Horse Camping Site Selecting Your
Finding horse camps is simple – you just need to know where to look. Federal and state agencies, such as the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, State Parks and even the Army Corps of Engineers, have millions of acres available for horse camping and trail riding. Many areas are free with facilities ranging from a few corrals, pens or tie racks, pit toilets and a couple tables to first class camps with corrals, barbeques, showers, flush toilets and running water.
Horse camps are generally found in three categories: • Developed – almost like living at home. Corrals, pens, paddocks, wash racks, hook-ups for RVs or trailers, easy access and parking, showers, toilets; some even offer cabins, meals, feed for the horse, stall cleaning and guided rides. For first-time campers, developed horse camps are great destinations.
• Semi-developed – usually has some type of pit toilet, may or may not have corrals, pens or paddocks; hook-ups usually don’t exist. Access can be over a dirt road.
• Primitive or wilderness – You bring everything you need, including water for human and horse in ‘dry’ camps. Primitive and wilderness camping offers some of the most relaxing types of horse camps simply because there are not many people around and you really develop your camping and trail expertise. Most of these are free for up to 14 days with BLM and National Forest Service having the largest systems of primitive/wilderness horse camps.
Select a horse camp to meet your level of experience. The first-time camper going into the wilderness could be the last camping trip! That first trip should be fun and exciting.
If time allows, camp Monday through Thursday, as weekends are more crowded. Fees are usually cheaper mid-week, too.
Bonnie Davis, clinician, free-lance writer and owner of Two Horse Enterprises (www.
twohorseenterprises.com) has been trail riding and horsecamping for more than 45 years. Two Horse offers more than 25 state trail guides written by folks who trail ride and camp plus equipment needed to enhance one’s camping experience. Contact Two Horse Enterprises at
horsecamping@comcast.net or (925) 523-3241.
Holistic Horse™ • April/May 2012 • Vol.19, Issue 78
It’s All in the Planning Horse Camping:
When traveling with your horse, especially from state to state, always have proof of ownership, health certificates and Coggins papers. Plan your vet work to cover the months you’ll be camping.
Make a list. Your Horse Camping List should include everything required for the horse. For starters, look around the stall or paddock and think about what your horse needs: feed and water tubs, pails to fill water tubs, feed (grain and baled), blankets (both summer and winter, rain and snow), halters, lead ropes, hammer, nails, fly spray, saddles, pads, bridles, brushes, first aid kit, medications and so on.
Don’t forget your People Camp List: clothing, food, vehicle equipment, firewood, medications, books, camera, film, toothbrush, toilet paper.....
Horses should be trimmed or shod at least one week
before a trip. This allows shoes to ‘set’ on the hooves and for trimmed hooves to ‘harden’. Ask your shoer for recommendations regarding emergency hoof problems.
Keep lots of paper, pens and your camera close at hand for taking quick notes and pictures. Talk to other campers and find out places they recommend. Once you start camping, you’re on your way to enjoying one of the fastest growing recreational trail-riding adventures – horse camping!
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