Equestrian
Things Around Damascus
Trails
The
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers outstanding
opportunities for horseback riding. Except for the Appalachian
Trail (marked with white painted blazes) and a few other trails
clearly labeled as being closed to horse use, horses are allowed
on all trails throughout the NRA. In all, over 200 miles of
trail are open to equestrians.
Virginia
Highlands Horse Trail
The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (orange paint blazes) stretches
for over 67 miles from Highway 600 at Elk Garden to Route 94
not far from Ivanhoe, Virginia. This trail traverses the fragile
and beautiful High Country of the National Recreation Area and
can sometimes be crowded on weekends and holidays.
Camps
High
Country Horse Camp
Located
adjacent to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. http://www.highcountryhorsecamp.com
Fox
Creek Horse Camp
Located between Troutdale and Konnarock (about 18 miles east
of Damascus), at the junction of Highways 603 and 741, this
primitive facility is favored by horse campers. Features include
hitching posts and access to horse watering. Portable toilets,
but no drinking water or showers. Showers are available at Grindstone
Campground for a fee. The camp offers access to the Virginia
Highlands Horse Trail, Iron Mountain Trail, and trails to Mount
Rogers High Country. Open year around. This camp is a fee area.
A very popular destination on weekends and holidays from April-September.
Hussy
Mountain Horse Camp
Located on Forest Road 14, two miles east of Highway 21 on the
east end of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Features
include hitching rails, horse trailer parking, and chemical
flush toilets. Open year-around; fee area. The camp offers access
to the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.
Raven
Cliff Horse Camp
The camp is about a mile east of Raven Cliff Campground, just
south of Highway 642. Its features include hitching rails, chemical
flush toilets and horse trailer parking. The camp offers access
to Virginia Highlands Horse Trail and is open year-around.
Horse
Sense
Good health and proper shots prevent diseases from spreading.
Virginia State Law requires that all horses must have proof
of a negative Coggins Test within the past year. Horses from
other States must also have a valid certificate of health. Recommended,
but not required, inoculations are: influenza, rhinopneumonitis,
and eastern and western encephalitis.
Before
going out, make sure that your horse's shoes are secure and
that the animal is sound on all four feet. If your horse's
respiration becomes jerky or irregular while on the trail,
stop and let it recover. Then walk out.
Taking a break on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.
Special
Considerations
Always hobble horses or tie them to a hitchline or picket line.
NEVER tie them to a tree, even for a few minutes. Camp and tether
horses at least 100 feet from streams or springs. Wash bodies
and dishes well away from streams & springs.
Always stay on the trail. CUTTING ACROSS SWITCHBACKS IS ILLEGAL.
Taking shortcuts will quickly destroy the beauty you came to
enjoy.
Equestrians may use nearly every trail in the NRA (except where
indicated as no horses) including those in wildernesses. The
major exception is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail which
is reserved for hikers only. A few other trails off limits to
horses are clearly signed. Please do not trespass on these trails.
PACK IT IN --- PACK IT OUT! If you packed it in full, you can
surely pack it out empty. This goes for cigarette packs and
butts also. Did you know that a cigarette filter takes 10 years
to decompose?
When it has been unusually rainy, avoid using certain trails.
Use hard packed forest roads instead. Always practice no trace
camping. Build only small campfires, use a stove for cooking,
and clean up after yourself. Most maintenance work on trails
is done by volunteers, folks just like you who enjoy riding,
hiking, or bicycling. If you'd like to have better trails, volunteer!
There's no finer way to maintain and improve the good image
of horseback riders than pitching in with trail maintenance.
Discussion
of nearby trails in Horsetrailerworld.com.
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