We loved riding the Big South Fork too, especially thought the Needle's eye was neat and the ride to Charit Creek Lodge. Hope to go back there someday. Shawnee is also great riding. Heading down to the Buffalo river soon and this will be our first trip down there so looking forward to some new country. Hope we see some elk.

I think our favorite place to ride though is probably the Black Hills. But I guess anywhere is great long as we're seeing it horseback!

Calamity,

We're going down next weekend. Staying at Centerpoint Horsecamp. I think it is pretty new and supposed to be right across from Centerpoint trailhead. We got a big trailer so we were afraid we mite not be able to get into Steel Creek. Maybe we'll see ya down there somewhere. We've driven around down there and saw the elk in Boxley before and yes they should be bugling. We're really looking forward to riding there. Is it hard to find your way around? I have the NG maps and a gps but I figure there's lots of unmarked trails down there. 

Hi Pooper;

From centerpoint camp; cross the road to trailhead- head south or north goes over the east overlook (that big cliff you see at Steel Creek camp) and joins other trails...near Hemmed in Hollow/ Sneed's Creek Tr/or south goes down to Granny Henderson's cabin and Jim's bluff... there are alot of secret places like twin falls and other old homesteads... We are too big for Steel and Centerpoint, but sometimes we stay at Jim's.. We ride both quarterhorses and sometimes Foxtrotters.. (we are bi-polar)

Good question--

For beautiful overlooks etc-- Big South Fork or East Fork is my pick-- but we also love Shawnee National Forest and go at least every October-

Either one you can't go wrong

Both camps are fine...but the new one, Mammoth Cave Horsecamp, is cute, but the stalls are way too far away from your campsite. The owner said he had to put it down the hill because of the lateral lines, or something up the hill at the campground. They have a nicely stocked store/office...

The other campground, D-K, is owned by a nice "oldtimer" who is a Circle Y/ Tucker saddle Rep/dealer... the campground and stalls are perfectly laid out, but there is NO shade. If you have awnings, it is fine. The Lincoln trailhead is just across the road...

The trails were ok for a stopover on the way....

I have rode on both sides of the mountain. Over around Ivanhoe, it is a lot like riding in Big South Fork. Some of the trails are steep but once you get to the top it's just an easy ride. Now, for the BEST views without going to the Rocky Mts. I go to the west side in the Troutdale area. The ground is very rocky, shoes are a must. Saddle time is 6 to 8 hours. This is my piece of heaven on earth. 

That sounds like our kind of riding.  We ride the trails in Shawnee that most people don't like to ride because they are too steep and rocky.  Was disappointed in S. Dakota.  What are the best times of year to ride in that area?