Saddle Up At State Parks

ANDREA ZANI

Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

Jack takes one look at the steep hill in front of him and continues forward. Undaunted by the incline, he quickly powers his way up, moving easily along the grassy, tree-lined trail.

Jack is a horse, of course, and as such he has little problem navigating this challenging stretch at Governor Dodge State Park.

Jack, Dakota, Duncan, Rosie, Ruby, Molly, Cody, Rocky, Tucker, Fletcher, Suzanne, Rusty, Rain Man, Gus, Titan, Bella and Buttercup.

Collectively, these equine visitors and others like them have logged thousands of miles ambling through scenic state parks, forests and trails. For these horses — and their human riders — Wisconsin’s state parks offer the perfect place to experience the beauty of nature.

“With urban sprawl and rights to ride on farmland ever shrinking, there’s a diminishing pool of places to ride,” said Jean Warrior, an avid rider and president of the Friends Group at Governor Dodge State Park, a popular spot for equestrian activities. “County parks and state parks are really, really valuable as places for people to go ride.”

Ricki Koinig, chief information officer for the DNR and a horse owner and longtime rider, loves getting out on the trail at state parks.

“There’s something unique about experiencing Wisconsin properties on the back of a horse,” said Koinig, who houses her horse near Watertown. “Obviously, you’re naturally higher off the ground than when you’re walking or biking and so you see trees and birds and the whole landscape from a different perspective.”

More than 700 miles of trails are open to horses throughout the Wisconsin State Park System; a state trail pass is required for riders 16 and older. Several state properties also offer equestrian camping opportunities.

State parks feature something for every rider: flat and easy rails to trails areas; meandering scenic rides with picturesque meadows, lakes and rushing waterways; and challenging hilly trails with a remote and rugged feel.

“I have ridden in different states and even different countries around the world, and Wisconsin is by far the most beautiful,” Koinig said.

Ashley Hoekstra, executive staff secretary for the DNR’s South Central Region, keeps half a dozen horses at her family’s farm in Delavan, where her husband also trains and breeds the animals. When it’s time to ride, they often find themselves out on the trail at state parks.

“My heart is in the woods with my horse,” she said. “There’s just something about seeing the woods and the wildlife from the back of a horse.”

For many riders, being on horseback allows them to see Wisconsin’s state parks in ways they wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience. They might not hike or bike much distance or handle some of the varied terrain found at state parks, but they can go there on horseback.

“Horses are our assistive devices,” Warrior said. “Riding really is for all ages, from kids to seniors.”

Along the way, riders take in the beautiful scenery, see plenty of wildlife and embrace the ability to get outdoors, said Sandy Rogers, a veteran rider from Milton. “We are seeing things we’d never see if not for those horses.”

The horses, too, are happy to be out on the trail, riders agree.

“You can see and feel the horses enjoying the trails as well,” Koinig said. “Their ears perk up, they take in all the new smells, they’re taking in the scenery just like you. … It’s just as relaxing for them as it is for me.”

Sue Press, from Eagle, said, “My horse sightsees.” Both horse and rider feel more embedded in their environment out on the trail, she added. “It allows us to be part of nature.”

Hoekstra touted the connection she has with her horse out in the woods that allows both horse and rider to see things from a different perspective.

“I’ve walked right by bedded-down deer before,” she said. “They don’t see me as a threat when I’m on my horse.”

Horseback riding at state parks, forests and trails can be an excellent activity for families and friends to share.

Hoekstra said members of her family have attached a “buddy seat” to their saddles to take small children along on outings. “It’s been quite a few generations of riders in my husband’s family.”

Younger riders can learn valuable lessons from being around horses, said Katee Christianson, from Ridgeway. Christianson often takes her grandchildren along on outings with her horses.

“The kids are working — cleaning up, getting things ready, keeping the horses fed and watered,” she said.

“And not stuck to a phone!” her friend and fellow rider Penny Fanning of Janesville added.

Fanning and Christianson, like Press, Rogers and Warrior, are all active members of the Friends of Governor Dodge equestrian committee. As mostly retirees, many of them have found fun and camaraderie riding together and working to improve the park’s equestrian experience, highlighted by the recent opening of the park’s new equestrian campground.

