James River State Park provides extensive equestrian camping opportunities near Monroe, Virginia with specialized facilities at elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet. The park spans 1,500+ acres of rolling hills and forests along the banks of the James River. Overnight horse camping requires advance reservations and daily trail permits during peak seasons from April to October.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: James River State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing as an International Dark Sky Park. "This is a wonderful spot for viewing the stars because of the lack of light pollution. James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," notes Daryl L. of Red Oak Campground.
River recreation: The James River offers swimming, tubing, and fishing opportunities during summer months. "The River. 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," explains Conni B. about her experience at Red Oak Campground.
Family adventure activities: Beyond horseback riding, nearby parks offer outdoor challenges for all ages. "Our family loved this campground! It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff," writes Bridget H. about Don's Cab-Inns Campground.
Lake swimming: Several state parks within driving distance offer lake swimming options for cooling off. "There is a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun! We did a hike around the whole lake, lots of great views," shares Katie M. about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
What campers like
Camping variety: The region offers multiple camping styles beyond equestrian sites. "We've been here twice. Once for our anniversary and we stayed in one of the cabins with our dog, and once tent camping. The cabin was reasonably priced and comfortable," reports Jeremiah E. from his stays at Red Oak Campground — James River State Park.
Lakeside sites: Waterfront camping offers scenic views and easy access to water activities. "The tent-only section of the campground is alongside a lake, which provides beautiful views. There are lots of hiking trails to explore in the park," shares Brittany B. about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Well-maintained facilities: State parks in the region consistently receive praise for cleanliness and upkeep. "I enjoyed my stay in this wooded campground. The sites were equipped with fire rings and picnic tables and level, gravel areas to park cars in front of your site," notes Virginia G. about James River State Park Campground.
Trail connectivity: The network of trails connects camping areas to recreational facilities. "Acorn Loop has lake-front sites that I would highly recommend. Sites 4-12 are the best, with #11 being the best best: it's right on the water but also kind of tucked away a bit," advises RL about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on privacy needs and proximity to amenities. "The sites at the top of the hill, A1, A2, A3, and A15 are right on the road, but there wasn't much traffic in this particular loop, so it didn't bother us. A1, A2, and A3 will have people walking by a lot for the bathhouses," explains RL about their stay at Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Weather planning: Central Virginia experiences high humidity during summer months. "Cumberland County is only at 455' elevation, so the heat and humidity in the summer is intense—we were very uncomfortable our first night because of this, so fall would probably be the best time to go," advises Stephanie J. from her experience at Bear Creek Lake.
Tent pad materials: Some camping sites use alternative materials for tent placement. "The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet," notes Stephanie J. about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
RV size limitations: Check vehicle restrictions before arriving at campgrounds. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," warns Erica M. about Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kids' activities: Look for parks with dedicated children's areas. "The park has lots of hiking, including trails that go directly from the camp sites to the swimming area, boat/canoe rentals, cabins, fishing, and a lakeside diner that sells concessions," reports Stephanie J. about Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Cabin options: Family-friendly cabin accommodations offer comfort for those not equestrian camping. "We stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin. It has a beautiful deck with a picnic table and rocking chairs. We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," shares Bridget H. about her family's stay at Red Oak Campground.
Supervised water activities: Parents appreciate designated swimming areas with safety features. "I'm glad we had the beautiful view of the lake while camping, but didn't have to stress about the kids getting in the water the whole time," explains Katie M. about their family campsite at Bear Creek Lake State Park.
Wildlife awareness: Parks in the region offer educational opportunities about local fauna. "The rangers here are very interactive and very helpful. We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," mentions Bridget H. from her family's experience at Douthat State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)," shares Diane P. about her stay at Douthat State Park.
Cell reception: Remote locations may have limited connectivity. "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," reports Micah B. from his stay at Red Oak Campground.
Campground layouts: Different loops offer varying levels of privacy and access. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Three of them are located near the lake. Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites," explains Jeremy W. about the layout at Douthat State Park.
