Fort Valley Ranch accommodates equestrian campers with 45 campsites that welcome tents, RVs, and cabin-seeking visitors. The campground provides water hookups, electric service with both 30 and 50-amp connections, and sewer hookups for RVs. Bathroom facilities include showers and toilets, with trash collection available throughout the grounds. While the campground permits pets and includes amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings, alcohol consumption is prohibited. The primitive camping area at Graves Mountain Farm Campground attracts a mix of equestrian trailers, RVs, and tent campers in an open field setting with mountain views. The property features a charming brook and farm elements that appeal to families with young children, though campers note moderate exposure to insects and flies likely due to the presence of horses and cattle.
Trails near Fort Valley Ranch connect to numerous riding opportunities in the surrounding area. Graves Mountain camping area provides access to free-range horses that return to pens at dusk and head out at dawn—a particularly enjoyable sight for children. Sites at Graves Mountain operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited premium locations available to those arriving before noon. The campground's proximity to Shenandoah National Park makes it a convenient base for riders, though actual park entrances require a 35-40 minute drive. The scenic setting includes mountain vistas, though some campers note the facilities can be basic. Local firewood is available at the nearby General Store in Syria, approximately 0.2 miles from the campground, with bundles priced around $7 each.
$30 - $75 / night
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"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. "
$12 / night
"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."
$50 / night
"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."
$30 - $45 / night
"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."
$25 - $105 / night
"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."
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
Equestrian camping options near Hood, Virginia include primitive sites on open fields and full-service campgrounds with dedicated amenities. The Blue Ridge Mountain foothills in this region range from 500-3,000 feet elevation, offering relatively mild conditions even in summer months. Fall temperatures typically drop to the 40s overnight, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear for tent campers.
Horseback riding trails: Fort Valley Ranch offers excellent access to numerous riding paths. "Trails near Fort Valley Ranch connect to numerous riding opportunities in the surrounding area," making it ideal for equestrians seeking varied terrain.
Fishing ponds: At Trout Pond Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy "tons of cool hikes all around it" alongside the fishing opportunities. The recreation area features "Rock Cliff Lake and small beach area" with "crystal clear water" perfect for both fishing and swimming.
Stargazing: The elevated locations of many campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing, especially at sites away from campground lighting. As one camper at Big Meadows Campground notes, many visitors camp there "for the star watching at night."
Wildlife viewing: Big Meadows Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. "We saw many deer and bear while camping," reports one visitor, while another mentions, "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Mountain vistas: The campgrounds in this region offer scenic views throughout the seasons. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, campers appreciate the "beautiful mountain views" that accompany the pastoral setting.
Quiet camping options: Less developed sites provide more solitude. One visitor to Trout Pond Recreation Area described it as a "hidden gem" with "gorgeous weather" and being "surrounded by beautiful mountain views."
Limited premium sites: At many campgrounds including Graves Mountain, "Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited premium locations available to those arriving before noon."
Weather variability: The mountain climate can change quickly, especially at higher elevations. At Shenandoah Crossing, one camper noted they "were there in March so it was still a bit cold and not really sitting outside and enjoy it weather."
Cell service limitations: Many horse campgrounds near Hood, Virginia have limited connectivity. A visitor to Trout Pond Recreation Area mentioned "there is no cell service. In case of an emergency, you are a 20 minute drive to call for help."
Farm experiences: Children particularly enjoy the agricultural aspects at several local campgrounds. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, "Free range horses come back at dusk and head out at dawn—a particularly enjoyable sight for children."
Swimming options: Lost River State Park Campground offers natural swimming areas. Nearby at Trout Pond Recreation Area, families appreciate that "Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water."
Child-friendly trails: Look for shorter loops suitable for younger hikers. Big Meadows offers "nice trails accessible from campground" with "Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground."
Site selection: At Fort Valley Ranch, RVers recommend specific sites. One visitor noted, "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."
Approach considerations: Mountain roads can be challenging for larger rigs. A Fort Valley Ranch camper initially worried 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."
Hookup limitations: Check electrical capabilities before booking. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, "It states online that it's only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites," which may not be sufficient for all RV needs, especially during summer months when air conditioning might be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hood, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hood, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 125 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hood, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Hood, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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