The Fort Valley Ranch in Virginia caters to equestrians with 45 campsites that welcome riders with horses. Located within accessible distance from Romney, the ranch accommodates tent camping, RV sites, and cabin lodging for visitors with equine companions. While the campground does not feature dedicated horse corrals according to available data, it provides facilities that support horse owners, including electric hookups, water, and sewer connections for longer stays. The ranch maintains picnic tables and fire rings at each site, allowing riders to relax after trail excursions. Horses receive access to drinking water sources, important for maintaining hydration during overnight stays. The camping experience typically earns high ratings from visitors, with the property keeping trails and riding areas well-maintained.
Surrounding national forest and park trails connect to the ranch, offering varied terrain for different skill levels of riders. Trout Pond Recreation Area nearby provides additional opportunities for horseback riding with trails winding through wooded areas and along waterways. Most equestrian campsites require advance reservations, particularly during peak riding seasons from spring through fall. Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, with pull-through sites available for larger horse trailers and living quarters. The campground terrain features mostly level sites that facilitate easy setup for horse owners. Trail riders should note that some routes require stream crossings, with water levels varying seasonally. Proper Leave No Trace practices apply to horse waste management, with designated areas for manure disposal helping maintain the natural environment for all visitors.
"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."
$10 - $55 / 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. "
$25 - $105 / 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."
$20 - $110 / night
"Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7. Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private."
"It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there."
$30 - $45 / night
"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."
"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."
TravelerCampground reeks of horse manure 24/7. Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
TravelerPros: Very friendly and accommodating staff. We camped in October and we had pretty much the entire place to ourselves. Beautiful lake and overall picturesque setting. Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun. Cons: WiFi signal weak and intermittent, even close to router. We camped in sites with hookups near office and entrance and the toilets are really far. The showers are even farther-like a 15-20 minute walk with bad signage directing to. 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. Cobwebs along ceiling, dim lighting and worn paint added to the overall dinginess. There are no hooks to hang a towel and no shower curtain, wall or door so the bench with my clothes and towel got wet as did the floor, so you step out of shower into a puddle.
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
RangerWe stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
ScoutThis is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
LegendThis campground surprised me. It states online that it’s only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites. Mid-August was a gamble as to weather. It was gorgeous weather! In the valley and surrounded by beautiful mountain views it was 80 daytime and ~60 at night. We were in site 12 which was small for our RV (22 ft total pulled by our F-150) but we worked it out. Site 14 is a buddy electric site. There are a few other buddy sites with no hookups. Site 11 and 13 both look nice and a bit more length to them and have electric (15 amp). We found that sites 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are FHU (not sure what amp electric though). While 3, 5, 7, and 9 are designated Host spots, site 3 had the sign covered and an RV using it. Not sure how you do that but good to know. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There are 3 not so great bath houses and the only reason I didn’t give 5 stars. Only 1 sink, 2 stalls, and 1 shower in each and a stall in 2 of them was out of order. I used the shower and it was nice hot water. 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! There were other trails too. We also hiked the Rockcliff lake trail which was rocky at spots but pretty level. There’s a boat launch for non powered boats, and fishing spots along the lake. The lake water was crystal clear and is surrounded by beautiful views of the mountains. We didn’t swim but on a Saturday in August about 4pm, it wasn’t too crowded. You aren’t close to much else outside of outdoor activities but we drove into Lost City and Lost River. There’s a great arts cooperative we stopped at with unique artistic wares to purchase and a small museum. We stopped at a farmers market, and a general store that both offered pastries, and coffee drinks as well as area goods for purchase. There is a Dollar General near these places too. 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. Camp Hosts were present and helpful! Highly recommend this campground if you are a tent camper, smaller RV, or if you just prefer less of a glamping experience.
ScoutSpent a weekend here in mid May. Bugs weren't a problem at all. Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes.
LegendWe absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35’ TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It’s not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points.
