Spending time doing an outdoor activity is always a great way to unwind. For many people, going for an afternoon swim at the beach would make for a perfect day. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, however, try trail riding Hoosier National Forest.
The forest covers nine counties in the state of Indiana. Its authorities are headquartered in Bedford. There is a satellite office in Tell City as well. Its total area is 200000 acres. It is famed for its nature trails that welcome thousands of hikers and riders year in year out.
The most enjoyable way to explore its nature trails is by horse. A relaxed daylong ride will definitely stoke your interest in nature. The scenic views on its ridges are certainly among the best of the best in the US.
Before planning your trip to the area, it is important to understand what the ground rules are. For one, you should know that there are no horses available for hire at the forest. You will have to bring your own horse or look for a stable that is close by if you can find any.
When added up, the trail distance totals 266 miles. On a typical day, you may come across other horse riders, hikers and bike riders. There are many campgrounds scattered within its vicinity too. Majority of them are aptly located next to the big lakes dotting the landscape. There are 5 total designated horse camps.
The tiny winding roads that line the woods have an abundance of wildlife. For this reason, ensure you remain alert always. A simple encounter that may spook your horse may leave you injured and in urgent need of assistance. Some common animals you may spot include opossum, foxes, gray squirrel, woodchuck and white tailed deer.
Some sections of the woods, especially those overlooking ridges, are perfect for bird watching. Most riders like to carry their cameras to capture shots of rare birds. Commonly spotted birds include the pileated woodpecker, migrant songbirds, waterfowls and turkey. There are bats and other rare birds that reside in the many caves present as well.
Safety should be your primary concern when in the area. For starters, ensure you pack your vehicle away from the road once you arrive. Remember that most of the roads in the woods are narrow and have sharp bends. It would be dangerous and unfair for other users to block the road.
On windy days, try to exercise extra precaution. Strong winds often cause trees and branches to fall. As much as the authorities conduct cleanup exercises, there are areas that might be overlooked inadvertently. The same precaution should be extended to hunting season. A hunter may have a hard time differentiating you from prey in case you fail to put on reflective clothing.
The rules also stipulate that hikers and bikers must yield to horse riders upon encounter. However, you should signal that you are approaching in advance. Popping up out of nowhere can be unfair and hazardous to those yielding to you.
The forest covers nine counties in the state of Indiana. Its authorities are headquartered in Bedford. There is a satellite office in Tell City as well. Its total area is 200000 acres. It is famed for its nature trails that welcome thousands of hikers and riders year in year out.
The most enjoyable way to explore its nature trails is by horse. A relaxed daylong ride will definitely stoke your interest in nature. The scenic views on its ridges are certainly among the best of the best in the US.
Before planning your trip to the area, it is important to understand what the ground rules are. For one, you should know that there are no horses available for hire at the forest. You will have to bring your own horse or look for a stable that is close by if you can find any.
When added up, the trail distance totals 266 miles. On a typical day, you may come across other horse riders, hikers and bike riders. There are many campgrounds scattered within its vicinity too. Majority of them are aptly located next to the big lakes dotting the landscape. There are 5 total designated horse camps.
The tiny winding roads that line the woods have an abundance of wildlife. For this reason, ensure you remain alert always. A simple encounter that may spook your horse may leave you injured and in urgent need of assistance. Some common animals you may spot include opossum, foxes, gray squirrel, woodchuck and white tailed deer.
Some sections of the woods, especially those overlooking ridges, are perfect for bird watching. Most riders like to carry their cameras to capture shots of rare birds. Commonly spotted birds include the pileated woodpecker, migrant songbirds, waterfowls and turkey. There are bats and other rare birds that reside in the many caves present as well.
Safety should be your primary concern when in the area. For starters, ensure you pack your vehicle away from the road once you arrive. Remember that most of the roads in the woods are narrow and have sharp bends. It would be dangerous and unfair for other users to block the road.
On windy days, try to exercise extra precaution. Strong winds often cause trees and branches to fall. As much as the authorities conduct cleanup exercises, there are areas that might be overlooked inadvertently. The same precaution should be extended to hunting season. A hunter may have a hard time differentiating you from prey in case you fail to put on reflective clothing.
The rules also stipulate that hikers and bikers must yield to horse riders upon encounter. However, you should signal that you are approaching in advance. Popping up out of nowhere can be unfair and hazardous to those yielding to you.
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