Fort Valley Ranch is a horseback-oriented campground providing equestrian facilities near Luray, Virginia. The campground offers 45 sites with full hookups for RVs and tent campers, plus cabin options specifically for horse owners. Trails connect directly to the campground, allowing riders immediate access to various terrain suitable for different riding abilities. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities and showers near the stables, with fishing ponds offering recreational alternatives between trail rides.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Big Run State Park Campground features a stream with trout and crayfish for anglers. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish" notes Nathan S., who appreciates the primitive camping experience along the water.
ATV trails: The Cove Campground offers extensive trail systems for off-road enthusiasts. Jacob I. reports, "miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes." Ben M. adds, "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites."
Horseback riding: At Fort Valley Ranch, equestrian activities are the main attraction with trail riding opportunities from the property. Jason G. notes, "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus," making it an ideal horse campground option near Burlington, West Virginia.
Swimming: Trout Pond Recreation Area provides a sandy beach area for swimming in their crystal clear lake. Fred F. confirms, "Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with freshwater jellyfish."
What campers like
Riverside camping: At Yokums Vacationland, sites along the water create peaceful settings. Kelly G. describes, "I had a little trail down to the waters edge and sat on giant boulders to eat my meals."
Private, spacious sites: Big Run State Park Campground offers separation between camping spots. Nathan S. observes, "Nice wide open site... Tons of space between sites."
Family amenities: Trout Pond Recreation Area caters to families with various activities. Wendi C. mentions, "The beach is nice and lots of fishing, hiking, playgrounds for the kids. Whether a day trip or camping this is a nice spot."
Unique wildlife encounters: The Cove Campground features unexpected animal residents. Nancy L. shares, "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun," providing an unusual camping experience.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds in the region have connectivity challenges. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, Chris J. warns, "there is no cell service. In case of an emergency, you are a 20 minute drive to call for help."
Weather considerations: Yokums Vacationland experiences flooding during heavy rain. Kelly G. cautions, "The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising... Later I learned this area is prone to flooding."
Amenities vary by location: Some campgrounds offer basic facilities only. At Big Run State Park, Mark K. explains, "You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities."
Access challenges: Roads leading to some campgrounds can be difficult for large vehicles. Laure D. notes about Trout Pond, "The drive to the campground (Thorny Bottom Rd. CR 16) was a bit windy but doable. Better to go to Wardensville, WV and down 16 rather than try to cross the mountain near East of Trout Pond."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: The Cove Campground provides a lake with beach area for children to enjoy. Christopher K. shares, "The beach is large and clean," making it suitable for families seeking water recreation.
Fishing with kids: Fort Valley Ranch maintains stocked ponds that children can easily fish. Jason G. mentions, "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill."
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for younger campers. Wendi C. specifically mentions that Trout Pond Recreation Area has "playgrounds for the kids," providing entertainment options beyond hiking and swimming.
RV tips
Site leveling: Look for campgrounds with naturally level sites to minimize setup time. Jason G. observed at Fort Valley Ranch, "All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed."
Access roads: Check road conditions before attempting to bring large rigs. Some reviews note winding access roads that may challenge bigger vehicles. Jason G. mentions, "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us."
Power availability: Electrical hookup ratings vary between horse campgrounds near Burlington, West Virginia. Laure D. notes about Trout Pond Recreation Area, "It states online that it's only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites," which may not be sufficient for all RV needs.
Traveler
