Best Equestrian Camping near Lancaster, VA

None of the campgrounds near Lancaster, Virginia listed in the data explicitly offer horse-friendly accommodations. The three campgrounds mentioned—Kiptopeke State Park, Chippokes State Park, and Tall Pines/Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday—are all marked with "NO horse-corral" in their features list, indicating they do not provide dedicated equestrian facilities. While these campgrounds offer various amenities for tent camping, RVs, and cabin stays, they lack specific accommodations for horses such as corrals, stalls, tie-outs, or designated equestrian campsites.

Equestrian campers seeking horse-friendly options may need to look beyond the immediate Lancaster area. The campgrounds featured do offer water access, hiking trails, and natural attractions, but none include bridle paths or horse trails based on the available data. The absence of manure disposal areas, trailer parking designated for horse transport, and washing facilities for equines further confirms these are not suitable destinations for those camping with horses. Some Virginia state parks do offer equestrian facilities, but travelers would need to search farther from the Lancaster vicinity to find suitable accommodations for both riders and their horses.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Lancaster, Virginia (3)

    1. Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    54 Reviews
    Townsend, VA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 331-2267

    $30 - $47 / night

    "Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails."

    "We love staying in the yurts at Virginia State Parks because they are always an affordable, easy way to camping without having to set up a tent or spend the extra money for a cabin."

    2. Chippokes State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Jamestown, VA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 294-3728

    "We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside."

    "Chippokes State Park is located on the grounds of an old historic plantation, actually one if the original plantations in the area dating back to the 1600’s."

    3. Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday

    12 Reviews
    Bloxom, VA
    46 miles
    Website

    $35 - $159 / night

    "The seasonal weekenders had gone home, and we preferred the larger, more private area behind the site to walk our dogs."

    "We'd reserved 406, but Sun Outdoors turned into KOA, so we got a different site lucky us, 'cause the middle ones were swampy with almost no space outside with sitting water on sites."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lancaster, VA

87 Reviews of 3 Lancaster Campgrounds


  • S
    May. 19, 2020

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    Great Place for boating walking and beaching

    Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails. The lovely town of Cape Charles  with an even better public beach and restaurants is close by. I use the park as a base for exploring the barrier island on the ocean side by kayak.

  • Philip S.
    May. 11, 2018

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Great park, clean, and close to tons to do!

    We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside. There's also a large pool during the season with a camp store, snacks. The staff are always great, the sites are level and not too close together, with plenty of shade. The bathrooms and showers are kept clean and the showers are huge! There's plenty to do on the grounds, hiking, biking, touring the plantation, geocaching, and yes, even Pokemon Go! About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids! You can follow history or ride plenty of roller coasters at Busch Gardens.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Great park for cultural and natural history

    Chippokes State Park is located on the grounds of an old historic plantation, actually one if the original plantations in the area dating back to the 1600’s. The land grant was huge, and as a state park now it provides a rich opportunity to learn about the James River, the natural and indigenous history of the region, the settlement history and role of this plantation in Virginia History, and more. Visiting here provides hiking opportunities to learn about fossils along the river shore, the temperate forest in the woods, and history around the old plantation. Taking the ferry across the river from Jamestown to get here was part of the adventure too. There is a nature center and visitor center that provides lots of info and programs near the river , a network of easy park roads for biking, and the plantation itself, set back further away from the river, provides a wealth of learning, including about the history of crops and trade in this area, and about the lives of the slaves who worked the plantation. The grounds right around the plantation are, in fact, a memorial to the hundreds of souls who lived and worked the land here. It was an amazing learning experience to come to the park, and the options to stay over in the park include standard campsites in a wooded campground, or cabins. The campground has all the usual state park amenities, and was very quiet when we were there in November—so late fall is a great time to come, as the fall weather was amazing

  • Ross B.
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    Fun weekend

    We camped at the tent only loop(F3). The site was great. The walk to the beach was longer than I thought. The most northern access was closed.

