You are probably wondering why I chose 'Some of the Best Places' in the title of this story instead of declaring 'Five of the Best Places, or perhaps Ten of the Best?' The fact of the matter is there are so many great places to ride in this beautiful country of ours that I wanted to make just that point. Therefore, I will just name a few for you in this story and leave a 'few' or 'some' for another time.
Arch Canyon
Red is the color of the day as you ride through this Navajo sandstone canyon with it towering cliffs and magnificent rock formations that seem to spiral up to the clear blue sky. Astounding, will be your word of the day as you spot one of the many Anasazi dwellings clinging to the actual cliff walls or perhaps some of the beautiful Rock Art scattered around the region. But, that's not all, at the end of the trail you'll find two of Utah's natural treasures - the arch. These massive formations dwarf everything else in comparison and will live on in your memory forever.
Olympic National Forest
One step inside this magnificent forest and you find yourself riding into another world. There's no other place quite like this. The old growth cedars are breathtaking with their Liken covered bark, the lacy moss dripping from the branches of the tall pines and the bright green ferns grow as tall as your horse's belly. Washington's early morning sunlight filters through the dense fog as it softens the sky and lets a few clear rays escape around the pine branches above you - this is an experience to enlighten anyone's heart.
The Three Sisters Wilderness
These volcanic mountains and landscape are truly cherished by Oregon's own. The Three Sisters known as North, Middle, and South - known to the locals as Faith, Hope and Charity - are prized for their 10,000+ high peaks. These snow capped mountains offer the trail rider a rare opportunity to ride hundreds of miles of trails through lush green meadows, past roaring waterfalls, dense forests, and over one of the many glaciers these mountains offer. You'll certainly enjoy all these sisters have to offer.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
North Dakota's Little Missouri River has spent thousands of years carving out the badlands for the pure beauty of it. You can ride your horse through this beautiful country as President Roosevelt did in his younger days as a rancher and hunter. As you traverse the buttes and tableland keep a look out for one of the many herds of American Bison and/or one of the wild (feral) horse herds that will give you a thrill of a life time.
Glacier National Park
The scenic wonder here is what Montana is known for. You certainly couldn't capture all its beauty in just one day so make the time to get a real feel for this unforgettable marvel of nature. Be sure to feel the beauty with several trail rides into the backcountry of this colorful mountain region with a ride through thick primitive woodlands, through ice cold streams, past thundering waterfalls, and wild flower filled meadows. Don't even think about leaving this area without a leisurely drive along the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. This is a definite 'MUST SEE' trip.
Rocky Mountain National Park
For a dream adventure everyone's thoughts turn to the Rocky Mountains and there's nothing like the Colorado Rockies to make those dreams come true. Words like incredible, luscious, and spectacular pale in comparison to the real life experience of Rocky Mountain National Park. Until you venture into this park you'll never know what real beauty is, what it sounds like, feels like, smells like, and most of all looks like. It is pure indescribable beauty!
The Great Smoky Mountains
This intriguing mountain range straddles the boarder of North Carolina and Tennessee within the ancient mountains of the southern Appalachians. Of all the National Parks, the Smokies are the most visited. The beauty, diversity, history, and culture can be found no where else in the world. The rain forest atmosphere and evaporation gives the hazy fog its name 'smoky' to this heavily old forested area. Its great-ness is why it's one of the best places to trail ride.
Acadia National Park
The northeastern section of the country offers one of the most unique places for the trail rider, located on 'Mount Desert Island' off the rugged coast of Maine. This gift to the horseman has miles of groomed carriage trails for all to delight in and a very comfortable stable for your equine traveling companion. The scenery is unsurpassed, its culture is delightful, and history abounds for your total pleasure.
I do hope that you get a chance to enjoy all of these places and many more. May all your trails be safe and happy ones --- Janine
Janine is an author, an international freelance equestrian writer and photographer, lecturer/clinician, Trail Horse Behaviorist, Expert in trail riding, trail camping, and traveling with horses, and a Long Rider - founding member of The Long Rider's Guild. Janine is the author and photographer of Western Horseman's book "TRAIL RIDING A Comprehensive Guide to Enjoying Your Horse Outdoors® Janine is also the founder of her new project "Beyond Natural Horsemanship®
