Holly River State Park offers equestrian camping facilities near Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia at an elevation of 3,000 feet in the Allegheny Highlands. The park sits within a region locals call "the rainforest of the east" due to high precipitation levels, with frequent rainfall occurring throughout the year. Seasonal temperature variations impact horse trail conditions, with September through mid-October providing optimal riding conditions.
What to do
Trail riding at Kumbrabow State Forest: Located about 25 miles from Camden-on-Gauley, Kumbrabow State Forest provides excellent trail riding options with varying difficulty levels. One camper notes, "Beautiful tent sites along the creek! I was there in late summer, but I plan to return in late spring when the rhododendrons would be in bloom. Access is by about 6 miles of dirt/rock road. There are many trails at all hiking levels."
Fishing adventures on the Greenbrier River: The Greenbrier River Trail offers multiple primitive campsites with river access for anglers. According to a visitor at Milepost 28.5 Primitive Campsite, "Swimming and fishing are permitted in the Greenbrier River (Fishing: if you have a WV Fishing License). In late June, temperatures were still quite cool, so while the river looked inviting, we did not take the plunge."
Waterfall exploration at Camp Creek State Park: About an hour's drive from Camden-on-Gauley, Camp Creek features multiple waterfalls accessible by trail. A visitor warns, "If you visit Campbell falls, BEWARE it is extremely slippery. The brown algae makes it very slick and no shoe will handle it. There's no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide."
What campers like
Solitude and wildlife viewing: Cranberry River Sites offers remote camping with opportunities to see native wildlife. As one camper describes, "If your looking for a weekend getaway or a week long rest. Look no farther. The fishing here is the best around with beautiful waterfalls like big ruff and the ducks are so colorful like no other. Been going for 3 years now and always an awesome getaway."
Riverside campsites: Many horse campgrounds near Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia feature sites positioned along streams or rivers. At Holly River State Park, one visitor mentioned, "The Holly River runs clear through the Park, right beside a good many of the of the sites and hanging a hammock and listening to the water, can't be beat!"
Adirondack shelters on long-distance trails: For riders planning multi-day trips, the Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite offers covered shelter options. A camper shared, "Newer Adirondock Style Shelter, Newer Large/Clean/Stocked Pit Latrine, Raised Tent pad (pea gravel), Cold well water- Hand pump, Metal Fire Ring."
What you should know
Bear safety measures required: This region is active bear country, especially around Greenbrier River Trail. One camper advises, "This is bear country so I would recommend utilizing a bear bag or bear canister for your food and toiletries. I used a BearVault BV500 that I strapped to the Salsa EXP Anything Cradle attached to my handlebars...worked great."
Challenging access roads: Many equestrian camping areas require driving on rough roads. At Kumbrabow State Forest, riders should note the "Lengthy dirt road drive to get there, No cell coverage or Wi-Fi, 2 mile drive to bath house."
Weather patterns affect trail conditions: The region's high rainfall can create muddy trails, especially in spring and early summer. One camper at Holly River State Park observed, "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly water activities: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides safe swimming areas for families with horses. A visitor reports, "Our camp hosts were friendly and very helpful. The views were amazing and beautiful. I can't wait to go back again, we loved it."
Multi-use recreation facilities: Beyond equestrian trails, families appreciate additional recreational options. At Camp Creek State Park, "The campground is very close to I77 which makes it convenient. The sites are right next to the creek which is very unique and beautiful. The sites are also big enough."
Scheduled activities for children: Some parks offer organized programs that complement horseback riding. At Elk River Camp and RV Park, "Super friendly camp host. He met us and drove us to the camp park because it was so dark. Spacious sites, and he is making amazing improvements to the park. Beautiful river setting."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: When selecting an equestrian campsite with RV, check site dimensions carefully. At Bolar Mountain, "We camped at Douthat State Park. Great area for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. Nice Lake Moomaw views."
Utility hookup availability: Many horse camps have limited hookups. At Elk River Camp and RV Park, one RVer noted, "Mix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots. The owner was wonderful. No laundry, showers or wifi. The price was $40 a night full hookups."
Access considerations for larger rigs: Horse trailers combined with RVs require careful planning. A camper at Elk River Camp warned, "Narrow gravel road to get to the newly developed portion of campground. We arrived during heavy rains & muddy site conditions... Gravel pad, One lane road in & our, 42' 5th wheel drug bumper to/from campground."
