Trail Riding Shenandoah National Park?

[BarnField]

Has anyone hauled their own horse in to Shenandoah National Park or Skyline Drive and enjoyed the trails there?

I am specifically interested in the North District of the park…

Where to park my trailer?
Which horse trails are EASY and least rocky?

I don’t need a loop - out and back is fine - and I would probably only ride for 2-3 hours.

I have done some limited hiking on foot at SNP and, in fact, the last time I drove in Skyline Drive I was shocked to be behind a horse trailer part of the way…I half wanted to flag them down and ask where they were going!

I have once ridden the concession horses at Skyland Resort within the park and really enjoyed that, well except for a moderate incident with a black bear suddenly jumping out of a tree …

[Simbalism]

I have never hauled there to ride. I know you can access some of the trails from Graves Mountain Lodge. They have horse camping there and trails that go up into the park. I have hiked on the Rose River Trail and Dark Hollow trail. The Rose River trail looks to be mostly a fire/access road. Not sure how long it is. When I looked at the park info it said it was a loop. Dark Hollow is steep and rocky. I think you can access the Rose River trail from Graves Mountain lodge.

[GallopingGrape]

Andy Guest State park in the Shennandoah is lovely too! Nice easy switch backs and a great ride along the river at the end.