Fort Valley Ranch provides 45 camping sites suitable for tent, RV, and cabin campers approximately 45 minutes from Fulks Run. As one of the top horse camping options in the area, Fort Valley Ranch accommodates equestrians with ample trailer parking, drinking water, electric hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp service, and sewer connections for extended stays. The campground maintains picnic tables at each site and allows pets, making it convenient for horse owners traveling with dogs. Fire rings are available for evening relaxation after trail rides. Sanitary dump stations and trash collection services ensure a clean environment for both horses and humans.
Trail access is available directly from the campground, with several nearby riding routes connecting to the surrounding George Washington National Forest. Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park, located about an hour's drive from Fulks Run, offers additional camping options with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. The campground features well-maintained facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes for food storage. Though generators are allowed during restricted hours (five hours daily), the campground's natural setting provides opportunities to observe abundant wildlife, particularly deer that frequently wander through the camping areas. Hikers and riders can access multiple trails directly from the campground.
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"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. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $75 / night
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $105 / night
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $32 / night
"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"
"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
"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."
"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
"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."
"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!"
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.
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
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.
Dispersed camping near Fulks Run offers backcountry experiences in the George Washington National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. The area receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions ideal for equestrian trails. Campgrounds typically remain open from April through November, with higher-elevation sites closing earlier due to snowfall.
Horseback riding trails: Explore the extensive trail systems at Lost River State Park Campground, where equestrians can access mountain paths directly from camping areas. Trail difficulty varies from beginner-friendly flat terrain to challenging ridge routes with substantial elevation changes.
Fishing opportunities: Spruce Knob Lake Campground provides stocked trout fishing in spring and fall. "The lake is stocked with trout several times a year. Electric motors only; No swimming allowed," notes Jennifer B. The lake includes a wheelchair accessible fishing pier and boat dock for small watercraft.
Wildlife observation: Multiple trails lead from campsites into wildlife habitats. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby," shares Rachel M. about camping opportunities in the region.
Creek-side camping: Visitors appreciate water-adjacent sites. "We were closer to the road than we wanted to be but because the past few days had been beautiful spring weather, the area was packed," writes Melanie S. about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, where free primitive campsites spread along approximately 2.5 miles of creek frontage.
Solitude in remote locations: Many equestrian campers prefer less-developed areas for their trips. "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," explains Christopher B. about Laurel Fork Campground.
Natural features: The region offers unusual geological formations. "We hiked around Rock Cliff Lake and observed petrified wood. Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water," reports Fred F. about his experience at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Access challenges: Many horse-friendly campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. "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 near East of Trout Pond," advises Laure D. about reaching camping areas.
Limited amenities: Most equestrian camping options provide basic facilities only. "Upon arrival, you realize its special…there aren't many sites…count 'em 14. This is part of the CCC effort of a bygone era. It's quiet…almost too quiet. Let's see…electric…none. Showers…none. Running water…none (well, not counting the river)," explains Dave V.
Weather considerations: Elevation affects camping conditions significantly. "Mid-August was a gamble as to weather. It was gorgeous weather! In the valley and surrounded by beautiful mountain views it was 80 daytime and ~60 at night," notes one visitor at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Recreational options: Select campgrounds with kid-friendly features. "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," mentions Matt about a nearby farm campground.
Water activities: Several sites offer swimming areas during summer months. "The beach is nice and lots of fishing, hiking, playgrounds for the kids. Whether a day trip or camping this is a nice spot," writes Wendi C.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy animal sightings around camps. "Free range horses (they're penned-in) come back at dusk and head out at dawn -- fun to watch from the campground, especially for kiddos," notes one reviewer about Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Site selection: RV campers should research specific sites before arrival. "We were in site 12 which was small for our RV (22 ft total pulled by our F-150) but we worked it out. Site 14 is a buddy electric site. There are a few other buddy sites with no hookups. Site 11 and 13 both look nice and a bit more length to them and have electric (15 amp)," advises an experienced visitor.
Water management: Limited facilities mean planning ahead. "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," suggests chris J. about navigating steep roads to remote campgrounds.
Level sites: Some areas provide better parking than others. "The sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports Jason G. about The Cove Campground, noting that "the roads could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fulks Run, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fulks Run, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 131 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fulks Run, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Fulks Run, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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