Pennsylvania offers countless horseback riding vacations, inviting visitors to explore hundreds of miles of riding trails in Pennsylvania state parks and the Alleghany National Forest. Many Pennsylvania packages offer a bunkhouse or bed and breakfast-type setting and inclusive meals. Rides into the fields or forest usually range from two to six hours, with trails suitable for all skill levels.
Pennsylvania
"Pennsylvania" stands for "Penn's Woods," so named because it was an enormous land grant of fields and wooded hills given in 1682 to philosopher William Penn. The state today is the fifth most populated in the United States, according to the 2000 Census, with its industrial and urban areas, Philadelphia, Allentown and Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania also accounts for 10 percent of the nation's wooded areas, and is famous for agriculture. Horse and buggy riders in Lancaster County are a distinction of the state, and state parks in every corner of Pennsylvania promise horseback riding opportunities, offering endless trails.
The view from the trail
The view from the trail always changes, from the lush ferns and hooded canopy of the Alleghenies to the blowing grasses of the Southern Appalachians. Buck Valley Ranch in south-central Pennsylvania offers trail riding through 2,000 acres of state game land. With distinct seasons, Pennsylvania riders may ride through bowers of spring oak leaves and dogwood blossoms, or a fiery fall exhibition. Winter is crisp with snow, and 10 degrees colder, on average, in the more mountainous northwest Pennsylvania, than the sub-tropical southeast. Wildlife ranges from small to large, fairly common to rare, with hummingbirds, whippoorwills, owls, wild turkey, deer, bear and coyote.
Horse rental
There are Pennsylvania horseback riding vacations that both provide horses, and allow you to bring your own. Most of the businesses advertise themselves as family-owned, with horses that are part of the family. There are trails and horses suitable for all skill levels, from beginner to experienced. Sharon's Horse Heaven, which offers trail riding in western Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest, is a getaway for you and your horses, providing bed and breakfast accommodations for you, and a roomy fenced space and secure barn for your horse. The Cook Forest Area Scenic Ride in western Pennsylvania both offers horses for rent, and accommodates visiting horses to explore the state park's 300 miles of cleared paths.
Safety
Most riding packages are tailored for every skill level, from beginner to experienced, with more scenic or tricky trails. Most rides are guided, and riders are notified about any challenges particular trails might present. Most children must wear helmets on rides, and everyone signs a waiver.
Accommodations
Most all-inclusive packages offer hotel-type rooms, or bed and breakfast-type accommodations, with air conditioning, soft beds and possibly home-cooked meals, hot tubs or a swimming pool. These aren't necessarily the dude-ranch-themed riding ranches, with chores and a rooster wake-up caw at dawn. Many are situated near towns for shopping, spas and malls, or recreational activities like tennis, golf, skiing, canoeing, bike rentals or snow tubing.
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