Fort Valley Ranch in Virginia offers horse-friendly camping with 45 designated sites that accommodate tent, RV, and cabin camping. The campground provides electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer hookups for RVs, making it suitable for extended stays with horses. Amenities include drinking water, firewood, showers, toilets, and trash service. Most camping sites are positioned near the stables, creating convenient access for riders who bring their own horses. The bathrooms and showers are exceptionally clean and well-maintained. Fort Valley Ranch accommodates families with additional recreational options including fishing in two stocked ponds with bass and bluegill. The campground maintains level sites with minimal setup required for RVs, and most areas feature abundant shade throughout the grounds.
Trail riders can access nearby hiking and river activities within a 10-minute drive from Fort Valley Ranch. The winding access roads present no issues for large rigs, with smooth access even for combined vehicle-trailer lengths exceeding 50 feet. Yokum's Vacationland and Princess Snowbirds Indian Village near Seneca Rocks offers another option for equestrians with electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer hookups. This campground provides accommodations for tent campers, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. The lower campground area sits beside a river, offering quieter camping experiences compared to the upper sites. Campers should be aware that cell service is unavailable throughout the area due to the Green radio telescopes nearby. The campground's proximity to Seneca Rocks makes it convenient for riders exploring the surrounding terrain.
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
"The bathroom was just a short walk away. There are no hookups in this campground. We did drive to the shower house and paid a fee to take a shower. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $75 / night
"There is Rockcliff lake and small beach area, an overlook (Lina Constable Overlook) to hike to right off the camp loop but it’s 1 mile steep incline at times but worth every step. Gorgeous!"
"The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1. The site was super clean and well maintained. Lots of hiking trails and a very easy one that loops around the Rockcliff Lake."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $105 / night
"It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia). Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "
"The Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth I only saw my neighbors when I took a walk to check out the campground."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $32 / night
"Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone. The bathrooms are ok. "
"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"We recently stayed at Fort Valley Ranch Campground, near Luray, VA and I can only say good things about our experience and the FVR's management."
from $30 - $45 / night
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site."
"I go there to climb and both sites are close to the rocks. I have camped there just about every month of the year. Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
"Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain"
"Lodge close by if food, warmth, or better restroom desired."
from $12 / night
"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"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. "
from $10 - $55 / night
TravelerLong drive thru spots, lots of space between campsites. Really inexpensive laundry ($1 to wash $1 to dry) $5 showers for 10 minutes. Nice bathrooms. Dry camping at its finest. Close drive to Grand caverns and Luray caverns.
TravelerGenerous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
ScoutWas looking for a last-minute getaway on a busy weekend, and they seemed the best option. I've always associated private campgrounds with crowding and sites on top of each other. I couldn't have been more wrong about The Cove. There is more wooded space between sites than in many National Parks.
Some sections are best accessed via 4WD, which I think is a great way to keep things from getting too crowded.
Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone.
The bathrooms are ok. Other than the shower area and the reception, most toilets are pit toilets. If you want to be walking distance to showers, make sure to book sites near them. For most sites, it's going to be a hike or a drive.
And on top of that, they have a beach for the kids, boat rentals, and a range.
This was our first visit, but we will definitely be coming back.
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
ScoutFirst camping trip in VA and honestly the only time we’ll come here. Noisy, plots are on the main road people speed down, loud music at all times. Plus the bathroom was great, taken care of but this isn’t camping. Great if you need people around you.
ScoutGood facilities for a NP campground
RangerThis is a classic National Park campground, and it’s important to keep in mind that it opened in 1937–the sites are small as travelers weren’t equipped with large vehicles, as such, it may not be the best option for large rigs but my van fit comfortably though the neighbors were rather close. If you’re expecting that, you’ll be more than happy. Walking distance via a connector trail to Dark Hollow Falls trail. Sustainable T-Mobile service for remote work, but Zoom may lag. No shore power or water hookups, but drinking water spread throughout the park and modernized bathroom and showers. There was also a circular, shaded tent area as part of D155, behind the drive. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.
GuideGreat summer destination to escape the heat! Weather in late June was amazing - highs in the 70s; lows in the 60s; and crystal clear skies. Not too buggy either. Pulled ONE tick off of me before it bit me, but otherwise not much to speak of in the way of mosquitos or biting gnats/flies.
This particular site was smaller (RV back in) but private and level near the bath house. There IS a bear box present, and you'll want to use it for any unattended food outside an RV. The mini-bears are beggars. We saw several chipmunks in our site and a particularly clever bird successfully stole from our neighbors.
If you are RV-ing, fill your tanks at the dump station before heading to the ranger station for check-in. You don't want to carry all that water up the mountain, and they don't like you to block the campground road trying to fill along the loop. The dump station is located on the right prior to arrival at the ranger station.
