Author: Kelly Hurd (Page 7 of 12)

The Trinity Trail Preservation Assn. maintains the 26 mile long Trinity Trail along Lake Lavon in Collin County, TX. Information on the trail can be found at www.trinitytrailriders.org.

There are three trailheads from south to north: East Fork, Brockdale and Highland Park. At the southern end is the East Fork day use trailhead, plus an equestrian campground which is part of the US Army Corps of Engineers East Fork Park. There are 11 pull through spaces big enough for the biggest rigs, two pens per site, water, electric, covered picnic tables, a pavilion and showers and bathrooms. 

Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov. From East Fork to Brockdale is about ten miles. Half-way there is a small picnic area at Collin Park. Brockdale to Highland Park is about 7.5 miles and the northern loop is eight miles. At the farthest point of the northern loop is the second-largest Sycamore Tree in Texas and it is worth seeing! The trail is appropriate for beginners and the terrain varies along the way from cedars to meadows to an old hardwood forest along a large creek.

Website:

Water Tank

http://www.tarrantranch.com/

Location: Bullard, TX

Contact: Will Tarrant 903/574-1763

or james@tarrantranch.com

Mailing Address:
Tarrant Ranch
P.O. Box 286
Bullard, TX 75757

Directions: Tarrant Ranch is located between Mount Selman and Bullard.

From Tyler and coming south on HWY 69 south of Bullard turn right on 3701, you will see a cemetery sign and then take a right on 3704 (a small gravel road).  The Tarrant Ranch entrance will be about a quarter mile down on the left.

From Jacksonville on HWY 69 go left on 3701 (it will be just before you get into Bullard), watch for an old cemetery sign and then turn right on 3704 (a small gravel road).  The Tarrant Ranch entrance will be about a quarter mile down on the left.

Camping: Weekend camping overnight with your horses is allowed.

 Tickets/Passes  and waiver forms for riding and camping can be purchased at Withers Tack and Accessories located at 301 US 69, Tyler, TX 75702 #903/894-5137. Store hours M-F 9am – 6am and Saturday 9am – 2pm.  Closed on Sundays.

Fees are subject to change please call for the most current prices:

$12.00 Day rides (Friday and Saturday 7am until dark and Sunday 7am – 6pm)

$8.00 per night (Friday and Saturday nights)

$500 annual membership – seven day a week access to the ranch and camping

Hours:  Friday and Saturday 7am until dark and Sunday 7am – 6pm. Camping is on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hunting: No hunting is allowed near the trails, however, hog hunts are organized on the ranch property away from the trails.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed but do need to be kept on a leash.

Facilities: The facilities are primitive. The ranch does not have water or electric hookups. There is a water tank (blue with the ranch brand), plenty of ponds and streams, but no water faucets. There is no bathroom/shower facility but there are a few porta potties.  The porta potties are a little rough but get the job done. I also noticed two horse pens near a pond under some shade trees.  There are lots of tall trees you can high tie or picket your horse to, be sure to use tree savers or an old girth to protect the trees. The Ranch has a huge amount of space to maneuver  large rigs, campers, and living quarter trailers.  It is really a gorgeous camp / trail head area.

Mileage: Approximately 30 miles of equestrian trails are accessible at Tarrant Ranch.

Map:

TARRANT RANCH TRAIL RIDING AREA  (Thanks to Stephanie Sampson for providing this map!)

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Website: http://www.karankawa.com/

Location: Pierce, TX (Gulf Coast Area)

Contact: P.O. Box 587 – Pierce, Texas 77467 tel. (979)532.8980

Email: la3a@flash.net

Description: Pierce Ranch (a.k.a Karankawa Plains) is a hunting ranch/resort that opens up its ranch to horseback riders during the off season.  They are located on the Texas Gulf Coast area, in the small town of Pierce.  The ranch is off of U.S. Highway 59, between Wharton and El Campo, and consists of approximately 32,000 acres of pastureland, rice and row crops.  They offer cabins to rent, most of which are tucked away in trees which offer scenic discovery of your own trails.  Footing is pretty much dirt and sand.

