1 campground with availability this weekend
Fairy Stone State Park offers equestrian camping opportunities near Huddleston, Virginia with an adjoining equestrian camp located just outside the main park gates. Horse owners can access miles of hiking and riding trails directly from the campground. The park features standard camping amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, fire rings, and clean shower facilities. Campers staying in the main park area receive free access to the park's swimming beach where families can enjoy water activities. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and the park also offers cabins and yurts for those seeking more shelter. The campground follows a mixed reservation system with half the sites available for advance booking and half maintained as first-come, first-served with distinctive yellow and red tag markings.
The trail system connecting to the equestrian camp provides multiple riding options through varied terrain. Many paths show significant elevation changes, creating challenging but rewarding rides for horses and their owners. The campground layout includes both level and uneven sites, with some requiring more effort to stabilize trailers and equipment. Bathhouse facilities receive regular maintenance, though cleanliness can vary during peak visitor periods. The park maintains a no-WiFi, no-cell-service environment that creates a true disconnect from digital demands. Campers frequently encounter wildlife including deer throughout the grounds. Nearby access to Fairy Stone hunting areas provides a unique activity, where visitors search for distinctive cross-shaped minerals formed naturally in the surrounding geology.
"There is an equestrian camping area (and stalls) for people with horses. The cabins and lodges have 2, 3, and 6 bedrooms and look beautiful. There is even a canoe-in campground. "
"Lots of beautiful hiking/biking/equestrian trails to explore. Bathrooms were very clean and nice. Bundles of firewood sold $7 each. Nice fire ring at each site. Pet friendly."
from $37 - $98 / night
"The Yurt we stayed in was a little weird because the Fire Pit and Picnic table is behind and almost under the yurt, down a decently step slope and the yurt sits on stilts on the back side."
"This weekend was a great adventure in SW Virginia. We stayed in a Yurt. It has no electricity or water but the bath house was close."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $311 / night
ScoutVery clean and quiet. Good services, including firewood availability. Drawback is that it’s 7.5 miles down a dead end road. Closet gas is at least 10 miles and groceries are a half hour away. Go prepared.
ScoutThis is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
ScoutBeautiful campground, all sites are paved with designated tent pads,h20,and power 20/30/50 amp. There is plenty to do at park fairy stone hunts, paddling, hiking, beach etc.
RangerThis campground is one of our stops coming from VT or going back home - would love to spend more time then just passing through
ScoutNice campground in line with expectations for most Virginia state parks. Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work
GuideThis is a real gem in the woods . I have no idea why it is listed as closed when it is open and very nice. Call them to book a site as the apps will not let u
GuideThe park is so beautiful. The sites are a little rough but easy to level your rig. The park has great trails around it, they can be pretty challenging when it comes to elevation gain. The lake is wonderful. They were updating cabins when we were there last, they look great. The showers were clean and the bathroom was the same. The host was a nice gentleman. No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away.
GuideNice camping. Great programs. Beautiful scenery.
GuideThis state park was a great find on my way south, Off the beaten path with plenty of river frontage and ponds around.
There are plenty of places to fish! The ponds are full for Largemouth Bass and Bluegills, The river has plenty of fish in it too! Only thing is, if it just rained the current will be pretty quick.
There is camping sites all around the park, Some with water frontage, There are bathrooms, fire pits and picnic tables at the sites. I camped along the James river in a pull in spot and had a great time!
Little cell service there but the radio came in fine, There are some bumpy trails and paths within the park but I recommend you check out the pond on the first right turn after you leave the front entrance. Beautiful gazebo overlooking the pond with picnic tables.
Camping near Huddleston, Virginia centers around Smith Mountain Lake and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, with elevations ranging from 795 to 1,000 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and winter lows around 25°F. The area's mixed hardwood forests provide moderate shade at most campgrounds, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions.
