Equestrian Camping near Athens, WV

Double C Horse and Rider Campground features primitive facilities within Camp Creek State Park's 6,000-acre forest. Located at 2,000 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountains, the area experiences seasonal temperature shifts with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. The campground's basic design accommodates riders with specific sites for 2, 4, or 6 horse capacity, though campers should note water access points are limited to specific locations throughout the park.

What to do

Trail riding access: Camp Creek State Park offers over 16 miles of equestrian-friendly trails ranging from beginner loops to challenging mountain paths. At Mash Fork Campground, which shares the general area with Double C Horse and Rider Campground, one camper notes "hiking is difficult in some areas but spectacularly beautiful. The campground staff was very friendly, and the amenities were clean and kept up."

Waterfall visits: Multiple water features are accessible via horseback or hiking within a 3-mile radius of the equestrian camping areas. According to a visitor at Mash Fork, "The waterfalls are easily accessible and were beautiful even without an abundance of water. Very relaxing stay."

Swimming spots: The creek areas provide natural swimming holes during summer months. A camper mentions, "There is a small babbling brook right behind it and also a trail head that climbed up and back down right into the campground. Very nice trail for the dogs and I to get some exercise on."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Despite the rustic nature of equestrian camping near Athens, West Virginia, the neighboring facilities receive praise. A visitor at Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite states, "The Dale McCutcheon Shelter was so clean and comfortable, it's hard to call this primitive camping." This site offers amenities comparable to other horse camps in the region.

Trail connectivity: Horse campers appreciate direct access to trail systems from their sites. Regarding Camp Creek's trail system, one visitor notes, "There are also more trails on the other side of the road and a waterfall fairly close by!"

Water proximity: Many sites feature streams or creeks within earshot. As one camper at Camp Creek describes, "The site I use exclusively has a river running behind it and the sounds lull you to sleep any time of day!"

What you should know

Seasonal operations: While some campgrounds remain open year-round, services and amenities may be limited during winter months. A camper at CB Ranch warns, "The website information is not accurate so definitely call (we were told when we called that the website is several years out of date)."

Horse facilities variation: Different equestrian campgrounds offer varying levels of accommodations for horses. Collins Cove Horse Campground includes corrals and water hookups specifically for horses, while Hussy Mountain Horse Camp provides more primitive options without dedicated corrals.

Trail conditions: Seasonal changes affect trail quality significantly. A Greenbrier River Trail user reports, "Trail conditions got soft and muddy after the previous night's deluge through the more heavily wooded areas, once the trail was exposed to constant sun, it dried quickly. Blow-down did slow us down a few times."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: For families balancing horse activities with children's needs, nearby recreation areas provide additional options. A visitor at Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground mentions it's a "Cute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many equestrian camping areas offer chances to observe local wildlife. At CB Ranch, a camper appreciated "seeing the farm animals. The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature."

Plan for noise factors: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise disruptions. At Glen Lyn, a camper warns "There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Most equestrian-specific campgrounds have limited or no hookups for RVs. For those requiring utilities, River Expeditions Campsites offers more options, though a visitor notes "The RV camp sites are too close together for my taste and the gravel parking spots are all on a slant, so it would be a challenge for larger trailers to get level there."

Water and dump access: When horse camping with an RV, plan for water resupply. At Mash Fork Campground, a reviewer notes "All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart," making it a viable alternative to dedicated horse camps when traveling with larger vehicles.

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires additional planning. One camper shared, "Instant hot water was appreciated at the tap (it was in the 30s when we were there in mid-October)."