Riding your horse in the National Forests

Riding your horse in the National Forests

The Mark Twain National Forest has hundreds of miles of trails for horseback riders and hikers.
They are sometimes very rugged, hilly, and rivers to cross. They have nine different units to visit.

Depending on the time of year that you choose to go they have all kinds of things to see and you can pick wild fruit and berries along the way. There is always some wild life to see.

The only rules you have are to stay on the marked trails and the wood roads, do not take short cuts.
There is a fourteen-day limit to camping. You can make campsites in the National Forest if you get at least 200 feet from any water supply.
You are not allowed to build a fire ring. You can use a portable grill if you have one, but be very careful with the fire.

Please keep your campsite clean and leave it cleaner than you found it.

To get more information on the trails and the National Forests visit your closest forest service.
They have maps of the trails and information about weather and any updates. During wet weather some trails are not passable.

One particular trail is the Chadwick motorcycle trail. Getting there- take Hwy 125 south of Chadwick turn west on Hwy H to the Camp Ridge area.
Camp Ridge and Cobb Ridge campgrounds. These two campgrounds have 8 camping spurs with picnic table and in-ground grill. There is a restroom but no water or electric is available.
There is also a picnic ground and day use area parking area at both campgrounds.

These are motorcycle trails, but hiking and horses are allowed if you don’t mind the occasional biker. Your horse must not be afraid of the motorcycles. If you can ride with your horse there is 125 miles of trails. The maps show some trails where the horse can be watered.

So get up and ride. Enjoy the day.