Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to stay in Virginia while traveling with your horse is easy. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
Camp Creek WV State Park and Forest is known for beautiful waterfalls and great camping. With nearly 6,000 acres of lush forest, 35 miles of trails and seven miles of seasonally stocked trout streams, there is something for every hiker, biker, horseback rider and angler to explore and enjoy. Located in Mercer County, two miles off Exit 20 on I-77, Camp Creek is ideal for family vacations and stop-overs during a long drive through the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia.
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area is a great destination for visitors looking for a fun getaway on Lake Moomaw. The area provides plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, camping and hiking. There is little to no cell service, so be ready to disconnect!
Boating, canoeing, water skiing and relaxing on the beach are popular activities at the lake. Anglers fish for brown and rainbow trout, bass and crappie. A boat ramp is located at the Bolar Flat Marina, which has a modern dock with boat slips. Bolar Mountain boasts 11 miles of hiking trails that lead to two impressive scenic overlooks: Islands Overlook Spur and Grouse Point Overlook. Looking for a more primitive experience? Hike or boat to Greenwood Point for dispersed camp sites.
The campground sits on the northern end of Lake Moomaw, a manmade lake covering 2,530 acres along the Jackson River. The lake is held by Gathright Dam, constructed in the 1980's by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control. The lake's average depth is 80 feet and it has 43 miles of wooded shoreline making it the second largest impoudment in western virginia.Bolar Mountain is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which span 1.8 million acres across Virginia and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. The forest protects 40 tree species within mostly Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Hidden Valley is a short drive from the lake and has ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiast: Hike or ride your horse along the Jackson River, all the way to Poor Farm, cast a line for trout, and stay at the Hidden Valley Campground or even better the historic bed and breakfast. Warm Springs has restaurants, shopping and a Historical Society for Bath County in addition to other typical amenities.
$30 / night
Cabins
To camp at Douthat State Park you must have with you either your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter at check-in. If you've arranged for someone else to check in for you, make sure that person has your reservation number as the number is needed to enter the cabin. All cabins are pet-friendly; there is a fee per pet per night. Camping and cabin guests should be prepared to show a valid ID if requested. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m.
Camping
Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites and makes great camping near Richmond. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake. Camping is available year-round in Whispering Pines campground. (Note: Water is unavailable at individual campsites from November through March because of freezing weather. As hot water is still available in the bathhouse, camping fees are not reduced.) The campgrounds are pet-friendly. Generators may not be used in any campgrounds.
Lodges
Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.
Douthat Lodge (atop mountain): Six-bedroom, rents Saturday - Saturday
This log lodge overlooks the park. It was built by the CCC. It sleeps 13 and allows 15. There are six bedrooms: one queen bed, one queen bed, one queen bed, four twin beds, two twin beds and one twin bed. It has a fireplace, two bathrooms, a washer and a dryer.
Creasey Lodge (behind park's main office). Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday when a week-long stay is required. Fully universally accessible.
This one story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds. It has a fireplace and three bathrooms.
Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday when a week-long stay is required.
This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six-bedrooms; queen, queen, two twins, two twins, two bunk beds, two bunk beds.
$20 - $40 / night
Our Camp sites are primitive and very private,these pictures show some of the views from the property. There will be a small clearing area for you to pitch your tent and set up a corral. There are several springs in the area to get water from if needed. We have over 100 acres with trails thru out for Riding,hiking and exploring. Call for rates and availability.
$30 - $60 / night
$25 - $100 / night
Fourteen primitive and separately numbered campsites dispersed along a 5-mile section of the lower Cranberry River. Campsites are number 6-19 along the Cranberry River between Big Rock Campground and Cranberry Campground on Forest Road 76. Double sites available at sites 7 and 12.
Scout
Stopped here for a quick overnight and this beautiful campground had us wishing we could stay longer.
Scout
Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them (i.e. not Whispering Pines) are located near the lake. Each one had a campground host (volunteer) and wood for sale.
White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles.
Beaver Dam Campground is relatively flat and similarly wooded while also providing equestrian facilities.