Hoekstra credits Friends Groups for being “phenomenal” when it comes to helping with state park equestrian activities. Members of these nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations have an interest in Wisconsin’s natural resources and volunteer their time, services and support to enhance Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas. They also provide direct support to individual properties.

“They’re getting things cleaned up, taking care of trails,” Hoekstra said, citing times when volunteers have swooped in after storms to help with debris removal. “They’re absolutely great at coordinating all that.”

Friends Groups also have websites and Facebook pages that often provide information on trail conditions, Hoekstra added, which is helpful for planning rides and camping trips.

Several state properties have equestrian campsites where visitors can stay with their horses, with each park offering a different experience.

The new Governor Dodge campground accommodates horses and riders with ample trailer parking, horse pens, highlines for hitching horses and even a group firepit for social gatherings after a day on the trails. The campground’s opening earlier this year culminated years-long planning and fundraising efforts by the park’s Friends Group and many partners.

With two beaches, a designated dog beach area, hiking, biking, fishing and more at Governor Dodge, camping with horses is just part of the fun for visitors at the park near Dodgeville, Fanning said. “You can be here all week and not run out of fun things to do.”

Wildcat Mountain is another favorite for equestrian campers. The terrain has more hills, making it a nice challenge for riders, and the area around the park, located on the Kickapoo River in the Wisconsin Driftless Area, offers plenty to do when not riding.

Equestrian camping can be found at the northern and southern units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. At the state forest’s Southern Unit, the area’s sandy soil helps trails stay drier for riding, even when it has rained, and there’s a horse obstacle course for a change of pace, including tractor tires to jump over and L-shaped paths to practice backing through on horseback.

The state forest’s Northern Unit has more out-and-back-type trails. Its equestrian campground includes covered stalls and a barn. Governor Knowles State Forest also has equestrian camping with more than 40 miles of trails open for riding, some with more of a remote feel.

“Camping is definitely where it’s at for me,” said Hoekstra, who likes the easier trails of the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit as an early season spot after a long winter. “Once the horses get their jitters out, we hit the harder terrain at Wildcat Mountain.”

While Hoekstra still tent camps, many equestrian campers have larger trailers that are split with space in back for hauling horses and a sleeping area for people in front. State park campgrounds accommodate trailers, and some like Governor Dodge have ADA-accessible sites available.

In addition to all the equestrian camping opportunities, several more state parks, trails, forests and recreation areas feature trails open for day use riding.

The Wild Rivers State Trail, for example, offers more than 100 miles of trail sections to explore on horseback in scenic Barron, Douglas and Washburn counties. The Mountain-Bay State Trail has nearly 50 miles open to horses between Rib Mountain and Green Bay. And Buffalo River State Trail, from Mondovi to Fairchild, allows horseback riding on more than 35 miles.

With equestrians enjoying so many state properties — even visitors with mules, which Warrior said are becoming more popular — riders often interact with other trail users. They may encounter families out hiking and biking, including some who may never have seen a horse in person before, Warrior said. It’s rewarding to create positive interactions.

“Horse riders really are trail ambassadors and facilitate shared trail use,” she said. “Sharing the trails really is a big deal.”

There are a few things to keep in mind when encountering horses on the trail.

“We always say please talk, and the horse will realize you’re a person,” said longtime rider Sherri Torrison of Milton. It helps the horse feel comfortable and calm, especially if they see something strange like a “two-headed hiker.”

Once the horse realizes it’s just a person with a baby in a backpack carrier, they’re fine saying hello, Torrison added.

Another tip is to keep dogs in control and move slowly on bikes when horses are near, Koinig said.

“Be respectful and understanding if a rider asks that you stop or stand at the side of the trail,” she said. “They’re trying to make sure you and the horses move past each other in the safest way possible.”

Fanning said her riding experience has always been positive, with riders and other users showing mutual respect. “They understand how everyone gets along on the trail.”

For details on exploring Wisconsin’s state parks on horseback, including where to find trails and camping opportunities, see dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1201.