We went to Rocky hollow horse camp Memorial Day.  The camp was tricky to get into.  The campsite was trickier to get into. 

Yes, the trails were rocky in places.  I can;t wait to go back.  I would probably consider the same camp.

Do it!!

Duallynewt,

Thanks for the info.  What campground did you stay at if any?  Was it hard to get into and park?

Thanks, Mud Dog

I was up there from 07/01/05 thru 07/04/05.  I stayed at the Grayson Highlands State Park campground that has the stable.  One thing that I did not like about the stables was that almost all of the stalls were toooo small for a full sized horse to turn around in.  Someone obviously designed the stalls with making money in mind instead of the safety of the horses there.  They have some stalls that are covered & also some that are just regular wooden slat stalls that are open air stalls.  The problem with the open air stalls, not only the too small size, is that a horse can not get away from another horse that might be beside them in the next stall if it decides to kick at or bit them.  Also, all of the stalls at this stable are on concrete.  They do not allow highlines or panels behind your campsite.  At this campground, you have to use their stalls.  The trip over all was wonderful.  The disappointment of the stall situation was the only thing I did not like about the park.  We rode 8.5+ hours on Saturday, 4.5+ hours on Sunday & 2.5+ hours on Monday before we had to pack up to leave.  Make sure that you take rain gear because they are prone to have quick showers roll through that can drop the temperature 15+ degrees.  Also, they can have some thick fog, so let someone know where you are going to be riding before you head out & also let then know when you expect to return.  Most of the trails are well marked, but if you get up on top in some of the grassy meadows, the trails can be hard to see, especially in the fog.  Make sure you have shoes on all 4 of your horse's feet, since there are some rocky sections.  We saw probably 125+ wild ponies while we were riding.  They were amazing.  Lots of them had twin colts that seemed to be doing fine out in the wild.  There were some beautiful color phases - spotted, grays, black & some others.  The manes & tails were longer on those ponies than I have seen on some full sized horses.  Ha, ha!!  It was a great trip & I would suggest going up there to anyone that has a chance to go.  The elevation is about 5,700'+ on top of the mountain, so you might want to be prepared if you go in the fall / winter / early spring months.  One guy mentioned that they lost a few wild ponies a few years ago because they got over 4' of snow that year.  For my trip, the temps were from the low 60's at night into the low / mid 80's.  The humidity was not bad at all, compared to the killer humidity we have here in SC.  Ha, ha!!  It rained Sunday & we had some showers on Monday, but we only had to use raingear on Sunday afternoon.  I also heard that they try to do a round-up of the ponies each year & sell some of the babies to keep the herd in check & also so they can check on the health of the animals.  Here is a web site that you might want to take a look at.  I am not sure about the other campgrounds / horse stalls that are there.  Good luck & have a safe trip.  It is a nice place up there.

http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/graysonh.htm

Mud-dog (are you the same Mud-Dog from The Diesel Stop ?)

We stayed at High Country H.C. We have been going there for 10 years, its pretty cool & they now offer shuttle service for you & horse so they will take you to Fox Creek or Grason Highlands then you ride back to camp.. Let me know of some good campgrounds in the Smokies Please...Thanks

I haven't been to Mt Rogers yet, but plan on going.  My response is about the Smokies.  We just spent 10 days riding in the Smokies and really enjoyed it.  We stayed at Big Creek Campground, primitive, but very nice bathrooms, no showers, but sink, and regular toilets.  Water easily available.  So, if you have a generator, Big Creek is pretty doable.

We left there and went to Round Bottom, no water, and Johnny on the Spots, just as Mud Dog said.  But the riding out of there was really good.

The trails are marked great.  Alot of history in the Smokies.  We had bought a book on the trails, written by a hiker.  But very informative.  We got it at one of the Ranger Stations.  I suggest you do that, it makes your riding more interesting.

We saw 2 bear cubs, didin't see Mama bear, we kept our distance and let them run away.  We saw elk.  Just a great trip.  Suggest it to anyone.

The Smokies....  The prettiest and best for me is at Cataloochee.  Tie stalls and out house and level camping by a gorgouse mountain stream or small river.  There are several trails leading out of the camp.  You don't have to ride the same trail out every day like you do at High Country and big Creek.  It is gorgeous but there are a lot of skinny trails on the side of the mountain.  The road in there is 45 minutes of hairpin turns down a road that was made for one lane traffic but it is two lane.  It is worth the effort.  I hope I get to go again.  The Elk and bear and turkeys are plentiful. 

Mt Rogers.... I go to Iron Mountain Horse camp.  There are stalls for your horses and electircity for camping and even a bath house.  The trails begin right off the property.  276-744-2056

I just returned from the wild pony roundup at Mt. Rogers. The auction is on Saturday. Ohhhh, but did I want to take some of the little ones home with me !! Wasn't prepared to witness the babies being separated from their mommas though. The mares are in foal again, and momma with a nursing baby most likely would not survive the severe winter.

Also rode some new to me trails on the south west side of Mt. Rogers.