Equestrian camping near Vesuvius, Virginia offers diverse terrain across the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 700 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with peak camping periods from April through October. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures averaging 25-45°F from December through February.
What to do
Trail riding access: James River State Park connects riders to over 15 miles of dedicated equestrian trails through varied woodland and riverside terrain. As reviewer Daryl L. notes, "Activities that can be done include tubing on the river, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, wagon ride, and lots of park events."
Astronomy viewing: The dark sky designation at James River State Park Campground creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "This is a wonderful spot for viewing the stars because of the lack of light pollution. James River State Park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," shares one camper.
Lake activities: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides swimming, boating and fishing at Lake Moomaw. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," writes Joanna G.
What campers like
Diverse accommodation options: Horse owners appreciate the range of camping styles available, from primitive sites to cabins. "We've stayed in the cabins here and they are awesome. We stayed in the 2 bedroom cabin. It has a beautiful deck with a picnic table and rocking chairs," says Bridget H. about their stay at Red Oak Campground.
Seasonal programming: Many equestrian campers enjoy the educational programs that complement trail riding. One visitor at James River State Park reports, "We enjoyed a fire making class followed by s'mores on Friday night and then an owl searching hike on Saturday night."
Site spacing and privacy: The campgrounds offer well-designed sites that provide adequate room for horse trailers. "The sites are generously sized and flat," notes Conni B., while Nicole R. adds that at Bolar Mountain, "The campsite was spacious and shaded, they do offer doubles for larger groups."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations can create temperature variations up to 15°F cooler than surrounding lowlands. Late fall through early spring can bring unexpected freezes at higher elevations.
Reservation requirements: Equestrian sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We recommend booking several weeks in advance for weekend stays from May through October," notes one regular visitor.
Water access planning: Douthat State Park Campground offers lake access that varies by campground location. "Lakeside Campground is smaller but the front row sites provide great lake views. Unfortunately swimming is only allowed in the Beach area which is not directly connected to this campground," explains Jeremy W.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several equestrian campgrounds offer family programming beyond horseback riding. "We enjoyed that large bathhouses and the large tentpad spots!" shares Kaylee S. about Red Oak Campground.
Entertainment options: Plan additional activities for younger children who may need variety beyond trail riding. "The hiking trails were a short distraction, but not long or difficult enough to wear them out," notes one family about their experience.
Safety considerations: Most horse trails accommodate riders of varying experience levels, but confirm trail difficulty ratings before bringing children. Some parks offer beginner-friendly loop trails under 2 miles for younger riders.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: When booking equestrian sites with RVs, verify adequate space for both living quarters and horse trailers. "White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," advises Jeremy W. at Douthat State Park.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service can be limited at higher elevations and more remote equestrian camping areas. "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," shares Micah B.
Water and hookup access: Check seasonal availability of water hookups for both human and equine needs. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)," notes Diane P. about winter camping at Douthat State Park.
