What are the best riding times?

We open for spring riding the beginning of May (weather permitting).There are some seasons that snow is still on the ground the beginning of May which delays our opening. The best spring trail riding are the months of May and June.In mid-August the fly season is coming to an end and temperatures moderate for good trail riding. The months of September and October are excellent for cooler weather riding and fall colors.

Are you open year round?

We are open from May through October.

What are your check-in and check-out times?

Check in time is 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (NO late evening arrivals) 
Check out time is 1:00 p.m. 

Are there bugs?

Yes, we are located in Minnesota! There are ticks anytime the temperature reaches 40 degrees or higher. We ALWAYS recommend tick preventive for your horse and yourself. Ask your veterinarian for the most current tick preventive recommendations. The fly season begins mid-June and continues through the first of August. Head/face masks and fly sheets in combination with repellent sprays give your horse the most relief throughout the riding season. These also work well for gnats.

Can I bring my dog?

We DO NOT allow any dogs/pets in our cabins (no exceptions). Some canine visitors have stayed in their own horse trailer rigs or kenneled in the barn. There is wildlife in the area that could be dangerous to pets.

Do you provide firewood?

Firewood can be gathered on trails or in the woods near both of the cabins. Firewood must be certified free of invasive species if you are transporting.  There is certified firewood available in the area. We have some firewood available to guests with a donation asked for our efforts.

What To Bring

Our cabins have fully furnished kitchens.  There is a charcoal grill (you provide your own charcoal and lighter fluid).

Towels and bedding are provided except for pillows (you will need to bring your own). 

We have transitioned to a Clean Farm. This means you take and dispose of your own trash when you leave (garbage bags provided).  We will continue to process your recycling but ask that you consider minimizing plastics for a cleaner environment.  It is well known that single-use plastics like cutlery, plates, packaging, etc… are Big Oil company’s most lucrative market and are not recyclable.

Horse Trail Passes are required to ride in State Forests

What else is there to do in the area?

The area has many options of other entertainment and outdoor activities. There is canoe, kayaking, and tubing on the both the Shell and Crow Wing rivers while area lakes offer boating and fishing options. The Heartland trail begins in Park Rapids which is an excellent bike trail. Itasca Park where the Mississippi Headwaters begin is just 20 miles north of Park Rapids. There are several community celebrations that occur during the year. Check out our link section for multiple ideas of touring the area.

Do you have maps of the horse trails available?

You can download the free “Avenza” app on your device and use it to open PDF maps provided by the Minnesota DNR. Once the app is downloaded, you type in the trail system you are looking for (i.e. Huntersville State Forest). The map is geo-referenced and will place a blue locator dot on the map wherever you take your device, even if you are out of cellular range. There are other map applications available that our riders have on their phones. It is best to download and familiarize yourself with the app you prefer prior to your arrival.