**Fairy Stone hunting: Located near Fairy Stone State Park Campground, visitors can search for distinctive cross-shaped minerals outside the park entrance. "We hunted and found fairy stones which made the trip that much more fun," reports Bridget H., who stayed in a yurt at the park.
**River activities: The James River provides opportunities for tubing, kayaking, and swimming. At Red Oak Campground, campers access crystal-clear water. "Absolutely clean, crystal clear water and never crowded. Both of my trips were during the summer and over a weekend and we seldom came across others," notes Conni B.
**Stargazing: James River State Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay," says Bridget H. The minimal light pollution creates exceptional viewing conditions year-round.
**Mountain biking: Several parks offer dedicated biking trails with varying difficulty levels. "It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff," shares Bridget H. about Don's Cab-Inns Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses and sites. "Facilities were clean, campground was well laid out and accessible, check-in was smooth, and the online reservation process had zero kinks!" reports Russell C. from Fairy Stone State Park.
Nature immersion: The no-WiFi, no-cell-service environment at many campgrounds creates a true digital detachment. "There is 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!" notes Katie M.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds provide generous space between sites. James River State Park offers "generously sized and flat" sites according to Conni B., while Virginia G. adds that "The campsites were well spaced apart" at the primitive campground.
Quality ranger programs: Educational activities run by park staff receive high praise. "We loved all the ranger programs, especially finding all the fairy stones," says Bonnie T., while Russell C. adds, "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!"
Reservation systems: Many parks use a mixed reservation approach. Don's Cab-Inns Campground uses a code-entry system for facilities. "Both the bathrooms/showers and cabin are push code to get into. This makes it so easy and convenient. You don't need to worry about losing a key," explains Mel T.
Site levelness: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. "Most of the sites are not level and it felt very crowded," reports Jacqueline F. about Fairy Stone State Park, while James River State Park features "level, gravel areas to park cars in front of your site" according to Virginia G.
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can develop quickly in the mountains. At Fairy Stone, one camper recounted, "It poured - for hours - but our site stayed dry for the most part. The tent pads at this campground are excellent and drain well."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal or nonexistent at most parks. "No Verizon service or WiFi. We go here to get away," notes Keith F. At Red Oak Campground, Micah B. explains, "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal."
Swimming options: James River State Park provides river access for swimming. "We tried to swim at the river but it was trashy," notes Ross P. about Don's Cab-Inns Campground, suggesting water conditions can vary. Fairy Stone offers a dedicated beach area that's "perfect for little ones and even grownup kids," according to Ryan Z.
Kid-friendly activities: Many parks offer structured programs designed for children. "The programming was also amazing for our eight and four-year old boys. Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids," shares Russell C.
Accommodation options: For families wanting more comfort, cabins and yurts provide alternatives to tent camping. At Fairy Stone, a yurt "has a double bed, a twin trundle, a couch and some chairs, and a table and chairs. It also has a large wrap around deck with rocking chairs," explains Bridget H.
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas. "The park has great walking and equine trails, a fantastic visitor center, and a wonderful outdoor park/adventure zone for the kiddos," notes Jamie B. about Red Oak Campground.
Equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Huddleston, Virginia include dedicated sites for those traveling with horses. "There is an equestrian camp just outside the park gates," notes Kirsten J. about Fairy Stone State Park, making it ideal for riders seeking direct trail access.
Hookup variations: RV sites offer different utility configurations. At Don's Cab-Inns, Terry F. reports "All new facilities and only $25 a night. electric on the site, water and dump station located nearby," while other parks may offer full hookups.
Campground navigation: Older parks can have complex layouts. "Overall the campground is pretty big and a bit of a maze getting around, we needed to use the park map a lot!" shares Katie M. about Fairy Stone State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects the camping experience significantly. "Campground is very new and bath facilities are immaculate. No shade at sites (hot July day)," notes Ross P., suggesting spring or fall visits might be more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Huddleston, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Huddleston, VA is Red Oak Campground — James River State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Keep Exploring
