Camp Creek State Park is located approximately 75 miles from Paint Bank, Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia. The park spans 5,300 acres with elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,700 feet, creating diverse terrain for trail riding. Summer temperatures typically average 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night, making it comfortable for overnight equestrian camping.
What to Do
Horseback riding trails: Camp Creek State Forest connects to over 25 miles of bridle paths with multiple connector routes for extended rides. As one visitor noted about the Double C Horse and Rider Campground, riders can access "trails throughout the park, with specially designated areas for tethering horses adjacent to campsites."
Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades and waterfalls can be found within easy hiking distance. At Mash Fork Campground, a camper shared that "The falls are easily accessible and were beautiful even without an abundance of water" and another mentioned "The waterfalls are a short walk from the campground."
Mountain biking: Several parks in the region offer dedicated biking trails with varying difficulty levels. In nearby Roanoke, a visitor mentioned, "Explore Park is growing by leaps and bounds. It has mountain bike trails, a cool vintage village, access to the Roanoke River, an aerial obstacle course, and more cool stuff."
What Campers Like
Creek-side camping: Many sites offer direct water access for cooling off during summer rides. At Mash Fork, one camper appreciated that "The site I use exclusively has a river running behind it and the sounds lull you to sleep any time of day!"
Well-maintained facilities: Camp Creek State Park provides clean bathhouses and reliable amenities. A Mash Fork camper described, "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."
Scenic views: The mountain backdrop creates picturesque camping experiences. About 80 miles north at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, a visitor described their experience: "Spent a relaxing long weekend at Lake Moomaw's Bolar Mountain Campground. The views were amazing and beautiful."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Trail conditions vary throughout the year, particularly at water crossings. A visitor to Greenbrier River Trail Primitive Campsite noted, "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. Trail conditions got soft and muddy after the previous night's deluge through the more heavily wooded areas."
Reservation requirements: Reserve equestrian sites in advance, especially during peak season (May-September). At Mash Fork, campers mentioned the campground "was small but quaint" with only 18 sites total.
Wildlife awareness: The region is home to black bears and other wildlife. At another Greenbrier River Trail site, a camper advised, "Because of its relative remoteness and light traffic, wildlife flourishes along the GRT. This is bear country so I would recommend utilizing a bear bag or bear canister for your food and toiletries."
Tips for Camping with Families
Beginner-friendly options: Look for trails with minimal elevation changes for younger riders. At CB Ranch, a family enjoyed "seeing the farm animals. The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature."
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger-led programs about local ecology. About Douthat State Park (75 miles northeast), a visitor mentioned: "Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming."
Multi-activity sites: Choose campgrounds with diverse recreation options beyond horseback riding. A visitor to Douthat State Park noted it offers "all types of sites and hookups plus cabins. Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore."
Tips from RVers
Access considerations: Horse trailers require adequate turning radius and level parking. A visitor to Douthat State Park Campground observed: "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."
Equestrian-specific hookups: Some parks offer special accommodations for horse trailers. As one Douthat visitor noted, "Beaver Dam Campground is relatively flat and similarly wooded while also providing equestrian facilities."
Overnight stopover options: For those traveling with horses from longer distances, plan strategic overnight points. One camper mentioned about Mash Fork: "We stayed here for one night on our way back north. We got the last site available and it was pretty decent."
