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Fort Valley Ranch in Shenandoah National Park accommodates horses with 45 campsites offering electric hookups, water access, and fire rings. Located in the center section of the park, the campground provides access to numerous bridle trails through mountainous terrain. Sites include picnic tables and drinking water is available throughout the grounds. Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville offers additional horse-friendly accommodations with tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and glamping options. Both locations permit pets alongside horses, making them suitable for families with multiple animals. The campgrounds maintain toilets and trash collection facilities for overnight visitors. Sites tend to fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends.
Riders can access miles of trail systems directly from both campgrounds with routes suitable for various experience levels. Shenandoah National Park's extensive trail network connects to Fort Valley Ranch and provides scenic vistas along mountain ridges. Campers should make reservations well in advance, particularly during spring and fall when conditions are most favorable for riding. Horse owners need to bring their own feed and plan for storage as neither location offers on-site purchasing options. While dedicated horse corrals are not listed in the amenities, both locations accommodate horse trailers with adequate parking. Fifty-amp hookups are available at Fort Valley Ranch for larger rigs and horse trailers requiring power. Campground reviews consistently mention the convenience of trail access and spacious sites that accommodate horse trailers.
"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. "
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
from $30 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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."
from $25 - $105 / night
Check Availability"It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice."
"Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses."
"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
Check Availability"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."
"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!"
LegendI grew up going to this campground. It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice.
There is a nice pool, arcade, camp store, horse riding, and the camp sites are pretty nice.
All around good place to camp.
GuideLooked forward to camping at Graves Mountain and enjoy the festivities. The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field as you can not access the others fields. Horse trailers, rvs, tents, and overland trailers all park right next that to each other. We set up away from everyone to properly distance ourselves due to their covid protocols. They told us to move next to others but there was no space. We got our money back and moved to another site. I would avoid this campsite. If you want to visit it for the apple or Fall festival just camp somewhere else and drive to it. No amenities. No cell service.
TravelerBOTTOM LINE: 3.5 Stars. We had a fine time camping here, but probably would not stay again unless some friends were going and wanted to stay. Not bad, but not great and not my personal preference for camping. Any recommendation to stay would be dependent on what you're looking for--it might be for you, but just wasn't for us.
Acknowledging that reviews are totally subjective, here is a brief summary of some of the pros and cons (in our humble opinion):[
PROS/CONS
Pros:
Cons:
Again, we recognize a lot is subjective; but it just wasn't for us. We'd camp here again if others wanted to, but wouldn't choose to come back.
I'm happy to elaborate on any particular bullets.
HELPFUL TIPS:
LegendLovely time in the yurt! Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites.
ScoutBeautiful sunsets over the stables and horse pastures. We reserved a “pull-through” RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level. Also, after staying for two weeks, the bathhouse next to our site was closed because of lack of electricity. Which forced us to drive up to the indoor pool (nice) and use the showers there. Inconvenient, but we made it work.
ScoutWe camped several nights in our 23ft. travel trailer. Our site A85 was just long enough to fit our trailer and truck. We were able to use our generator at this site. 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. They were clean and even though the campground was nearly full we never had to wait in line. We also did our laundry one evening. The machines were all working and it was quite reasonably priced. Big Meadows campground is so conveniently located to the Visitor's center and many local trails. The horse stables were just down the road. The lodge/restaurant was near the campground and we enjoyed a special dinner out one evening on the deck overlooking the beautiful Luray Valley.
RangerWe stayed at a "group" site D167, which allows up to 15 people and 4 cars. While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people. First of all, it's located in the middle of a large patch of grass right next to other family campsites, so no privacy at all. If you travel with friends you might want to stay up a little longer and have a good laugh around the fire, but this site isn't really designed this way. The quiet hours are after 10PM and it's enforced. Second, the space is really limited, especially if your group members have larger tents. Also, there's no overflow parking, except at the entrance to the campground.
The showers are nice and clean, but they are coin operated.
The rangers are very strict. We had some food related items left on the table (salt/pepper shakers) and they were confiscated while we were hiking. I'm not saying it's wrong, but be aware, because these rules are not enforced at the same level in different places. We ended up with a $80 fine.
