Posted 2011-06-26 5:23 PM (#135148) Subject: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 6
Location: New Bethlehem, PA
Hello,
We are looking for a nice place to camp and ride for about a week in eastern KY. We would like to have electric and water hook ups. Any suggestions would be great.
Posted 2011-06-26 6:19 PM (#135152 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 45
Your choices are going to be very limited. With the unfortunate closing of Cave Run Lake Stables, there are only two camps that could even be considered - Rudy's Ranch or Red Hill. Having camped at both I don't think I would say that there's a week's worth of riding at either place. Your other option would be to travel another 3 - 4 hours to Big South Fork in TN. I hate to say that because we're Kentuckians close to both Rudy's and Red Hill, but the fact is that TN has better trails and horse campgrounds. Another choice is Mammoth Cave in central-western Kentucky, which would be about 4 hours from Red Hill. The riding over there is great and the horsecamps have a lot to offer.
Posted 2011-06-26 6:42 PM (#135153 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN
Depending upon what and how you ride, I do not believe Mammoth Cave will have enough riding for a full week. Of course, you can fill in time with cave tours and other local activities but if you are looking for a weeks worth of riding Mammoth cave probably won't do it. I, too, would suggest going a bit farther to the Big South Fork area. There are many great campgrounds in the area with access to miles and miles of trails. Personally, I would suggest Timber Ridge. If you enjoy the smaller campgrounds, you can't beat their customer service and attention to the smallest detail. They have access to both private trails and trails within BSF. They appreciate your business and want to earn it as well.
Posted 2011-06-26 6:43 PM (#135154 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 6
Location: New Bethlehem, PA
Thank you for the info. We are not limited to eastern KY. We have already ridden in TN and were hoping to find something nice in KY. Maybe we need to consider a different state.
Posted 2011-06-27 6:18 AM (#135187 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474
Location: White Mills, Ky.
Red Hill is a good camp. Would definitely choose it over Rudy's Ranch. But not sure if there is a whole week's worth of riding. Mammoth Cave, in south central KY, is also nice. But also not enough for a whole week. However, there are a lot of other activities in the Mammoth Cave area. Cave tours, Guntown Mountain and KY DownUnder are fun for the whole family. And there are plenty of places to eat/shop.
Have you considered splitting your week between two places?
As Rose said, southern IN has some great camps also. O'Bannon Woods is wonderful. In addition to riding trails, they have a nice nature center and a terrific pool. So. IN also has Deam Lake. Deam has lovely horse trails and the lake has a nice beach area for swimming.
Whatever you decide, have fun and post lots of pics for us!
Posted 2011-06-27 6:31 PM (#135213 - in reply to #135187) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Veteran
Posts: 184
Location: Indiana
I agree- Mammoth Cave does not have that many trails-- I would believe Red Hill has a few more than MC-especially if you can get a local to show you around.
Of Course Deams Lake in Southern IN is my home trails so I would recommend them-- but then again-- not a full week-- you could split between Deams Lake and O'Bannon-- they are approx 40-50 miles apart in Southern IN and stay part of your trip at both.
It's a shame that KY doesn't have more horse camping-- with the Daniel Boone National Forest going thru the whole state-- you would think that there would be tons of riding/camping.
Posted 2011-06-28 11:05 AM (#135231 - in reply to #135159) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: S. Central Illinois
Wow, you guys lucked out with the rain to see the waterfalls. Was the bear pic from Shawnee. Been riding down there for about 6 years now. Have yet to see a bear but encountered my first rattle snake Memorial Weekend. Area is beautiful and we love riding down there. Did you ride out of Bear Branch or Hayes Canyon? Have considered Big South Fork as well, but Shawnee is only a 2 hour drive for us. Good luck.
Posted 2011-06-28 7:05 PM (#135238 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 38
Location: Morriston, FL
Just back from Red Hill and East Fork...all great.
I did see today tho on Facebook today a new campground in Townsend, TN...Orchard Cove Stables. They had an article in Trail Rider Magazine. They have a website..looks nice. You might want to check that out.
Anybody out there been to Orchard? I think we will try it out on our way home in Sept....Its on the calendar!
Julie
Posted 2011-07-06 6:39 PM (#135423 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 45
The trail in and out of Red Hill is VERY rocky in places as are some of the other trails you would be riding. We do quite a bit of riding through out Kentucky and Tennessee and personally I would not ride without caulks and borium for safety reasons.
Posted 2011-07-11 12:13 PM (#135540 - in reply to #135148) Subject: RE: camping in KY
Member
Posts: 39
Location: Versailles, KY
Thanks. We went for one night this past Saturday. Had fun, but it was unbelievably muddy:( Our horses weren't in the best of shape, so we rode very little. We'll be back in the fall, though. Gene was very nice and the sites are great. Liked the stalls, too.
BTW, I bought a pair of Easy Boot Trails for my horse, and they were perfect. Didn't move in the deep mud and he handled the rocks, water, etc., perfectly. Poor guy -- I got them Friday, turned him out in them for a while, then took him trail riding Saturday. No rubs, chafing, etc. I was very pleased.