Lakeside Campground is smaller but the front row sites provide great lake views. Unfortunately swimming is only allowed in the Beach area which is not directly connected to this campground.
Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It’s a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites.
The Lakeside Camp Store is nice and has a to-go counter for food. The facilities, overall, were well maintained and clean. Firewood is for sale for $6 per bundle.
Traveler
Pretty much what a campground should be. Absolutely 0 service. No place to get ice if you’re out. Make sure you have a full tank of gas.
ScoutSwimming in this beautiful and very swimmable and safe lake is limited to a kiddie area - useless if you're looking for exercise. Count on a ranger yelling if you go elsewhere despite the absence of "no-swimming" signs. (Lots of signs about not feeding the wildlife). Tennessee state parks, for example, allow swimming in huge lakes swamped with jet-skis and speed boats. Lake Norris, Harrison Bay... What's wrong with "swim at your own risk?" No cellular signal which can be a plus. Old fashioned pay phone available for the generation that knows how to operate those.
LegendWe were in site #5. It was not level yet nothing in the mountains is level. The electric showed 30 & 50 amp yet the 30 amp was disconnected and that's what we need. We had to use the 50 amp hook up. The electric bo is on the wrong side of the site, most in this loop are on the wrong side. We filled with water this loop you have to fill with water.
The site was nice sized and shaded.
There isn't any cell service yet near the camp loop 2 the loop below ours behind spot #10 as you walk to the lake at a specific spot you can get service.
The lake is beautiful. Our neighbor was catching nice fish out in his boat. Many different kinds of fish and very nice sized brown trout.
There is a swim beach which you can launch a kayak or canoe from the beach.
The Marina is closed yet there is a boat launch near the marina.
They really need to update the campground area's was told it was all closed for a few years too bad they didn't update the campgrounds.
There isn't much around so bring your supplies with you. There is a small general store that sells somethings and gas but it's not a real grocery. They did sell excellent Virginia peanuts there.
favorite campsites are:
Campground 1
sites 9 and 2 were my favorite. Sites 2, 3, 9 & 10 the electric boxes are on the correct side.
Campground 2 sites 44 and 45 are nice with water & electric.
Sites 47, 50, 53, 54, 51 and 55 have no hook ups yet they are waterfront sites.
Campground 3 there is a boat & trailer storage area.
Best sites are 69 and 70 with water & electric.
No hook ups 64, 88 and 89 are waterfront.
They had a problem with the water in our loop so the bath house was closed and they had port o potties in front of the bath house. The day use area is big and was not crowded at all. There were many people camping in our loop it was very quiet.
LegendGeneral: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak. White Oak has 31 sites and It was full when we were there on a Tuesday in mid-October.
Site Quality: All sites (except 17 and possibly 18) appeared level and were very generous in size with long driveways. Many trees separate the sites. A picnic table, lantern hook, and fire ring complete the site. Sites 22-29 are tucked further away from the others and the bathhouse.
Bathhouse: Clean and modern. Showers were available but I did not use them so I cannot comment on how well they worked.
Activities/Amenities: A dishwashing sink, fish cleaning area, and many hiking trails throughout the park, including one (to Blue Suck Falls) that has access directly from the campground. We hiked this but the waterfall was just a trickle when we were there!
We met friends here, so it was nice to have adjoining sites. Bear warnings were posted throughout the campground, but we didn’t see any!
Guide
One of the few campgrounds open during the winter with facilities
GuideThis park is in one of my favorite parts of VA. Very beautiful area with plenty of off grid seclusion! It’s a nice scenic drive getting to the park on a quiet and well maintained back road.
The rangers at the park are very knowledgeable and kind and have no problem answering questions. There are many camping areas in the park, Some near creeks and on the lake as well. There are also cabins here! Plenty of picnic areas and great fishing as well!
It’s $8 a day for a fishing pass and you can rent John boats or kayaks here as well, In season the lake and creek are stocked with plenty of Rainbow trout. You can keep them for dinner if you like! Just follow all DNR laws on size and amount!
Some spots include clean bathrooms, hot showers, soda machines, fish fillet tables, Picnic tables, fire pits and so on.
