Collins Cove Horse Campground in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation in southwest Virginia, where trails wind through Appalachian hardwood forests. The campground occupies a valley location with seasonal creek access during spring and early summer months. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing from December through February, making April through October the primary camping season for equestrian facilities in this region.
What to do
Trail riding with water crossings: At Camp Creek State Park, riders access multiple creek crossings suitable for horses with varying experience levels. "Great park. Nice playgrounds clean lots 30 and 50 amp service as well as boondock sites. Waterfalls are easily accessible," notes Fred R. The park connects to forest service roads with elevation changes of 500-1000 feet.
Swimming at established beach areas: Camp Creek State Park offers a designated swimming area during summer months. Nicole M. reports, "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." Daily swimming passes for non-campers cost $3, while registered campers receive complimentary beach access.
Fairystone hunting: Fairy Stone State Park provides unique geological experiences within driving distance of Pembroke. "The place to find the Fairy Stones are outside of the park, down the street a little bit beside a gas station. It was tricky knowing exactly what to look for, but once we found a few Fairy Stones, they were everywhere! So fun searching for them with the kids!" shares Katie M.
What campers like
Clean facilities with reliable amenities: Mash Fork Campground at Camp Creek State Park maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. Lee D. observed, "Bath/Shower House: was very clean. Instant hot water was appreciated at the tap (it was in the 30s when we were there in mid-October) Hooks and shelves for toiletries were appreciated." The campground offers camper pads that are paved with generous spacing between sites.
Fishing access points: Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground provides river access adjacent to campsites. Hazel S. mentioned, "Cute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town." Though fishing conditions vary seasonally, most equestrian campgrounds near Pembroke offer creek or river access.
Private sites with natural sound buffers: The combination of creek sounds and forest cover creates privacy at many sites. Jim P. says about Camp Creek: "The site I use exclusively has a river running behind it and the sounds lull you to sleep any time of day!" Most sites around Pembroke feature natural tree buffers between camping areas.
What you should know
Seasonal operation restrictions: Hussy Mountain Horse Camp operates April 1 through November 30 annually, closing during winter months due to mountain road conditions and freezing temperatures. Located approximately 2 hours from Pembroke in Speedwell, VA, this campground requires advance planning for seasonal visits.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. Hazel notes about Glen Lyn Town Park: "There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings where a man basically yells all night long."
Health documentation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require current negative Coggins test documentation for all horses. This requirement applies universally across facilities, with random checks occurring at trail access points during busy seasons. Some locations implement manure management protocols requiring campers to dispose of waste properly.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfalls as activity focal points: Don's Cab-Inns Campground connects to family-friendly hiking options. Ross P. shares, "Campground is very new and bath facilities are immaculate. No shade at sites (hot July day)." Waterfall hikes within 30 minutes of many horse campgrounds near Pembroke provide family activities between rides.
Playgrounds and recreation facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer developed play areas for children. Dawn M. notes about Camp Creek: "This campground was very nice and very clean. The staff was awesome. Spots were nice. Campground was small but quaint. The falls are easily accessible and were beautiful even without an abundance of water."
Educational programming options: Several parks offer ranger-led activities during summer months. Russell C. reports from Fairy Stone State Park: "Ranger Lexie hunted legendary fairystones with our kids and they haven't stopped talking about the magic of the hunt!" Programs typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day on weekends.
Tips from RVers
Electrical service variations: CB Ranch maintains different hookup options at various sites. Cheryl B. states, "We loved every moment of our stay from the fire pit to the beautiful tails on the property to seeing the farm animals. The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature." RVers should confirm electrical service specifications when booking at horse campgrounds.
Site leveling challenges: Many horse campgrounds feature natural terrain with minimal grading. Keith F. mentions about Fairy Stone State Park: "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."
Winter camping limitations: Stephen D. observes about Don's Cab-Inns, "One of the few campgrounds open during the winter with facilities." Most equestrian facilities close during winter months, with limited options from December through March. RVers should verify seasonal availability before planning winter trips to horse campgrounds near Pembroke.