    I was a bit disappointed with the bathroom situation and the trash situation. The one shower/bathroom serviced 3 different loops. And they closed it for cleaning in the morning for about 30 min. Frustrating.
    There was no trash can in the loops. It was located at the entrance to the park forcing us to either drive it up daily or keep on site till the end.

    Otherwise I loved the fishing and crabbing. The north beach was beautiful and water warm. Although they don’t allow dogs on the north beach.

    Overall I would still go again.

  • Katie M.
    Oct. 2, 2020

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    Awesome Yurt Camping

    This was our first time staying in a yurt at Kiptopeake State Park. We love staying in the yurts at Virginia State Parks because they are always an affordable, easy way to camping without having to set up a tent or spend the extra money for a cabin. The ones at here are $75/night. This one was awesome! It is hidden down a long walkway from the parking area and is very secluded. The one we stayed in, Yurt 4, only has neighbors on one side. It comes with two picnic tables, a water spigot, fire pit, grill, a big deck around the yurt with rocking chairs, and a refreshing breeze coming off the bay. Unfortunately, the way the yurt is situated, none of that breeze gets inside the yurt and it was very hot inside. Especially if staying here in the summer, I would suggest bringing some fans or a portable a/c for a more comfortable nights sleep. The bathrooms are farther away than I would like with little kids. You have to walk through to the tent campground loop to get to them. Even with a couple negative things about it, I think this is the way to stay here at Kiptopeake and I am already planning our next yurt trip here for next year!

    Love this park so much! The beach is amazing. This time we discovered the dog-friendly beach, which was less crowded than the main one. I always like to go out and watch the sunset over the bay, it is magical!

  • Gabby B.
    Aug. 9, 2021

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    NICE PLACE to stay at for a long time

    We come every year because it's on our top list of yearly visits. The beach and staff there are nice. Crabbing and fishing there's very popular. Very pet friendly and they also made a beach side for pets to swim at. Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big. Some sunny some shady. Park usually fills up when I'm there

  • RL
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Beautiful Plantation

    Awesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.

    Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.

    Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.

    The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. The access to the little beaches are short but moderately steep, especially with lots of beach gear or strollers. It also seems to get washed out so watch your steps.

    The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.

    Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.

    Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.

    We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.

    Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.

  • Cliff M.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    Best equipped Va State Park

    Only campground in the Virginia State Park system that offers sewer hook-up's. As for the campsites, I was not really impressed so only gave it 4 stars. If you like open field camping and absolutely no shade, this is the place for you! Other than the lack of tree's, I think this is a great campground, a great location, and a ton of things to do...

  • Katie M.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    Excellent camping and beautiful beach!

    Have you ever wanted to go to a beach where the water is calm, clear, warm and shallow? With hardly any people there? Kiptopeake is the beach for you! Located on the bay there aren't huge waves to worry about or big beach crowds. Kiptopeake is my favorite Virginia State Park campground, hands down. 

    Camping:

    If you are a primitive tent camper like us, you'll want to get the site-specific sites. They are more secluded, bigger, and walkable to the beach. The sites in the site-specific loop are conveniently located to the bathrooms which have nice hot showers! Each site has a pretty standard picnic table and fire ring with enough room for two tents. Our site didn't have tons of room for two cars though, we had to squeeze in to our space awkwardly. We've been here in pretty much all months of the spring, summer and fall and have never had a problem with mosquitoes or biting flies.

    To Do:

    The beach at Kiptopeake is so beautiful! Most of the time we post up and spend all day there. I highly recommend watching the sunset from the beach. Check out the concrete fleet on a kayak. There's some great hiking, butterfly garden, bird watching. Virginia State Parks has some great programs for the kids as well! The town of Cape Charles nearby is very charming and worth a visit for cute shops and restaurants. 

    Highly recommend this park! It is a really special place you'll want to keep coming back to!


