Fort Valley Ranch provides equestrian facilities with 45 sites for camping near Winchester, Virginia. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, this horse-friendly campground sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas. The terrain varies from flat pastures to wooded areas, with most camping concentrated in centralized fields rather than dispersed throughout the property.
What to do
Fishing at managed ponds: The Cove Campground features stocked fishing ponds with bass and bluegill. "The lake is large and clean. The staff was very friendly. Camp one had flush toilets on one end, a pit toilet on the other," notes Christopher K., who visited with a pop-up camper.
Hiking nearby trails: Trout Pond Recreation Area offers multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked around Rock Cliff Lake and observed petrified wood. Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water," reports Fred F., highlighting the clear water quality.
ATV trail riding: For those seeking more adventure, some equestrian campgrounds near Winchester have designated off-road trails. "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites," writes Ben M. about The Cove Campground.
Horseback trail riding: Fort Valley Ranch connects directly to bridle trails for day rides. "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus," mentions Jason G., who appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many horse campgrounds around Winchester provide adequate separation between sites. "Though this campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site, B112, was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy," writes Veronica S. about Big Meadows Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms make a difference at many campgrounds. "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up. Very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center," reports Kim L. who appreciated the cleanliness at Big Meadows.
Wildlife viewing: Campers often spot deer and other wildlife. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," Rachel M. mentions about her experience at Big Meadows Campground.
Level sites: Campers with trailers appreciate the well-graded camping areas. "All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," notes Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch, making setup easier for visitors with horse trailers.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many equestrian campgrounds near Winchester have poor connectivity. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," Veronica S. mentions regarding her stay at Big Meadows.
Insect activity: Bug populations vary by season and location. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful," warns Veronica S.
Site availability considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space despite appearing large. "The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field as you can not access the others fields," notes Joe B. about Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Bathroom conditions: Quality varies significantly between facilities. "We were in site 12 which was small for our RV but we worked it out. There are 3 not so great bath houses and the only reason I didn't give 5 stars," writes Laure D. about Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campsites with playgrounds: Some campgrounds provide dedicated children's areas. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Consider cabins for less experienced campers: Cabin options provide comfort for families new to camping. "We have camped several times at this location. Very quite, very clean. At the end of the season last year, they were installing a pay phone, which is helpful because there is no cell service," mentions Chris J. about Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Choose campgrounds with swimming areas: Many children enjoy water activities during summer months. "There is Rockcliff lake and small beach area, an overlook to hike to right off the camp loop but it's 1 mile steep incline at times but worth every step," recommends Laure D.
Find sites with wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy seeing animals. "Free range horses come back at dusk and head out at dawn—fun to watch from the campground, especially for kiddos," notes Matt about Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check road access carefully: Some equestrian campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "I was initially concerned 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," shares Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch.
Plan for variable electric service: Amperage can differ from advertised specifications. "It states online that it's only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites. Mid-August was a gamble as to weather. It was gorgeous weather," writes Laure D., noting the potential challenges at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Consider water tank filling strategy: Limited water access can require planning. "Unless you have a powerful vehicle pulling your camper, it would help to release your water supply and fill up when you get to the campground," suggests Chris J. based on steep road grades at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Verify site leveling requirements: Site conditions can impact setup time. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," mentions Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
