Fort Valley Ranch provides equestrian camping near Martinsburg, West Virginia with full hookup sites suitable for riders with horses. The campground connects to surrounding riding trails and maintains spacious sites for horse trailers. Beyond Fort Valley, the region offers multiple campground options within 60 miles of Martinsburg, ranging from primitive forest sites to developed facilities with modern amenities.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Fort Valley Ranch offers dedicated equestrian facilities with horseback trail riding opportunities. Jason G. notes, "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus... Within a 10-minute drive, there are opportunities for hiking and river activities."
ATV trail exploration: The Cove Campground maintains extensive trails for off-road vehicles. Andy S. shared, "Next time we come back we will be staying on the same site if possible and definitely bringing some 4 wheelers to check out the miles and miles of trails!" The property includes designated ATV routes through wooded terrain.
Target shooting: Several campgrounds provide target shooting areas for firearms enthusiasts. Ben M. remarks about The Cove Campground, "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites."
Historical exploration: Gettysburg National Park borders Artillery Ridge Campground, where campers can walk directly to battlefield sites. One visitor notes, "Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts."
What campers like
Rustic water access: Many campers appreciate fishing and swimming opportunities. Karl S. describes The Cove Campground: "You drive deep into the woods to get here, which gives it that true, off-the-grid campground feel. There are several different camping areas, and depending on where you end up, you might have a short walk to reach the best fishing spots."
Free primitive camping: Michaux State Forest offers no-cost camping options with minimal amenities. Jen S. explains, "Michaux State Forest campgrounds have vault toilets and the sites are well-maintained. Camping is free in several areas throughout Michaux State Forest, BUT you usually need to have a camping permit (also free) and you can only stay in designated campsites."
Wildlife encounters: Campers report unique wildlife interactions at various sites. Nancy L. mentions The Cove Campground: "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun." This adds a distinctive experience to standard camping.
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites provide stocked fishing ponds. Jason G. reports, "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. Karl S. notes about The Cove Campground: "It's worth noting that cell service is minimal to nonexistent — not a big deal for most campers, but something to keep in mind."
Permit requirements: Teaberry Parking Area Campsites and other state forest locations require advance permits. Bridget D. explains, "Designated motorized sites, which require a free online permit and are open April 2 until the 3rd Sunday after Thanksgiving. Designated motorized parking lot sites, which require the same free online permit but are open year-round."
Seasonal pest issues: Some campgrounds experience seasonal insect problems. One camper at Teaberry reports, "The first 3.5 days there were lantern flies actively trying to get into our rig, digging themselves behind the window screens, etc. and then day 4 they were gone."
Bathroom facility variation: Campground bathrooms range widely in quality and accessibility. Nancy L. notes about The Cove: "The view from the showers were breathtaking, but the showers themselves left much to be desired. We had told they had just been cleaned, but they were so old and rust stained that it still felt kinda gross."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Gettysburg Campground offers multiple recreation options. Kelly J. mentions, "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. not far to go anywhere walking."
Animal interactions: Children often enjoy campgrounds with farm animals. Shanna B. describes The Cove Campground: "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. Artillery Ridge Campground offers access to historical sites where families can "learn about the 3 days of fighting that took place to how the civilians of Gettysburg were impacted."
Safety considerations: Parents should note potential hazards at campgrounds. Christopher K. cautions about Gettysburg Campground, "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many RVers emphasize the importance of level sites. Jason G. notes about Fort Valley Ranch: "All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed. Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless."
Road access challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult access roads. Jim G. reports about Gettysburg Campground: "The amenities of Gettysburg Campground are quite good: full hookups with cable, all working as expected. Level sites, friendly and efficient staff, decently sized sites long enough for my 32' coach and a toad."
Hookup reliability: Water connections can be inconsistent at some locations. Christopher K. notes, "There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access."
Site spacing concerns: RVers frequently comment on site proximity. Jim G. observes, "The two drawbacks are that the sites are quite packed together and the noise of traffic– at least in the frontmost sites– can get rather loud at night."
