Trail Riding in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania with its natural, scenic beauty is the perfect setting for a trail ride any time of the year. Spring, summer, winter or fall, the gently rolling woodlands offer a refreshing change for the horseback riding enthusiast. State parks maintain several bridle trails available for public use. Each trail is unique. The geological, biological and cultural histories combine to create a story of the various areas.

All mileages listed in the regional breakouts represent trails only -- no roads. Some parks allow limited travel on the roads in the park, but this varies from park to park.

A few of the parks lie adjacent to other public lands such as state forest land or state game lands. In these cases, riders can leave their trailers in the park’s day-use area and ride through the park to access other public lands. French Creek accesses the Horseshoe Trail, Kettle Creek accesses state forest land and Prince Gallitzin and Ricketts Glen access state game lands.

In all cases it is best to contact the forest district or state game land area involved to get a list of their rules and regulations for the specific area in which you wish to ride.

Big Pocono State Park

Trail Length: 3 miles

In addition to serving as a hiking trail, South Trail is also designated as a horseback trail and provides approximately 3 miles of riding trail. The trailhead is located at the west end of the park, near the park entrance.

Description of area: Big Pocono State Park is located in Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. The park consists of 1,306 acres of rugged terrain on the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of a vast portion of eastern Pennsylvania and portions of New Jersey and New York. A paved, scenic drive, 1.4 miles in length, encircles the mountain top, permitting visitors to enjoy the beautiful view in all directions.

Hazards/Considerations: Approximately 800 acres of Big Pocono State Park are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Park will close 7 days after the end of antlerless deer season in December and will re-open as conditions permit in the spring.

Ricketts Glen State Park

Trail Length: 9 miles

Description of area: Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. This large park is comprised of 13,050 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan and Columbia counties. The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls. Old growth timber and diverse wildlife add to the scenic area. Horse owners will enjoy the 9-mile network of bridle trails.

Hazards/Considerations: FROM MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 16, 2003, MAINTENANCE MATERIALS WILL BE AIRLIFTED INTO THE FALLS TRAIL AREA OF THE PARK. DURING THIS TIME PERIOD THE UPPER PART OF THE FALLS TRAIL WILL BE CLOSED FOR YOUR SAFETY. THE FALLS TRAIL IS OPEN FROM ROUTE 118 TO WATERS MEET ONLY. THE HIGHLAND TRAIL, GLEN LEIGH, AND GANOGA GLEN WILL BE CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD. CLOSINGS MAY CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. Call park office for further information at 570-477-5675.

Evansburg State Park

Trail Length: 15 miles

Description of area: Evansburg State Park is in southcentral Montgomery County between Norristown and Collegeville. This park is a haven for hikers, equestrians and folks who want to picnic and relax. You can take a walk along Skippack Creek or visit the Friedt Visitor Center that provides insight into German Mennonite living in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are 15 miles of designated trails. Riders can also use the right side berm of public roads. A trailhead parking lot for horse trailers is located on Skippack Creek Road.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center

Trail Length: 18.5 miles

Description of area: At the foot of Blue Mountain in Northampton County, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center is reached from PA Route 33 at the Belfast Exit, near Nazareth, PA. Once the site where the famous Henry Rifle was made, the Jacobsburg National Historic District lies almost entirely within the park. Henrys Woods offers very scenic hikes and the rest of the center grounds have multi-use trails.

A network of 18.5 miles of trails makes the center's fields, woodlands and streams accessible to both students and the casual visitor. These facilities are for use by hikers, all-terrain bicyclists, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. We suggest that non-hunters wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

Marsh Creek State Park

Trail Length: Loops of various distances

Description of area: Marsh Creek State Park is in the rolling hills of northcentral Chester County. The 1,705-acre park contains the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake. The trails are in the western side of the park and have loops of various distances.

Hazards/Considerations: Use extreme caution when riding in hunting areas during hunting seasons.

Nockamixon

Trail Length: 20 miles

Directions: Located in southern Pennsylvania, cross the bridge at the north end of Lake City from highway 149. Turn left and continue one block. Turn left again to the sewage treatment plant.

The 20 miles of equestrian trails are available for riding in the park. Horses may also be rented at a private establishment near the park.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

Ridley Creek

Trail Length: 4.7 miles

Description of area: Encompassing over 2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows. The park's gently rolling terrain, bisected by Ridley Creek, is only 16 miles from center city Philadelphia. Ridley Creek provides history, scenic beauty and natural wonders.

Shaded equestrian, hiking and bicycling trails lace the woodlands and old meadows, providing perfect places for relaxing.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

Tyler State Park

Trail Length: 9 miles

Description of area: Tyler State Park consists of 1,711 acres in Bucks County.

Horseback riders enjoy many miles of dirt trails on both sides of Neshaminy Creek. Please stay on established trails which are marked with equestrian symbol marker posts. Horseback riding is not permitted in the picnic areas.

Parking for horse trailers is near Number One Lane Trail in the large parking lot across from the craft center. Limited additional parking is available in the lot on PA Route 332 across from the Spring Garden Mill, and at the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge parking lot off of Swamp Road.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

White Clay Creek Preserve

Trail Length: 8 miles

Description of area: The 1,255-acre White Clay Creek Preserve is in southern Chester County, three miles north of Newark, Delaware. The White Clay Creek Valley forms the core of the Preserve. The park varies from steep to rolling terrain with some flat bottomland. There are many historical points of interest in and around the park. The park adjoins White Clay Creek State Park of Delaware.

An 8-mile equestrian trail traverses the entire length of the northern portion of the Preserve.

Hazards/Considerations: None at this time.

For more detailed information, go to: Pennsylvania Depatment of Conservation and Natural Resources