Need to bring my trail horse back up to speed after a pretty serious injury back in Aug of 08.  He's been going well on short trips since last summer, and I want to start increasing his "workload", but on some moderate type trails.  Wondering if the facilities at Fair Hill would work out for us...  Is there anywhere else within several hours of the Northern NJ area that might fit the bill?

No camping but it would be a quick day trip from Newton. Fair Hill is really nice with a variety of terrain. Green Lane in Montgomery County, PA does have camping. I've ridden the park but never camped there. I have heard that the camping is first come, first serve- no reservations. I hesitate to take a chance on it because of that. Do you have the books by Carolyn Cook on the PA trails? It is called "Ride Pennsylvania Horse Trails". Her website is http://www.ridepennsylvania.com/. Her books are excellent!

I am riding Fairhill Easter weekend.  I usually go camping about 4-5 times a year there.  You have to call ahead to get the form to send in for reservations.   This winter with the snow storms they have alot of trail damage.  I heard the volunteers have been working very hard to get the trails back open.  I will be riding a gaited horse so the pasture hills will work for us to help build him up.  It is over 10,000 ac in MD and PA and there is alot of open space to work your horse on the hills.  The trails are nice too but I won't know which ones are open until I get there.  Covered Bridge, tunnels, stone overpasses, a nice wide stream runs thru it and deer everywhere.  The stalls have rubber mats.  You can only use straw for bedding.  The stall doors close completely but are see thru chain length type.  They have decent showers and bathrooms are kept clean.  I complain about the price but still go. $15 a stall per night, $20 overnight dry camp in the field.  $35 for a pad w/elec and water if you can get it. There's usually a waiting list for pads.

I live 20 miles north of Allentown, PA and I am 20 minutes from Jacobsburg. I ride there all the time and it has about 20 miles of trails that would be great to get your horse started on.  They are also opening up the Trexler Game Preserve to horseback riding (which is also about 10 miles north of Allentown, on the western side near the town of Schnecksville) which should also be about 20 miles of trail or so but has a lot of rolling hills (some great views) & great to get a horse in shape. No camping.  I only got there once last year since I try to camp every chance I get.  I am still a working girl but a lot of my retired friends helped clear the trails & mark them. I do not know if they have printed the trail maps yet but I can put you in touch with someone if you are interested. This is not in Carolyn's book since it was not available at the time she published it.  If you are interested in camping, Loyalsock State Park (formerly Wyoming State Park) has a 50 mile trail system with camping.  It's up near World's End State Park & Eagles Mere.  We get off of 80 @ Bloomsburg & head north on Rt 42 about 30 miles. It takes me 2 hrs & 15 minutes and I go there alot. It's free, you just need to get a permit since they can only accommodate about 12-14 rigs.  Also need to bring your own water.   A little more challenging but nothing hazardous, varied terrain depending on what loop you make.  Trails could be marked a little better but I've ridden there for years.  Caryoln's book is very good and it is in there. Also, not sure what several hours would be for you, but Brookfield NY, is four hours good highway for me but offers 130 mile trail system, facilities are great, camping is free, you just need a permit if you are staying more than 3 days. I usually go there for a week's vacation & stay on the side with the individual campsites - water, covered standing stalls & port-a-lets (that are kept clean).  Let me know if you want any more info.

Zoe... thanks for the info and yes, I would love to hear more.  If you have any contact info please feel free to PM me.  I live in NJ, but only about 4 miles from Rt. 80 and about an hour's drive north of Allentown, so anything north of Allentown is do-able for me.