What to Know Before Horse Camping at EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling is buried deep within the mountains of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. With direct access to the Greenbrier River Trail, my husband and I thought this stop would be a great introduction to traveling full-time with horses. The campground was only two hours from our launching point, so we booked a five-day camping spot. West Virginia offers many opportunities and trails for horse riders looking for a fun vacation. I wanted to share my experience at EJ’s so you can determine whether or not to add it to your list! I will rate a few different aspects from one to five stars so you can get a clear picture of whether this stop is for you.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Horse Accommodations
Rating: ★★★★★
EJ’s has stalls or small outdoor paddocks available for horses. I opted for the paddocks since my horses were used to living outside 24/7. We snagged the campsite next to the paddocks, so the horses were right outside our trailer door. I chose the largest paddocks available at the time, about 16’x24′. There were two paddocks bigger than these, but they were not available at the time. I have a feeling that this place gets busy during the summer; however, we arrived in early September, and it was already starting to get cold. A few other campers were there for the weekend, but we had the camp to ourselves during the week.
There are water spigots easily accessible for filling buckets or hosing off horses. Each stall in the barn also has a saddle rack next to it, which I thought was a nice personal touch. Lugging your saddle and other gear from your trailer to your horse every time you want to ride gets a bit tiring.
EJ was very relaxed and accommodating with our horses. Going into our official first camp, I wasn’t sure how strict campgrounds tended to be. Of course, the first thing my two-year-old colt does when he gets in his paddock is stick his head through the gate and cause a racket. I nervously looked at EJ to see what he thought of my horse being a bull in a china shop, but he just turned and said that he reminded him of one of his horses. He’s is an old cowboy-type that looks a lot like Harrison Ford, in my personal opinion.
Overall, I rate the horse accommodations with five stars. I liked the option for outdoor paddocks or stalls. I also liked the conveniences the property had for the horses, like numerous water spigots and saddle racks. While this campground was smaller than most other horse campgrounds we have been at since then, I liked how quiet and relaxed it was for the horses. It was a good first experience for them.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Riding Trails
Rating: ★★★★★
The best thing about staying at EJ’s was that it was right up the hill from the Greenbrier River Trail access. We had a blast riding the Greenbrier River Trail! Not only was it beautiful, but it was also relatively bigger-friendly for my colt. The trail was wide, had sound footing, and remained level. We had to share the trail with bicyclists and runners, but everyone was pleasant and respectful of the horses. We rode the Greenbrier a few miles to Cass, WV, for lunch one day, tying the horses to a tree behind the restaurant. That is a ride I will never forget, and I recommend every equestrian try it, as it was easy and a lot of fun!
When we first arrived at camp, EJ gave us a map of the trails in the area. There was a good mix of novice, intermediate, and advanced trails. While the footing on the Greenbrier River Trail was good for barefoot horses, many of the other trails were rocky and would’ve required shoes. Due to the camp’s isolated location, it was also a nice ride across the long bridge and down the road that we came in on to camp. There were many different options we were able to try. We left after five days feeling as if we still had more we needed to explore.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Facilities for Riders
Rating: ★★★★★
The campgrounds at EJ’s had full hookups. As I mentioned earlier, the camp was small, so the spaces were a bit tighter; however, we did not mind that. Almost everyone was gone most of the day riding, and all the riders would come back tired and ready to rest for the night. For those who didn’t have bathrooms in their trailers, there was a single bathroom with a toilet and shower in the barn.
For those who did not want to camp, they also had a bunkhouse and cottages for rent. All the cottages were right on the Greenbrier River Trail and had access to the river. Cosmetically, they looked well cared for and manicured. Overall, there were many options for riders looking for a place to stay, no matter the comfort level.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Access and Convenience
Rating: ★★
While we loved our stay at EJ’s, I will have to dock points off only for access and convenience. If you’ve ever been to West Virginia, then you know there is no easy way in or out of that state. There are many mountains to cross, no matter which direction you come. Going up switchback mountains with a 34′ horse trailer is nerve-wracking. Driving to EJ’s is only for the brave. The front entrance is a one-lane winding paved road on the side of a mountain. The other entrance is a dirt road over another mountain that they warn you not to come in on. If I were to make this trip again, I would go to EJ’s with a smaller bumper pull trailer and stay in the bunkhouse rather than hauling our giant horse trailer. We almost couldn’t clear the turns with the large trailer in a few spots.
Both my husband and I work online, and access to the internet is a necessity. We used our Starlink at EJ’s, and while it worked, the internet was spotty and ran slow. I wish we could have totally unplugged and been free from our phones and the internet. EJ’s would be a perfect place for those looking to relax and have some solitude from the outside world.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Cleanliness and Helpfulness
Rating: ★★★★★
The facilities at EJ’s were always clean and well-kept. The bathroom in the barn for campers was lovely, with tile floors and a clean, hot shower. Except for a few grass spots, all the campsites had a matting on the ground to make each spot level and comfortable.
EJ was very helpful, especially when it came time to attach out hookups. It was our first time at a campground that provided hookups, and we weren’t exactly sure what we were doing. He helped us level off the trailer and figure out the hookups. EJ would be around throughout our time there, and we would stop to ask questions about trails and other things. He was always a pleasure to talk to.
EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling Cost and Value
Rating: ★★★★★
We paid $55 a night for a spot with full hookups and two horses. The direct access to the Greenbrier River Trail provided a lot of value for us at this stop. Overall, the campground cost was reasonable and well worth the stay. At only $10 more a day than our primitive rough camping trip to Graves Mountain in Virginia (read about our experience here), we appreciated the care and experience EJ’s provided us.
I give EJ’s Cottages, Camping, and Stabling a five out of five. While the route to get there was challenging, the camp cannot necessarily change that, and why not challenge yourself every now and then? All that said, I will dream about the views of Dunmore, West Virginia, and my rides on the Greenbrier River Trail for years to come. I cannot wait to go back and experience it all over again!
Want to read more about horse camping? Check out these articles:
