James River State Park provides excellent equestrian camping options with dedicated facilities for riders and their horses. Located about 45 miles from Steeles Tavern, Virginia, the park offers specialized camping areas that cater to horse owners. Trail riders can access over 1,500 acres of terrain through an extensive network of trails while keeping their horses nearby in designated areas. The diverse landscape ranges from river valleys to wooded hills, with trail difficulty suitable for various experience levels.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, riders can explore trails with mountain and lake views. "The views were amazing and beautiful. I can't wait to go back again, we loved it," notes Kim R. Trails remain accessible from April to early December.
Lake activities: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain offers water recreation options when not on horseback. "Warm water, fresh air, no service," says Blake B., highlighting the refreshing swimming opportunities. The lakefront areas provide natural beach access from many campsites.
Stargazing: Take advantage of the International Dark Sky Park designation at Red Oak Campground. "The park is part of the Dark Sky Parks Association and if you are into astronomy and stars this is the place to stay," explains Bridget H. Minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The camping areas near Steeles Tavern feature well-designed sites that accommodate horse trailers and camping equipment. "The sites are generously sized and flat," notes Conni B. about Red Oak Campground, making it practical for equestrian campers with larger vehicles.
Water features: Douthat State Park Campground offers a lake with multiple recreational options. "A quiet great place, we love to camp this park you have all you want if you love outdoors: lake, hiking trails, horseback riding trails, RV's site, tent site, cabins... the rest is pure fun," says Wilfredo D.
Educational programs: Park rangers often host specialized programs for visitors. "We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night," shares Bridget H. about their experience at Red Oak Campground, adding value beyond just trail riding.
What you should know
Reservation planning: Many equestrian campsites require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. At Greenbrier River Trail, the primitive camping areas operate differently: "Free camping (First come, first served)" with "Newer Adirondock Style Shelter" and "Raised Tent pad (pea gravel)" according to Dave V.
Seasonal considerations: Most parks in the region have specific operating seasons. Bolar Mountain Recreation Area runs from "April 4 to December 5," providing a substantial window for equestrian camping trips, but facilities may be limited during shoulder seasons.
Terrain variations: While some trails are relatively flat, others present more challenges. The Greenbrier River Trail features "a 1% downhill grade" and surfaces made of "the old Railway ballast and a finer pea gravel most of the trail...but there are some overgrown grassy two-track and some muddy sections as well."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: James River State Park Campground offers facilities that work well for families with children. The sites feature "fire rings and picnic tables and level, gravel areas to park cars In front of your site," notes Virginia G., creating a practical setup for family meals and activities.
Interactive programs: Look for scheduled ranger activities when planning your stay. "We hiked many miles while here and had a great weekend," reports Bridget H., mentioning the family-friendly programs available at Red Oak Campground.
Swimming options: Douthat State Park provides lake swimming that's perfect for kids. "The dogs were able to go swimming before the lake opened up in the morning and everything was very clean," shares Molly G., highlighting the accessible water features that children enjoy between trail rides.
Tips from RVers
Campground layout: At Douthat State Park, different camping areas cater to various needs. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds... 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," explains Jeremy W., providing important context for RVers with horse trailers.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections are available at many equestrian camping areas. "The sites are generously sized and relatively flat, making them suitable for trailers and larger vehicles," according to visitor reports, though sewer connections may be limited to certain parks.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity can be spotty in the region. "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," notes Micah B. about Red Oak Campground, which matters for those needing to stay connected.
