Limited horse camping options exist near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, with none of the listed campgrounds showing "horse-corral" as an available feature. River Expeditions Campsites offers horseback riding tours but lacks dedicated equestrian camping facilities. Visitors seeking to camp with horses must typically bring portable corrals or use high-line systems at standard campsites. New & Gauley River Adventures provides guided horseback riding adventures while maintaining primitive tent camping areas where horses might be accommodated with advance permission, though specific equestrian amenities are not standard.
Horseback riding opportunities near Gauley Bridge include guided trail rides through the mountainous terrain surrounding the New River Gorge. These rides typically last 1-2 hours and are suitable for beginners to intermediate riders. For serious equestrians planning overnight stays with their horses, calling ahead to confirm specific policies is essential. Several campgrounds permit pets but have varying restrictions that might affect horse accommodations. Trailer parking is limited at most sites, and water access for horses requires careful planning. The surrounding national forest lands may offer more flexibility for primitive camping with horses, though proper Leave No Trace practices for manure management are required.
"River Expeditions is spread out over a 100-acres, with the tent camping located in open meadows, surrounded by trees."
"The campground has its own hiking/biking trails and zip line canopy tours. It also offers horseback riding and ATV tours. Tent camping is primitive, but the bathhouse is clean and efficient."
from $15 - $45 / night
"Camp Creek State Park is well-managed and beautifully-maintained with an active foundation that raises money for cool stuff like the conversation fire pit with swings, located in the Mash Fork Campground"
"This was a convienent campground right off the highway, easy to get to, small but has a few full hookup sites."
"Cranberry River dispersed camping along Forest Road 76 offers quiet, scenic, riverside primitive campsites with excellent fishing and easy access to the surrounding wilderness."
"long path along river, very beautiful area"
"Camp Creek State Park West Virginia. This was a drive through, we didn't camp here. This State Park is only 2 miles from I- 77! Exit 20.
This is a hiking park & also has horse trails.
"
"There’s no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide haha."
"No water or electricity at the primitive campground, but you’re within walking distance of the main bathhouse which was nice and clean during my stay. "
"There was creek nearby and walking paths all over. We went over to the lodge and was able to swim in the pool and hot tub as part of the price of our campsite."
from $16 / night
from $20 - $35 / night
from $30 - $60 / night
"The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults. Giovanni's pizza restaurant on site has wifi. This campground is located out in God's country. "
from $20 / night
LegendI loved my experience. I got spot 6 which back right next to a creek. It was really peaceful. The shower facilities were clean though did smell a bit like mildew. There was no signal in the park itself but signal really close by incase of emergency.
ScoutWe thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Camp Creek State Park Campground. We had an electric only site along the creek, but they have sites with electric and water and sites with full hookup. It was level and we liked hearing the small creek flowing. We found several good places to hike with access in the campground and two nice waterfalls. The campground was not accessible the Camp Creek Road turnoff from I-77 because the exit was closed coming from the south for roadwork. Therefore, we had to get off near Princeton and the road was quite curvy and slow going for about 15 miles. Going back south was no problem getting on I-77. Hopefully the road work will be completed soon. We enjoyed enough that we would go back again, especially as a stop over on a longer trip.
LegendCranberry River dispersed camping along Forest Road 76 offers quiet, scenic, riverside primitive campsites with excellent fishing and easy access to the surrounding wilderness. We stayed a couple of nights at Site 8 and had great river access with only a small amount of road traffic. There were campers at about five other sites during our stay, but it still felt peaceful and spread out. With inexpensive sites spaced along roughly five miles of road, this is a great area to camp. Roads like this in West Virginia are home to some of my favorite campsites, and we will definitely be back.
Check out all the sites with GPS locations in our video.
https://youtu.be/q6G3fhvmfoY
GuideThis is a family run, business that gives back to the community. Our guides, Brian and Mason were efficient, conscientious, and FUN!!! They made the most of every rapid and even tailored the trip especially to our group! Lunch was delicious and the price was perfect. We got every penny’s worth!
GuideSmall sites but full hookups. Many amenities. multiple pools in the area, mini golf, animal exhibit although closed when we were there. Both trails we went on weren’t maintained well but the area was pretty.
LegendCamp Creek State Park West Virginia.
This was a drive through, we didn't camp here. This State Park is only 2 miles from I- 77! Exit 20.
This is a hiking park & also has horse trails.
We stopped at the office for a map & the lady at the desk was very nice & friendly.
There are a lot of nice picnic areas too.
Two very nice waterfalls. The first waterfall is on a road right by the modern campground so of course we had to visit.
9 electric sites.
9 full hookup.
8 water& electric.
A nice looking bath house.
