TRAILS
Nearly all trails in the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park are open to horseback riding, but be warned that a few of them are not suitable for man or beast. These CERTIFIED ROTTEN trails are largely overgrown and have dozens of trees down along them. In some cases a horse can get around a tree, but often it is not possible, being extremely difficult even for hikers. For example, I hiked a trail that ran along a ridge, and a massive tree was down across it. There was a cliff straight down on one side and straight up on the other. I had to crawl through the branches to continue the hike, so it would be impossible for a horse to get through. Thus, no matter where you are riding, there is always a possibility that you will have to turn around due to a downed tree.
While you can ask a park Ranger about trail conditions before departing, most likely any given Ranger knows ZERO about the backcountry. However, it is possible that he or she might be aware of or heard about downed trees, so there is no harm in asking.
Even on the worst of the trails there are horse tracks, so people do ride on them. My bet is that the riders wanted to make a loop from multiple trails and just didn’t want to turn back, figuring that things are going to get better just around the corner. The journey on these CERTIFIED ROTTEN trails cannot be enjoyable by any stretch of the imagination.
TRAILS SUITABLE FOR HORSEBACK RIDING
The following is a list of trails that are very suitable for horseback riding, though it is possible that a tree will be down blocking the path on any given day. For photos and a description of the trails, check out my hiking reports here on National Park Planner.
Buffalo Creek Trail between the Maple Springs Trailhead and the Dry Prong Trail. I did not hike the section between Dry Prong and the Collie Ridge Trail, so I cannot comment on it.
Mill Branch Trail between the Big Hollow Trailhead and the Raymer Hollow Trail intersection.
Sal Hollow Trail between the Maple Springs Trailhead and the Turnhole Bend Trail. I did not hike the section between Turnhole Bend and the Buffalo Creek Trail, so I can’t comment on it.
A nice ride is the Wet Prong / Blair Springs Hollow / Collie Ridge loop starting from either the Lincoln Trailhead or the First Creek Trailhead.
TRAILS TO AVOID WHEN HORSEBACK RIDING
The following trails are CERTIFIED ROTTEN largely due to be extremely overgrown. There are also many downed trees on them. I’d feel bad suggesting to Adolf Hitler that he hike them, let alone ride on them.
While I did not hike the First Creek Trail, a buddy of mine did, and his description was very similar to what I experienced on the McCoy Hollow Trail.
The Mill Branch Trail between Raymer Hollow and the Collie Ridge Trail is close to being Certified Rotten. I don’t ride horses, but if I did, I wouldn’t take my horse on it. However, there’s plenty of horse tracks, so people do it, most likely those who want to make a loop with the Mill Branch, Raymer Hollow, and Collie Ridge trails.
PUBLIC TRAIL RIDES
For those without their own horse, there is one concessionaire with a permit to conduct trail rides within Mammoth Cave National Park, the Double J Riding Stables and Campground located near the Lincoln Trailhead.
TRAILER PARKING
Horse trailer parking is available at all backcountry trailheads except for the White Oak Trailhead. The Maple Springs Trailhead has spaces specifically for horse trailers.
CAMPING WITH YOUR HORSE
Camping with your horse is allowed at the Maple Springs Group Campground at campsites 1, 2, 3, and 4 only, and at the various Backcountry Campsites within Mammoth Cave National Park. I visited a few of these while hiking in the backcountry, and most had hitching posts very close to the camping area. However, at the Turnhole Bend Campsite the horses had to stay .3 mile from the camping area. Before choosing where to stay, be sure to ask a park Ranger about where the horses must be kept in relationship to the campsite.
For more information about horseback riding in Mammoth Cave National Park, see the National Park Service’s official Horseback Riding web page.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on September 14, 2024