U.S. Forest Service · George Washington & Jefferson National Forest · Marion, VA

Fox Creek Horse Camp

Fox Creek Horse Camp is a premiere destination for riding enthusiasts who are looking for the rare opportunity to ride from their campsite onto hundreds of miles of trails in the spectacular Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Located at almost 4,000 feet, it serves as a welcome retreat for summer camping and horseback riding.

More like this: reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
FOX CREEK HORSE CAMPFox Creek Horse CampFOX CREEK HORSE CAMPFOX CREEK HORSE CAMP
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Equestrian21
Host/management1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
Equestrian Non ElectricBack-in100GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront8 / 2YesYesBasic
01Back-in100GravelPartialRiverfront8 / 2YesYesBasic
02Back-in100GravelPartialRiverfront8 / 2YesYesBasic

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

Max vehicle length50 ft
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites Equestrian Non Electric, 01, 02 are listed accessible

This campground offers the basic amenities including pit toilets, garbage and manure collection, and visitor information.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
Seasonearly-April to late-November
ForestGeorge Washington & Jefferson National Forest
BookingSites are first-come, first-serve.
Fees$5 per vehicle per night.
RulesNo alcoholic beverages.

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Fox Creek Horse Camp30°40°50°60°70°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 31.7°F averageFebruary: 34.9°F averageMarch: 41.5°F averageApril: 51.4°F averageMay: 60.5°F averageJune: 67.2°F averageJuly: 70.7°F averageAugust: 69.0°F averageSeptember: 63.6°F averageOctober: 53.3°F averageNovember: 44.4°F averageDecember: 36.4°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Elk Creek 4Ssw, 17 miles from the campground at 3,439 feet, station USC00442730 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

From exit 45 on I-81, take State Route 16 South for approximately 17 miles to State Route 603 at Troutdale, Va. Turn right on State Route 603. Campground is approximately 4 miles down 603 on the right.

Nearest townMarion, Virginia
Coordinates36.6979° N, 81.5038° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗11.9 mi
Outdoor gearDamascus Outfitters ↗16.4 mi
RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗28.9 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Video of Fox Creek Horse Camp, VA from Michael W.

  • under 0.1 mi
    Fairwood Valley
    2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.2 mi
    Orchard Spur
    1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 0.5 mi
    Old Orchard
    1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Livery
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Lewis Fork ↗
    5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 1 mi
    Lewis Fork Tie
    0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Lewis Fork Wilderness begins about 1.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is adjacent to Fox Creek, a small rocky trout stream with large boulders and rhododendron and northern hardwoods along the banks. The campsites are located in open fields on either side of the creek.

Recreation

While hiking and horseback riding are the primary attractions near the campground, there are also ample native trout streams, the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway, local festivals and music, the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail.

Nearby

The Mount Rogers High country offers opportunities for day trips and overnight pack trips. This open setting offers expansive views, summer rhododendron flowering, blueberry picking, and spectacular fall colors. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Headquarters is located about 20 minutes from the campground and offers maps, directions, and a variety of bookstore items.

Guidebooks for Virginia

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Virginia
    Randy Porter, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Virginia and West Virginia
    Desiree Smith-Daughety, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best tent camping
    Johnny Molloy, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Sites at Fox Creek Horse Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Sites are first-come, first-serve. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

$5 per vehicle per night.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Fox Creek Horse Camp open right now?

Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season early-April to late-November.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Fox Creek Horse Camp have?

22 sites, including 21 equestrian sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Fox Creek Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. No alcoholic beverages.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Sites Equestrian Non Electric, 01, and 02 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is the nearest town to Fox Creek Horse Camp?

Marion, Virginia. The Mount Rogers High country offers opportunities for day trips and overnight pack trips.

Source: Getting there

What if Fox Creek Horse Camp is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Old Virginia Group Horse Camp (0.9 mi), Hurricane Campground (1.9 mi), and Grindstone (2.2 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby