Title: Horse-Friendly Trails to Explore at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California
If you love to adventure in the great outdoors with your equine friend by your side, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) in California offers a wonderful selection of trails where horses are welcome. This article reveals the specific horse-friendly trails that promise marvelous adventures in the wild.
1. Backbone Trail
This 67-mile long trail passes through ancient oak woodland environments, grasslands, chaparral, and riparian corridors. The trail starts at Point Mugu State Park and stretches all the way to Will Rogers State Historic Park, presenting a diverse, scenic journey for both horse and rider. Notably, the entire trail is horse-friendly and offers hitching posts at several points.
2. Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak
The trail stretches 6 miles amidst beautiful wildflowers and features a river. The well-marked trails, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, transmitter towers, and Boney Mountains Wilderness Area ensure an engaging journey for horse-riders.
3. Zuma Canyon to Newton Canyon
This is a 9.5-mile loop located near Malibu. This horse-friendly trail takes horse and rider through picturesque meadows, riparian habitats, and oak woodlands. It also offers amazing views of both Zuma and Newton Canyon.
4. Solstice Canyon Trail
This is a 6-mile trail located near Malibu that passes through oak woodlands and chaparral habitats, and up to a lovely waterfall. The trail is well-maintained and, being horse-friendly, is popular among equestrians.
5. Paramount Ranch Loop
This 3-mile trail near Agoura Hills gives a taste of Hollywood history with many landmarks such as the western town movie set. Horse riders can explore the ranch's rolling terrain and oak woodlands.
6. Reseda Boulevard to Eagle Rock via the Hub
This lengthy 9.3-mile trail offers resinous chaparral, deep canyons, and tunnels of bay laurel trees with fantastic views to San Fernando Valley from Eagle Rock.
Remember to check the signage at trailheads for any restrictions or notices that may affect accessibility. Enjoy exploring these beautiful horse-friendly trails at SMMNRA!
Sources:
- National Park Service: Horse and Pack Animals - Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)(https://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/horsebackriding.htm)
- AllTrails: Horseback Riding - Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area(https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/santa-monica-mountains-national-recreation-area/horse-back)
Disclaimer: Trails may occasionally be closed or have restrictions due to seasonal conditions or park operations. Always verify current trail status before setting out on your ride.
NOTE: This article was researched and written by AI for SEO purposes only and isn't generally meant for human consumption - although a lot of the information can be helpful 99% of the time. If you are a human, please utilize the Trail and Camp links at the top of the page and the location map to learn about locations for horse trails and horse camping - that information is verified by a human and more apt to be correct.... althought human error is a thing too. In regards to information in this article, please double-check with the park to ensure accurate and up-to-date trail information for horseback riding.