Equestrian camping opportunities exist in the foothills and mountains surrounding Staunton, Virginia, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 4,000 feet. The area's temperate climate allows for camping from April through November at most horse campgrounds near Staunton, Virginia, with summer temperatures typically reaching 85°F during the day and dropping to 60°F at night. Horse-friendly campsites often provide separate parking areas for trailers with access to multi-use trail systems.
What to do
Horseback trail riding: At James River State Park Campground, equestrian trail systems traverse multiple terrain types. "I enjoyed my stay in this wooded campground. The sites were equipped with fire rings and picnic tables and level, gravel areas to park cars In front of your site," reports VIRGINIA G.
Stargazing opportunities: The region offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," notes Daryl L. at Red Oak Campground. This designation makes it perfect for amateur astronomers and photographers.
Mountain biking: The trail networks accommodate multiple recreational uses beyond horseback riding. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" shares Robyn S. from Douthat State Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Horse-friendly campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were incredibly clean and heated. Showers were terrific as well. Staff were kind and knowledgeable," reports Diane P. at Douthat State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe native species. "We saw 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," says Rachel M.
Remote locations: The isolation of some horse camps offers a unique experience. "It's very remote, but you're at the top of a mountain so it's gorgeous. Pit toilet, no sinks or sanitizer. Limited running water. They do sell wood from the camp host. Do not expect cell service, we didn't have any for about 45 min driving there," explains Brittany M. from Spruce Knob Lake Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility: Many equestrian campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "The campground was being shut down for the season but the owners accommodated us anyway! They let us fill water near their home which is on site and had a full hook up available for us," notes Casey L. about East Fork Campground and Horse Stables.
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations can experience dramatic temperature changes. "It was one of the most gorgeous trails I've ever experienced and highly, highly recommend it for a quick weekend backpack. We did this hike in March and there was a thin layer of snow on the ground when we started that quickly accumulated while we hiked and then overnight as we slept," shares Emily S. about trails near Spruce Knob.
Cell service limitations: Many rural campgrounds have limited connectivity. "Verizon service is spotty 1 to 2 bars and unreliable data but with a directional cell booster we are able to get enough signal for our Verizon Jetpack to work," reports Micah B. about James River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several equestrian campgrounds include features specifically for children. "For kids, there is a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge. Free range horses (they're penned-in) come back at dusk and head out at dawn -- fun to watch from the campground, especially for kiddos," advises Matt from Graves Mountain Farm Campground.
Educational opportunities: Rangers often provide programming for younger visitors. "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," shares Kim L. about Big Meadows Campground.
Safety considerations: Wildlife encounters require proper precautions. "Big Meadow has many amenities which make it popular and oftentimes crowded during weekends and holiday's. But, many of these amenities make camping with families a convenience. We saw many deer and bear while camping," notes Rachel M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Not all horse camping areas accommodate larger rigs. "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," advises Jeremy W. about Douthat State Park.
Hookup availability: Full service sites can be limited at equestrian campgrounds. "Most of the sites were full hook-ups and the facilities were very clean and well maintained. This campground in Durbin was great for exploring the north end of the Greenbrier River Trail, The West Fork Rail Trail, and other sites in the Monongahela National Forest," reports Cindy B. from East Fork Campground and Horse Stables.
Low clearance concerns: Access roads may present challenges for larger vehicles. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. when describing Douthat State Park's campground areas.
