Spending time in nature is an exciting and healing experience. Add a horse to the mix and you get to see the world through different, far more astute, eyes. In fact, the United States’ wilderness areas were defined and established with pack trips and equine travel in mind. Camping with your horse, whether in developed campgrounds or off the beaten track, is an unmatched way to get back to nature and test that relationship you’ve been working so hard on back home.
“It’s such a satisfying feeling to be in the wilderness with an animal,” says Aniela Gottwald, the intrepid young woman behind the @riding.wild Instagram account, where she shares her backcountry horseback adventures. “You realize all these things outside of your own perception, and you get to be the best you. You have to be the leader, and you have to be humble.”
Even if you just want to get away for a fun weekend, knowing where to begin can be daunting. We talked to Gottwald and other horse camping fans to round up some tips to get you started.
Many campgrounds and RV parks have permanent equine set-ups. These are a great if you’re new to camping or just prefer more amenities.
But do your homework ahead of time, as each place is different: some have restrooms, showers, electric hookups, cabins for you, and stalls for your mount, while others offer tent camping, pit toilets, and basic corrals.
For a more remote option that’s still accessible by vehicle, consider primitive camping areas. These spots, found on National Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management land, often permit horses but don’t have corrals.
They may have fire pits and a place to set up a high-line or portable electric fencing, but no toilets or other amenities. As long as you’re content returning to the same spot each night, these sites let you explore beautiful wilderness without your horse having to pack all that gear.
Multi-day pack trips will require more (and lighter-weight) gear, advanced skills, and a strong desire for adventure.
Gottwald recommends planning routes around available water and grazing whenever possible. And remember, the backcountry is rougher and conditions less predictable, so be ready to hike alongside your horse in particularly tricky terrain.
Bring whatever you would want for the type of trail riding and camping you’ll be doing.
If you’re riding established trails from an RV campground you might not need all of this, but it’s a must for wilderness riders:
Aniela Gottwald is directing a feature documentary about her upcoming journey along the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019 with her three Mustangs and dog. Follow their adventure on Instagram @riding.wild
This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
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