Equestrian camping near Glasgow, Virginia centers around forested parks in the Alleghany Highlands region at elevations between 1,600-2,500 feet. The area receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Campsites typically offer level terrain suitable for horse trailers and RVs with gravel parking pads measuring 30-40 feet in length.
What to Do
Horseback riding trails: Multiple trail systems of varying difficulties connect throughout Douthat State Park Campground with routes ranging from 2-15 miles. "Virginia is for lovers and camping lovers! Security is good but not overwhelming," notes Cathy L.
Lake activities: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers swimming, fishing, and boating with water temperatures reaching the mid-70s in summer months. "We had the pleasure of having a campsite with lake view and access. Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp," advises Nicole R.
Mountain biking: Trail systems throughout the region accommodate riders of different skill levels with both technical routes and smooth paths. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" writes Robyn S.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive regular maintenance with modern amenities. "The bathrooms were incredibly clean and heated. Showers were terrific as well. Staff were kind and knowledgeable. A stream runs beside the campground and the lake, though small, is nice to paddle around in a kayak," shares Diane P. from Douthat State Park Campground.
River access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for fishing, swimming and paddling. "The best part was the River. Absolutely clean, crystal clear water and never crowded. Both of my trips were during the summer and over a weekend and we seldom came across others," explains Conni B. from Red Oak Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "This is a wonderful spot for viewing the stars because of the lack of light pollution. James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," mentions Daryl L.
What You Should Know
Bug protection: Insects can be problematic during warmer months, particularly near water. "My only advise would be to bring bug spray- especially in the summer. Those black flies were relentless!" warns Molly G.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. "We've camped here for the second time. The campground Bolar Mountain Rec Area is on Lake Moomaw. We like going during the week in the summer, it can get busy on the lake on weekends," advises Nicole R.
Cell coverage: Service varies significantly throughout the region with limited data capabilities. "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work," reports Micah B. from James River State Park Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Educational programs: Many parks offer ranger-led activities for children. "The rangers here are very interactive and very helpful. We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," shares Bridget H.
Cabin options: Alternative accommodations provide comfort for families with young children. "We rented a cabin with fantastic sunset views. This park has great walking and equine trails, a playground, marshland, and it is right on the James River with multiple river access points," explains Jamie B. from Don's Cab-Inns Campground.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming locations with gradually sloping entries accommodate various skill levels. "We stayed here 4 days and 3 nights in November. The sites are large but there really aren't trees between sites although we were on a corner and so had some sense of privacy. I imagine it would be a great place for kids," notes Diane P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should consider proximity to facilities and hookup requirements. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. 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," advises Jeremy W.
Dump station access: Plan waste management accordingly as not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)," shares Diane P.
Leveling preparations: Bring adequate leveling blocks as many sites feature slight grades. "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," notes Jeremy W.
