Author: Kelly Hurd (Page 11 of 12)

Call before you haul to be sure this park is open.

McCowan Valley Equestrain Center/Trails is owned and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Website: www.recreation.gov or Toll-free reservation line: 1-877-444-6777 (10:00 AM – Midnight EST)

Location: Whitney, Texas

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
31.95, -97.38306
31°57’0″N, 97°22’59″W
Mailing Address:
MCCOWN VALLEY
283 McCown Valley Park Road
Whitney TX 76692

Directions: From the City of Whitney, Texas, go north on FM 933 to FM 1713. Turn left on FM 1713. Continue on FM 1713 until the road forks. Stay left at the fork, this road becomes Spur 1713.  FM 1713 dead ends into the park.  There are two gated entrances, normally the gate house on the right is open for all park visitors.

Contact: Tel. (254-622-3332), Always be sure to call before arriving, especially if you wish to stay overnight as reservations for overnight camping may be required.

Park Hours: The park gate house is open and manned from 6am – 10pm, from 10pm – 5:59am the gates are closed.

Equestrian Camping: Allowed!

Cost: $1 per person for day riding and $20 a night for equestrian camping.

Mileage: Exact mileage is unknown at this time. The park consists of approximately 3,000 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Whitney.

Terrain: McCown Valley is a wonderful place to ride, shoes or boots for your horse are not a necessity due to the soft footing.  The sand is fairly deep in some areas giving your horse a real work out.  Horses not used to the deep sand may fatigue so be mindful not to over do it. Avoid riding off trail along the shore line and beware of possible mud bogs, especially if the lake waters are low. Some trails are heavily wooded with lots of shade and other trails are in the open.  Trails are mostly flat, with the exception of one small area. Several trails are wide and will accommodate wagons/carts.

TETRA group campsite

Facilities: McCown has three areas in the park just for equestrians! They are the day use area, TETRA group campsite, and the 29 site equestrian campground.

Day Use & TETRA Group Campsite –The day use and the group campsite are located next to each other but divided by a pipe railing.   The group campsite was put in by TETRA (Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association), a strong resource for trail development and improvement in Texas.  The overnight group camping area has 10 covered  stalls provided by TETRA (Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association) and 10 electrical hookups with water.  Running water is located in both the day use and overnight group campsite and there are portable restrooms.   The parking area is large with plenty of room to maneuver your truck and trailer. Gate access to the trails is located on the southwest side of the day use area.

Horse pens at the Equestrian Campsite.

Friendly bow hunters in their camo at McCown. Nov. 2013.

29 Site Equestrian Campground – The facilities at the 29-site gated equestrian campground are nice. You need a code (get this from the attendant in the gatehouse) to enter this gated facility. This site is separate from the group campsite and day use trailhead. When entering the front coded access gate of the equestrian campsite, immediately look to your left, you will see a path that leads to a the trails. This is on the southwest area of the equestrian campsite (note the map makes look like the trail access in this area is on the southeast area of this campsite further away from the entrance gate, but that is not correct.) When entering this campground on your right side you will find campsites nestled under trees while in the center and to your left the sites are in the open grassy areas. Each site has water and electricity (50 and 30amp), picnic table, fire ring, barbecue grill, lantern hangers, and two tie posts.  Picnic tables in the open areas are covered and on concrete slabs while the picnic tables in the shady forest nooks are not. Pens are available on a first come, first serve basis and are located on the west and east ends of the campground. The pens are identical on both sides and consist of four large side by side pipe pens which can be sectioned off to form eight smaller pens, providing a total of 16 small pens for the entire campsite.  Half of the pens are covered. At the center of the campground is a restroom facility with flushing toilets, hot and cold running water, showers, and a handy hitching post.  The only downside to the campground is a very heavy preponderance of grass burrs.  It seems that within the park, the equestrian campground is the worst and thickest area of grass burrs.  The burrs were unavoidable and easily stuck everywhere; in lead ropes, pants legs, on the horses, on our poor dog, on tack, in the trailer, and in my skin – ouch!  Hopefully this situation will improve, but I’d recommend a campsite under the trees and not out in the open grassy areas.

