B
Bob B.
Ranger
RangerStaunton River State Park Campground
Surprisingly Quiet
I've read reviews about noise levels and lack of privacy. But we experienced the opposite, at least at our campsite.
Equestrian Camping near Randolph, VA
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Staunton River State Park Campground accommodates horseback riders with several multi-use trails shared between hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The trails show evidence of regular horse use, with some sections beaten down from frequent equine traffic. Located about 2 miles from the campground area, the bridle trails offer riders scenic views along the river and through wooded terrain. Some campground reviews note the presence of horse droppings on trails, indicating active use by equestrians. The park's layout provides adequate space for horse trailer parking, though no dedicated horse corrals or stalls are available on-site.
The 5-mile trail system connects to various natural features throughout the park, allowing for half-day rides with water access points for horses along the route. While bringing horses requires proper containment systems, the relatively flat terrain makes for beginner-friendly riding conditions. Riders should note that trail maintenance varies seasonally, and shared-use paths require proper etiquette around hikers and cyclists. Occoneechee State Park, located nearby, offers additional horse camping options with similar multi-use trail policies for equestrians. Both parks remain open year-round, though spring and fall provide optimal riding conditions with moderate temperatures and less crowded trails. Primitive horse camping is available with prior arrangement, but campers must bring their own containment systems as neither park provides permanent equine facilities.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Randolph (4)
1. Staunton River State Park Campground
"The hiking trails are also do horses and parts have been beaten down and there was a lot of horse poop in the trail. Still worth the hike to see the peaceful water though."
"We camped here again at Staunton River State Park, this time we stayed in site 21, which is an electric site near the bathrooms/showers and one of the best for viewing stars."
from $27 - $121 / night
Check Availability2. Occoneechee State Park Campground
"We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area. There weren’t showers by us but there was 1 bathroom."
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
from $21 - $427 / night
Check Availability3. Callahan's Hideaway
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
from $22 - $53 / night
Check Availability4. Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground
"The trails were marked once you got on one, not all were visible as trails. With that being said my pup and I took several paths not walked often without another soul or human sound."
"Nice little state park close to Richmond and not too far from DC."
from $32 - $427 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Durham, NC
- 1 hr 49 min from Burlington, NC
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Randolph, VA
64 Reviews of 4 Randolph Campgrounds
Kaylee G.
GuideStaunton River State Park Campground
Small tent sites with easy access to trails
We stayed here Memorial weekend 2026. We had a tent only site with no hook ups. It was site 48 which is the first site you come across when pulling into the campgrounds.
Site was built into a hill and had several steps leading up to it. Much smaller site than we are used to at VA State parks. Looking at the other sites they were also on the smaller side and oddly shaped.
Easy access to the River Bank trail and Captain Staunton trail directly from the campsites. Great when you have kiddos that don't want to walk a ton.
Great views throughout of the Staunton River & Dan River. Lots of deer sightings in the morning and early evenings. Great activities with the rangers including a wagon wide through the park.
It was rainy during our stay so no chance to take advantage of the Dark Sky classification. When skys are clear they do have an astronomer that comes out on the weekends in the summer.
Camp With Me
LegendStaunton River State Park Campground
Hidden Gem - Dark Sky certified park
Lots of trails, 2 boat launches and nice campground. We stay here every once in a while since it is so close and such a amazing state park.
Check out our video of all the sites.
https://youtu.be/g3tsJATaSis?si=3Cl29wwqTO1JF9FW
Brian B.GuideOcconeechee State Park Campground
Epic Cabin Retreat
Went there with my family in March over spring break. Can’t say this was exactly camping the way we did it, but the cabin was absolutely amazing. Each cabin is probably on a 2 acre plot of land and most of them have fantastic views of Kerr Reservoir.
Kitchens are nicely appointed, rooms are nicely decorated, just bring your own sheets and linens and get ready for a fantastic time.
Harry B.
ScoutOcconeechee State Park Campground
Decent Campground Iron Bow
Decent bathhouse on Iron Bow. Sites are really close together and narrow so doesn’t leave a lot of room between campers. Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse. The Visitor center is nice with some good souvenirs for purchase and history section. Plenty of spots for fishing and launching watercraft. No designated swimming areas though. No WiFi. Verizon device at the campground worked okay. Clarksville town is quaint with some shops worth checking.
Martin T.
TravelerOcconeechee State Park Campground
Very Nice Lakefront Camping
Spent 4 nights here (during a heat wave, no less) and really enjoyed it. Campsites are large and not right on top of each other, and especially if you can book one of the campsites that are on the water, they really do have beautiful views (see pictures).
Pros:
Kid-friendly. We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer and free once you're in the park. I never felt unsafe with my kids running around up to the bath-house or the loop, felt very secluded and safe.
Lake is scenic, we saw fireflies at dusk, it was a great setting for a camping trip.
Everything seems pretty well-maintained. Bathrooms are aging but were cleaned at least once a day, it was fine. There is firewood at every bathhouse you can take on the honor system and pay for via cashbox, which is nice. Campsites are clean and well-maintained.
Lots of lake recreation options (boat rental, fishing, etc.) in or near the park.
Cons:
Maybe it was just our campsite, which backed up to a large wooded area, but they were the most aggressive squirrels I've ever come across. If we went to the bathroom for five minutes and left food on the table, the squirrels would be there eating it when we came back. And would hover at the edge of the campsite or get into the car if the hatchback was open.
Camp store is....fine, pretty minimal in terms of provisions. But not a big deal because Clarksville is five minutes or so away and has plenty of stores.
