Medoc Mountain State Park provides equestrian facilities about 46 miles from Henrico, Virginia, including designated camping for horse owners. Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina at an elevation of around 325 feet, the park offers a combination of woodland trails and creek access. Winter temperatures typically range from 30°F to 50°F, while summer months can reach 90°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Trail riding with water views: At B.W. Wells Campground near Falls Lake, equestrians can access trails with lakeside views. "Located on a semi rural area, the sites are very wooded and quiet. There was a lake nearby with an open sky where you could see hundreds of stars at night," notes Kristen W.
Stargazing opportunities: Staunton River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing as an International Dark Sky Park. "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," shares Bridget H., who visited with grandchildren.
Mountain biking access: Several trails at Medoc Mountain accommodate mountain bikers when conditions permit. "Nice sites and great for mountain bikers," mentions Stacey S., though riders should check trail status before visiting as some sections close seasonally.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Unlike the close spacing mentioned in the existing description, other campgrounds offer more separation. At Medoc Mountain State Park, "Large, level sites that are very secluded and far apart from each other," according to Katie M., who found it "very family-friendly!"
Waterfront camping options: Occoneechee State Park provides lakeside camping experiences. Sarah S. notes, "Lakefront sites are available and are very nice. Rangers patrol the area at night as well." This differs from the equestrian-specific sites described previously.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance standards at regional parks. Becqui M. mentions, "Bath house had doors for shower stalls as opposed to curtains, with shelves and hooks for your things," demonstrating the attention to detail in facilities.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: While the existing description mentions equestrian camping reservations, timing considerations are important. At Callahan's Hideaway, reservation response times can vary substantially, with one camper reporting communication issues: "He never responded to the reservation request or my email. Don't waste your time, find somewhere else."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is often unreliable in horse campgrounds near Henrico. RENEE D. considered this a positive at Medoc Mountain, exclaiming "No cell service! 😀" while Rick S. noted "Limited cellphone coverage (3G was spotty)" at the same location.
Water access considerations: Unlike the equestrian camping description, many reviews mention water limitations. Rick S. warns, "There are communal water spigots throughout the campground, but they don't easily allow hose connections, so be sure to fill your water tank before arriving."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families appreciate animal sightings at Falls Lake State Recreation Area, where one camper described it as "stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees."
Educational programs: Several parks offer learning experiences for children. At Staunton River State Park, Katie noted they "enjoyed outdoor movie on Friday. Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles."
Safety considerations: Some parks provide more secure environments than others. Medoc Mountain State Park accommodated one family well: "My girl rode her bike around the campground and it was perfectly safe," reports Becqui M., who was camping alone with her teenage daughter for the first time.
Tips from RVers
Site preparation: At Medoc Mountain equestrian campgrounds, the terrain differs from standard RV parks. One RVer at Medoc Mountain noted their "site required minimal leveling. Interior roads were all paved and easy to navigate -- no low-hanging branches," providing valuable information for those with larger rigs.
Water planning: Unlike the equestrian description focusing on horse troughs, RVers need to consider personal water needs. Rick S. cautions there's "no potable water at the dump station, either," emphasizing the need to arrive with full tanks when visiting Medoc Mountain.
Campsite surfaces: The ground conditions vary across horse camping areas near Henrico. William R. observed Medoc Mountain is "more for RVs," while at Falls Lake, Shannon S. found "sites were gravelly and not super private."
