Posted 2011-04-04 12:49 PM (#132596) Subject: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
New User
Posts: 1
Location: cascade, iowa
We camped last week at High Knob Campground by Shawnee National Forest! Had a great time : ) The facility is awesome and has improved so much since the last time we were there 2 years ago. The host JoJo couldn't ofbeen nicer and so helpful!!!! The new covered stalls for the horses were great to use!!!!!! Look forward to returning next year to see JoJo's latest improvements!!!! And the trails for horses are awesome also!!!!!!!!!! Love thispart of Illinois!!!! Shawnee is a hidden national treasure : )
Posted 2011-04-05 8:17 PM (#132656 - in reply to #132629) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Regular
Posts: 84
Location: Crestwood, KY
Originally written by machanson on 2011-04-05 10:13 AM
Did you need shoes on your horses for Shawnee?
Yes, the trails are pretty rocky in a lot of areas. My horse who normally does fine barefoot chipped up her bare hind hooves a bit while we were there for a week.
Posted 2011-07-16 7:05 PM (#135726 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN
We are considering a trip to High Knob in October. Is that a good time of year to ride Shawnee? If there is anyone from south of IL that can speak to directions I would appreciate that. We live just north of Nashville, TN and the Mapquest directions have us going across a ferry.... can anyone comment on that?
Posted 2011-07-16 10:10 PM (#135736 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500
Location: West TN
You can go toward Paducah on 24 and cross into IL that way. If you have a GPS, it will route you around the ferry from that part forward. We decided to avoid the ferry as well when we traveled that way from West TN.
Posted 2011-07-17 10:33 AM (#135752 - in reply to #135726) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Regular
Posts: 99
Location: Pleasant Plain, Ohio 45162
I do know that certain weeks in October, High Knob is well booked. Had my reservations since March for there and had to cancel due to the mule riders and another horse club were also coming in and she was overbooked. She refunded my deposit but was really looking forward to going. You may want to contact her asap for October reservation.
Posted 2011-07-18 11:28 AM (#135787 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN
Thanks to everyone for the information. I called High Knob to ask about availability and the woman actually laughed at me--- that really wasn't necessary, she could have said they were booked for the dates I wanted. She could have explained that weekend is more popular for them than Memorial or Labor Day weekends rather than to lecture me about holiday riding as if I have never ridden on a holiday weekend. Futhermore, what is a big holiday in one area or region may not be in another. I went on to call Hayes Canyon and the woman I spoke with there simply told me they were fully booked with a waiting list, she didn't laugh at me or feel the need to lecture me on holiday riding.
Needless to say we won't be going to Shawnee riding in October, and may never go to High Knob after being treated so rudely on the telephone. I realize the new owners have received great reviews but you can only make one first impression and you never know who it is on the other end of the line..... president of a saddle or riding club, a trail riding magazine contributing writer, or just a member of a big family who camps and rides together.
Posted 2011-07-19 7:47 PM (#135846 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
JackiB - And I find it interesting that all the new postive posts about High Knob are from users with One post. Sounds like someone is trying to get the word out.... maybe the new owner? Highly suspecious to say the least.
If you haven't checked out Big Creek, that might be a destination for you if you are looking for spectacular fall foliage. The website is down right now. His office staff retired (major health issues - leukemia). I don't think Brett is keen on office work. :) But you can still call: 417-932-4846.
Posted 2011-07-19 9:47 PM (#135853 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500
Location: West TN
I highly recommend Double M. We camped there last year and the place was remote. However, the owner went out of his way to help out at any time. The "locals" were really nice and offered us the use of their golf cart if we needed to go down to the office. The trails were being worked on at the time and they were in good shape. It is in close proximity to the High Knob if I remember correctly. I am sure that they are booked as well. However, it never hurts to check. Best of luck.
Posted 2011-07-20 7:56 AM (#135861 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN
Thanks Tammy and Rob, for the information. We have decided on Bay Creek Ranch. We have never been there but the camp photos looked nice and I did read quite a few positive reviews----for whatever that is worth.
Posted 2011-07-23 7:08 PM (#136003 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 212
Location: novinger, mo
ponytammy...we really have been to High Knob and are not shilling for the owner. It is really a great place. We went in May and are going back in Sept.
Posted 2011-07-25 12:28 PM (#136063 - in reply to #136003) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
"ponytammy...we really have been to High Knob and are not shilling for the owner. It is really a great place. We went in May and are going back in Sept."
I was refering to the post from the person that was "just now camping". See that type of post in almost every thread about High Knob. Not saying it wouldn't be a nice place to go, just suspecious from some first time post in the threads pertain to currently at the location.
And of course the camp was so bad before the new owners, that any improvement would provide a better camping experience for both horse and rider :)
Posted 2011-09-10 2:56 PM (#137382 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
New User
Posts: 2
We camped at High Knob Horse Camp last week, and it was great. We had a beautiful site overlooking Garden of the Gods. Jojo was so helpful and bent over backwards to make us feel welcome. The trail riding was awesome right out of camp. We will be back to High Knob Horse Camp again.
Posted 2011-09-10 3:04 PM (#137383 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
New User
Posts: 2
We had a great time at High Knob horse camp last week. Jojo was so wonderful, and is fixing the place up so great. It's a must for horse riders to camp. The trails right out of the camp are some of the best I have been on.
Posted 2011-09-26 9:34 PM (#137873 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: central IL
Wah-lah! After reading all the good reviews about High Knob, my camping friend called awhile ago and we're heading down for a long weekend. We have 3 sites and 3 covered stalls reserved.
I will share an opinion for you campers who like me (retired) are free to take off according to the weatherman's reports~Shawnee in November is awesome. I usually make at least 1 or 2 trips in October, but when the leaves are fallen mid November, a whole new vista opens up before your eyes. I'm fortunate enough to only live 3 1/2 hours away, and I'm sure that's a major advantage. Each year I've gone down in November, there are hardly any other campers around making it sort of unique, too. It's almost like you own the entire little camping community~a bit surreal.
Posted 2011-09-29 7:13 AM (#137914 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 212
Location: novinger, mo
We just got back from another trip to High Knob. There are more new stalls added, among other improvements. I absolutely LOVE the trails there. You are right in the most picturesque area immediately out of camp. We rode to Double M Ranch for lunch one day, a really nice ride. The only way I fault the campground is that it about impossible to find a level site. You may also need a long hose to reach water as the water hydrants are shared.
Your horse definitely needs shoes, there are lots of rocks. But that is part of why you also have those fabulous rock formations. If you want nice groomed bridle trails this is not for you.
Posted 2011-10-04 11:07 PM (#138060 - in reply to #132596) Subject: RE: camping at high knob by Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: central IL
I just posted my opinion on another thread with the topic about High Knob. Now that I'm just back from camping at High Knob for the first time ever, I feel that the criticism of JoJo is highly unfounded. She greets you with a smile, deals with customers with a smile and sends you off with a hearty warm bear hug. She is such a warm and upbeat friendly people person, I strongly feel that meeting her in person would change your mind if you felt she was rude on the phone due to her laughter. She struck me as a truly caring hardworking individual who's trying very hard to improve her campground into a horse lovers haven. And she's doing a great job of doing just that. If you rule out High Knob, you'll be missing out on a great place to ride and meeting people whom you can't wait to be with again. Friendly, friendly, friendly! Please give it a try in person; I'm sure glad I did and can't wait to return.