I'm leaving for the 4-J Big Piney Horse Camp on July 11th.  I was just wondering if there were any Missouri folks posting here who could tell me if the river would be flooded.  The camp is in Waynesville, south of Rolla, but north of Springfield.  I sure hope it's not flooded like last year.  We couldn't even take the horses across the river for the first couple days.  We couldn't float down the river, and the canoe guy wasn't even allowing canoes to go out.   I hope it's better this year.  Does anyone know how the water level of the Big Piney River is?

Amanda 

Didn't like the camp?  At first sight, it doesn't seem spectacular, but it's very acommodating with the air conditioned mess hall, laundry facility, farrier shed, riding arena, bathrooms & shower house, covered box stalls with provided bedding, wash racks....and the list could go on and on.  I've wanted to try a few other places than the 4-J but I just have such a good time there that I wouldn't want to take the chance of having a lousy time elsewhere for a vacation.

Thanks for your suggestion, I'll try calling them.  Really, there isn't anything I can do if the river IS flooded. I'm still going, but I just don't want to get my hopes up only to find that the river is too rough to play in.

Amanda

If you ever try Big Creek you won't have a lousy time,and the accommodations are wonderful.They do not have much cabin room however.

THey close down in July and August every year,tho.Reopen in Sept.

AngelMay24, how was your ride? We are going later in the fall and I am getting excited as we really haven't had the chance to go anywhere this year for longer than a weekend. This will be our first trip to 4J.

I just got back from 4J yesterday.  It was perfect as always.  I stuffed myself with three square meals a day, the farriers shod my horses perfectly, the river was just the perfect height.  It was cool and refreshing, but not too fast of a current.  Last year it was flooded and it was so stirred up you couldn't see the bottom at all.  This year it was so clear and beautiful.    I went to the bat cave, and got filthy dirty and smacked my shin on a stalagmite.  We went on a night ride when the moon was full.  My horses behaved....and unfortunately I rode an icelandic.  Now I'm hooked.  I saw this adorable little stout pony that was just the perfect size for me and the lady asked if I wanted a ride.  I had seen a little boy riding him bareback earlier and he didn't die, so I hopped on.  That little sucker could scoot!!! I didn't bounce a bit.  Sadly those ponies are in the 6,000 dollar price range.  I guess their gait is called the tolt....and it's just amazing and natural.

You will have so much fun at 4-J.  Make sure to reserve your spot for next year, you won't regret it.  Also, they've started doing a used tack swap & auction.  Bring your old stuff and they'll auction it off and you can really cut your bill by doing so.  Their tack shop has waaay to much good stuff to buy.  From shirts to training sticks to saddle bags, they have it all. I sold off a lot of my used stuff and I got some new stuff for basically nothing.

Amanda

Sounds great.  Can you post their website?  It would be quite a drive from central Texas but sounds like it might be worth it and there are plenty of places to overnight on the way.

Thanks, Kate

From what I have read and heard from other folks is that 4-J is only open during organized rides.

However, Big Creek Trail rides is open during non-organized events and is a very nice place to camp and ride.