Tents pads are all gravel. Didn't bother us but definitely would not want to tent camp here if you didn't have a good high-quality sleeping pad.
The biggest con was that there is no swimming area/beach in the park. You can try to wade in from the campsite but that generally requires scaling up/down some fairly treacherous rocks, and navigating driftwood and rocks in the water. We drove a few minutes away outside the park to find one, but would be really nice to have some kind of little swimming area inside the park, very strange to me they don't have one.
But all in all a lovely place for a camping trip, we all had a great time.
- BBrandon H.Scout
Callahan's Hideaway
I wouldnt know
He never responded to the reservation request or my email. Dont waste your time, find somewhere else.
- HeatherRanger
Staunton River State Park Campground
Nice & quiet & dark skies!
The campground needs some updating- there’s only one bathhouse with just 2 showers- if the campground would’ve been full, it would’ve been miserable. Also only one dumpster and it’s on the way out of the campground. BUT it’s a designated dark sky park & the stars were amazing. They also lend out telescopes. They also have nice walking trails & if you like to paddle, the river is nice & flat. There is little to no cell service.
Liz M.TravelerOcconeechee State Park Campground
Nice but small sites
Nice well kept park and campgrounds. Most of the sites looked pretty level. Sites in B are small and mostly have deep drop offs beyond the railroad ties. Sites are a little more spread out in C but still pretty small. But plenty of oversite parking. Both campgrounds very wooded. Beware there are LOTS of squirrels and not too afraid of humans. If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around. They also climbed on a small table right next to the rv door and shredded my paper towels! Lots of areas to walk. Campground C had only two clean bath houses with only two toilets and two showers. Which I imagine with the many no hookup sites could get pretty busy.
Guide to Randolph
Staunton River State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with electric and water hookups for visitors seeking outdoor recreation near Randolph, Virginia. The camping area sits at approximately 420 feet elevation in Virginia's southern Piedmont region, with moderate temperature variations between seasons. Winter overnight temperatures frequently drop below freezing while summer days routinely exceed 90°F.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Staunton River State Park Campground holds International Dark Sky Park designation, making it exceptional for night sky viewing. "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," notes Bridget H. The large open field near the check-in area provides unobstructed viewing access.
Swimming and splash pad: During warm months, families can enjoy the swimming facilities at Occoneechee State Park Campground. "We spent most of our free time at the splash pad. The kids loved that!" reports Katie M. The park maintains the splash pad from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with operating hours from 10am to 6pm daily.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points along Buggs Island Lake provide fishing opportunities year-round. "Fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish," shares Ross B. about his experience at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Most waterfront camping locations permit fishing directly from shorelines adjacent to campsites.
What campers like
Cabin accommodations: Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground features spacious cabin options for those wanting amenities beyond tent camping. "These cabins are HUGE and really beautiful. They look like they could accommodate over 12 people," according to RL. Most cabins require minimum two-night stays and advance reservations, especially during peak season.
Waterfront camping sites: Campers consistently praise the lakeside sites available at state parks in the region. "The sites were close together but a few sites are worth it right on the water," notes Ross B. Acorn Loop sites 4-12 at Bear Creek Lake offer the most direct water access, with site 11 described as "the best best: it's right on the water but also kind of tucked away."
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds," reports Elena B. about her stay at Staunton River State Park. Early morning and dusk hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing conditions.
What you should know
Tent pad materials: Callahan's Hideaway and other campgrounds in the region use various materials for tent pads. "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," explains Stephanie J. about Bear Creek Lake sites. Bringing a ground cloth or footwear around camp helps with comfort.
Site spacing considerations: Campground density varies significantly between parks and specific loops. "Sites were extremely close together and campground is kind of tiny," reports RL about tent camping at Staunton River. For more privacy, seek waterfront sites or those at loop ends which typically offer greater separation from neighbors.
Reservation response times: Some private campgrounds have inconsistent communication. "He never responded to the reservation request or my email. Don't waste your time, find somewhere else," warns Brandon H. about attempting to book at Callahan's Hideaway. State parks typically offer more reliable reservation systems through their centralized website or call center.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Staunton River State Park offers educational programming specifically designed for children. "Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles," shares Katie. Programs typically run on weekends during summer months and require no additional fees beyond camping costs.
Bicycle-friendly environments: Flat terrain makes the area suitable for family cycling. "The gkids brought their bikes and loved riding around the park," mentions Bridget H. about Staunton River State Park. Most campground roads have speed limits under 15 mph, creating safer cycling conditions for younger riders.
Water safety considerations: Lakefront sites require extra vigilance with children. "The water does provide a hazard if you have small children as it is not roped off in any way," cautions Stephanie J. Designated swimming areas with lifeguards operate at most state parks during summer months as safer alternatives to shoreline swimming.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground restricts larger rigs. "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," advises Erica M. Occoneechee State Park offers some larger sites for big rigs, though advance measurement confirmation is recommended before booking.
Electrical hookup availability: Most state parks in the region offer limited electrical service. "We have a larger trailer so we had to stay in the equestrian area," explains Samantha G. about her stay at Occoneechee. RV sites typically provide 30-amp service rather than 50-amp, so adapters may be necessary for larger units with multiple appliances.
Equestrian camping considerations: For those bringing horses near Randolph, Virginia, the equestrian camping areas typically lack some amenities. "There weren't showers by us but there was 1 bathroom," notes Samantha G. about the equestrian camping area at Occoneechee State Park. Horse owners must bring their own containment systems as permanent equine facilities aren't available.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Randolph, VA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Randolph, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Randolph, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Randolph, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Randolph, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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