Trail Riding in Central Virginia
State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to a state park.
The trail connects to a 10.2-mile loop in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest for hikers, bicycle riders and horseback riders. 2759 State Park Rd., Appomattox, VA 24522; Phone: 434-248-6308; Email: hollidaylake@dcr.virginia.gov
The park has more than 80 miles of trails throughout 7,925 acres open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. In Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It’s easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360. 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
The park is about 4.5 miles northwest of the town of Cumberland. From U.S. Route 60, go west on Route 622 and south on Route 629 to the park entrance.
Located in Gladstone, the park has 15 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and bridle use. 104 Green Hill Dr., Gladstone, VA 24553; Phone: 434-933-4355; Email: JamesRiver@dcr.virginia.gov
Horses are permitted on the Prince Edward-Gallion Multi-Use Trail. The eight-mile Prince Edward-Gallion Multi-Use Trail can be accessed from a parking area near Stony Knoll House on Route 689. The trail is closed except on Sundays from early November through mid-January due to heavy use by hunters.
Located in Richmond, this 400-acre park with everything from disc golf to horseback-riding trails, from a fishing pier to nearly 2 miles of hiking trails. Dorey Park features approximately five miles of trails designed for horseback riding. 2999 Darbytown Road, Richmond, VA 23231
(804) 501-7275
You will find Graves Mountain Lodge nestled deep in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the end of the road in Syria, Virginia. Call 540-923-4231 to book horse rides
Shenandoah Valley
State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to a state park.
The Raymond R. “Andy” Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park
Plenty of riding trails and be sure to bring a copy of your negative Coggins report.
State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm
Bring your horse and explore the Arboretum on horseback on a 7.5-mile gently rolling trail. The park is in Warren County, eight miles south of Front Royal and 15 miles north of Luray. It’s off Rt. 340 in Bentonville. Its address is 350 Daughter of Stars Drive, Bentonville, VA 22610
Fort Valley Stables
Horse and mule campgrounds. Guided horseback trail rides. (540) 933-6633 • 299 S Fort Valley Rd, Fort Valley, VA
Royal Horseshoe Farm
Scenic Trail Rides are offered year-round. Trails pass through the Shenandoah Valley’s history rich meadows, woods, and hills. 509 Morgan Ford Rd
Front Royal, VA 22630-9355; (540) 636-6375
Shenandoah National Park
Spring through fall, you may arrange for a guided trail ride leaving from Skyland. Shenandoah National Park offers over 180 miles of trails open to horse use. Some of these trails are relatively smooth, wide, gravel paths, while others are steep, narrow, rocky mountain trails that will challenge the experienced horse and rider. Information Line: (540) 999-3500
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Horse Riding is Allowed on:oOpen forest roads, on many forest roads that are gated to prevent motor vehicle travel,on more than 1,290 miles of trails on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. 5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019; 540-265-5100; Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and all federal holidays.
All riding is on mountain trails and can include an overnight experience. 709 North Mountain Road, Swoope, Virginia 24479; 540.886.7768; 1.866.481.4400
Northern Virginia
State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to a state park.
Washington and Old Dominion Regional Park
The 100-foot-wide W&OD has been called “the skinniest park in Virginia.” But it is also one of the longest parks, 45 miles of paved trail for walking, running, bicycling and skating and 32 miles of adjacent gravel trail for horseback riding.
Blue Ridge Lane Farm
Exclusive trail riding and carriage packages year round. 540 547-2973.
Bull Run Regional Park
Designated in 2006 as a National Recreation Trail, the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail invites hikers and horseback riders to discover more than 4,000 acres of scenic woodlands
Sky Meadows State Park
The park has more than 17 miles of hiking trails and horse trails. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane, VA 20144; Phone: 540-592-3556; Email: SkyMeadows@dcr.virginia.gov
Fountainhead Regional Park
Fountainhead Regional Park features a 2.25 mile looped Nature trail (White Blazes), the trailhead for access to the Bull Run Occoquan Trail (Blue Blazes), as well as shared use Equestrian/ Hiking Trails (Horse-Shoe Blazes). To reach Fountainhead, take I-95 south of the Beltway, exit at Occoquan and travel north on Rt. 123 approximately 5 miles. Turn left onto Hampton Road and drive 3 miles to the entrance on the left.
Pohick Bay
Horses are restricted to the red trails which total about 3.3. miles. 6501 Pohick Bay Drive Lorton, VA 22079; T: 703-339-6104
Tamarack Stables
Offers trail rides on wooded trails along Pohick Creek. 9905 Old Colchester Road, Lorton, VA 22079; P: 703-339-5160; ridetamarack@gmail.com
Manassas National Battlefield Park
MNBP has approximately 21 miles of designated trails for horseback riding. Bring your horses and stay on the trails.
Listing & Selling Equestrian Properties
Bridget Archer 434-981-4149