We spent a long weekend in eastern KY at the Carter Caves State Resort Park.  They just completed a new horse campground with 8 large, pull-through sites that have water, electric and sewer hookups.  The hitch rails are very nice.  Extra sturdy and would easily accomodate 4 horses per site...more if they get along well.  There is not much shade yet since the camp is so new, but they have planted some trees.  The camp staff was very nice and the bath house is gorgeous.

The trails are fairly challenging with lots of hills.  The scenery was terrific.  Caves, creeks, rock bluffs.  The map only shows ten miles of trails, but we found several small loops that were not on the map that allowed us to make a longer ride.  They are cutting new trails this year and hope to link the existing horse trails with trails that lead over to the lake.

One warning:  You had better have a stout truck to get up to the camp and good brakes for coming back down.   It is at the top of a mountain road.  Steep climbs with several hairpin turns.

I can't wait to go back (maybe next spring?) and see what new trails have been added.

Here is a shot of the hitch rails.  You can also see the bath house in the background

The fall colors were just starting to pop. But we had great weather!

We also did a little hiking on our own two feet and found some beautiful sights.  This lake is at the bottom of a loooooong set of steps.  But it was worth the burning thighs.

This photo does not do justice to the beauty of this natural bridge.  It is actually about 30 feet high.  You can walk across the top and then drop down underneath.  There was also a cave down there that the teens enjoyed exploring.

Since there are only 8 sites for horse camping, you should make reservations early, but I definitely recommend Carter Caves!

We did find some mud in places.  And I would imagine it would be worse in the rainy season.

If you go, plan to go eat at The Smokey Valley Cafe one night.  It was featured on the food network show 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives'.  It is right off I-64 at exit 156...looks like an abandoned gas station complete with an ancient Sunoco sign.  The service is a little slow but the food is worth the wait.  The coconut pie is to die for!!!