Horseback Riding
Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.
Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.
Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.
Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.
While Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, the Lodge itself is only open from the end of May typically (it is scheduled to open 5/26 in 2010) through mid-October. The lodge is closed for this season
Crater Lake receives A LOT of snow up into the spring season and starting again in early fall. So, if your vehicle is prepared for it, snowy months can be beautiful times to explore the park. Just make sure to check ahead that the roads have been plowed. The "Rim Road" is usually in pretty good shape for most of the year.
There is no van or shuttle directly to the lodge. For reservations or more information call Xanterra at (888) 774-2728.
Have a great trip!
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The average high temperature at Mount Rushmore in October is in the 60's and 70's and lows can drop into the 40's. You can get the most up-to-date weather forecast here.
A list of suggested tours in the park is available here.
For information about tours by local organizations, contact local chambers of commerce. You can find links to all of them here.
Also check out the recommendations on our Sights to See and Things to Do pages. Our Only ad Day and Just for Kids sections will also have some good tips!
Lastly, check out this list of 22 fun things to do with kids!
We hope you have a great trip! Be sure to come back and let us know how it goes!
There are also stables in other nearby towns that offer horseback rides and hayrides.
For more details visit the NPS Great Smoky Horse Riding page.
Illinois has some great horse camping locations... This link should tell you all you need to know.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/LANDMGT/programs/camping/equestrian_camptrails.htm
Have fun!
Have a wonderful time horseback riding through Idaho's wilderness. We'd love to hear about your adventure, so be sure to come back to OhRanger.com after you trip to share your outdoor experience with us.
"Provides entrance or access to pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Federally operated recreation sites across the country" and "Covers the pass holder and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. "
So, if you're entering a park that has a vehicle entrance fee, you can fill the car with people and get everyone in. However, if you're entering a park that has a "per person" fee, the pass will admit you, plus 3 people 16yrs or older (there's no entry fee for 15yrs and under).
Check out the National Park Service's page on the "America the Beautiful" annual pass.
