Horseback riding and vacations pair for a unique outdoor experience. Virginia is famous for horseback riding, and many stables provide lodging to experience a memorable vacation from the vantage of a saddle. Whether you are planning a horseback riding vacation in the northern Virginia hills and mountains or in the southern lake areas, the stables and lodgings are ready for novice riders seeking a comfortable stay or experts looking for rugged trails.
North Central Virginia
Just west of Washington, D.C., the landscape turns to rolling pastures and woods, with the Blue Ridge mountains nearby. This area of Virginia offers visitors activities such as canoeing, kayaking and hiking.
Lantern Lane Farm combines horseback riding vacations with a bed and breakfast and an equestrian training center with certified instructors and trainers. Packages are designed for novice, intermediate and expert riders. Guests staying at the classic Southern home select from a variety of unique rooms, such as the Mountain View room, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Massanutten Mountains and George Washington National Forest
Fort Valley, Virginia, is situated in proximity of the George Washington National Forest. The area includes the Massanutten Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley.
Fort Valley Ranch offers vacationers a choice of guided horseback rides. Riders can stay on ranch trails, or ride on the George Washington National Forest trails. The choices include a horse and mule campground. Bunkhouse cabins come with equipped kitchens. You need to bring bed linens and pillows.
South East Virginia
The southern area of Virginia is stocked with activities for vacationing horseback riders. Towns such as Clarksville, situated on Kerr Lake, offer a small-town environment with shopping, historical sites and yearly Native American gatherings.
The CornerStone Farm Bed and Breakfast Farm-Stay is designed for vacationers who wish to blend horseback riding with a country farm experience. Additional activities are chores such as milking goats, and making goat milk soap and cheese, biking, birdwatching and nature walks.
South-Central Virginia
South Boston, Virginia, offers visitors the Staunton River Battlefield Park and Bugg's Island Lake.
The Shangrila Guest Ranch Retreat accommodates guests who either bring their own horses or who wish to ride the ranch horses. The all-inclusive lodging includes meals, wagon or horseback riding and ranch activities. Children can help with farm chores such as gathering chicken eggs and feeding farm animals. Evening campfires give additional outdoor time.
Virginia Highlands
Virginia Highlands and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is the vacation destination for rugged horseback riding. The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail is 63 miles and connects to another 200 miles of trails.
For vacationers who bring their horses, Kissing Rock Campground in Sugar Grove, Virginia, is designed for independent riders looking for an outdoor riding and camping vacation. Primitive campsites are the main lodging. A small Looney Cabin is available for riders who want shelter with a rustic flavor.
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