Posted 2011-03-13 8:06 AM (#131586 - in reply to #131558) Subject: RE: Need info on Zumbro Bottoms in Minnesota
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
The North camp was flooded out last year & is closed. The Main Camp or Assemble as the DNR calls it, is difficult to get to with a big unit and only room for a dozen or so units.The West Camp thru Theilman is the largest – can hold over a 100 units.If there is no camp host and often there is not, the only water is via a hand pump.DNR does their normal poor job with the out-houses so do not camp near one as the smell is very bad.Trails are a little of everything – rocks, hills, sand, dirt, flat, etc.Many miles of trails so you can pick your own.The weekend before Memorial Day and the weekend after Labor Day are open for motor bikes.Great riding.
Posted 2011-03-13 4:21 PM (#131596 - in reply to #131558) Subject: RE: Need info on Zumbro Bottoms in Minnesota
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Hi,
ZB is a fun place to ride. Trails open May 1st - November 1st. 44 miles of trails.
There are three campgrounds - All non electric. You can set up portable corrals, but please be respectful and don't set up 1/2 acre corrals. HA!
WEST ASSEMBLY AREA:
This is known as the main campground, it is the largest campground. There are 50 sites, but it can and has held over 100 rigs. Picket/high lines at most campsites. There is an outer loop that is in the shady wood line. If you drive back there, take your time and watch your mirrors. It can be tight for some rigs and you will see many scars on trees where rigs have hit the trees.
The majority of the campground is out in the open,as it used to be a working farm field. There are a few sites with pull through parking pads.
There are two hand water pumps. These can take lots of arm use to fill buckets. So, if you have a way to bring in your own water, it will save you time and prevent sore arms.
IF...the camp host is there, the electricity to the main hand pump will be turned on, and that makes a huge difference. OR...if you see the DNR ranger drive through ask him to turn on the pump.
As you enter the campground, the very first site on your right with the panel corral is the Camp Host site. So not pull into that one. It's reserved for camp hosts.
There is a open sided shelter which is nice if you have a large group getting together for a pot luck. And the main hand pump is located there as well.
There are potties there. The original ones (by the shelter) up by can be stinky and scary.
There are two located in the open area. And I think they built a new one in the wooden area.
There are several manure bunks through out the campground. PLEASE CLEAN YOUR AREA WHEN YOU LEAVE!!!
I don't understand why some horse folks think it's okay to leave their mess when they leave camp. Grrrrr!!
Each camp site has a fire ring. Make sure you bring in local certified fire wood, as this is a MN State Law. There is a local farmer that sometimes will drive through camp selling wood. His bundles are a nice size and fairly cheap.
This tends to be the busiest campground and can be a loud, party zone, depending on who's in camp. If you want a quite weekend, try to get into one of the corners, away from the party riders.
Make sure you get all your supplies before coming to camp, as there is not store in Theilman to make purchases.
From the West Assembly Area, you can easily access both trail systems. the one next to this campground and the one across the river.
CENTRAL ASSEMBLY AREA:
This is a smaller campground, will hold about 16-20 rigs. It's fashion in circle with the shelter, bathrooms (2) and hand pump in the center. There are some picket/high lines, but not for all rigs.
Also a smaller sorta of gathering area, off to the side with a cement round table/benches and a larger group size fire ring.
This campground floods in the spring time during the thaw and sometimes throughout the riding season is there is a heavy rain storm. Soil can be very wet, so check campsite before pulling/backing into camp spot. The road into the campground will also flood. The road is a narrow road, very tight if you greet a rig on it's way out of the campground.
Make sure you haul your rig on Zumbro Bottoms Road to the Central Assembly Area.
DO NOT USE TUSHAUS HILL ROAD! VERY DANGEROUS STEEP UNSAFE ROAD FOR HORSE RIGS.
This is the favorite campground for the hunters during hunting season. You may not want to camp there during those times. And I would suggest NOT camping there during the squirrel season. As the hunters spend all day and nite, torching the hair off the squirrels and cooking them. IT STINKS!!!
From the Central Assembly Area, you can easily access one of the trail systems, but it's a long ride to the other trail system.
NORTH ASSEMBLY AREA:
The smallest of all three campgrounds, located down the road from the foot bridge. Holds about 6 rigs. Bathroom and hand pump.
Nice campground when you're with a group of friends and want a private quite campground. BUT...this campground is located right next to the river ...so it FLOODS. This campground has had to be evacuated by horse folks when heavy rains comes, and the river rises fast, sometimes with no warnings.
From the North Assembly Area, you can easily access both trail systems. the one next to this campground and the one across the river.
Horses must be conditioned for these trails. The trails are challenging in many spots. Lots of climbing, over looks, narrow one-horse tracks, and large rocky trails.
Some horses may need hoof protection, but there trails are large rocks, not gravel.
Scenic Overlook Trail is very rocky, one horse track (LOVE IT)
DO NOT ENTER THE RIVER! Expect for the safe water area, located at the end of the Lower Sand Coulee Trail. And even here, do not venture out into the river. The river bottom is very sandy, quick sand in fact. This and the fast moving under current may the river bottom very unsafe.
The river is very dangerous, as the under current is very strong. Many horses have died in this river!
Here's a link to MN DNR site for more info on Zumbro Bottoms. You'll find authorized fire wood vendors, trail updates, etc.
There are two weekends that ZB is open to OHV, you may not want to ride there on those weekends. Also, a few other weekends in the fall when the OHV clubs get permission to access the trails for trail cleanup. These weekends the trails are still open to horses, and most OHV users will shut down their engines when they see horses and most are respectful.
ZB got hit hard last summer with heavy storms and rain fall, many of the trails were washed out. And some are still closed and still need work on them.
Trails are marked, but I would suggest bringing a map with you. You can find the map online. It's very easy to get lost in ZB, stay on the trails, respect the rules and do not go "off-trail".
There are many Rescue Points in this trail system, due the fact that the trails are remote and folks have gotten badly injured in this part of the forest. Make sure you are aware of these rescue points, should you need them.
There are trails located off Railroad Bed Trail, that wind down towards the river. These are OHV trails, but horses can use them. They tend to be wet, soft terrain trails.
South Access Loop and Bottom Trail is pretty...but tends to be wet, soggy, soft terrain trails due to the flooding.
Riders 16+ yrs will need a MN Horse Trail Pass, you can buy that online or at any store that also sells hunting licenses.
Camping fees are $16.00 per night per rig.
Anywho...let me know what else you want to know. I do love ZB trails!
Need info on Zumbro Bottoms in Minnesota
