While many hike or mountain bike the hundreds of trails at Virginia State Parks, there are those who just love to horse around, literally.

We're proud to share that we have horse camping at seven parks, and a total of 19 parks that offer riding trails.

Overnight stables at Grayson Highlands State Park

After riding the trails relax at Fairy Stone State Park's equestrian camp

HORSE CAMPING

Douthat, Fairy Stone, Grayson Highlands, James River, New River, Occoneechee and Staunton River rent horse campsites. Some sites have electricity and water and a nearby full bathhouse. While others have electricity, water and a pit toilet. Carefully read about each park's horse camping amenities because sites vary.

Also, be sure to sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program to earn points that may be applied to future overnight stays.

Virginia Paint Horse Club at Fairy Stone State Park

Fairy Stone's horse accommodations

Staunton River State Park's equestrian campground

Those parks have horse trails as do another 12 of our parks, and trailer parking is available at these parks. They are: Bear Creek Lake, Belle Isle, Chippokes, High Bridge, Holliday Lake, James River, Pocahontas, Powhatan, Shenandoah River, Sky Meadows, Twin Lakes, Wilderness Road and York River. Equestrian trails can be anywhere from 2 to 57 miles long.

Click here for a detailed list of all parks' horse offerings or call 800-933-7275 to inquire.

HORSE COMPLEXES

Mark E. Hufeisen Horse Complex is located within New River Trail State Park 

It's a perfect venue for horse shows or rodeos

Several parks are known for well-developed horse complexes. Pocahontas State Park's day-use Bright Hope Complex comes complete with ample parking, restroom and exercise rings. One is 20 by 60 feet, and the other is 50 by 100 feet. Call 800-933-7275 for rental information. The complex is near the Bright Hope Multi-Use Trail.

At 16.5 acres, the New River Trail's Mark E. Hufeisen Horse Complex is our most prominent horse offering. It has a 170 by 250-foot arena, accommodations for calf-roping, seating for up to 600 and plenty of parking. The well-lit complex has a concession building, which has a refrigerator and a microwave oven, an announcer's booth and rodeo equipment.

Visitors may bring a horse and ride in the arena for $5 a day, and the complex can be rented in total for special events for a full or half day. Call 800-933-7275 for details. Download a diagram of the arena (PDF).

WHERE TO RIDE

Riding the trails at Grayson Highlands State Park

• Bear Creek Lake: None in the park but 16 miles in Cumberland Multi-Use Trail
• Belle Isle: 3.9 miles
• Chippokes: 10 miles
• Douthat: 6 miles, connects to Alleghany Highlands Multi-use Trail
• Fairy Stone: 10 miles 
• Grayson Highlands: 2 miles, connects to Jefferson National Forest
• High Bridge Trail: 31 miles
• Holliday Lake: 14 miles, connects to 10.2 miles in Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
• James River: 15 miles
• Lake Anna: 12 miles
• New River Trail: 57 miles
• Occoneechee: None in the park but 7.5 miles trailhead for Panhandle Trail
• Pocahontas: 13 miles
• Powhatan: 9 miles
• Shenandoah River: 7 miles
• Sky Meadows: 7 miles
• Staunton River: 18 miles
• Twin Lakes: None in the park but 8 miles in Prince Edward-Gallion Forest
• Wilderness Road: 8 miles
• York River: 14.3 miles

 

If you would like to stay overnight in a cabin or campground at the park while friends or family members horse camp, just call our reservation center at 800-933-7275.