Not many Eats around Collins, but Smith's in Collins is GREAT. Pork Tenderloin is very good. I also like the fried Shrimp. I'd avoid Peggy's.

The trails at ER can be rode in a long weekend, but we enjoy the South Ridge and also Lion Rock Trail. Hope your horse is shod or is used to rocks if barefoot as the trails have been worn from all the rain the past couple of years and heavy use of the camp.

You'll have a nice time. New owners (use to work for Steve) so they know the lay of the land and trails very well. Here are some more comments from MO Trail Blazer site - http://motrailblazing.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=chat&thread=240&page=1

Originally written by calamityj on 2011-04-01 7:19 AM

Eagle Ranch... the people were very nice, they cleaned out our horsetrailer as we unloaded and stalled our horses. They had a steak feed on Saturday for $17. person, then a little entertainment... however, there is no shade around the campsites (and they were very close), and there are hardly any trails! I can't imagine someone from Arkansas, the most naturally gorgeous place in the USA, with unbelievable trails all over the place, going to Collins, Mo. to ride and camp???? Please help me out here.

Arkansas is pretty, but have you ever seen New Mexico?

Marla

saw your post and thought it was inacurate.  Eagle Ranch is not owned by Steve Chappels couple that worked 5 years for him. (Shawn and Kendra), in reading your post I think you thought they were the owners and were the ones that were so friendly to you, because I couldnt believe that it could have been the new owner Jerry Hennings, he has absolutely no personality or people skills at all.  He alone has ran off the campers that are coming from last years bookings.  In return people are not rebooking to come back and usually leave upset.  The campground is not busy as I have known it to be over the past 5 years, only 4 trailers on a weekend there recently and inspite of the hot weather Eagle Ranch has always been busy.  Jerry has mini donkeys and boer goats running around.  If you complain he turns a deaf ear to you.  He would not listen to Steves former help on any advice, and recently let them go and told them he couldnt afford to pay them, now he has no farrier (Shawn) and no one to mow and keep the grounds clean (Shawn) , no one to give the guided trailrides (Shawn), no one to help with roge horses (Shawn).  You no longer get Kendras sweet voice on the phone, but Jerrys dry solom unfriendly voice.  Really makes you want to jump in your rig and go there.  You can sure tell the difference that Shawn and Kendra are gone.  Its a shame that people can get ahold of a great place like Eagle Ranch with no horse experience at all and destroy it in 8 months. He should have kept his knowledgeable people to run it and stay away.  People just dont ilike him.   Doubt it will be there next year. 

Boosmom I think has stayed at sheltons she could shed more light there, We were saving it for not so nice weather and that area has quite a bit riding that is a little to far for our slow riding.

Doughboy, they told me that we can get our 42 ft trailer in there. Sure hope we don't have a probelm.   We are going to Caney Labor Day Weekend. 

Debbie you will not have a problem; If you talked with them Bootsie or teresa the should have told you to call before you start in and they will hold trailers leaving out. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery.  the only thing you will have to keep an eye out for is  highspots on the road and your holding tanks being that long. myself I kinda hope the Forest Service doesn't redo the road if they did it would be far worse than Falling Waters on the chrowds. I think I'm around 36 ft and it wasn't any problem.