Horse Trail Ride

If you’ve ever thought about getting on the back of a horse and going on a trail ride through the wilderness, Louisiana’s Bogue Chitto State Park makes it easy to do.

Bogue Chitto State Park near Franklinton, Louisiana, offers 14 miles of equestrian trails that take riders from forested hillsides down to river lowlands. It’s a leisurely way to tour the backwoods of this beautiful park which attracts campers, hikers, mountain bikers and people who enjoy floating on an tube down the Bogue Chitto River.

horse rentals for trail rides

While the park’s equestrian trails are available for people who want to bring their own horses, you can also take a guided trail ride starting at the stables of Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals, located inside the park. Owner Robbie Thomas has years or rodeo experience. His horses are well-trained and easy-going which make for an enjoyable experience for newbies. Thomas provides a horse-mounting deck to help riders get up on the saddle. “Our horses are very old,” Thomas explains. “That way they’ve seen everything, they’ve done everything, and they’re just settled down.”

The park’s equestrian trails curve up and down gentle wooded hillsides. And along the way, riders will cross several small streams. The horses follow each other in a single file, moving along at an easy, comfortable pace. All horse rentals are part of guided tours with an experienced trail boss leading the way.

SEE WHAT A TRAIL RIDE on a horse LOOKS LIKE

Thomas encourages new riders to take the one-hour tour. You get to see some of the park’s nicest scenery without much wear and tear on your saddle side. But if you want more, you can take the two-hour guided tour.

feed your soul

Thomas gets a little philosophical when I ask him to describe the ride for newcomers. “It’s always been said, what’s good for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse,” Thomas says. “It’s just good therapy,” Thomas adds. “You’re out in the woods, you’re not having to walk. Somebody else, in this case the horse, is doing the work for you.”

Book a horse trail ride in advance

It’s best to call and reserve a horseback tour in advance to make sure that one is available when you are visiting the park. You can sign-up on Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals’ website, or call Robbie Thomas at 985-516-4975. You can also get more information on the company’s Facebook page.

watch the heart of louisiana tv feature

getting there

Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals is located inside Bogue Chitto State Park near Franklinton, Louisiana. The address is: 17049 State Park Blvd., Franklinton, LA. Phone: 985-839-5707.

17049 State Park Blvd, Franklinton, LA 70438