1 campground with availability next weekend
Trout Pond Recreation Area permits horses on designated trails throughout the George Washington National Forest surrounding the campground. Located near Wardensville, the campground features sites suitable for horse trailers with ample parking areas for vehicles with horse trailers. Campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping with electrical hookups available at 14 sites. The park maintains several miles of hiking trails that connect to the larger forest trail system where horses are permitted. The campgrounds remain clean and well-maintained, though riders should note the steep inclines on some access roads which may require powerful vehicles when pulling horse trailers. No dedicated horse corrals or stalls are provided on-site, so equestrians must bring portable corral panels or use high-line systems to secure their horses overnight.
Fort Valley Ranch offers full equestrian camping facilities 45 minutes from Wardensville. The ranch maintains level pull-through RV sites near the stable area, making setup quick and convenient for horse campers. Horses can be housed in the on-site stable or portable corrals that campers bring. Two fishing ponds provide water access, and multiple trail riding opportunities exist directly from the campground. The surrounding area offers numerous bridle paths through the George Washington National Forest with trails suitable for all skill levels. Day rides connect campers to scenic mountain vistas and forest paths. Fort Valley's bathrooms and shower facilities remain remarkably clean and well-maintained, providing comfort after long trail rides. Horse owners should prepare for varied terrain on the trails and bring appropriate tack for mountain riding conditions. The winding roads leading to the ranch accommodate large horse trailers without issue.
"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."
"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 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 next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $105 / night
"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. "
"While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."
Available next weekend
from $30 - $75 / 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."
from $30 - $45 / 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
"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
"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."
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.
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
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
Wardensville, West Virginia sits at the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 800-2000 feet across the region. The surrounding George Washington National Forest encompasses over 1 million acres of wilderness, providing extensive terrain for equestrian camping and trail riding. Summer temperatures typically range between 60-85°F, while spring and fall offer cooler temperatures ideal for outdoor activities.
Trail riding exploration: Explore the network of trails at Trout Pond Recreation Area where riders can access several miles of interconnected paths suitable for various skill levels. "This place is not just a big pond where you can fish but also it has tons of cool hikes all around it," notes Jonny D., highlighting the diverse terrain options beyond water activities.
Water activities: Enjoy the clear waters at nearby lakes and streams throughout the region. At The Cove Campground, visitors can take advantage of "a small beach, picnic tables everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats," according to Shanna B. Swimming and fishing opportunities abound within 30 minutes of Wardensville.
Mountain hiking: Access stunning viewpoints within a 45-minute drive of Wardensville. "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," reports Laure D. about the trails at Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Wide open sites: Campers appreciate the spaciousness at Big Meadows Campground, where "many of the sites have platform picnic/dining spots" according to Anna Y. The campground offers "very small campground store on site but a much larger store at visitor center. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs," notes Kim L.
Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Wardensville provide ample opportunities to spot native wildlife. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience," writes Rachel M. about Big Meadows Campground, while Karl S. mentions the unique experience at The Cove Campground: "one unique (and awesome) touch: there are goats casually roaming around the campground."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the region offer peaceful settings away from crowds. At Big Run State Park Campground, campers find "a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful," according to Aakansha J. Another camper, Nathan S., describes it as "a gem! Nice wide open site... Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal or no cell coverage. At Graves Mountain Farm Campground, reviewers noted "No cell service," which can be important for planning. John B. mentions that Trout Pond Recreation Area was "completely alone there, which was pretty cool."
Road conditions: Access roads to many of the horse-friendly campgrounds near Wardensville can be challenging. "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive," advises Christopher K. about Trout Pond Recreation Area. Be prepared for steep inclines and winding roads when hauling horse trailers.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season varies significantly by location. Trout Pond "closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1," according to John B., while some campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced amenities during winter months.
Swimming options: Families with children appreciate the water access at several campgrounds near Wardensville. "The beach is nice and lots of fishing, hiking, playgrounds for the kids. Whether a day trip or camping this is a nice spot," writes Wendi C. about Trout Pond Recreation Area.
Animal encounters: Kids enjoy the wildlife and farm animals at some campgrounds. Nancy L. notes that at The Cove Campground, "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun." At Yokums Vacationland, families can find spots "by the river. I had a little trail down to the waters edge and sat on giant boulders to eat my meals," shares Kelly G.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds offering multiple recreation options. Christopher K. recommends Trout Pond Recreation Area where "The beach is large and clean. Campsites were spacious and mostly level." The Cove Campground provides "an outdoor gun range... a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats, ATVs welcome," according to Shanna B.
Hookup availability: RVers should check specific campgrounds for utility connections. At Trout Pond Recreation Area, Laure D. notes "It states online that it's only 15amp electric at 14 of their sites... We found that sites 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are FHU (not sure what amp electric though)." Plan accordingly for limited hookup options.
Site selection: Choose sites based on your rig size and camping needs. For those with horse trailers visiting horse campgrounds near Wardensville, Jason G. recommends Fort Valley Ranch: "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."
Access considerations: Many roads in the region present challenges for large rigs. Jason G. continues, "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. The access was smooth and hassle-free."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wardensville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wardensville, WV is The Cove Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wardensville, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Wardensville, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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