Equestrian camping options dot the landscape near Hollins, Virginia, where the Blue Ridge Mountains provide a backdrop for outdoor adventures. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 3,000 feet, creating varied terrain for horse trails and camping experiences. Most horseback-friendly campgrounds remain open April through October, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during daytime.
What to Do
Trail riding on the Creeper Trail: Located within driving distance of Fairy Stone State Park Campground, this converted rail-trail offers ideal terrain for horseback riding. "We even went to the Creeper Trail and rode our bikes from White Top to Damascus," notes one camper who enjoyed the variety of recreational opportunities in the area.
Find fairy stones: This unique geological activity provides an unusual souvenir. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," reports a camper at Fairy Stone State Park. The hunt site is outside the main park area, with one visitor explaining, "The place to find the Fairy Stones are outside of the park, down the street a little bit beside a gas station."
Explore mountain biking paths: For riders who alternate between horses and bikes, trails accommodate both activities. At Douthat State Park Campground, "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!"
What Campers Like
Historic features: The region contains structures from the Civilian Conservation Corps era. "We stayed two nights in a 1 bed efficiency CCC Cabin at Fairy Stone State Park for a short weekend away from the kids. The cabins have a bathroom, shower, kitchen with sink, fridge, oven/stove, microwave, toaster, everything you need! The cabin was built in the 1930s and is so charming!"
Lake access: Swimming opportunities complement the riding trails at Don's Cab-Inns Campground, where one visitor notes, "It is located in Explore Park. This park is growing by leaps and bounds. It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff."
Multiple camping options: Beyond the equestrian areas, various accommodation styles cater to different preferences. At Don's Cab-Inns, "There are many different camping options at Explore Park. At Don's Cab-Inns, you can stay in a standard RV site with electricity hook-ups, a tiny cabin that sleeps between 4 and 6 people, or a yurt, which has electricity and a bathroom."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires planning as many facilities close. At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, "We like going during the week in the summer, it can get busy on the lake on weekends. Other than that it is quiet and we've never had a noise problem."
Digital disconnect: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many camping areas providing a technology break. "No cell service or internet/wifi at the cabins though so come prepared with something to do! We found it to be very relaxing to unplug!" reports a visitor to Fairy Stone Park.
Beach policies: When using lake facilities with horses, note swimming regulations. "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 a camper at Bolar Mountain.
Tips for Camping with Families
Educational programs: Park rangers offer family-friendly activities related to local features. "The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" shares a Greenbrier River Trail visitor.
Playgrounds and beaches: Kid-friendly facilities supplement trail riding experiences. "Perfect places for families. We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones. Kayaking was fun," notes a Fairy Stone State Park camper.
Cabin options: For families needing more structure than tent camping provides, multiple parks offer solutions. "The cabin overall was very clean and cozy. They have a nice large deck that is great for hanging out on while the kids were asleep," shares a family who stayed in a yurt at Fairy Stone.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Terrain at some campgrounds requires preparation. "Most of the sites are not level and it felt very crowded. The bathrooms and showers were pretty gross and I don't think they were cleaned the 3 days we were there," notes a critical review from Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground.
Winter accessibility: Few campgrounds maintain full services year-round. "One of the few campgrounds open during the winter with facilities," mentions a camper about Don's Cab-Inns, making it valuable for horse owners needing off-season accommodations.
Water and electric hookups: Connection quality varies between parks. At Douthat State Park, "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing). The sites are large but there really aren't trees between sites."
Legend