Hunting: Please note hunting is allowed at this park so keep in mind when hunting season is open while planning your ride.

Pets: Allowed but must be on leash.

Cell Phone Service: Fair to good cell phone service

Trail Users: Park use is shared by equestrians, hikers, cyclists, hunters, wildlife, and cattle.  ATV and motorized vehicles are not allowed. 


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Are you feeling adventurous? Then visit Lazy F and explore miles of unmarked trails.

Website: https://www.trailridetexas.com/

Location: Latitude: 29.260278 Longitude: -97.554168, Smiley, TX 78159 Map

Contact: Clay Allen #210/391-6378, PO Box 9, Smiley, TX 78159
Lazy FRanch at gmail dot com

Hours: Make arrangements ahead of time with Clay through e-mail or phone before arriving. Once you get to the main guest house the owner, Clay Allen, requests you make yourself at home and give him a call. Clay or a ranch hand will meet and greet you there. However, if no one is around you can put your fees in the box on Clay’s desk and sign yourself in at the main house.

Directions:
-From San Antonio – Take US 87 toward Victoria. Go to Smiley Texas. At Yellow Blinking Light in Smiley, continue on 87 toward Victoria for approx 4.5 miles. Look for FM 1116, turn left (only way to turn). Go 1 mile (cross Sandies Creek bridge) and look for large white cattle guard on right that says (LOS ARROYOS LAZY F RANCH). Turn in and go to main house.

-From Austin – Take US 183 to Luling (4 way stop at RR tracks). Continue straight on US 80 to Nixon (to 4 way stop at US 87 – Dairy Queen and Tiger Tote). Turn left on US 87 toward Smiley and Victoria. Go to Smiley Texas. At Yellow Blinking Light in Smiley, continue on 87 toward Victoria for approx 4.5 miles. Look for FM 1116, turn left (only way to turn). Go 1 mile (cross Sandies Creek bridge) and look for large white cattle guard on right that says (LOS ARROYOS LAZY F RANCH). Turn in and go to main house.

-From Houston – Take I-10 to US 97. Turn left on US 97 at Waelder (second exit) and go to Gonzales. As you enter Gonzales there is a 4-Way Stop Light at a small shopping center on the left where the American National Bank is located. This is US 90-A, turn right. Continue on US 90-A past WalMart, Tractor Supply, Caraway Ford, Guadalupe Valley Electric Coop, and continue through the stop light past MacDonalds. At the stop light at US 183 Bypass and US 90-A (Bucees Convenience Store and Fuel Stop) turn left. Leave Gonzales towards Cuero past Independence Park. Cross the Guadalupe River Bridge and go 1 mile to the “Y” at US 183 and US 97 (to Nixon) (located in the “Y” is Circle G Truck Stop and Convenience Store). Bear right on US 97 and go 1 mile and cross a long low-rail bridge and turn left on FM 1116 (only way to turn). Go 15.5 miles (you will pass through the town of Pilgrim). Look for large white cattle guard on left that says (LOS ARROYOS LAZY F RANCH). Turn in and go to main house. If you go to US 87, turn around and go back 1 mile.

-From Houston – Take US 59 to US 87 in Victoria. Take US 59 from Houston to Victoria. As you are coming into Victoria on US 59, take N. Loop 463 to the right and go around Victoria to US 87 (approx 7 miles). Take US 87 to Cuero, being careful to turn left on US 87 at McDonalds across from the Exxon. Approx 3 miles out of Cuero, you will cross the big iron Guadalupe River Bridge, remember to bear to the right at the “Y” and stay on US 87. When you pass through Westhoff, go 7 more miles. You will top a hill with a Sprint PCS telephone tower on the right. Cross both the big bridges and go 1/2 mile further to a sweeping left hand curve in US 87. In the curve is FM 1116 to Pilgrim and Gonzales. Turn right on FM 1116 (only way to turn). Go 1 mile and look for large white cattle guard on the right that says (LOS ARROYOS LAZY F RANCH). Turn in and go to main house. If you miss it and go to the town of Pilgrim, turn around and go back 3 miles.

