East Fork Campground and Horse Stables operates from April through November near Weston, West Virginia, situated in the Monongahela National Forest region at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet. The area receives approximately 55 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush conditions for equestrian trails. Several equestrian campgrounds around Weston offer direct access to miles of mountain trails through forested terrain.
What to do
Trail riding excursions: At Revelle's River Resort, riders can access nearby trails while staying at riverside campsites. "We were 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," notes Kevin C.
Explore local waterfalls: Holly River State Park offers access to multiple waterfalls within riding distance. "The Potato Knob trail is awesome...plan it for a day...bring a full hydration pack and trekking poles...it is strenuous but rewarding," writes Dave V. "We drove a dirt/gravel road to the parking area above Upper Falls/Shupe's Chute/Lower Falls. Honestly, I am always torn to give rave reviews of new 'favorite' spots, for fear hoards will flock and ruin the peaceful serenity of the place."
Historic railroad experiences: Riders staying at horse-friendly accommodations can visit the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. "East Fork Campground is adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!" reports Harold C.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Equestrian travelers appreciate waterfront sites where horses can drink. "The Holly River runs clear through the Park, right beside a good many of the of the sites and hanging a hammock and listening to the water, can't be beat!" shares Suzy J.
Mountain seclusion: Kumbrabow State Forest provides primitive camping at 3,000 feet elevation. "This historic recreation area, carved into this 9,500-acre forest by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, is a wonderful place to unplug and unwind. It's located at 3,000 feet above sea level on the western edge of the Allegheny Highlands, so it's the highest state forest in West Virginia," explains Jennifer B.
Clean facilities: Horse campgrounds maintain sanitation standards for both riders and animals. "The bathrooms were super clean. Love all the hiking trails and just the beauty of the area," reports Zondra W. Another camper noted, "The shower houses were cleaned three times a day. The sites have electric and at the shower house there is a spigot for fresh water."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain equestrian camping experiences seasonal rain. "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round," notes Elaine L. when describing conditions at Holly River State Park.
Cell service limitations: Camp Creek State Park and other horse camping areas have variable connectivity. "There was no phone signal at all for Verizon service, so a nice place to disconnect," reports Cassia M. Some horse campgrounds near Weston are located in the National Radio Quiet Zone with restricted electronic device use.
Reservation requirements: Book equestrian sites in advance, especially during peak season. "We were just traveling through on our way south and called to see if we could stay for a night. The campground was being shut down for the season but the owners accommodated us anyway!" shares Casey L. about East Fork Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Safety around water features: When visiting equestrian campgrounds with children, exercise caution near creeks and waterfalls. "If you visit Campbell falls, BEWARE it is extremely slippery. The brown algae makes it very slick and no shoe will handle it. There's no real entrance to the water to swim," warns Rachel L. at Camp Creek State Park.
Playground access: Some horse campgrounds offer recreation areas separate from equestrian facilities. "This campground has plenty to offer for the whole family. They have basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy," explains Hannah V.
Weekend noise levels: At popular horse camping destinations, weekends bring more activity. "The last two nights we stayed some of the campers that came in were blasting music and yelling across the campground. They were so loud we could hear them from inside our camper and it went on until well after midnight. The park has quiet hours from 10pm-7am," reports Cassia M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: At Laurel Fork Campground, horse trailer accommodations require planning. "Just getting to Laurel Fork Campground is a backwoods, seemingly endless gravel road journey. So something tells you…this is gonna be a good spot. Its out there…I mean, really out there. If you accept the challenge, prepare to be rewarded," notes Dave V.
Power connections: Many equestrian campsites offer varied hookup options. "The sites accommodate both tents and RVs with water hookups, electric service including 50-amp connections, and full sewer hookups," explains a camper. "We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups," shares Kevin C.
Water access logistics: RVers with horses should note water source locations. "We let us fill water near their home which is on site and had a full hook up available for us. Great location right on the water," describes Casey L., emphasizing the convenience for both campers and horses.
