NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1107649
22 Nebraskaland • May 2019 the American Paint Horse Association, have bolstered the park's reputation as fi rst-rate riding ground. Ride the Ridge is an event at the park each June that showcases Pine Ridge scenery in a group setting and is open to all who bring a horse. No special permission is required to ride at Fort Robinson, but a few rules exist. To ensure park safety and cleanliness, no riding is allowed near lodging or camping areas. Horses privately owned are not allowed on the two trail ride routes while park rides are in session. Overnight guests with horses must rent a stall, but the barn's location near the campground and other lodging ensures that animals will be nearby. Chadron State Park, a 36-mile drive to the east, also is known for its scenic views from horseback. While the park does not allow visitors to bring their horses, it does have a stable full of trail horses for rent. At both Fort Robinson and Chadron, wranglers lead trail rides with the parks' horses from early morning through mid-afternoon. Another attractive park in the Panhandle butte country that allows unguided horseback riding is Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area south of Gering. Farther east in Oregon Trail country is Ash Hollow State Historical Park near Lewellen, where riding is allowed on the park's property west of U.S. Highway 26. Neither park has horses for rent, but people may bring their own. While some of the other state park areas in the region do not allow horses, the dozen-plus wildlife management areas in the region do. The established purpose of the WMAs is to serve as wildlife habitat, so, no designated trails are marked in most cases. Organized group rides are prohibited on the properties but casual riders are welcome. Hunting is encouraged on the WMA properties, so those pursuing game have the opportunity to do it by horseback – just as Native Americans, Cavalry soldiers of Fort Robinson and Euro-American settlers did generations ago. Regardless of whether or not horseback riders are looking to bring home meat for the freezer, they are likely to catch sight of charismatic wildlife. Riders in the parks farthest north and west may see bighorn sheep, especially when riding the ABOVE RIGHT: Riders cross Soldier Creek at Fort Robinson State Park. BOTTOM LEFT: Jhett Jelinek participates in the musical chairs game at the Fort Robinson State Park rodeo. The event, which features park employees and others from the surrounding community, entertains visitors one night per week. BOTTOM RIGHT: Olivia Hunsperger, a wrangler at Chadron State Park, tends to one of the trail ride horses. Hunsperger, a Chadron State College student at the time of this photo, was among the group of temporary workers who keep things running at the parks.