Vacation With Your Horse
OUR FACILITY
Stalls with Paddocks
We have up to 4 stalls (depending on availability with our horse boarding) that are matted 12x12 with attached dirt/sand paddocks that are 15x30. Water and crossties are available in this barn while you vacation with your horse.
Run-In Sheds with Grass Paddocks
Individual Grass Paddocks with single run-in sheds and auto waterers (4 of these).
TRAIL RIDING
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Virginia Highlands Horse Trails
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA) manages approximately 200,000 acres of National Forest land near Mount Rogers. The area features four Congressionally designated wilderness areas; the Virginia Creeper Trail; the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway which traverses over 50 miles offering views of the National Recreation Area and open rural countryside; the 5000 acre Crest Zone featuring elevations over 4,000 feet, large rock formations, and a mixture of mountain balds and spruce-fir forests; a herd of wild, free-ranging ponies; and the highest elevated road in the state of Virginia leading to the summit of Whitetop Mountain. The Virginia Highlands Horse Trails (VHHT) are 68-Miles of Horse trails between Elk Garden and VA Rt 94. Featuring river crossings, valley views and mountain vistas! Follow the orange blazes; however, some of them look dark orange/redish at times.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Bridle trails: More than nine miles of bridle paths wander through the park. These paths also lead to bridle trails in Jefferson National Forest. Parking facilities for horse trailers are at the park (Key: F = Foot Traffic; H = Horseback Riding; B = Mountain Bikes; X = Cross Country Skiing)
- Horse Trail (east): mileage 3.2; H, F, B, X
- Horse Trail (north): mileage 2.0; H, F, X
- Seed Orchard Road: mileage 1.2; H, F, B, X
- Old Upchurch Road: mileage 3.3; H, F, B, X
Virginia Creeper Trail
From a historical perspective, the Creeper Trail is a fascinating ride. The trail runs along a rail right-of-way that dates to the industrial expansion across the US in the 1880s and the accompanying iron ore speculation that ran even southward down to the western portion of Virginia. The Creeper Trail is open to bikers, hikers and horseback riders. There are several places to park horse trailers while you enjoy a great ride. Other parking areas at the trailhead in Abingdon, Alvarado, Green Cove, Straight Branch, Whitetop and Creek Junction.
New River Trail State Park
A Rails to Trails" project, New River Trail is a 57-mile linear park that follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way, winds through and parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe and Pulaski counties in southwestern Virginia and the city of Galax. The trail's gentle slope makes it great for visitors of all ages to hike, bike and ride horseback. There are many different access points along the trail, with the southern end beginning in Galax going 57 miles to the Town of Pulaski in the New River Valley. There are access points to the trail at Allisonia, Chestnut Yard, Cliffview, Dannelly Park (near Galax), Draper, Dora Junction (near Pulaski), Foster Falls, Fries, Galax, Gambetta, Hiwassee and Ivanhoe. Horse trailer parking is available at Allisonia, Austinville, Cliffview, Dora Junction, Draper, Fries, Ivanhoe and the Mark E. Hufeisen Horse Complex.
- Two tunnels: 135 feet and 193 feet long
- Three major bridges: Hiwassee - 951 feet; Ivanhoe - 670 feet; Fries Junction - 1,089 feet
- Nearly 30 smaller bridges and trestles
- A historic shot tower used more than 200 years ago to make ammunition
- Potable water is available only at Galax, Cliffview Campground (Dannelly Park) and Foster Falls as well as at the horse trailer lots at Ivanhoe, Draper and Dora Junction.
- Five non-flush toilets are available along the trail.
When you want to Vacation with your horse, Grayson County VA has lots of Horse Boarding and Vacation Rental options for you!
Backcountry Horse Sense
Great tips and info when you vacation with your horse.
Good health and proper shots prevent diseases from spreading. Virginia State Law requires that all horses must have proof of a negative Coggins Test within the past year. Horses from other States must also have a valid certificate of health. Recommended, but not required, inoculations are: influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and eastern and western encephalitis.
Before going out, make sure that your horse’s shoes are secure and that the animal is sound on all four feet. If your horse’s respiration becomes jerky or irregular while on the trail, stop and let it recover, then walk out.
Always hobble horses or tie them to a hitch line or picket line. NEVER tie them to a tree, even for a few minutes. Camp and tether horses at least 100 feet from streams or springs. Wash bodies and dishes well away from streams & springs.
Always stay on the trail. CUTTING ACROSS SWITCHBACKS IS ILLEGAL. Taking shortcuts will quickly destroy the beauty you came to enjoy. Equestrians may use nearly every trail in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (except where indicated as no horses) including those in wildernesses. The major exception is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail which is reserved for hikers only. A few other trails off limits to horses are clearly signed. Please do not trespass on these trails.
Pack it in, pack it out! This goes for food, drinks, gear, cigarettes and anything else you pack into the backcountry. When it has been unusually rainy, avoid using fragile trails — use hard packed forest roads instead. Always practice Leave No Trace principles while in the backcountry. Build only small campfires, use a stove for cooking, and clean up after yourself. Keep in mind that most maintenance work on trails is done by volunteers. If you’d like to have better trails, volunteer! There’s no finer way to maintain and improve the good image of horseback riders than pitching in with trail maintenance.