At this time they do not allow day rides, but do rent out several cabins and a lodge for larger groups.  You can also bring LQ Trailers if the cabin you rent can accommodate them with parking space.  However, they do not have water and electric hook ups for LQ trailers, so generators are needed in the hotter times of the year.  They do not provide horse pens, but there are lots of trees to picket to.  No marked trails but lots of riding and space to discover your own trails.  I’ve stayed at Pierce Ranch several times, once at the Lodge, twice at the Hollywood House and several times at the Lake House.

My favorite is the Lake House, as it has a very nice pond with canoes and the Colorado River is right across the way.  It’s quiet, beautiful and very peaceful.  Each cabin offers a little different accommodations (i.e., the Hollywood House has air-conditioning, and Lake House does not), so you need to plan the right cabin during the right time of the year.  I’ve attached a few pictures of the Lake House (see below).

This is not a place that’s designed for equestrians specifically, but if you are equipped, you can have a lot of fun here.  I have always enjoyed myself at Pierce Ranch.

There is no extra charges to bring your own horses when renting a cabin.  Since the trails are not marked you may want to bring a compass or GPS system if you want to thoroughly explore the ranch.   Guided riding tours are offered for an additional cost.

All the cabins and prices are listed on their website, and there is also a map of the cabins located at:

http://www.karankawa.com/map.htm

To make reservations, or get more information, contact Velda at 979-532-8980.

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Willis Creek Park Equestrian trailhead is full of Bluebonnets in the spring, making for great picture opportunities. This photo of American Indian/Colonial Spanish horses and their riders was taken on March 24th, 2012.

Website: http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Willis_Creek_Tx/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71502

Location:

WILLIS CREEK
2900 CR 249
GRANGER TX 76530

GPS Information:

(Latitude, Longitude):
30.69583, -97.40139
30°41’45″N, 97°24’5″W

Contact:

(512)859-2668

8am-4:30pm Monday – Friday

Directions to the trailhead:

Willis Creek Park is located between Taylor and Granger, TX off of HWY 95. From highway 95, just outside of Granger, turn east onto County Road 346, this road dead ends into 348. Turn right on 348.  348 will then make a 90 degree turn to the left.  Continue on 348 to the park entrance (you will see signs).  Once entering the park continue forward a short ways.  The Equestrian area is on the right, across the street from the restroom facility and RV camping area.

Camping:

Camping with your horse at Willis Creek Park is allowed but the horses must remain in the Equestrian area, which is primitive camping.  There are no electrical or water hook ups, but there is running water.

Camping reservations may be made through the National Reservation System (NRRS) by calling 4 days in advance to 1-877-444-6777 or on the internet at www.reserveusa.com .

Cost:

$4.00 per trailer for day riding

$10.00 a night for camping per vehicle in the Equestrian trail head/area.

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Please Note – Update February 2015 –

There has been some changes to this park, many areas are now restricted to horses due to a new wood cable fence and gates; it is also overgrown. Please visit the park first without your horse to determine if this is a place you want to ride or not. I have received messages from two different riders that due to the gates and overgrowth the riding here is very restricted and it is hardly worth coming out for.   Unless you live extremely close and can ride over you may not want to mess with hauling your horses here.  There is no longer a good area to park your truck and trailer anymore. Thank you WTTA users for updating us on the condition of this park.

Website:

http://cbnp.us/

Location:

800 Community Circle,

Schertz, TX 78154

Contact:

Schertz Animal Services #210/619-1550 – Office hours 9am-5pm

Monday through Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday

1298 Borgfeld Road, Schertz, TX 78154

Email:

info@cbnp.us

Directions:

From FM 78 in Cibolo, turn south onto S. Main, turn right onto W. Schaefer, cross over Cibolo Creek, and then you will see the entrance to the park on your right.

Park Hours:

The Park Hours are from dawn to dusk.

Cost:

In order to ride at Crescent Bend Nature Park you must purchase a permit ahead of time from Schertz Animal Services and you will also have to provide proof of your horse’s negative Coggins.

$15.00 for a three day riding permit which is good for up to four riders

or

$100.00 for a one year riding permit which is also good for up to four riders

Camping:

Overnight camping is not permitted at this time.

Dogs:

Dogs are allowed and this is a park in which people often walk their dogs.  Dogs must be on a lease at all times and owners are to remove/scoop up their puppy’s waste.

Hunting:

Hunting is not allowed

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