone to flooding."
Seasonal availability: Most facilities close during winter months. "The campground operates seasonally with the entrance gate locked from Dec 21 - May 1," notes John B. about Trout Pond Recreation Area. Tim M. adds that Spruce Knob Lake is "stocked with trout spring and fall," indicating these are prime camping seasons.
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Shenandoah Crossing offers extensive recreation options. "Salt water pool, horse rides, go karts, mini golf. Definitely more than a campground," reports RL. Nicole P. adds, "Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride."
Choose campsites with water features: Children enjoy playing in creeks and lakes. "Kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," Jason G. mentions about Fort Valley Ranch. At Trout Pond, Fred F. notes the "Nice hiking, kayaking & swimming" opportunities.
Pack for insect protection: Depending on the season, insects can be problematic. Anna R. shares about Big Meadows: "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable." Surprisingly, Dana M. found that Laurel Fork Campground had "No Bugs to speak of!" despite being "settled deep in the woods."
Reserve early for equestrian sites with hookups: Horse-friendly campsites with RV accommodations fill quickly. At East Fork Campground and Horse Stables, Cindy B. reports, "Most of the sites were full hook-ups and the facilities were very clean and well maintained." Harold C. adds, "Called and got a reservation Aug 1-12th had a slight problem. We called to say we couldn't make it until the 2nd no problem and no charge."
Consider road access before booking: Mountain roads can be challenging for large rigs. "The drive to the campground (Thorny Bottom Rd. CR 16) was a bit windy but doable. Better to go to Wardensville, WV and down 16 rather than try to cross the mountain," advises Laure D. about Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Check site leveling before setup: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven terrain. Brenda L. notes about Shenandoah Crossing, "Our site was not exactly level but I think it was because we were in the first spot on a row and it had a slant. The others looked pretty level."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dayton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dayton, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 125 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dayton, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Dayton, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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