About Collins Cove Horse Campground
Overview Collins Cove is a first-come, first-served, primitive campground. Each of the 10 camping units have a wooden picnic table, fire ring, and hitching rails. This grassy campground is shaded with hardwoods, hemlocks, and pines and offers direct access to horse trails. Centrally located garbage bins and a vault toilet are available. A creek is located adjacent to the campground as a source of water for horses, but potable water is not available. Horse owners need to have a current negative Coggins test certificate for any horse they take to a public place for recreation use in Virginia. Recreation Collins Cove is in the watershed of Cripple Creek that offers fishing and wading. The camp provides access to several trails: (4614) Ewing Mountain, (4504) Mike’s Gap, (4615) Moore, (4601) Raven Cliff and (337) Highlands Horse Trail. Natural Features The Collins Cove area is shaded with hardwoods, hemlocks, and pines. The elevation is approximately 2,000 feet. Summer days are warm with temperatures in the upper 70’s to low 90’s, and evenings cool down typically into the 60’s. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (276) 783-5196.
How to Get There
Collins Cove Horse Campground is located at 330 Collins Cove Road, Ivanhoe, VA approximately 18 miles south of Wytheville. From I-81: Take exit 70 or 73 at Wytheville, Virginia onto US 11 (Main Street). On the west end of Main Street US 11 turns off and Main Street becomes US 21 south. Follow US 21 south for approximately 11.5 miles to VA 619 (Saint Peters Road) at Speedwell. Turn east on VA 619 and go 7.7 miles. Turn right onto VA 642 (Pope Road), then go 0.8 mile to VA 643 (Cole Branch Road). Go 0.4 mile on this dirt and gravel road to the entrance on the left.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Collins Cove Horse Campground
Heading to Collins Cove Horse Campground? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Collins Cove Horse Campground?
No central reservation system listed for Collins Cove Horse Campground. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10232106) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Collins Cove Horse Campground?
Collins Cove Horse Campground is located at 330 Collins Cove Road, Ivanhoe, VA approximately 18 miles south of Wytheville. From I-81: Take exit 70 or 73 at Wytheville, Virginia onto US 11 (Main Street). On the west end of Main Street US 11 turns off and Main Street becomes US 21 south. Follow US 21 south for approximately 11.5 miles to VA 619 (Saint Peters Road) at Speedwell. Turn east on VA 619 a…
How do I contact Collins Cove Horse Campground?
You can reach the park at email: sm.fs.mrnra@usda.gov.
References & Official Resources
