Camping and Trail Riding

[Mike Gooding]

I'm going to show my ignorance but I'm have some questions. I've noticed that a lot of you on here do a lot of camping and riding. Several have stated they have living quarters in their horse trailers. By the way my trailer does not have LQs and I won't be buying one that does anytime soon. But I don't mind roughing it. So here are my questions. What do the rest of you do? Do you camp in tents? I've noticed some the the horse camps/trails have cabins, do you stay in them? What do you do for meals, cook on a campfire or what? I'm just getting into trail riding and would like to go camping but I need to get a feel for what's available at the various camp/trail riding places. (I used to camp many moons ago) I would like to hear any input you have. Feel free to give me any advice or tidbit you have. Tell me what works for you and what doesn't work.

[Ken Scott]

Hey Mike
12 years ago I had the same questions. I'll tell you what I was told. You'll see everything from a $50 tent to a &300,000 motor home. I started out sleeping in my stock trailer and progressed from that.

[Jill Biddle]

Hi Mike, I camped in my bumper pull for 10+ years. I would go on week long rides and be very comfortable. And if it rained, I was very dry! I bought a really nice blow up mattress and covered it with a warm blanket. I had a small heater/fan. The key is to be organized. However you camp - you will have fun!

[ReubenT]

I have done a lot of camping (if it can be called that) without anything but a blanket and foam pad, the pad was missing on occasion and that was once on a parking lot. For years we'd travel several times a year, come night we'd find an off the road vacant spot to park, the folks would sleep on a bed in the van and I'd go find a hidden place nearby to throw down the pad. sometimes deep grass, sometimes under a bush. As I upgraded I got a sleepin bag and a better pad. When it'd start raining I'd have a tarp to pull over me, or at times I'd have to roll up the bed quick and go sit in the front seat of the van. Ye can go as primitive or fancy as ya like, a makeshift shelter or none attall and scrounged wild food cooked on a fire, like the explorers might have done, or the latest fancest camper with all the doodads. however I wouldn't call that camping, I don't live that good at home. Now I have plans to go fancy, planning on a horse pack rig to carry a heatable tent and a few tools for comfortable livin in the wilderness.

[Jacci Barrow]

If you are tent camping or just camping in the back of your trailer be sure to bring some food items that don't have to be cooked, just incase bad weather comes up. Beanie Weenies can be a life saver!!!! It has been my experience that most horse people are friendly and generous and more than willing to lend a hand to a fellow rider.
When we were tent camping we would rent the site with water and electricty so if it was hot we could plug in a fan in our tent. You can also throw a small microwave in your truck and plug that in and heat up your meals that way.

[Mike Gooding]

Thanks everyone for advice and experiences, anyone else wants to share their experiences feel free to keep doing so. I do have another question, I am assuming that if you want a campfire that you have to bring your own wood at most places, is that true?

[Ed Elam]

Hey Mike
Teresa and I started camping in the back of a '79 Grand Prix, with a tent and coleman stove, after we made it all the way to a class c motor home and large bumper pull trailer, WE BOUGHT A CAMPGROUND!!! Now we own Saddle Valley at Big South Fork. We sell firewood. Check out our website www.saddlevalleycampground.com

[Stephanie]

The first time I camped at Saddle Valley, when I got there the campgound was practically full and Ed graciously BACKED my truck and trailer in for me. I'm not very good at backing. The next time, THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A PULL THRU camp site ;~) Is that "customer service" or what ? ?

[Adrienne Walsh]

Hey Mike, some places do have firewood, but I always bring my own. I couldn't stand it if I went somewhere and they didn't have it or were out...camping isn't camping unless you have a fire! Also, I don't recommend sleeping just out on the ground (without a tent) in the south due to chiggers, ticks,
spiders, scorpions, and snakes. If it is cold at night a snake could crawl in your sleeping bag to keep warm. Not a pleasant way to start your day. I always camp where there is electricity and water at each campsite. Oh, I also forgot to say to always bring a big tarp to put over your tent in case it rains. If you have trees in your camp, you can tie the tarp up over your tent (shade and ventilation) with nylon twine or bungee cords, or just lay it over the tent. If you have a big enough tarp it will cover your tent and still give you enough shelter to sit outside your tent, or you could have another one over your picnic table or folding table. Don't forget your lawn chairs. Make a list, check it twice, and have a good time!!!

[Gary O'Guin]

HEY, LOOKS LIKE GOT LOTS OF ADVICE FOR YOU, JUST DON'TFORGET THE HORSES. WILL NEED HAY GRAIN,AND BUCKETS FOR GRAIN AND WATER. CHECK ON PICKET LINES OR STALLS. WE LOVE CAMPING WITH OUR HORSES AND CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR LITTLE WARMER WEATHER SO WE CAN START THE SEASON. GOOD RIDING!

[Ed Elam]

YES!!! Don't forget the horses! Make reservations at Saddle Valley, and we'll be sure that you have a good time. I would suggest seriously considering a developed campground your first few times out. Not knowing where you are, or where you are going to ride can be a very big issue, and can add to the stress that can come with getting ready. Take a few short, overnighters maybe, close to home.

I will tell you, sometimes just the planning can overwhelm you. Keep it simple at first.

[Lorrie Smith]

I have this cooking thing down when it comes to camping. When I have electricty, I use a crock pot. Precook at home, soup, chili, etc put in plastic container until you get where you are going and put in crock pot on low and go ride. When you come in supper is ready, even if it is dark and you are starving. Only have one thing to clean up and your done to go sit by the campfire. Next morning before I go out to ride I put a roast, potatoes,and carrots in same crock pot and turn on low. Come back in 8 hours and supper is done. One thing to wash and clean and I am back at the campfire with everyone else. I can do two meals easy with no fuss.
I hate being the one to cook and clean up while everyone else is sitting around the campfire having a goodtime.

[Linda Grajewski]

We do not have a living quarters either but rent cabins or rooms. We go to Big South Fork, lots of places there. We are going to Lazyhorse in the smokies in June, they have cabins. Suggest you tag along with others to get started. If you don't mind sleeping in your trailer, TrueWest at BSF has nice bathhouses and horse facilities, but you would have to campfire cook or bring cookstove. They do have water and electric at the sites.
Blessings, Linda Grajewski