Riding through the crisp fall air surrounded by the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn foliage is one of the most glorious experiences you can have on horseback.

Fall is upon us. If you’ve always dreamed of riding through spectacular autumn leaves, now is your chance. Here’s the information you need to plan your trip, whether you wish to ride your own horse or leave him at home and enjoy a riding vacation.
Know Your Leaves
For the best experience riding in fall color, do your homework. Leaves turn color at different times, depending on the latitude and elevation. Tree type determines color variations and peak times.
The phenomenon of fall foliage happens only in deciduous trees — trees that lose their leaves in order to survive the winter. Evergreen trees — such as pines, spruces, cedars and firs — retain their leaves. (The mixture of evergreens and warm fall foliage can be stunning.)
To catch colorful fall foliage, you’ll need to find an area where deciduous trees grow in large numbers. And the trees must be of a species where the leaves turn yellow, orange, or red before they drop off, instead of just turning brown. The most colorful trees during the fall include certain species of oaks, hickories, birch, maples and poplars.
The duration of time between when a leaf turns color and when it drops off the tree is relatively brief. Most trees don’t hold their colorful leaves for more than two weeks, at the most.
Peak-color dates depend upon several factors, including the current temperature, and the previous seasons’ weather patterns. A warm, wet spring; a moderate summer; and a fall with warm, sunny days and cool nights make for the best fall colors. Drought can seriously affect the colors’ timing and vibrancy.

A general rule: The higher the latitude, the earlier fall leaves change color. In New England and the upper Midwest, the leaves are typically at their peak color in middle to late September, or early October, depending on the weather.
In the central Midwest and Northeast, the middle of October usually shows the best colors. In the South and Southeast, the best colors appear in early November. In the mountains of the West, September and October offer the most vivid colors.
Consider the Weather
With fall colors comes autumn weather. While clear, crisp weather is ideal weather for a fall ride, you may experience wilder, more unpredictable weather.
In the fall, New England is typically 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. While most fall days are pleasant and sunny, some New England fall seasons are also wet and chilly.
The South and Southeast are usually very comfortable during fall-foliage season, with dry, sunny days and temperatures in the 60s. However, hurricane season extends into late fall. A hurricane is dangerous and can tear leaves right off trees.
In the Rocky Mountains and the upper Midwest, fall weather can be glorious. Cool, crisp air is a mainstay, but this time of year also brings snowstorms and freezing temperatures.
Choose Your Adventure
You can choose to leaf-peep on a day or overnight ride close to home, or you can plan a longer road trip. Here are a few pros and cons of each choice.
* Close to home. The easiest way to see the colors of autumn on horseback is to go on a day or overnight ride close to home. If you live in an area where deciduous trees turn colors and drop their leaves in the fall, you just need to find a private facility or public land that allows horses and plan your trip. On the plus side, you won’t need to take time off from work, you’ll save money on gas, and you can plan your ride around your horse’s condition. You can also closely watch fall-foliage reports and trailer out on a day you know the colors will be at their peak. Of course, the con of staying close to home is that you’ll probably be seeing the same trees in your own neighborhood. It may not feel like much of an adventure.

* Road trip. If you’re looking to view fall foliage you’ve never seen before, a trip farther from home is in order. You can either bring your own horse or select a vacation destination where horses are provided. If you opt to take your own horse, book accommodations for you and your horse well in advance of your trip. Check the rules and regulations for your chosen destination. If you’d rather leave your equine friend at home, consider a riding vacation instead. A variety of ranches and outfitters are available in areas known for beautiful fall foliage and will provide you with a mount well-suited to the terrain.

Fall-Trip Tips
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you embark on a fall-foliage riding tour.
* Invest in fall riding wear. Fall weather can vacillate from warm to chilly, or dry to wet, depending on where you are and the time of day. Dress in layers. Tie a duster or rain slicker on your saddle’s cantle for sudden downpours.
* Prepare your horse. Fall is a great time to ride, because the air is cool, making trail trekking easy on your horse. If the summer heat has kept you from riding much, slowly build up your horse’s condition over a few weeks before you take him on a long fall ride.
* Pack your saddlebag.Carry a rain cover for your helmet, a jacket, gloves, lip balm, and sunscreen. And of course, don’t forget your camera or mobile phone. Consider investing in a waterproof cover for your device so it doesn’t get wet. Also pack a small thermos filled with a warm beverage.
* Trailer safely. Cool, fall days are perfect for trailering, but some days can be downright cold. If your horse will be traveling in a stock trailer on a cold day, or doesn’t have much of a winter coat, you might want to fit him with a light sheet while he’s riding in the trailer. Check road conditions before you leave; fall snowstorms aren’t uncommon in certain parts of the country. At your destination, park your trailer in a dry area so your horse doesn’t slip during unloading and loading.