Facilities: Running water, bathrooms, camping, 7  RV / LQ trailer electric and water hookups,  pens, picnic tables, large shade trees, hitching posts, and several rental cabins, with a pool (for an extra fee pool can be heated in the winter).

Rental cottages with pool.

Fees: Prices may change so please call the ranch for the most current information.
-Riding for the day on your own horse $15.00
-Primitive tent/Camper/living quarters trailer with no hook ups $10.00 a night
-Camper/living quarters trailer or RV with water/electric hook ups $20.00 a night (there are 7)
-Camper with hook ups and sewer $30 a night (there is two; #6 & #7)
-Wagons $20.00 a day or $50.00 Friday through Sunday
-Covered stall $10.00 a night (there are 18)
-Rent a room for $90.00 – $225.00 a night for 1-2 people

Phone Service:  I was able to get good phone service on the ranch and from the inside of the trailer.  I do have AT&T so I’m not sure about the other providers.

Covered barn with 18 stalls.

Covered stalls.

Electric/water hook ups at Lazy F Ranch.

Lazy F Ranch satellite view:

Image provided by Lazy F.

Terrain: Mostly sandy with open and wooded areas

Mileage: Enough to host an endurance ride. Lazy F Ranch reports there are 75 miles of trails on 2500 acres.

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Happy Horse Hotel

Review provided by: Karen Boone

Website:  www.happyhorsehotel.com

Location/Contact
860 Pope Bend North
Cedar Creek TX 78612
512-303-0589

GPS: N 30° 11.050′ W 97° 26.315′

Happy Horse Hotel is a campground for Equestrians. It is the only overnight park of its kind conveniently located right by  McKinney Roughs Nature Park. It is approximately a 2 hour drive from Houston and a 3 hour drive from Santa Fe, TX. The horse hotel is run and owed by Hollis and Beaux. It is located right up the road from the Pope Bend Park Entrance for the McKinney Roughs Nature Park.  It has 7 RV spots and 2 bungalows.  There is 1 outhouse available, which is shared by everyone.  The RV spots are 30 amp and each have water hookups. There are 20 horse pens and 2 covered stalls available. The bigger bungalow sleeps 3-4 people with 2 twins and one king size bed. The small bungalow which is brand new as of Sept 2010, sleeps 2-3 with one single and one double bed. Each bungalow has a full kitchen, but no running water. The larger bungalow has it’s own outside shower behind it. There is another shower available for the rest of the campers to use. These showers are awesome as they are outside and you get to shower with the stars.

For those of you who need it, Hollis and Beaux offer a shuttle service for you and your horse to the trail head .  This is the way to go if you are camping in a big rig, we use it all the time. They also offer discount day passes for the park. We try to make a trip to the HH (Happy Horse Hotel) as often as we can. The owners are great and make you feel right at home. Dogs are allowed (except in the bungalows) as long as they are well behaved. There are trails behind the camp area which are fun for a quick evening ride. They just kind of weave in and out and are fun to just jump on your horse and do bare back.

This place is a must for anyone heading to McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Please checkout their website for great pictures and information.

Rates:

RV Spots $20 per night

Horses $10 per night – whether you use there pens or not.

Lg Bungalow $75-95 per night (depending on how many people)

Sm Bungalow $75 per night

Park Ride fee: $5.00 per day

Guided Rides $40 for 1-2 riders ( no time limit)

McKinney Roughs provides several scenic views for both you and your horse’s enjoyment.

Please note that a section of Coyote Road at Riverside is closed so you can’t ride from Riverside to Deep Sandy with out taking the long way around on Yaupon.  Blue Stem trail is also closed.  Trail closures are due to washouts.

Website:

http://www.lcra.org/parks/developed_parks/mckr_features/mckr_equestrian_information.html

Location:

1884 Hwy 71 West
Cedar Creek, TX 78612

(near Bastrop and close to Austin)

Contact:

24 hr. Trail Hotline 512/578-7427, after hours 512/482-6322, business hours 512/303-5073

Directions:

Off Hwy 71, apx. 13 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on the westbound side.

