All the Important Details
Here’s what you need to know for the April camping ride.
Schedule
Thursday, April 24
Arrive after 8:30 a.m. and before dark. No riding. Settle in and purchase dinner from the food truck. A trail talk is at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25
Arrive after 8:30 a.m. Enjoy a short, marked ride. Ride out before 3 p.m. to be back for dinner at 6:30. The trail talk is at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26
Coffee is at 6:30 with breakfast at 7:30. Ride out between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. There are long and short marked ride options. Lunch is provided on the trail. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Raffle and silent auction winners will be announced at 7:30.
Sunday, April 27
Coffee is at 6:30 with breakfast at 7:30. Enjoy a short ride. All riders must ride out between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Location & Arrival
1357 Crabtree Falls Highway
Massies Mill, VA 22967
Don’t rely on GPS, which may route you on roads unsuitable for horse trailers. Look carefully at a map before you travel. Follow routes on interstates or major highways (I-64, I-40, I-75, I-81, US 29, US 151, US 460, US 360, US 60).
When you arrive, a parking coordinator will show you where to park your truck and trailer.
Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the layout is specifically designed to comfortably accommodate the most riders.
If you use a generator overnight for medical purposes, please turn directly to the right as you enter the driveway and park between the backstop and the highway.
Technically Challenging
The ride is technically challenging with trails over rock-strewn mountains with long, steep grades. Four shoes or boots are recommended. Water on the trail is limited to river and creek crossings, which may be shallow or deep, depending on rainfall.
Horses and riders must be in condition for mountain terrain. Short rides are 8-12 miles and long rides are 20-25 miles.
Check-in & Coggins
Fleetwood volunteers, wearing fluorescent yellow vests, will stop by your campsite to check you in.
They will provide you with a trail ride packet with trail directions and check each horse’s Coggins. They will also mark your vehicle’s windshield to indicate that you have checked in.
Horses & Dogs
Corrals are limited to 12’ x 12’ per horse next to or behind your trailer. There are only a few spots suitable for highlines. You may save one space next to your trailer for a friend. Horses must be haltered or bridled at all times. Night reflectors or glow sticks on halters are recommended.
Always keep your horse at a walk while in camp. However, If you have a horse for sale and want to show the gaits, make sure campers around you are aware and can take precautions.
Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash (20 ft. max) at all times. This is for your safety and that of everyone else there: horse, dog, and human.
Camping Amenities
Camping is primitive in the large, flat grass field. There are no electric hookups. Water is available for horses only. There are two wash racks. Several port-a-potties and a handwashing station will be provided.
Collect and dispose of your manure in the designated area. Do not toss or scatter it. Wheelbarrows will be provided.
Cell service is unreliable at camp and on lower-elevation trails. Wi-Fi is available at camp by the west side of the building.
Fire Pits & Generators
Self-contained fire pits are permitted. Bundles of firewood will be available for $5 each. Don’t bring in outside firewood.
Commercial or loud generators are not allowed at any time. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am when generators should not run.
If you use CPAP, bring a battery pack. If you use a generator for medical purposes, you may request a medical exemption, and you will be parked in a designated area.
Trail Rules
Practice good trail manners and horsemanship. Alert slower riders that you’re approaching. Don’t rush past others. Typically, we have 120-150 riders for the weekend.
No dogs, no smoking, no alcohol, and no trash are allowed on trails.
Stay on marked trails, and keep to the edges of fields. Remember this is private land. Do not enter buildings, family cemeteries, or any other private property. Do not pick fruit in the orchards.
Ribbons for each ride are always on your right. A red ribbon means a turn. If you get lost, backtrack to the last ribbon you saw, and find where you missed the trail.
The Fleetwood Market
The market will be open during the April ride!
Thursday 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Friday 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday 7:30 – 12 p.m.
Ice will be available for sale from Thursday morning through the weekend at $3 for a 7-lb. bag.
Tack Sale
We invite you to bring your items to sell at any time during market hours. There is no fee! Please tag each of your items. The tag should have your initials, item number, price, a short description, and the size if known. Then, give the market volunteer a list of your items with their numbers, short descriptions, and prices. Please put your name and initials at the top of the list. Items sold are marked off your list daily, and you will be paid for items sold when you pick up unsold items. You may donate to Fleetwood any items you do not want to take home and/or a portion of your proceeds. The retail area will be locked each night.
Merchandise & Vendors
Fleetwood memorabilia includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, hats, notecards, decals, thermos, and hand fans. Please support Fleetwood and take home a souvenir! We will also have a few vendors join us. Please support them, too!
Silent Auction
Suggested items to donate to the silent auction include your arts and crafts, gift baskets for horses or humans, home and barn decor, jewelry, and more. Bring your donation to a volunteer in the market area. All proceeds go to the restoration of The Fleetwood Center. The silent auction will end at 7:30 pm on Saturday night, and you can pick up and pay for your winnings with the help of a volunteer.
50/50 Raffle
Volunteers will be walking around the grounds selling 50/50 raffle tickets for $1 throughout the weekend. They will also be sold at the dinner each night and in the market area. The drawing will be at 7:30 Saturday night in the dining area, and you must be present to win.
Free Ride Raffle
Chances to win a free trail ride registration for spring 2026 ($115 value) will be sold by volunteers walking around the grounds for $5. They will also be sold at the dinner each night and in the market area. The drawing will be after the 50/50 drawing at 7:30 Saturday night in the dining area, and you must be present to win.
Duck Race
Be sure to stop by the market area to enter a Rubber Duckie in the Tye River Duck race. $2 per duck or $5 for three ducks. The winner gets $100! The race takes place on Friday at 5 pm.
Thank You From Your Hosts
First and foremost, thank you to the property owners who have graciously granted us permission to ride on their beautiful land.
Trail Bosses
If you’ve been on this ride, you probably know Kayla and Danita. They’ve been central to the event for many years and now serve as our Trail Bosses. They work hard to ensure that riders, horses, and landowners are happy and that the trail routes are designed for peak enjoyment and safety.
Volunteer Teams
Over 30 volunteers come together to make this fundraiser happen.
If there was an award for Best Maintained Trails, it should go to our Trail Crew! They hold themselves to the highest standards for clearing, trimming, and marking the trails. Look for their yellow safety vests if you need help or have questions.
The Registration, Check-In, Kitchen, Tack Sale, and Coordinator teams work together so everything runs smoothly and Fleetwood becomes or continues to be one of your favorite rides!
