Posted 2011-05-10 6:11 PM (#134035 - in reply to #134029) Subject: RE: EAST FORK STABLES or BIG SOUTH FORK STABLES
Member
Posts: 37
I have stayed at East Fork Stables, but prefer Bandy Creek Stables and Bandy Creek Campground (inside the Big South Fork NRRA). Bandy Creek is operated by the National Park Service, so there are quiet hours, and the camp is just all around more private and relaxing (to me, anyway). The time I stayed at East Fork, there was alot of loud music from neighboring trailers, riders "cowboying" up and down the campground roads, etc. I am more of a quiet, laid back camper, so Bandy Creek is more my style. The only disadvantage to Bandy Creek is your horses are kept at the stables about 1/4 mile from the campground. The stalls are very nice, and very sturdy so I don't worry about their safety over there. Most stalls doors are so high that an average horse has trouble even looking over the top of the stall doors for long.
The trails inside of Big South Fork were wet and muddy in places that are NEVER wet and muddy. For those places that are normally wet and muddy, well, it was just a few inches deeper than normal! But everything was drying very well by the end of last week. There were a few trees down on the trails at BSF, but nothing that we couldn't get around and over. The worst of the wind and hail seems to have missed that part of the state.
I don't know how the trails at East Fork have faired, but I suspect they are comparable to BSF since they are so close to each other.
Posted 2011-05-11 6:57 AM (#134051 - in reply to #134029) Subject: RE: EAST FORK STABLES or BIG SOUTH FORK STABLES
Regular
Posts: 69 Location: Tennessee
We were at east fork last weekend, despite all the rain they had the trails were in pretty good shape. As to which one is best, we like both. We do east fork twice a year and do avoid holiday weekends. If you have not stayed at timber ridge in big south fork try them, the customer service is second to none
Posted 2011-05-11 7:08 AM (#134053 - in reply to #134029) Subject: RE: EAST FORK STABLES or BIG SOUTH FORK STABLES
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
I have to agree with Soundhorse about Timber Ridge. Dee, Lee and Ronnie really go out of their way to make sure their guests are happy. They start by cleaning out your trailer while you unload your horses and then fill water buckets for you. They have also been working hard to get some long neglected trails cleaned up and opened back up for riding.
Posted 2011-05-13 10:55 PM (#134119 - in reply to #134029) Subject: RE: EAST FORK STABLES or BIG SOUTH FORK STABLES
Member
Posts: 39 Location: Southwestern, Indiana
We stayed at East Fork last September and had an absolutely wonderful time! (Course the company helped - Foxtrotter Affair). Some of the people we rode with live on property that has access to Big South Fork, but said they preferred East Fork. What I liked about East Fork was the facilities and the ability to switch between trails as the mood hits. From what I have heard about Big South Fork though, you can not go wrong with either place.
EAST FORK STABLES or BIG SOUTH FORK STABLES
