Equestrian camping near Madison, Virginia offers riders direct trail access and diverse terrain across several recreational areas. The region sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 600-3,000 feet, creating varied riding conditions throughout the seasons. Horse-friendly campgrounds typically operate from April through November, with some locations providing seasonal water sources for horses.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Fort Valley Ranch provides extensive riding opportunities with trails directly accessible from campsites. As Jason G. notes, "Within a 10-minute drive, there are opportunities for hiking and river activities. We found a river access point perfect for swimming and wading."
Fishing: Multiple water bodies offer fishing opportunities for campers. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, Fred F. observed "Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with freshwater jellyfish." The recreation area maintains stocked fishing ponds throughout the season.
Nature hiking: The surrounding mountains provide numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty. At Big Meadows Campground, Tom C. mentioned, "I like this campsite particularly because it's close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA. Lots of beautiful hikes and bike course with awesome views of the valley."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk offer prime wildlife observation times. Rachel M. from Big Meadows shared, "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."
What campers like
Privacy options: Some campsites offer more seclusion than others. At Big Meadows, Veronica S. commented, "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy."
Amenities at higher-end facilities: Shenandoah Crossing offers resort-style accommodations alongside equestrian facilities. Nicole P. described, "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."
Natural water features: Several campgrounds offer swimming and water activities. Chris J. at Trout Pond Recreation Area mentioned, "We have camped several times at this location. Very quiet, very clean. At the end of the season last year, they were installing a pay phone, which is helpful because there is no cell service."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Horse-friendly camping areas vary widely in quality and layout. Jack B. from Graves Mountain Farm Campground cautioned, "It was essentially a 500'x500' field with little to no trees, hills, anything except buildings. We went on a windy weekend and do tent camping, and quickly realized this kind of exposure is not what we wanted."
Bathroom facilities vary: Not all campgrounds maintain consistent bathroom quality. Susan A. at Graves Mountain Farm noted, "I was quite grateful we had brought our own port-a-potty because the one provided at the farm was filthy. We didn't try to go in the bathhouse after seeing how nasty the port-a-potty was."
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations cause temperature fluctuations. Carol B. at Big Meadows shared, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. Chris J. warned about Trout Pond Recreation Area, "There are some pretty steep inclines to even get to the campgrounds. Unless you have a powerful vehicle pulling your camper, it would help to release your water supply and fill up when you get to the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Fishing opportunities: Stocked ponds provide reliable fishing for children. Jason G. at Fort Valley Ranch mentioned, "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill."
Wildlife education: Animal sightings create learning opportunities. Veronica S. observed at Big Meadows, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Insect preparation: Bring appropriate protection for seasonal insect activity. Anna R. from Big Meadows advised, "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable. Speaking of bears - there were lots of sightings and they take food clean up seriously."
Ranger programs: Some parks offer educational activities. Kim L. at Big Meadows noted, "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: RV sites vary in levelness across campgrounds. Jed from Shenandoah Crossing cautioned, "We reserved a 'pull-through' RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level."
Hookup limitations: Electrical capacities differ between facilities. Laure D. from Trout Pond Recreation Area explained, "It states online that it's only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites. Mid-August was a gamble as to weather. We found that sites 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are FHU (not sure what amp electric though)."
Road access: Mountain roads can challenge larger vehicles. Jason G. at Fort Valley Ranch shared, "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."