I highly recommend this park for your next getaway or along your way!
GuideCampground is well maintained. Many trees along edge of the campground but not very many in the center, so the sites on the outer loop have more shade if that’s what you’re looking for. Showers were the best of any campground I’ve seen- water gets as hot as you’d like, with great water pressure and plenty of hooks and towel racks. Laundry room available in bathhouse. Little camp store is located within the campground loop. No service for Verizon users… Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time.
TravelerAll new facilities and only $25 a night. electric on the site, water and dump station located nearby. half a dozen RV spaces and cabin rentals and yurts. and education classes for children. mountain biking. quiet location.
ScoutSpotless, quaint, a gem in the Roanoke Valley ♥️
TravelerThe campground is beautiful and quiet in the camp creek state park. It is an easy 20 minute drive to Winter Place if you want to go skiing during the winter. There is not good service, but the campground has fairly good WiFi.
TravelerWe were in site number eight, it backed up to the creek and was quite private with the exception of the trail on the other side of the creek. The hiking is difficult in some areas but spectacularly beautiful. The campground staff was very friendly, and in the amenities were clean and kept up.
LegendWe will make this an annual event... the grandchildren love it! Great camping, nice beach and swim area, lot's of hiking and biking trails, a campground store... everything you would need and want in a campground!
ScoutLake Moomaw is nice though it has the distinctive bathtub ring of a reservoir. We had a “premium” campsite in loop 1 that was right off the water, which was very nice. The bathrooms in the main loop with showers were nice and clean, the pit toilet on the premium sites had a bad fly problem.
The main downside with this site seems to be the problem endemic to most campgrounds where people bring their motor boats - loud shitty country music blasting from both the boats and the campsites, people partying late at night, loud motors all day, etc.
There are a few reviews that says that there are great hiking options, which I don’t really agree with. There are a few trails and they are pleasant enough but this is a boating area and the trail options are very limited.
Anyways, I think this place would be heaven if they banned motor boats and left the lake to canoes and kayaks. As is, it’s a very nice spot with tons of noise pollution and loud neighbors.
RangerOur spot was right there on the water, there are bathrooms at the top of the hill. Campsites are drive up and can fit 2 vehicles. The spot also has a fire ring and picnic tables.
I didn’t have cell service and you are pretty close to a lot of other people and RVs, but still a great spot.
ScoutVery quite site and the most amazimg views. Will go out of my way to camp there again!
TravelerCampground is very new and bath facilities are immaculate. No shade at sites (hot July day).
Restaurant (Brewpub) is only open fridays and saturdays which was disappointing. Tried to swim at the river but it was trashy.
Staff was great, and would probably come again in the fall or early spring.
GuideWe state at the tent campsites for 4 days. Very clean and well kept. I will say the outhouses were a bit rough, but most are—a lot of hiking and sightseeing. I could not be there during prime trout season, so I didn't get any fishing in. I would recommend this state park.
ScoutThis is our favorite campsite and park that we’ve been to in the state of Virginia! We have so many more to explore but Douthat state park is huge the lake is so much fun, and the trails go for miles! We just started camping and hiking and can’t wait to explore more of the country!!
TravelerThis place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service.
GuideThis was our first camping trip to actually visit lake Moomaw in Warm Springs Virginia. We had been close before but never made it to the lake itself.
First off, sorry for the audio on the video we uploaded. It seems in March of 2021 I was diagnosed with having lung cancer and it is pinching the never of my left vocal cord so I'll I can use now is my right vocal cord.
Now, given that information, we decided to camp at Bolar Mountain Campground for a few days. We arrived the week before Memorial Day since it worked out better with my chemo treatments. We reserved site 34 and it was a perfect site. It's basically a corner lot which worked out great for us. It's little hike to the bathrooms but not to bad of an incline.
The bathrooms were clean and so were the showers. Everything was great. Access to a small store is not far away. The owner of the little store is very nice and helpful. Stop by and see him if you choose to come camp here.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.
GuideThis place is definitely a gem. Wide open space flat well maintained pads clean bathrooms and showers. Excellent fishing no full time residents.
