HAPPY TRAILS

Equestrian pathways allow horse lovers to explore The Natural State

The Natural State abounds with opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, with plentiful trails that wind through woodlands, cross streams, follow waterways, and scale hillsides and mountains. And as any equine lover knows, the views afforded by those pathways are even better when viewed between the ears of a horse. Luckily, Arkansas offers numerous horseback trails and horse-friendly camping areas for these adventurers, with routes ranging from short one-hour rides to all-day and overnight trips. The Arkansas Trail Riders Association Inc., arkansas

trailridersassociation.com, is a great resource for those seeking horseback trails and organized rides within the state, and the State Parks of Arkansas website, www.arkansasstateparks.com, notes several parks with riding trails (select “See & Do,” then “Horseback Riding”). Itching to hit the trail, but don’t own a horse? A quick online search will render numerous options for riding on privately owned property, from stables that offer guided trail rides to dude ranches, where visitors can immerse themselves in riding culture.

Riders looking for nearby excursions in the Little Rock metro area don’t have far to go, said John Mayner, vice president of marketing and communications for the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The Arkansas River Trail provides horse owners with great horseback-riding opportunities. Two Rivers Park in Little Rock and Burns Park in North Little Rock provide horseback-riding trails,” he said, adding that riders should visit arkansasrivertrail.org/activities/horseback-riding for more information and regulations about horseback riding along the Arkansas River Trail.

These city-park trails offer “a variety of settings, from wooded brush to more open trails with beautiful views of the city,” he said.

The following are only a few state and national parks in Arkansas that feature horse trails and other equine-friendly facilities.

ARKANSAS STATE PARKS

Devil’s Den State Park: More than 20 miles of equestrian trails allow riders to explore hardwood forests, historic sites, scenic waterfalls and more; trails vary in length and difficulty. The park also has a horse camp with water and power hookups for each site, as well as a bathhouse.

Mount Magazine State Park: The site of the state’s highest mountain, this park is home to the Huckleberry Mountain Trail, a multiuse trail that’s open to horseback riders, mountain bikers, off-road vehicles and backpackers. The 34-mile trail includes three loops connecting Mount Magazine and Huckleberry Mountain.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park: Guided trail rides allow visitors to explore the forest bottoms at the base of Pinnacle Mountain, a peak just a mile outside the Little Rock city limits.

NATIONAL PARKS AND FOREST AREAS

Buffalo National River: In addition to water sports, the Buffalo River region offers designated horse-camping areas, with equestrian trails marked with yellow blazes. Riders should be prepared for streams, washouts and obstacles that may require dismounting. Visit www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/horsebackriding.htm for more information. Ouachita National Forest: Encompassing 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma, the Ouachita National Forest includes a variety of equestrian trails that vary widely in length and difficulty. To view the trails offered in this area, visit www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ ouachita/recreation/horseriding-camping.