Also, since this is a national park, you cannot bring the firewood from outside, have to buy it in the park.
Other than that, we enjoyed our stay. The campground location allow an easy access to many trails within Shenandoah National Park, as well as close by, such as our favorite Old Rag Mountain. It's also technically a part of the NP, so keep your entrance receipt to show at the Old Rag's parking lot.
Make sure you taste blackberry ice cream at the general store at the entrance. It's a local specialty and it's delicious!!!
TravelerWe have stayed here several times. Big beautiful paved sites with furniture to boot. Complete with gas grills and outdoor sinks. Plenty to do at the resort..... Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride or eat at the "real" restaurant. My favorite campground hands down!
TravelerStayed in July of 2016. Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center. Only down fall is proximity to neighbors.
Horse campgrounds near Harrisonburg, Virginia offer direct access to mountain trails with elevation gains ranging from 1,200 to 4,800 feet. Located within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, these equestrian facilities provide camping options from primitive sites to full hookups. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations, requiring proper preparation for horse care during overnight stays.
Trail riding at Shenandoah National Park: Fort Valley Ranch provides access to numerous trails through the park's mountainous terrain. "Beautiful , well maintained... Facilities were clean and well maintained. Bear box for food storage. Loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," writes Terri S. about nearby Big Meadows Campground.
Fishing mountain streams: Equestrian campers can combine riding with fishing at stocked waters. "The stream is stocked with trout in the spring and fall. My wife and I spent our honeymoon here 25 years ago and plan to return there this fall. Our son was married here in the stream in waders and we all went fishing after the ceremony," reports Tim M. about Laurel Fork Campground.
Explore remote wilderness: Riders seeking solitude can access isolated trails. "This place is amazing!!!. If your into primitive camping at it's best this place is it. This is where me and wife went on are first tent camping trip and ever since we compare every other tent site to Spruce Knob," shares Brian W. about primitive camping options near trailheads.
Spacious campsites for trailers: Equestrian facilities provide adequate room for horse trailers. "Fort Valley Ranch Campground was wonderful... Large site size. We had site 23. Highly recommend!" notes Jason G. from Fort Valley Ranch.
Direct trail access: Riders appreciate the convenience of trails connecting to campsites. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's... With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," shares Rachel M.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Equestrian campers report frequent wildlife sightings. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," explains Veronica S., detailing what to expect at campgrounds within wildlife corridors.
Weather considerations: Mountain campgrounds experience significant temperature variations. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports Carol B. about late-season camping.
Limited cell service: Equestrian campgrounds typically have minimal connectivity. "Do not expect cell service, we didn't have any for about 45 min driving there," warns Brittany M. about remote Spruce Knob Lake Campground.
Flood potential: Riverside horse camping requires weather awareness. "The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising. I was so scared I went and slept in my car somewhere else. Later I learned this area is prone to flooding," cautions Kelly G. about river-adjacent camping areas.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We camped here the last night of the season (Nov30)... The bathrooms were plentiful, heated, hot running water, and a utility sink available," notes Carol B. about seasonal operation schedules.
Kid-friendly horseback experiences: Several facilities offer guided rides for children. "Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville offers additional horse-friendly accommodations with tent, RV, cabin, yurt, and glamping options," making it versatile for families with varied comfort requirements.
Non-equestrian activities: Families appreciate diverse recreation options. "Salt water pool, horse rides, go karts, mini golf. Definitely more than a campground... Cabins are awesome and equipped with everything you need. Onsite restaurant/tavern is great," describes RL about Shenandoah Crossing.
Wildlife education opportunities: Children enjoy structured nature programs. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," explains Kim L. about park facilities.
Access challenges: Large horse trailers require careful navigation. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us. The access was smooth and hassle-free," shares Jason G.
Hookup availability: RV campers with horse trailers have specific utility needs. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," notes Jason G. about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping options.
Seasonal considerations: RV campers should check winter facility closures. "The campground was closed for the winter, but we called ahead and they were fine with us staying in the parking area. No amenities, but we were in a Revel, so didn't need anything anyway... The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1," advises John B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Harrisonburg, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Harrisonburg, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 127 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Harrisonburg, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Harrisonburg, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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