GuideDouthat State Park has a lot of different trails for both hikers and mountain bikers. It's a great place to set up base camp and go out and explore during the day. The facilities are on par with other VA state parks. The bathrooms and showers are well maintained, but aren't anything fancy. There are a lot of campsites, and a lot of RVs and campers, but plenty of tent campers as well! There's very little Verizon cell service in this park.
GuideThis campground is super popular, and for good reason. Lake Moomaw is beautiful! There are also trails nearby, so it's a great spot for paddling or hiking. We also saw a number of groups tubing/floating on the lake. The campground was nearly full, but it was still quiet throughout the weekend. The sites aren't large, but can comfortably fit a tent or two as well as one or two cars.
The lake was also really warm in June and felt great while swimming!
LegendCamp Creek State Park was easy to find as our RV GPS and Waze brought us right to the Campground(CG). Check-in was quick at the little office right inside this small CG. We then proceed to back-in site 21 with FHUs, which was an easy back in. The site was nice and wide with plenty of space on each side. On the park map it was designated ADA(as was site 22) but we had booked online not seeing any restrictions. We did note after hooking into water that their water pressure was not very good at about 25 psi. The CG has WiFi but admittedly at the office its spotty at best. We got about 3 or 4 OTA channels, with one being a prime channel. We didn’t try satellite but could probably have gotten a signal. We also got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. There are actually two campgrounds in this little state park, Mash Fork where we were and Blue Jay on the other side of the park that is tent camping. Both check in at the Mash Fork office. Site 21 was a nice site that had shade in the afternoon, which would be nice in warmer weather but when we were there first week of April, we had snow and freezing temps. The campsites that ran along the creek were water& 30 AMP and could only take an RV up to 35’. FHU sites were on the opposite side and middle of CG. Probably the best big rig campsite with FHUs with plenty of yard space and some creek view is 26. Both CGs have a large creek running adjacent to the CG. Trout fishing was very popular though I didn’t catch any. They do restock this time of year. There are quite a few trails to hike to include the Mash Fork Falls trail that goes to the Mash Fork Falls then around the mountain to the other side of the park. Its a difficult level hike up the side of the mountain, but once you get up its not too bad if you’re in somewhat decent shape. You don't have to take the difficult trail to see the Mash Fork Falls, there is a flat road next to the Mash Fork Campground that goes right down to the falls. They sell firewood and ice at the Mash Fork office and there’s laundry on the backside of the bath house with 2 washers($1.00) and 3 dryers($1.50). Nearest major amenities(Walmart etc.) are at exit 9 off I-77 South in Princeton, WV. As a point of reference, Camp Creek is exit 20. We enjoyed our stay and would go back again.
LegendWe followed the signs off the interstate plus our RV GPS and Waze were right on. As we got to the camping areas there was a sign showing the campground names. We were in Whispering Pines CG and it wasn’t on the sign. However, a very short distance further there was a CG to our right and guess what, it was Whispering Pines. So we drove in and the camp host met us and handed us our info package and tags plus told us the basic rules and asked if we had any questions. We then proceeded to back-in site 16 with Water& 50 AMP. The back-in was just okay mostly because we were not on our game. Really nice and spacious sites in this CG. Really didn’t see where one site is better than another. There is a large creek to one side of the big circle CG but none of the sites sit right on the creek. On the creek side of the CG, some sites are just across the CG road from the creek. Another nice feature is that there is a workout area and playground out the back side of the CG, thus those allergic to kids don’t have to worry about being close to the playground. We got 2 bars Verizon and 3 bars AT&T. You are in a valley, so no OTA channels. Once we got towards the main state park area, spotty to no Verizon signal. We hiked the Blue Suck Falls Trail from the main park area. It was a 1.4 mile hike up to the little falls, which was a moderate to difficult hike due to the rocks and very shallow creek crossings encountered on the trail. Its well worth the trip to the Humpback Bridge about 30 minutes away. In our humble opinion, compared to other covered bridges we have seen in our travels its on par with the Bridges of Madison County. Douthat is a great little state park that we would definitely come back to again.
Horse camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest in Virginia offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest is Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
