Best Equestrian Camping near Culpeper, VA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Culpeper, VA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Culpeper is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Virginia camping adventure.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Culpeper, Virginia (7)

    1. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 - $75 / night

    "While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."

    "The bathroom  was just a short walk away.  There are no hookups in this campground.   We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower. "

    2. Graves Mountain Farm Campground

    5 Reviews
    Syria, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (303) 877-9659

    $12 / night

    "Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired."

    3. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $39 - $100 / night

    "We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    4. Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort

    12 Reviews
    Somerset, VA
    28 miles
    Website

    $50 / night

    "It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice."

    "Walked around the property and saw the horses and checked out the primitive sites."

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia offers a peaceful escape with beautiful views and a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's an ideal spot for families and nature lovers."

    6. Fort Valley Ranch

    1 Review
    Woodstock, VA
    35 miles
    Website

    $30 - $45 / night

    "We recently stayed at Fort Valley Ranch Campground, near Luray, VA and I can only say good things about our experience and the FVR's management."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Culpeper, VA

220 Reviews of 7 Culpeper Campgrounds


  • Sam M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2018

    Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort

    Nice place with lots to do

    I grew up going to this campground. It's located in Gordonsville, Virginia. There's not much to do in the area, but the campground itself is nice.

    There is a nice pool, arcade, camp store, horse riding, and the camp sites are pretty nice.

    All around good place to camp.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2021

    Graves Mountain Farm Campground

    Misleading campsing website

    Looked forward to camping at Graves Mountain and enjoy the festivities. The campsite is very very small. They say dispersed, but it is a small field as you can not access the others fields. Horse trailers, rvs, tents, and overland trailers all park right next that to each other. We set up away from everyone to properly distance ourselves due to their covid protocols. They told us to move next to others but there was no space. We got our money back and moved to another site. I would avoid this campsite. If you want to visit it for the apple or Fall festival just camp somewhere else and drive to it. No amenities. No cell service.

  • M
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Graves Mountain Farm Campground

    Fine place, but not really primitive and some major drawbacks

    BOTTOM LINE: 3.5 Stars. We had a fine time camping here, but probably would not stay again unless some friends were going and wanted to stay. Not bad, but not great and not my personal preference for camping. Any recommendation to stay would be dependent on what you're looking for--it might be for you, but just wasn't for us. 

    Acknowledging that reviews are totally subjective, here is a brief summary of some of the pros and cons (in our humble opinion):[

    PROS/CONS

    Pros:

    • Beautiful mountain views
    • charming brook and farm (i.e. things to do for young kids), and okay hiking trails
    • friendly campers and staff
    • ease of check-in process
    • low cost
    • Can (technically) hike intro Shenandoah National Park

    Cons:

    • campground bathrooms and port-a-jons in poor condition
    • street lights in primitive camping area
    • yellow jacket nests in primitive camping area (with no warning signs)
    • the gnats and flies were bad (way worse than I've ever experienced; probably due to the horse and cow poop)
    • decent amount of horse/cow manure in the primitive camping area
    • camping area is mixed with RVs, equestrian trailers, & tent campers
    • camping area was restricted to a smaller area, forcing camps a little too close together (so much room that wasn't allowed for pitching camp and spreading out)
    • few trees in camping area (more of an open field)
    • 35-40 min drive to either entrance of Shenandoah National Park (then you still have to drive to the trail you want to hike)

    Again, we recognize a lot is subjective; but it just wasn't for us. We'd camp here again if others wanted to, but wouldn't choose to come back.

    I'm happy to elaborate on any particular bullets.

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Sites are first come, first served -- there are a few "primo" spots, but get there before noon to nab them
    • There is local firewood available at the General Store/Post Office in Syria, VA (~0.2 mi from campground); about $7/bundle (you'll probably need 3-4 bundles for a night)
    • Use trees to block out some of the light from street lights (only a handful of spots can do this bc few trees); or try to get a spot as far away as you can get
    • 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
    • Bring your own water, if possible
  • J
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort

    Beautiful place with a couple of drawbacks

    Beautiful sunsets over the stables and horse pastures. We reserved a “pull-through” RV site which ended up being a back-in site that was very uneven and nowhere near level. Also, after staying for two weeks, the bathhouse next to our site was closed because of lack of electricity. Which forced us to drive up to the indoor pool (nice) and use the showers there. Inconvenient, but we made it work.