Also, there are no dumpsters at the dump station (weird). So upon departure, pull your trash prior to leaving the site.
As always, there is virtually no cell signal in this site and no electric hookups anywhere in the campsite. So bring a generator or a lot of solar if you want to run your electrical. (Though this site being so shady doesn't provide a lot of solar power.) There IS wifi at the visitor's center if you want to call home or do a daily socials check. ;-)
We DID have one day there that was a pretty noisy from paving equipment re-doing the road. But I think they're almost done with their project, and honestly it wasn't that big a deal because we were on trails most of the time anyway.
There are great ranger programs here - it's one of the larger hubs for programming, and they're listed at the visitor's center because they change seasonally. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the meadow. What may LOOK like a vast, boring expanse of grass is actually a fascinating variety of foliage when you're out in it. Many, many wildflowers that can't be seen from the visitor center's overlook.
Also, many of the park's most popular hikes can be easily accessed from here, including Dark Hollow Falls and Bearfence Rock Scramble.
TravelerBeautiful spot. The campsite is across the street from the lodge. G-Maps and Apple will take you to the lodge however. Loved the Freeform and “make your own” spot vibe
The Monongahela National Forest region surrounding Mathias, West Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,800 feet, creating varied camping microclimates throughout the seasons. The region's forested ridges and valleys contain numerous camping options for horse enthusiasts, with several dedicated equestrian facilities offering trail access. Campers should note the limited cell service throughout much of the area, particularly near the Green Bank Observatory.
Fishing in stocked ponds: At Big Meadows Campground, visitors can access excellent fishing within walking distance. "There are several campsites available at this National Park. I like this campsite particularly because its close to one of my favorite waterfall hikes in VA," notes Tom C., who appreciates the combination of fishing and hiking.
Explore ATV trails: The The Cove Campground offers "miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes" according to Jacob I. Another visitor, Ben M., confirms this is an "all in one campground" with "shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites."
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies make this region excellent for astronomy. At Spruce Knob Lake, campers report exceptional stargazing conditions due to minimal light pollution. Jennifer B. notes "you won't have any city lights to interfere and trees won't block your view" at the lake viewing areas.
Private creek-side camping: At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, visitors appreciate the secluded waterfront sites. Sandra B. reports: "Each site is secluded and creek front. We stayed at the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical." Melanie S. adds that "the only others we saw from our campsite were people fishing downstream from our camp and they were respectful of our space."
Clean bathrooms and showers: Campers consistently praise the facilities at Revelle's River Resort, with one reviewer specifically noting "the bathrooms are very clean indeed." Paul S. observes that "Revelle is family operated, and it's obvious they take pride in their work. The grounds are nicely kept, and the bathrooms are very clean indeed."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the area offer opportunities to observe local fauna. At Big Meadows, Kim L. comments on seeing "deer and other wildlife," while Rachel M. adds, "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience."
Seasonal weather considerations: The mountain elevation affects temperatures significantly. At Spruce Knob Lake Campground, Carol B. reports camping in November when temperatures dropped to "14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. For Trout Pond Recreation Area, Chris J. warns: "There are some pretty steep inclines to even get to the campgrounds. Unless you have a powerful vehicle pulling your camper, it would help to release your water supply and fill up when you get to the campground."
No cell service areas: Multiple campgrounds report limited connectivity. Fred F. notes at Trout Pond Recreation Area: "Nice hiking, kayaking & swimming. We hiked around Rock Cliff Lake and observed petrified wood." But connectivity remains limited throughout the region.
Activities for children: Trout Pond Recreation Area offers numerous child-friendly options. Wendi C. confirms it has "beach, fishing, hiking, playgrounds for the kids. Whether a day trip or camping this is a nice spot."
Wildlife education opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs. Kim L. mentions Big Meadows has a "Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," making it educational for children learning about local ecology.
Farm animal interactions: Unique to Graves Mountain Farm Campground, children can interact with farm animals. Matt notes, "For kids, there is a duck pond, chicken coop, shallow brook, disable farm tractor, and some other stuff to play with/on/in across the street near the lodge."
Hookup availability: For those seeking full service sites, Revelle's River Resort offers complete amenities. Kevin C. reports: "We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river."
Level site considerations: Laure D. discusses The Cove Campground setup: "Site 12 which was small for our RV (22 ft total pulled by our F-150) but we worked it out. Site 11 and 13 both look nice and a bit more length to them and have electric (15 amp)."
Winter camping limitations: Many campgrounds close seasonally. John B. notes about Trout Pond: "The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1." Always check operating dates when planning equestrian camping near Mathias during colder months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mathias, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mathias, WV is Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 131 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mathias, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Mathias, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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