OklahomaHorses Magazine September 2020

24 OklahomaHorses • September/October 2020 Heaven’s Gate A favorite among many riders, Heaven’s Gate RV Park and Retreat is a privately run campground nestled within the scenic Ouachita Mountains near Muse, Oklahoma. Situated next to 70 miles of marked, wooded trails, Heaven’s Gate offers 13 campsites with electric and water, plus three primitive creekside campsites. Each site comes with horse pens, and covered stalls are available on a limited basis. The campground has a rustic shower house as well as a small tack store where hay and shavings are available for purchase. For anyone who may not have their own camping accommodations, Heaven’s Gate has an on-site camper that can be rented through Airbnb. OETRA member Jeri Ashcroft said she enjoys spending time at Heaven’s Gate because of the “nice camp, beautiful well-marked trails and camp owner who is very accommodating to any unforeseen needs.” To reserve a site at Heaven’s Gate, contact the owner, D’Anna at (918) 413-6187. Cedar Lake Located 12 miles south of Heavener, also in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of Ouachita National Forest, Cedar Lake boasts one of the largest equestrian campgrounds in Oklahoma. With 47 full hook-up (water and electric) campsites, three full hook-up sites accessible for people with disabilities and 50 primitive sites, equestrians should have no trouble finding a suitable place to stay. Horse corrals are available at many of the campsites, and the campground has two bath houses with toilets and showers, three horse-washing facilities and a dump station among its amenities. Cedar Lake is also home to nearly 100 miles of scenic trails that riders are sure to enjoy, especially in the fall when an array of colors are on display. For reservations at Cedar Lake, call (580) 494-6402. Robber’s Cave Located in the picturesque, hilly woodlands of the San Bois Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma, not far from the town of Wilburton, Robber’s Cave State Park offers 50 horse-friendly camping sites with two restroom/shower-house facilities. Several corrals are available, and the campground has picnic tables, water spigots and electrical hook-ups at most sites. Nearly 70 miles of rocky and scenic trails in the park provide beautiful sights for trail riders. For reservations at Robber’s Cave State Park, call (918) 465-2562 Sardis Lake Located five miles north of the town of Clayton, also in southeastern Oklahoma, Sardis Lake campground has level, shaded campsites with both electric and water, all FALL Prime Equestrian Campgrounds in Oklahoma WRITTEN BY: Casie Bazay T here’s no better time of year than fall to take a camping trip with your horse and enjoy a trail ride where you can view some of Oklahoma’s most beautiful sights. Fortunately, our state has numerous campgrounds with equestrian-friendly facilities, including many where you don’t have to completely “rough it.” The Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association (OETRA) hosts trail rides all over the state, and members work with park officials in order to improve campground facilities and also mark miles and miles of trails for riders to enjoy. The following are some of the nicest equestrian facilities our state has to offer. Heaven’s Gate Sardis Lake Adventures