  • Katy S.
    Jul. 6, 2020

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Huge campground, great trails

    We stayed at a "group" site D167, which allows up to 15 people and 4 cars. While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people. First of all, it's located in the middle of a large patch of grass right next to other family campsites, so no privacy at all. If you travel with friends you might want to stay up a little longer and have a good laugh around the fire, but this site isn't really designed this way. The quiet hours are after 10PM and it's enforced. Second, the space is really limited, especially if your group members have larger tents. Also, there's no overflow parking, except at the entrance to the campground.

    The showers are nice and clean, but they are coin operated.

    The rangers are very strict. We had some food related items left on the table (salt/pepper shakers) and they were confiscated while we were hiking. I'm not saying it's wrong, but be aware, because these rules are not enforced at the same level in different places. We ended up with a $80 fine.

    Also, since this is a national park, you cannot bring the firewood from outside, have to buy it in the park.

    Other than that, we enjoyed our stay. The campground location allow an easy access to many trails within Shenandoah National Park, as well as close by, such as our favorite Old Rag Mountain. It's also technically a part of the NP, so keep your entrance receipt to show at the Old Rag's parking lot.

    Make sure you taste blackberry ice cream at the general store at the entrance. It's a local specialty and it's delicious!!!

  • g
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Perfect place to camp in Shenandoah National Park

    We camped several nights in our 23ft. travel trailer.  Our site A85 was just long enough to fit our trailer and truck. We were able to use our generator at this site.  The bathroom  was just a short walk away.  There are no hookups in this campground.   We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower.  They were clean and even though the campground was nearly full we never had to wait in line.  We also did our laundry one evening. The machines were all working and it was quite reasonably priced.  Big Meadows campground is so conveniently located to the Visitor's center and many local trails. The horse stables were just down the road.  The lodge/restaurant was near the campground and we enjoyed a special dinner out one evening on the deck overlooking the beautiful Luray Valley.

  • N
    Jul. 17, 2021

    Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort

    Not your average campground!

    We have stayed here several times. Big beautiful paved sites with furniture to boot. Complete with gas grills and outdoor sinks. Plenty to do at the resort..... Kayak, putt putt, tennis, swim in one of the pools, hot tub, work out in the gym, walk on trails, ride horses, take a carriage ride or eat at the "real" restaurant. My favorite campground hands down!

  • Ted C.
    Mar. 29, 2017

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Great campground, great location.

    Stayed in July of 2016. Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center. Only down fall is proximity to neighbors.


Guide to Culpeper

Horse camping in Virginia offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities for horses

  • At Fort Valley Ranch, you'll find well-maintained sites near stables, making it easy to care for your horse during your stay.
  • Shenandoah Crossing features a stable for horse riding, along with spacious sites equipped with picnic tables and fire pits.
  • Big Meadows Campground allows pets and offers easy access to trails, perfect for those looking to ride right from their campsite.

Tips for equestrian camping near Culpeper, Virginia

  • When visiting Graves Mountain Farm Campground, be prepared for a more rustic experience, as the camping area is quite open with limited tree cover.
  • At Pohick Bay Campground, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including trails suitable for horseback riding, while also having access to clean facilities.
  • Bull Run Regional Park offers spacious sites and is located near historical attractions, making it a great base for exploring the area with your horse.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Lichtman Camp 1 provides electric hookups and drinking water, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
  • At Shenandoah Crossing, the resort-like atmosphere includes a variety of activities, making it a fun destination for families with horses.
  • Fort Valley Ranch is known for its clean facilities and shaded sites, perfect for keeping your horse comfortable during your camping adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Culpeper, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Culpeper, VA is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 120 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Culpeper, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Culpeper, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.