Holly River State Park
WV · Hacker Valley
680 State Park Rd
Holly River feels like the kind of place horse travelers hope to discover and then quietly keep recommending. It is remote enough to feel special, large enough to feel immersive, and horse-friendly in a way that goes beyond casual accommodation. The park’s wooded valleys, mountain weather, and hush of true distance from town give the ride a richly atmospheric quality. If your ideal equestrian getaway includes a campfire, a damp morning in the trees, and real anticipation about saddling up at camp, this one delivers.
Riding guide
Highlights
Remote, atmospheric, and properly set up for horse campers, Holly River is one of West Virginia’s most complete own-horse escapes.
Riding
With roughly 42 miles of trails in the park system and equestrian-designated options on the trail map, Holly River has enough scope to reward a full weekend rather than a single quick outing. The riding feels woodsy, secluded, and appropriately Appalachian—expect elevation, weather shifts, and a deep-forest mood rather than broad-open cruising. It is especially appealing for riders who enjoy the emotional texture of the mountains as much as the mileage itself.
Rideable terrain
42 miles
Trailer parking
Strong equestrian setup with designated horse campsites and practical trailer-friendly arrival for riders bringing their own horses.
Horse regulations
Use only designated horse-approved trails and campsites, and confirm current trail conditions before heading out. Not every trail in the park is appropriate for stock, so following the current map matters both for safety and for protecting continued equestrian access.
Getting here
The arrival experience is more purposeful than flashy, and that is part of the appeal. Riders with their own horses can use the equestrian-friendly camping setup rather than trying to retrofit a standard campground experience. The horse sites with corrals make the trip feel workable from the moment you pull in, which is exactly what separates a serious horse destination from a merely horse-tolerant one.
Planning your visit
Reserve the equestrian sites early—they are limited and highly worth securing. Download your map before you lose signal, pack for rain and changing footing, and treat this as a true mountain horse-camping trip rather than a casual day-use stop.
Where to stay
Horse camping is the signature feature. Sites 79, 80, and 81 are the important numbers to know, and the corrals make them especially valuable. Beyond that, the broader park offers the classic state-park comforts that make a weekend feel settled instead of rough: the kind of practical infrastructure that lets you focus on riding well.
Trails
No trails synced for this park yet.
Campgrounds
No campgrounds listed for this park.
Photos
Stay near this park
No horse-friendly stays listed near Holly River State Park yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.
List your property