GuideWe stayed here December 10, 2020. The campground was closed for the winter, but we called ahead and they were fine with us staying in the parking area. No amenities, but we were in a Revel,so didn’t need anything anyway. We were completely alone there, which was pretty cool. 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. Also be sure to take the short walk to the Trout Pond. More crystal clear water, and the pond is an active sinkhole, so that’s pretty cool. And the Lake is socked with trout (license required) during the regular season for those who want to fish.
Fort Valley Ranch in Virginia lies along the eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains, about 60 miles east of Romney, West Virginia. The ranch features 45 campsites specifically designed for equestrian campers, with elevation ranging between 800-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during the day, cooling to 60-65°F at night, creating comfortable conditions for both horses and riders.
Trail riding exploration: At The Cove Campground, riders can access miles of designated trails. "The Cove is by far one of my favorite places to escape the DC suburbs. With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer," shares Victoriana P.
Fishing with horses: Several equestrian campgrounds offer fishing opportunities where riders can relax after a day on trails. "The kids were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," notes Jason G. about his stay at Fort Valley Ranch.
Swimming breaks: Horse owners often appreciate water access for cooling off between rides. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, "Swimming is excellent with sand beach. Big catfish in clear water. Water was so clean that it was throbbing with freshwater jellyfish," according to Fred F.
Hiking alongside equestrians: Many horse trails connect with hiking paths, allowing mixed groups to explore. "This place is not just a big pond where you can fish but also it has tons of cool hikes all around it," mentions Jonny D. about Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Pull-through accessibility: Horse owners appreciate easy-access sites that accommodate trailers. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," shares Jason G. from his Fort Valley Ranch experience.
Shaded campsites: Trees provide essential relief for horses and riders during summer months. "Also, another big one for me was that there was an abundance of shade throughout the site and the entire campground," notes a Fort Valley Ranch visitor.
Clean facilities: Big Run State Park earns praise for maintenance. "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. Clean and well maintained," says Katie H.
Water features: Campers consistently highlight stream access at horse-friendly campgrounds. "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful... Definitely would come back for a short stay," mentions Aakansha J. about Big Run State Park's streamside sites.
Weather preparedness: The Romney area experiences rapid weather changes that can affect horse camping. "I should have checked the weather. 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," warns Kelly G. about her experience at Yokums Vacationland.
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging at horse campgrounds. "Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes," notes randall T. about Yokums Vacationland.
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camps may present challenges. "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive," advises Christopher K. from his experience at The Cove Campground.
Seasonal planning: Horse camping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "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," shares Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch.
Horse activities for kids: Equestrian campgrounds often offer supervised riding opportunities. "The availability of horseback trail riding was an added bonus," mentions Jason G. from Fort Valley Ranch.
Non-riding entertainment: Shawnee State Park provides diverse family activities. "This campground is okay... The trail around the lake was incredible for biking - highly recommend! Everything in this park and campground are extremely well marked and maintained," says PhiladelphiaKaley R.
Multiple sleeping options: Horse-friendly campgrounds typically offer varied accommodations. "We have a 35' TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference," shares Brittany V. about her Shawnee State Park experience.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy animal encounters at equestrian campgrounds. "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun," notes Nancy L. about The Cove Campground.
Water management: RVers with horses should plan water usage carefully. "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," advises Christopher K. about The Cove Campground.
Site selection strategy: Horse trailer owners need specific site requirements. "We heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites," suggests Lee D. from Shawnee State Park.
Hookup variations: Electric options vary across horse campgrounds. "The site we were assigned was easily accessed and had a nice view of the campground. However, as we drove through the rest of the RV park area we noted that many of the sites had very awkward back-in approaches that did not provide sufficient area to maneuver a large rig into them," observes Gerard from Shawnee State Park.
Dump station access: After camping with horses, efficient departure matters. "Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It's not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points," notes Brittany V. about Shawnee State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Romney, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Romney, WV is The Cove Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Romney, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Romney, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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