Equestrian Camping near Lake, WV

Near Lake, West Virginia, several campgrounds nestle in the mountainous terrain where elevations range from 600 to over 1,200 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold winters with occasional heavy snowfall. Primitive and developed camping options span across multiple parks and recreation areas, with several sites offering specialized facilities for equestrian campers.

What to do

Horseback riding trails: Chief Logan State Park connects to numerous trails throughout its nearly 4,000-acre forest. A visitor noted, "Chief Logan has lots of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. I hiked the Coal Mine Trail with remnants of the coal industry decaying in the forest, then continued on the Wilderness Trail which gives you a nice view of the surrounding mountains."

Wildlife viewing: At Chief Logan State Park Campground, you can observe local fauna at the small wildlife center. According to one camper, "There's a small wildlife center where you can see bears, bobcats and raptors in enclosures for a $2.00 donation. The caretaker helped me get some nice photos of the bears by putting some honey and peanut butter on the fence around their enclosure."

Water activities: The backwaters of Dewey Lake at German Bridge - Dewey Lake are ideal for small watercraft. One visitor reports, "It's right off the back waters of Dewy lake. So great to kayaking or any small boats." The calm waters make it perfect for beginners.

What campers like

Equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Lake, West Virginia provide specialized amenities for riders. German Bridge offers boarding options as described by a camper: "For an extra fee ($15 I think, we don't have horses) you could board your horse in the barn."

Spacious campsites: Ole Henry's Camping retreat features well-designed camping areas. A visitor explains, "Ole' Henry's has a very nice setup with a Giovannis pizza restaurant and camp store on site. The playground are has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is blain drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite."

Recreation options: The variety of activities keeps campers engaged at River Expeditions Campsites. As one visitor noted, "This clean and spacious campground lends itself to white water rafting enthusiasts, offering various guided trips down the New and Gauley rivers. The campground has its own hiking/biking trails and zip line canopy tours."

What you should know

Water quality concerns: Be cautious about swimming in Dewey Lake. A local resident warns, "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER! FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK,,, CATCH & RELEASE! (Personally, I'd go to a pay lake)."

Weather preparation: The climate can change quickly in the mountains. At River Expeditions, one camper shared, "We tried River Expeditions' 3-part zipline in the pouring rain, something I wouldn't repeat because I was too soaked and cold to enjoy the experience."

Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the area have minimal connectivity. At Jenny Wiley State Park Campground, a camper noted, "You get no cell service in the campgrounds and no reception. Also, the trails are not quite right for the Jenny Wiley Trail that starts from the campgrounds."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Ole Henry's Camping Retreat offers activities designed for children. A camper describes, "There is a pony that lives on the site and is very friendly. It scavenges for free food and the children love it. There is also a few cats or so that live on site and is very friendly to children."

Swimming options: Look for designated swimming areas that are family-approved. At German Bridge, one camper mentions, "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults."

Affordable recreation: New & Gauley River Adventures offers family-appropriate adventures. A visitor shared, "Our guides, Brian and Mason were efficient, conscientious, and FUN!!! They made the most of every rapid and even tailored the trip especially to our group! Lunch was delicious and the price was perfect."

Tips from RVers

Site layout challenges: At Jenny Wiley State Park Campground, RVers should note the unusual utility placement. One camper warned, "Older campground but quit and peaceful. Not much to do. No WiFi no tv reception. Campsites are set up were the water hookups at in front of your camper. Bring long water hose."

Leveling considerations: For those with larger RVs, be prepared for uneven terrain. At River Expeditions, a reviewer noted, "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."

Full hookup options: Chief Logan State Park offers better hookup options than many area campgrounds. As described by a visitor, "Chief Logan has 26 level RV camping spots with water and electricity at all sites and a sewer connection at about half of them."