I liked the sites that were by a creek- 8/9/10/13/14/15/16/18. 12 is a pull thru. These sites have a paved pad & the whole campground looked nicely kept. All the sites looked flat. There's a dump station on the road out of the park.
Blue Jay Campground is primitive camping along a creek. 12 sites. They looked very nice. There's pit toilets. This campground is on the road to the 2nd waterfall. There's parking by the gate.
Further down from Blue Jay is a locked gate. Beyond the gate is the Double C horsemans camp. You have to register at the office & they'll give you a key.
I really liked the modern campground. If we ever travel this way again I would stop here. There's no interstate noise in the campground.
LegendMix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots. The owner was wonderful. No laundry, showers or wifi. The price was $40 a night full hookups.
LegendGeneral: Mash Fork is one of three campgrounds at Camp Creek State Park and is the developed one. It is small (18 sites) with a mix of 30-amp, 30-amp with water, 50-amp with water and electric, and FHU sites.
Site Quality: All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart.
Bath/Shower House: was very clean. Instant hot water was appreciated at the tap (it was in the 30s when we were there in mid-October) Hooks and shelves for toiletries were appreciated. Did not use the shower.
Activities/Amenities: Playground, basketball, volleyball, laundry (but there was water on the floor so not sure if there was a leak), several hiking trails including trails to two waterfalls, and an ADA-accessible short trail. The waterfalls were very sparse when we were there so not sure about other times of the year. There is an office with a small store.
This was only an overnight stay for us but very enjoyable. We'd definitely come back.
RangerWe stayed 3 nights here, enjoyed it very much even though the power was out due to Hurricane Helene's wrath. Two nice waterfalls to walk or bike to, the campsites are spread out fairly well, and it's quiet. Pinnacle Rock SP & Pipestem SP not too far away. Just a good place to kick back & relax.
Campsites near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia sit at elevations between 1,200-2,500 feet in the Appalachian Mountains. The area experiences moderate summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cold winters with frequent snowfall between December and February. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from April through October, closing during winter months when access roads become difficult to navigate.
Hiking to waterfalls: Camp Creek State Park Campground offers trails to two accessible waterfalls. "Two very nice waterfalls. The first waterfall is on a road right by the modern campground so of course we had to visit," notes a camper at Camp Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Cranberry River Sites provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. "The fishing here is the best around with beautiful waterfalls like big ruff and the ducks are so colorful like no other," reports a visitor at Cranberry River Sites NF Campground.
Backpacking trails: Several campgrounds connect to extended hiking paths. "The main trail is graveled and very easily accessed. It runs along the Cranberry River with beautiful views all along the way," explains a camper who visited Cranberry River Sites.
Waterside campsites: Many campers appreciate riverside sites. "The sites are right next to the creek which is very unique and beautiful. The sites are also big enough," writes a tent camper at Camp Creek State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Chief Logan State Park Campground offers animal exhibits. "Chief Logan has a lot of interesting things to see, including an outdoor animal exhibit, a lodge, a pool, a theatre, and a museum all close together," reports a visitor.
Hot showers: Quality facilities matter to many campers. "Showers were the best of any campground I've seen- water gets as hot as you'd like, with great water pressure and plenty of hooks and towel racks," notes a camper at Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park.
Limited horse camping facilities: Dedicated equestrian camping near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia remains limited. Flat Hollow Farm LLC offers camping but doesn't list horse corrals among its amenities. Most campers with horses must contact sites individually to arrange accommodations.
Bear safety essential: Wilderness areas require proper food storage. "There are bears," states one camper bluntly about Cranberry River Sites, while another adds, "One thing to remember is always hang your food at night. Bears will come in and make themselves at home!"
Seasonal restrictions: Water access can change throughout the year. "The waterfalls were very sparse when we were there so not sure about other times of the year," mentions a visitor at Mash Fork Campground.
Kid-friendly water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas. "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults," shares a visitor at Ole Henry's Camping retreat.
Playground equipment: Dedicated play areas keep children entertained. "The playground are has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is blain drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite," notes the same Ole Henry's camper.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife centers provide learning experiences. "There's a wildlife center where you can see bears, bobcats and raptors in enclosures for a $2.00 donation," describes a visitor at Chief Logan State Park.
Site levelness varies: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. "Gravel pad... 42' 5th wheel drug bumper to/from campground," reports an RVer at Elk River Camp and RV Park.
Full hookup availability limited: Select campgrounds offer complete services. "Mix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots," notes another Elk River Camp visitor.
Laundry facilities scarce: Only a few campgrounds provide laundry. "Laundry room available in bathhouse," mentions a Mash Fork camper, making it a rare amenity in the region for those seeking horseback riding and equestrian camping opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gauley Bridge, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gauley Bridge, WV is New & Gauley River Adventures with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gauley Bridge, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Gauley Bridge, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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