L
Lynwood R.
Traveler
TravelerOcconeechee State Park Campground
I was here for a Tuesday night. Staff were outstanding, they helped me check in even though I came right at 4 pm. Site was clean and right by bathroom.
Equestrian Camping near Red Oak, VA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Horse camping near Red Oak, VA includes equestrian campgrounds with graveled, trailer-friendly sites and direct trail access from the camping areas. Top-rated horse campgrounds in the area offer spacious sites with water and electrical hookups designed to accommodate horse trailers, giving riders convenient access to miles of maintained equestrian trails. Staunton River State Park Campground accommodates horse riders with trail access directly from the camping areas. Graveled sites provide space for horse trailers, and multiple miles of trails throughout the park accommodate horses, though riders should expect to navigate around other trail users. Hikers often report horse manure on shared pathways. The campground features spacious, level sites with water and electrical hookups. Sites include fire rings with cooking grates, picnic tables, and lantern poles. Standard amenities include clean bathrooms, hot showers, and a sanitary dump station. The camping area consists of just two loops with sites spaced well enough to avoid feeling crowded, though they lack complete privacy from neighboring campers.
Equestrian trails at Staunton River connect to scenic river views, making it popular for day rides and overnight camping trips. Riders particularly appreciate the easy to moderate trail difficulty with enough variation to provide interest without excessive challenges. The park maintains a visitor center where campers can get information about trail conditions and borrow equipment. Staunton River State Park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities after trail rides. The park features historical buildings and structures that have been preserved. While the horse trails sometimes intersect with hiking and biking paths, most visitors report positive experiences sharing the multi-use system. Most trails are well-maintained, though some seasonal mud or debris should be expected, particularly after rain.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Red Oak (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."
Check Availabilityfrom $27 - $110 / night
2. 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."
21 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $21 - $384 / night
3. 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 ."
Check Availabilityfrom $22 - $53 / night
4. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
"There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."
"None of the sites are located right on the lake. You either walk the trails or drive down."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $72 / night
Drive Time
- 53 min from Durham, NC
- 1 hr 11 min from Burlington, NC
- 1 hr 12 min from Raleigh, NC
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Red Oak, VA
1 Photos of 4 Red Oak Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Red Oak, VA
58 Reviews of 4 Red Oak Campgrounds
- BBob B.
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.
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.
Maria Mercedes M.LegendB.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Family Friendly Campground
B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.
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.
Guide to Red Oak
Staunton River State Park offers tent sites and RV camping with water and electric hookups in a forested setting near Red Oak, Virginia. The park spans 2,400 acres between the Dan and Staunton Rivers, serving as a recreation hub for both overnight visitors and day users. Camping facilities include 28 developed campsites with gravel pads arranged in two loops, providing moderate separation from neighboring sites.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Staunton River State Park is an officially designated International Dark Sky Park where exceptional night viewing conditions allow campers to observe celestial objects rarely visible in light-polluted areas. "It is an International Dark Sky Park. There is a large open field by the park check in and store. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," notes Bridget H., who mentions these telescopes are available at no charge from the visitor center.
Lake activities: Occoneechee State Park Campground provides direct access to Bugg's Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) for various water recreation. "Occoneechee is right on the shores of Kerr Lake in Clarksville, VA. The campsites are gravel-based which helps with drainage. Lakefront sites are available and are very nice," writes Sarah S., highlighting the park's water-based recreation options.
Wildlife viewing: Wooded trails throughout the region's parks support diverse wildlife observation opportunities. "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds. We enjoyed gorgeous sunsets from a little beach area near the cabins," shares Elena B. about her experience at Staunton River, pointing to the natural diversity found around park cabins.
What campers like
Educational programs: Park rangers organize wildlife programs suitable for visitors of all ages. "Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles and we invoked in feeding. Also lots of any pelts to learn about," notes Katie about her weekend at Staunton River State Park.
Historical structures: B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area preserves natural and cultural history within its boundaries. "Loved that there was a playground near the site. The site itself was gravelly and not super private but it was great- the hikes around were stunning," comments Amanda L., highlighting the combination of family amenities and natural scenery.
Spacious campsites: Many campsites throughout the region provide adequate space for group camping and activities. "Large, flat and level spots were great. The pool here is amazing," says Carrie A. about Staunton River State Park, emphasizing the practical benefits of well-designed camping spaces.
What you should know
Equestrian camping near Red Oak, Virginia: For riders seeking overnight accommodations with their horses, several parks provide specialized facilities. At Callahan's Hideaway, equestrian campers can find options within riding distance of local trails. "One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it. Great day for a picnic," notes Brett C., describing nearby attractions accessible to both hikers and riders.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons (April-October). Sites at popular parks like Staunton River can fill months ahead, particularly for holiday weekends and fall foliage season.
Water access considerations: Shore access varies significantly between parks and specific campsites. "Next time we tent camp we will definitely stay in Campground C where the sites are RIGHT on the water. Check out spaces 25-31, my personal faves," advises RL about Occoneechee, providing specific site recommendations for water views.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Staunton River State Park maintains a swimming pool that offers a controlled environment for family water activities. "We spent most of our free time at the splash pad. The kids loved that!" writes Katie M., highlighting this family-friendly feature.
Playground access: Multiple parks in the region maintain playground equipment for younger visitors. "We have a nature learning lab, some cool animals, and a fantastic gift shop. The gkids brought their bikes and loved riding around the park," shares Bridget H. about Staunton River's amenities beyond the campsite.
Educational opportunities: Interactive nature programs provide engagement for children at several parks. "The visitors center is awesome! We didn't try it this time, but you can rent a telescope for free to view the stars! They have a huge gift shop as well. And a fun playground that the kids enjoyed," explains Katie M., detailing the visitor center resources.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Occoneechee State Park Campground accommodates larger recreational vehicles with specifically designed sites. "Driving around the campground, there are some fantastic waterfront sites in the same loop as the yurts that we'd love to come back and stay at! They have great views of Buggs Island Lake," notes Katie M., pointing out prime locations for larger rigs.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across regional campgrounds. "Starting at $30/night for a camping lot. I came here with a 25 foot shuttle bus. There are people here with deluxe buses, car+tent campers and everything in between," explains J.D. about Falls Lake State Recreation Area, indicating the diversity of camping setups accommodated.
Dump station access: Most established parks provide sanitary stations for RV waste disposal, though their locations and hours may limit convenience. Seasonal closures affect availability from December through February at some facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Red Oak, VA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Red Oak, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Red Oak, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Red Oak, VA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Red Oak, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Red Oak, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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