You might not think of Iowa as heaven for horsemen, but this rolling hill and farm community has a little hidden secret for the trail rider. The Brushy Creek State Recreation Area is one of Iowa's largest tracts of public outdoor recreation land set aside for sportsmen, and horsemen, in particular, will appreciate one of the most modern facilities anywhere. 

The developed sites are a horse camper’s dream with a place to tie your horse near your site, and all the amenities for the two-legged part of the team’s comfort.

The 6,000-acre recreation area is located south of Highway 20 on P70, southeast of Fort Dodge, Iowa. The equestrian campgrounds include two horse camps—one in the northern section of the recreation area and a smaller one in the southern section. Facilities include restrooms and showers, 125 campsites—50 of which have electric hookups—and many of which are located among the trees.

Each site has tie rails for your horses, plus picnic tables and grills. There’s also a horse wash area, and potable water spigots are centrally located throughout the campground. There’s even a 100-by-200-foot riding arena and a playground.

The southern horse camp is smaller than the northern one, but just as nice. There are 62 electric sites, 22 non-electric sites, and 8 electric sites with water and sewer hookups.

There is a modern restroom with showers, centrally located potable water spigots, and, as in the northern camp, each site has a tie rail, picnic table, and a grill.

Although some sites are on a first come, first served basis, there are several that you can reserve by calling 1-877-427-2757. A campground for people without horses is located near the boat ramp and beach area, and provides 39 sites, including eight with electric, water, and sewer hookups; a staging area near both equestrian campgrounds, and no charge for day use.

The 690-acre lake, with jetties and piers, offers the fisherman a great place to catch small mouth bass and pan fish. Boating gives the fisherman more advantages. On the west side of the lake you can go for a dip from a sandy beach. Swimming is allowed in the designated beach area only. Another large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake.

There are 45 miles of multi-use trails for the sportsman, such as horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and mountain biking. It’s best to call ahead for trail conditions, as trails in the southern section are often closed after heavy rains.
   
Maps are available at the kiosk located at the entrance of the equestrian campground. There’s no entry fee, and the campground fee is payable at the kiosk located at the entrance of the equestrian campground.

Wildlife includes pheasants, quail, rabbits, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. Hunting is allowed, as well, with lots of parking areas throughout the area. Or try the shooting range located south of the park office, or the trap shooting range located in the northern section of the recreation area. For more information, contact the Brushy Creek State Recreation Area: 3175 290th Street; Lehigh, IA 50557; phone: 515-543-8298; fax: 515-843-8395.

Go Down Moses: North Carolina’s Moses Cone Memorial Park

A beautiful Victorian mansion sits atop Flat Top Mountain, and oversees the 3,517-acre estate. Known as the “Denim King,” Moses Cone and his wife, Bertha, built this gorgeous estate as a getaway from the textile empire he and brother started after the Civil War.

This magnificent estate was literally built for the enjoyment of the equestrian. From the miles of carriage trails that wind through the mountainous terrain, you will pass by lakes, trees, flowers, and the most stunning scenery you’ll see anywhere.

The park is located about two miles outside of Blowing Rock, N.C., off the Blue Ridge Parkway between mileposts 292 and 295. You’ll find 25 miles of carriage trails that traverse hard wood trees, meadows, and cross beautiful mountain streams that afford spectacular vistas.

Featured trails include the Craftsman’s Trail, a loop trail which passes in front of the great manor and the carriage house; the Fire Tower Trail, which passes by the Cones’ gravesite as it climbs a mountain to a fire tower on the summit; the Bass Lake Trail, which circles the 22-acre lake; and the Maze, a trail that traverses the mountain and passes by the old Apple Barn. And you can take a spiraling trail to the top of Rich Mountain for a picnic.

The flora and fauna are unparalleled, and white oaks, red maple, mountain magnolia, black cherry, and tulip popular are the most prevalent species in the park. Rhododendron and mountain laurel line many of the trails. You can also ride through an apple orchard, through a white pine forest, and along hemlock hedges. Wild flowers such as trillium, lousewort, and wild geranium are abundant. Keep an eye out for squirrels, rabbits, and deer, and don’t forget the birds, which include: kinglets, vireos, grosbeak, flycatchers, and warblers.

Flat Top Mountain’s summit is at 4,558 feet. Bass Lake is at 3,560 feet. Trails are easy to moderate, and activities other than horseback riding include carriage driving, hiking, running, and cross-country skiing.

The Manor House has a craft shop and bookstore. Nearby Blowing Rock Stables, where you can rent horses by the hour or day, is located on US 221 between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blowing Rock. The stables also offer camping with parking for your horse rig, and a stall for your horse if you wish to bring your own.

The estate is open year-round, and was donated to the National Park Service in 1950, which continues to manage the property. The Manor House and visitor’s center are open March through January. There are no entrance fees.

Information: Moses Cone Memorial Park (828) 295-3782 - Blowing Rock Stables
P.O. Box 26, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605 (828) 295-7847

Janine Wilder maintains a website at www.horsetravels.com. She is the author of Trail Riding: A Comprehensive Guide to Enjoying Your Horse Outdoors.