Mileage:

The equestrian trails total 12 miles. This park totals 17.8 miles of trail, however, some of those trails are for hiking only.

Cost:

$12.00 per rider, you pay by the honor system by filling out a slip then depositing payment and slip stub in the metal box.

Trail Map:

Maps can also be picked up at the payment boxes which are located at the entrances of the two trail heads.

Facilities:

This park has two equestrian trail heads.  Both trail heads offer running water, a portable bathroom, 12 by 12 pens, picnic tables, mounting block, and sturdy hitching posts. No electricity is provided at the trail heads. Along the trail there are rest areas with running water and bucket, hitching post, picnic table, and mounting blocks. The trail is well marked.

The Highway 71 trail head is located on the westbound side of State Highway 71 just 1/4 mile east of the McKinney Roughs entrance. The trailhead allows immediate access to the east side of the park. This trail head also offers a round pen and wash rack and is spacious with grass and shade trees.

HWY 71 Trail Head Entrance

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Website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/guadalupe_river/

Contact: 830/438-2656

Location: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070

Directions: Located off of HWY 46 between Spring Branch and Boerne
click here for directions/map
click here for the trail map

Mileage: 5.3

Facilities: At the equestrian parking there is no running water, pens, or restrooms.  There is a picnic table, two benches, and the park replaced the old wooden hitching posts with sturdy silver pipe hitching posts. Restrooms are located in the main areas of the park.  A water trough is located at the back of the park off trail loop three, however, in Sept. 2011 this trough was empty and the facet was inaccessible, so there was no water on the trail. There is also no access to the river from the horse trails.

Overnight Camping: No equestrian camping is available at the park. The front entrance gate to the park is locked in the evenings, check with park headquarters for exact time.

Terrain: The park is very rocky and extremely rocky on the loop 3 trail.

Cost: $7 per day paid at the gated entrance headquarters.

Description: Guadalupe River State Park is located along the boundary of Comal and Kendall Counties. It was acquired by deed from private owners in 1974 and was opened to the public in 1983. The park is 1938.7-acres of rugged Texas hill country which includes about five miles of equestrian trail shared by bikers and hikers.  Upon entering the park there is a gated check station.  The park ranger will check your Coggins, collect park fees, and provide you with a map.  Restrooms are located at this station but not at the equestrian trail head. The equestrian trail head/parking is an immediate sharp right from the check station/park entrance.

The equestrian parking area is primitive with no running water or restrooms.  The parking area is of medium size with enough room to maneuver your rig.  There is one picnic table, two benches which could be used as mounting blocks, and the park replaced the old wooden hitching post with a strong silver pipe hitching post.  The trail begins on the north side of the equestrian parking area.  The trails are well marked, easy to follow, and categorized into four loops.  The trails are fairly rugged, very rocky, and wooded.  There are few breaks of softer/smoother ground.  The equestrian trail does not allow access to the Guadalupe river.  The only water source on the trail is a trough located on the north side of the Loop 3 trail. However, in Sept. of 2011 this water trough was empty and the facet was inaccessible, so there was no water on the trail.  The equestrian trail also does not allow for clear views of the river.  Although part of Loop 3 parallels the river the view is mostly blocked by the terrain and woods.  Despite the disappointment of not getting a clear view of the river or access to it, a pleasing visual experience was provided by  the rugged Texas hill country, big oaks, and cacti.

For trail riders who wish to go a short distance, teach their horse to watch his/her step, and who own a good set of horse boots, or have shoes on their horses, or own a horse with extremely tough hooves this might be an all right trail.  However, for riders who want some distance and don’t want to chance injuring their horse on rough rocks this might not be the right trail for you.  Please note on the trail map, Loop 3 where it states rough terrain, they aren’t kidding.

Loop 3 rocks, I did not get a shot of the roughest spots. You can see a tiny glimpse of the river between the two trees on the left.

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