Guide to Lancaster

Alternative equestrian camping near Lancaster, Virginia is limited within the immediate area. Campers with horses need to travel beyond the Lancaster vicinity to find suitable accommodations. The Eastern Shore region offers several campgrounds with water access, wooded areas, and various amenities, though dedicated equestrian facilities are scarce. Virginia's Chesapeake Bay waterfront campgrounds provide opportunities for fishing, swimming, and nature exploration while staying within reasonable driving distance of Lancaster.

What to do

Explore riverside trails: At Chippokes State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy nature walks along the James River. "Love Chippokes! Feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Beautiful trails. Great (paved) campground! Feels like you're a million miles away from it all," notes Ashley I.

Search for marine life: The beaches offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities. At Kiptopeke State Park, one camper had an interesting experience: "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin. By the way, a searobin crocks like a frog when you grab it," reports Annemarie R.

Visit historical sites: The working plantation at Chippokes provides educational value. "This hidden gem is just a short distance from Williamsburg but yet so remote! The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day," writes Rose H.

What campers like

Water access options: Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday offers multiple water experiences. "There is a beach area to swim but also 2 pools. The original pool from when this was Tall Pines Harbor is a traditional rectangle. The new one is larger and also has a large splash pad," explains Laure D.

Quiet camping atmosphere: Despite being popular, some campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment. "Surprisingly enough, the campground was very quiet for being booked the entire weekend. Pets are welcome, everyone was friendly, and there is a lot of socializing opportunities at this park," notes Trey C.

Spacious waterfront sites: Premium locations offer views and comfort. "We stayed in water view site 10. WV sites 1-7 have great views and some shade. WV sites 8-20 are more open and close together," shares Laure D.

What you should know

Site drainage issues: Some camping areas may have water problems. At Kiptopeke State Park Campground, a camper observed: "The only reason I am giving 4 stars is for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my spot being In a cul-de-sac. But driving back to my spot I noticed all the A and B spots for trailers are just on top of each other," reports Joseph H.

Tree cover varies significantly: Site selection affects shade availability. "1st two rows of sites have almost ZERO tree cover. 1st row not very level sites. Not quite as spacious/spread out sites as other state parks, but it's on the bay! Tent sites are wooded, no rvs allowed," explains Ashley I.

Seasonal crowds: Popular times can mean limited availability. "We come every year because it's on our top list of yearly visits. The beach and staff there are nice. Crabbing and fishing there's very popular. Park usually fills up when I'm there," shares Gabby B.

Tips for camping with families

Shallow swimming areas: Chippokes State Park Campground offers kid-friendly water access. "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!" writes Susan P.

Entertainment options: Multiple recreational facilities keep children engaged. "There is a jump zone and a rec room. There are fishing piers and boat rentals. They also have vacation rentals if you don't have your own. They have laundry and a cafe and of course playgrounds," lists Laure D.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural encounters create memorable experiences. "Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big. Some sunny some shady," mentions Gabby B.

Tips from RVers

Ideal site recommendations: At Kiptopeke State Park Campground, specific locations offer better experiences. "This is a great campground. Well maintained, nice and quiet. C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," advises Aaron S.

Navigation considerations: Some campgrounds have tricky access routes. "Our RV Garmin GPS and Waze brought us in on the back roads at Accomac versus keeping us on US-13. If the Temperanceville address doesn't work, replace Temperanceville with Sanford, VA, per their website. US-13 to Saxis Rd/695 is a much easier and direct route," suggests MickandKarla W.

Site utilities and layout: Pay attention to hook-up locations and site dimensions. "We were guided to Site 50, which was an easy back-in with the utilities nicely placed. Tall Pines is a large campground with a lot of nice amenities. One of the really nice points about this CG is that they cater to short termers as well as seasonal," notes MickandKarla W.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lancaster, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lancaster, VA is Kiptopeke State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 54 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lancaster, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Lancaster, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.