Equestrian Camping near Glen Lyn, VA

Camp Creek State Park sits approximately 20 miles northwest of Glen Lyn, Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains at around 2,400 feet elevation. This area offers diverse terrain for horse camping, with trails ranging from gentle creek-side paths to more challenging mountain routes through mixed hardwood forests. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging 75-85°F and winters dropping below freezing.

What to do

Waterfall hikes: Access two waterfalls at Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park via hiking trails. "The waterfalls are very sparse when we were there so not sure about other times of the year. There is an office with a small store," writes Lee D.

Swimming spots: Find natural swimming areas along river access points. A reviewer at Camp Creek notes, "Great swimming rock trail south" while another mentions, "The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature."

Mountain biking: Explore the extensive trail systems connecting various campgrounds. "The campground has its own hiking/biking trails and zip line canopy tours," notes Kelly M. about River Expeditions Campsites.

Horseback riding: Bring your own horse to Collins Cove Horse Campground, which provides designated corrals and water hookups for equestrian camping. Nearby Hussy Mountain Horse Camp in Speedwell opens seasonally from April through November with bridle trail access.

What campers like

Creek-side sites: Select riverside camping spots for natural white noise. "We were in site number eight, it backed up to the creek and was quite private with the exception of the trail on the other side of the creek," notes Julie B. about Mash Fork Campground.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower houses. At Camp Creek State Park, one camper mentioned, "Showers were the best of any campground I've seen- water gets as hot as you'd like, with great water pressure and plenty of hooks and towel racks."

Trail access: Direct connections to hiking and equestrian paths from campsites. "This park is quiet, secluded and has plenty of trails to hike! The site I use exclusively has a river running behind it and the sounds lull you to sleep any time of day!" writes Jim P.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn hours offer opportunities to spot deer, turkey, and various bird species. "Lots of local attractions from State parks, Greenbrier rails to tails (77 miles long), Greenbrier river (Kayaking) and a couple caves to explore," notes a visitor at CB Ranch.

What you should know

Seasonal availability: Most equestrian campgrounds operate April through November, with limited winter facilities. "The website information is not accurate so definitely call (we were told when we called that the website is several years out of date)," advises Jessica D.

Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise at night. At Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground, camper Hazel S. warns, "There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day."

Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across the region. At Camp Creek State Park, Nicole M. notes, "No service for Verizon users... Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time."

Water conditions: Stream and river levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting water activities. "The river is super planted so I wouldn't swim here either sadly," mentions one camper about Glen Lyn Town Park.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great park. Nice playgrounds clean lots 30 and 50 amp service as well as boondock sites," Fred R. says about Camp Creek State Park.

Educational opportunities: Visit Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite for nature exploration. "With a few short miles until the journey ends at the Southern Terminus…we slowed our paced and stopped more frequently to enjoy all the sights and sounds," writes Dave V.

Safety considerations: Rocky terrain requires appropriate footwear for children. "The hiking is difficult in some areas but spectacularly beautiful," notes Julie B. about trails near Camp Creek State Park.

Weather preparation: Pack for significant temperature changes, especially in spring and fall. One camper mentioned, "In late June 2020, weather along The Greenbrier River Trail was cooler, with late afternoon/early evening rain showers."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose outer loop sites for more shade and privacy. "Many trees along edge of the campground but not very many in the center, so the sites on the outer loop have more shade if that's what you're looking for," advises Nicole M.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for sloped parking areas at some campgrounds. A reviewer noted, "The gravel parking spots are all on a slant, so it would be a challenge for larger trailers to get level there."

Hook-up options: Sites at Camp Creek State Park include various connection types. "It is small (18 sites) with a mix of 30-amp, 30-amp with water, 50-amp with water and electric, and FHU sites," explains Lee D.

Off-season considerations: Winter camping has limited facilities but fewer crowds. "We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient," Jessica D. warns about off-season camping.