Fort Valley Ranch provides horse-friendly camping just 30 minutes from Shenandoah National Park's northern entrance. The facility maintains 45 camping sites across a 240-acre property nestled between the Massanutten Mountain ridge system at an elevation of approximately 800 feet. Weather conditions typically feature warm summers with temperatures in the 80s and cool falls, making April-October the most popular months for equestrian camping trips.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Direct access to George Washington National Forest trails lets riders explore multiple routes without trailering. A visitor notes, "Trail access was smooth and hassle-free...Within a 10-minute drive, there are opportunities for hiking and river activities. We found a river access point perfect for swimming and wading" at Fort Valley Ranch.
Fish in stocked ponds: Several horse campgrounds near Shenandoah offer fishing opportunities. According to one camper, "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill" at Fort Valley Ranch.
Swimming at recreation areas: Just 40 minutes from Shenandoah's northern boundary, Trout Pond Recreation Area offers "Swimming... with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with freshwater jellyfish."
Hiking to viewpoints: Several trails accessible from equestrian campgrounds lead to scenic overlooks. One camper at Trout Pond Recreation Area mentioned "an overlook (Lina Constable Overlook) to hike to right off the camp loop but it's 1 mile steep incline at times but worth every step. Gorgeous!"
What campers like
Shade coverage: Equestrian campers appreciate sites with natural shade protection. As one visitor reported, "another big one for me was that there was an abundance of shade throughout the site and the entire campground" at Fort Valley Ranch.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Meadows Campground provides frequent wildlife encounters with "many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night."
Well-maintained facilities: Many horse campgrounds maintain clean facilities. A camper noted, "Campground is meticulously clean with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick up" at Big Meadows Campground.
Level sites for easy setup: Campers at equestrian-friendly locations appreciate practical site designs. According to one visitor, "All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed" at Fort Valley Ranch.
What you should know
Seasonal closures impact access: Many campgrounds have limited winter operations. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, "The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1."
Road conditions can be challenging: Mountain roads leading to horse camps can be difficult with trailers. One camper advised, "There are some pretty steep inclines to even get to the campgrounds. 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."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is unreliable in many equestrian camping areas. A visitor to Trout Pond noted, "there is no cell service. In case of an emergency, you are a 20 minute drive to call for help."
Campground size varies significantly: Some equestrian campgrounds offer limited sites. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, "The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field... Horse trailers, rvs, tents, and overland trailers all park right next to each other."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some equestrian camping areas include kid-friendly amenities. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, families enjoy "lots of fishing, hiking, playgrounds for the kids. Whether a day trip or camping this is a nice spot."
Kid-friendly trail options: Select shorter trails suitable for younger riders. Shenandoah Crossing offers "Salt water pool, horse rides, go karts, mini golf. Definitely more than a campground."
Beach areas for swimming: Look for campgrounds with swimming access. As one camper noted about Shenandoah Crossing, "Three pools, playground, marina, Minigolf, stables and bike rental."
Educational wildlife viewing: Families can observe various animals in natural settings. A camper at Big Meadows observed: "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary among equestrian campgrounds. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, "We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the lovely mountain views. We also enjoyed access to potable water to fill our tank."
Site length considerations: Many horse campgrounds have size restrictions. A visitor to Big Meadows noted, "This campground is HUGE, the sites are not piled on top of each other. Our site was surrounded by shrubs under the canopy of trees which provided tons of privacy."
Leveling challenges: Some equestrian sites require significant leveling. One camper shared their experience: "We reserved a 'pull-through' RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level" at Shenandoah Crossing.
Dump station locations: Not all equestrian campgrounds offer full hookups. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, "sites 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are FHU (not sure what amp electric though). While 3, 5, 7, and 9 are designated Host spots, site 3 had the sign covered and an RV using it."
