For a long trip
Monongahela National Forest
Extensive backcountry equestrian mileage with dispersed camping permitted across most of the forest.
Full guide to Seneca State Forest →Horseback Riding
Extensive equestrian trail mileage in the Monongahela National Forest and at several state parks and forests, with camping designed for horse trailers. Wild Wonderful Back Country Horsemen of West Virginia is the state affiliate doing trail maintenance and access advocacy.
West Virginia has more public equestrian mileage than most eastern states and several state parks with actual horse camps — stalls, trailer parking and trails from the door.
Monongahela National Forest carries most of the mileage; the state parks carry most of the infrastructure.
Our recommendations
Where we'd send you
With facilities
Lost River State Park
Lost River State Park. A working stable, guided rides, cabins, and the climb to Cranny Crow Overlook.
Full guide to Lost River State Park →For easy miles
Greenbrier River Trail
The Greenbrier River Trail. Gentle grade, good footing, river alongside, and long enough for a multi-day ride.
Full guide to Greenbrier River Trail →Practical note
Coggins documentation is required at most public facilities, and horse camps book out well ahead for autumn. Call the park directly rather than relying on the website.
What to know before you go
- Several state parks operate horse camps with stalls and trailer parking
- Coggins test documentation is required at most public facilities
- The American Horse Council national trails directory includes a dedicated West Virginia section
Regions that do it best
Highest terrain, ski areas, wilderness backpacking
Potomac Highlands
All terrain in West Virginia above 4,000 feet lies in this region, including Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet.
Rail-trails, limestone caves, gentle river paddlingGreenbrier Valley
The Greenbrier Valley sits on Greenbrier limestone, producing karst topography: sinkholes, springs, sinking streams and extensive cave systems, several with more than forty miles of surveyed passage.
Reservoirs, trout water, developing rail-trailMountain Lakes
The geographic center of the state and its least-visited region.
Every place we cover for horseback riding
Trail · Greenbrier Valley
Greenbrier River Trail
Seventy-eight miles from Cass to Caldwell on a former Chesapeake & Ohio logging grade, crossing 35 bridges and passing through 2 tunnels, following the Greenbrier River the entire way.
78 mi length35 bridges
State Park · Greenbrier Valley
Watoga State Park
West Virginia's largest state park at over 10,100 acres, built largely by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
10,100 ac largest state park1930s ccc-built
State Park · Potomac Highlands
Lost River State Park
A 3,712-acre CCC-era park in Hardy County with cabins, stables and the Cranny Crow Overlook — a rock outcrop at 3,200 feet with a view said to reach into four states.
3,712 ac park3,200 ft cranny crow
State Forest · Potomac Highlands
Kumbrabow State Forest
The highest state forest in West Virginia, 9,474 acres of red spruce and northern hardwood on Rich Mountain, with rustic cabins, native brook trout in Mill Creek and almost no one there.
9,474 ac forestHighest state forest
Trail · Mid-Ohio Valley
North Bend Rail Trail
Seventy-two miles on the old Baltimore & Ohio grade from Wolf Summit to Parkersburg, passing through 13 tunnels and over dozens of bridges — the longest tunnel run of any rail-trail in the region and part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail.
72 mi length13 tunnels
State Park · New River Gorge
Camp Creek State Park & Forest
An unusual pairing of a small developed park inside a much larger state forest in Mercer County, with two waterfalls on Camp Creek, mountain bike and equestrian trails, and camping.
550 ac park5,300 ac forest
AdvertiseThis space is available
Guides and rentals for horseback riding
Reserved for a West Virginia operator serving this activity. Everything above and below it is unpaid editorial.
List your business hereQuestions people ask
Where can you ride horses in West Virginia?
The Monongahela National Forest has extensive equestrian trail mileage, and multiple state parks and forests offer designated horse trails with horse camping — including Watoga, Kumbrabow and Seneca state forests.
Organizations, agencies and resources · 15
The groups doing the actual work — access, maintenance, licensing and data. Starred entries are worth following continuously.
West Virginia State Parks
Government
State parks, forests, rail trails, hiking, biking, paddling, camping, fishing, boating and lodging across 35+ properties.
Visit
WV TRAIL — Trails & Recreation Advocacy & Information Link
Nonprofit
Statewide organization covering non-motorized trails of nearly every type: hiking, biking, water trails, equestrian, rail trails and accessible trails.
Visit
AllTrails — West Virginia
Platform
The largest consumer trail database, with West Virginia hiking, snowshoeing and horseback-compatible trail listings and user photos.
Visit
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy / TrailLink
Nonprofit
National rail-trail advocacy and the most complete West Virginia rail-trail inventory, with paved and accessible segments flagged.
Visit
Harrison Recreational Trails
Nonprofit
Develops hiking, biking, running, equestrian, accessible and water trails in Harrison County.
Visit
U.S. Forest Service — Monongahela National Forest
Federal
919,000 acres of public land open to hunting, dispersed camping, hiking and backcountry use.
Visit
Wild Wonderful Back Country Horsemen of West Virginia
Nonprofit
West Virginia affiliate of Back Country Horsemen — trail maintenance, access advocacy and stock-use education.
Visit
Back Country Horsemen of America
Nonprofit
National organization defending stock access to public lands and maintaining backcountry trails.
Visit
American Horse Council National Trails Directory
Nonprofit
Includes a dedicated West Virginia trail section listing public equestrian trail opportunities.
Visit
West Virginia State Parks — Horseback Riding
Government
State park and forest equestrian trails, horse camps, stalls and guided rides.
Visit
Monongahela National Forest Equestrian Trails
Federal
Extensive national forest equestrian trail mileage with horse camping opportunities.
Visit
TrailLink — Horseback-Compatible Trails
Nonprofit
Rail-trail listings filtered for equestrian-permitted surfaces and segments.
Visit
AllTrails — Horseback Riding Trails
Platform
User-submitted horseback trail listings and conditions across West Virginia.
Visit
Monongahela National Forest
Federal
919,000 acres including Dolly Sods, Otter Creek, Cranberry and Roaring Plains wilderness areas, Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob.
Visit
North Bend Rail Trail
Government
72 miles through 13 tunnels on a former B&O grade — part of the American Discovery Trail.
Visit