Camp Creek State Park's Double C Horse and Rider Camp offers dedicated equestrian sites within a 6,000-acre wilderness setting. The campground sits at elevations between 2,500-3,000 feet with mostly moderate temperatures during camping season. Horse camping sites connect to 33 miles of trail systems with direct access points to the Greenbrier River Trail, allowing riders to explore without needing to trailer horses to trailheads.
What to do
Trail riding with water access: The Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite offers river access points for horses. "The Greenbrier Trail itself travels between the river and areas hewn from mountainsides, creating varied riding experiences with peaceful river views," according to one experienced rider. This campsite includes a shelter that "appears that individuals or families have either constructed or donated for the construction."
Waterfall exploration: At Mash Fork Campground, visitors can access two waterfalls via hiking trails. "The waterfalls are easily accessible and were beautiful even without an abundance of water," notes one camper. The park also features an ADA-accessible short trail for those with mobility concerns.
Swimming in Lake Moomaw: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers lake swimming opportunities. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," explains one visitor who traveled nearly 5 hours to visit.
What campers like
Private riverfront access: At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5, campers appreciate the well-designed layout. "The tent pad to the north of this area is in an open grassy area with tranquil long views of the river. Swimming and fishing are permitted in the Greenbrier River," notes one bikepacker who stayed at the primitive site.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness at Mash Fork Campground. "Bath/Shower House was very clean. Instant hot water was appreciated at the tap (it was in the 30s when we were there in mid-October). Hooks and shelves for toiletries were appreciated," writes one reviewer. Another noted that "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wilderness surrounding Cranberry River Sites provides excellent wildlife viewing. "The fishing here is the best around with beautiful waterfalls like big ruff and the ducks are so colorful like no other," notes one regular visitor. The area requires proper food storage as "Bears will come in and make themselves at home!"
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly in this region. At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5, "Late afternoon showers soaked the three groups of bikepackers that set up camp for the night. So being the first to claim the Shelter is a coveted position."
Water conditions vary seasonally: Water features may not be consistent year-round. One camper at Mash Fork noted, "The waterfalls were very sparse when we were there so not sure about other times of the year."
Cell service limitations: Most horse campgrounds in this region have limited or no connectivity. At Douthat State Park Campground, a visitor noted "No service for Verizon users… Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time."
Bear safety protocols: Food storage is essential. At Cranberry River Sites, a camper warns, "One thing to remember is always hang your food at night. Bears will come in and make themselves at home!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several campgrounds provide family-friendly amenities. Mash Fork Campground offers "Playground, basketball, volleyball, laundry, several hiking trails including trails to two waterfalls, and an ADA-accessible short trail."
Consider cabins for first-time campers: CB Ranch offers cabin options that work well for families new to outdoor experiences. "We loved every moment of our stay from the fire pit to the beautiful trails on the property to seeing the farm animals. The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature. The cabin was decorated very nicely and was clean."
Choose sites with creek access: Families often appreciate water features. One camper at Mash Fork noted, "We 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."
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Even in summer, nights can get cool. "It was in the 30s when we were there in mid-October," noted one Mash Fork visitor, highlighting the need for warm sleeping gear and layered clothing.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Bolar Mountain, "All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart," which is ideal for RV camping.
Low-water crossing awareness: When accessing certain camping areas, watch for challenging terrain. At Douthat State Park, "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles."
Consider electrical needs: One camper at Mash Fork noted the campground has "a mix of 30-amp, 30-amp with water, 50-amp with water and electric, and FHU sites." Understanding your power requirements will help you select an appropriate site.
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