Posted 2007-05-05 8:34 AM (#60424) Subject: Looking for Missouri riding
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Looking for areas to ride and camp for two to four days between Columbia to Kansas City either North or South of I70. Would be traveling from Southeast Iowa so any place in between would be nice to know too.
Wouldn't have to have electricity, water preferred for horses but I could also haul my own water.
Noticed some different areas of the Katy Trail and wondered if anyone was familiar enough the know about the trails and what area would be best.
Posted 2007-05-06 9:31 AM (#60457 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri
There are so many places to ride in Missouri!! We loved it so much we moved here... coming west and south from Iowa/St. Louis area you can find lots more than the Katy trail. If you go a couple of hours south there are many many many trails to ride; Eminence/Big Creek/Whispering Pines (nice and quiet...don't have to stay a week)/Big Piney/places near Plato and Lynchburg...Devils Backbone near Dora Missouri (getting into southwest Missouri there are lots more... Bar-K Wranglers camp (about 110 miles of trail,prinitive camping) Hercules Glades and so many more we ride and love!! Be sure your horses are well shod and like water crossings... Happy Trails.
PS:
If you have time, TAKE TIME to see the Buffalo River just two hours from Springfield, Missouri. We go to Erbie (primitive camping with fire rings,tables, and room for portable pens..) it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever imagined riding in...blue holes to swim in. waterfalls. rock formations that are stunning. Riding there is a religious experience!
Posted 2007-05-06 2:14 PM (#60463 - in reply to #60459) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Expert
Posts: 2614
It IS wonderful.Some of the best riding anyplace.And living in Arkansas I can attest to the fact that we are the lucky residents of the state of the Buffalo River,the first river to be named a scenic National river.It is great riding there.
Posted 2007-05-06 4:15 PM (#60473 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
I agree with the other poster on the Buffalo River. This is the most spectacular scenary in the mid-west. We stay at Steele Creek. The hill getting down into the campground area is a bit steep, but just go slow and you'll be fine. You can also purchase a water-proof map from borders, amazon, forest service etc. It shows all points of interest with off shoots from the main trail. I've been to Shawnee in IL with it's big stoney bluffs, but prefer the Buffalo since the river scenary adds to its beauty. And there are elk too that bugle in the fall!
Steele Creek has a couple water spigots and tie line posts. And if you have time and someone to keep an eye on your horses, take a day and float the buffalo too. It's amazing.
Posted 2007-05-06 9:06 PM (#60480 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Can't blame you for moving to Missouri for riding. I have been to the 4J, Emminence, Shawnee, Arkansas, Indianna and still love Missouri, it's God's country!
I was just trying to find some riding for a small group of friends traveling from different directions to meet for a weekend and west central Missouri would be the most central location for us.
Tell me more about Buffalo River, it's a place I have a goal to see someday. Are there places to stay that have organized rides that serve meals? Any places with water and electrical service? My camper is set up where I wouldn't have to have either but some of my friends aren't. Depends on what group I go with, one wants meals served the other would rather cook themselves.
Posted 2007-05-09 1:07 PM (#60612 - in reply to #60480) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
The parking is tight at Steele Creek, but if you can get an end spot it's not too bad. The hardest part is backing in from the road... on the other side of the road is a ditch and pasture fence. Erbie is a wide open pasture area.
If you do not have a self-contained LQ and need to shower there is a nice pay shower in the town of Ponca. Which is about 5 miles away. Beautiful scenary so you won't mind the drive.
Since this a protected water-way area, they don't allow grey water to be dumped on the ground so that makes Cowboy Showers a no-no. Although I wonder how dirty can grey water be compared to campers washing dishes outside and horse pee??? Funny park rules.
As far as organized rides I have not heard of any. There use to be a camp called Buffalo River Retreat, but not sure if they are still in business. I like to camp right near the trail heads and this camp was several miles away.
Campsites are on a first come, first serve basis so Holiday weekends are very busy. Steele Creek has 14 sites and Erbie has 5 sites. There is a limit of 6 people and 4 horses per site.
Posted 2007-05-12 4:15 AM (#60706 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Veteran
Posts: 285
Debbie, there is place called Cedar Creek located about 15 miles south of Columbia. Primitive, but they have a water spigot. Depending on what kind of horses you ride, probably 2 to 3 days worth of riding. You can email me at dkirkwood@centurytel.net if you want more info. Debbie
Posted 2007-05-12 7:21 PM (#60717 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Veteran
Posts: 179
Location: Illinois
Do you have any more imformation for the campground around Buffalo River. Is Erbie the name of the town or campground? Is there a web site? I told my husband and he said let go down there this fall. So I'm hunting for more imformation. Any that you could give I sure would apprieciate it.
Thanks
Happy Safe Trails
Shari
Posted 2007-05-13 11:09 AM (#60729 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Veteran
Posts: 212
Location: novinger, mo
We like Whispering Pines which is along the Current River. Elec. and water, I think they have a little food stand, at least on the weekends. for those without LQ they have showers. Nothing fancy.
Nice shady, (in the pines trees) campsites, great trails, some rocky, lots of river riding and lots of beautiful forest to ride in. There is tons of riding there! Plenty for what you want. It is about 1 hour south from Rolla, Mo in a town called Jadwin.
Posted 2007-05-13 11:56 AM (#60731 - in reply to #60424) Subject: RE: Looking for Missouri riding
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO
Shady Point, a new campground near Fredericktown Missouri has shaded campsites with water and electric and several barns with nice stalls
It's only been open about 2 years. It's in the middle of the Mark Twain National Forest. Ride out of camp and you're in the Mark Twain. Nice wooded trails and nice friendly owners. Would be fine for a long weekend.It's about an hour an a half south of St. Louis I-55 to hwy 67. Just past Farmington. I don't think that they have a web site you'll have to get their phone number from yellow pages.com