* Watch for trail hazards. Trails in the fall can be a real joy. Young people are back in school, so you’ll run into fewer trail users. But fall can also bring seasonal trail hazards, including frost, slippery leaves, deep puddles, and thick mud. If it’s been raining, bridges can be wet and even icy, making it hard for your horse to keep his traction. Be aware of trail conditions, and ride slowly in areas with tricky footing.
* Watch for wildlife.Fall can be a busy time for wildlife. Autumn is mating season for deer, moose, and elk, Males can be more aggressive than usual. If you come across one of these animals on the trail, keep your distance. Bears are also more active in the fall as they prepare for winter hibernation in colder areas. Don’t let bears or any wildlife feel cornered. Most wild animals will run away from a horse unless they feel like they can’t get away.
Watch for hunting hazards. Fall is hunting season in many areas of the country. Try to avoid riding in areas that are popular hunting spots. If you do ride where hunting is allowed, wear a bright-orange vest, and apply bright-orange wraps to your horse’s head and legs. Avoid white tack, clothing, or gloves since a hunter may mistake a flash of white for a deer’s tail.
Audrey Pavia (www.audreypavia.com) is a freelance writer based in Norco, California. She’s the author of Trail Riding: A Complete Guide (Howell Book House) and Horse Health & Nutrition for Dummies (Wiley). Pavia rides competitive trail with her 9-year-old Spanish Mustang, Milagro.
Fall-Foliage Trail-Riding Destinations
(Bring Your Own Horse)
PACIFIC REGION
Flying Horseshoe Ranch
Cle Elum, Wash.
Mountain Springs Lodge
Leavenworth, Wash.
Sierra Meadows Ranch
Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Cherry Creek Mountain Ranch
Hesperus, Colo.
http://cherrycreekmtnranch.com
Fish Creek House Bed & Breakfast
Whitehall, Mont.
The Historic Triple B Ranch
Woodland Park, Colo.
Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast
Clark Fork, Idaho
www.huckleberrytentandbreakfast.com
Rhapsody Ranch
Westcliffe, Colo.
MIDWEST REGION
34 Ranch Horseman’s Campground
Herod, Ill.
4-J Big Piney Horse Camp
Waynesville, Mo.
4-Mile State Forest Trail Camp
Grayling, Mich.
www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/
Bear Branch Horse Resort
Eddyville, Ill.
Ben’s Happy Trails
Otway, Ohio
Brushy Creek Lodge & Resort
Black, Mo.
Eagle Ranch Resort
Collins, Mo.
Elk Hill State Forest & Trail Camp
Vanderbilt, Mich.
www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/
Flying R Ranch
West Plains, Mo.
Hay Creek Ranch
Nemo, S.D.
Hayes Canyon Campground and Cabins
Eddyville, Ill.
Huckleberry Stables & Cabins
Pineville, Mo.
Maplewood State Park
Pelican Rapids, Minn.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/index.html
Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail
Michigan Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Hale, Mich.
Midwest Trail Ride
Norman, Ind.
The Natural Gait
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Outback Ranch, Inc.
Houston, Minn.
Palmquist Farm
Brantwood, Wis.
Panther Creek Trail Rides
Tuscumbia, Mo.
www.panthercreektrailrides.com
Ponderosa Campground
Pineville, Mo.
Spur of the Moment Ranch
Mountain, Wis.
SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION
Chunky Gal Stables
Hayesville, N.C.
Circle E Guest Ranch
Belvidere, Tenn.
EJ’s Cottages and Stabling
Dunmore, W.V.
East Fork Campground
Durbin, W.V.
www.eastforkcampgrounddurbin.com
East Fork Stables
Jamestown, Tenn.
Faye Whittemore Farms
Jasper, Ala.
Fort Valley Ranch
Fort Valley, Va.
Horse Lick Creek Retreat
McKee, Ky.
Hungry Horse East, LLC
Ivanhoe, Va.
Iron Mountain Horse Camp
Ivanhoe, Va.
KC Ranch Horse Camp & Trail Ride
Double Springs, Ala.
Lakeview Plantation
Fairfax, S.C.
Lazy Gait Horse Camp
Carter, Ky.
Leatherwood Mountains Resort
Ferguson, N.C.
Misty Oaks Farm
Mills River, N.C.
http://www.ncmountainvacationrental.com/
Orchard Cove
Townsend, Tenn.
Rocky Hollow Horse Camp
Troutdale, Va.
Saddle Valley Campground
Jamestown, Tenn.
www.saddlevalleycampground.com
Shalimar Farm
Cass, W.V.
True West Campground and Stables
Jamestown, Tenn.
MID-ATLANTIC/NORTHEAST REGION
Berkshire Equestrian Center
Richmond, Mass.
http://bershireequestriancenter.com
Buck N Horse Campground
Groton, N.H.
The Bunkhouse
Washington, Vt.
Cook Forest Scenic Trailride,
Dude Ranch & Campground
Clarion, Pa.
Mane Stay Stables
Glenfield, N.Y.
Memory Lane Vacations
Andover, Maine
Pennsylvania Equine Directory
Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
Pure Country Campground
New Berlin, N.Y.
Sharon’s Horse Heaven
Butler, Pa.
Stepping Stone Ranch
West Greenwich, R.I.
The Wagon Wheel Campground
Warwick, Mass.
www.thewagonwheelcampground.com
Fall-Foliage Trail-Riding Destinations
(Public Lands)
PACIFIC REGION
Bridle Trails State Park
Kirkland, Wash.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Herman Creek Horse Camp
Hood River, Ore.
Deschutes National Forest
Quinn Meadows Horse Camp
Bend, Ore.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Vancouver, Wash.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Cuneo Creek Horse Camp
Weott, Calif.
http://humboldtredwoods.org/cuneo_creek
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Blackpine Horse Camp
Leavenworth, Wash.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Medford, Ore.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou/
SOUTHWEST REGION
Carson National Forest
Taos, N.M.
Coconino National Forest
Little Elden Springs Horse Camp
Flagstaff, Ariz.
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Mont.
Grand Teton National Park
Moose, Wyo.
http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm
Idaho Panhandle State Forests
Line Creek Stock Camp
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, Colo.
San Juan National Forest
Durango, Colo.
MIDWEST REGION
Huron-Manistee National Forest
Marzinski Equestrian Trail and Campground
Wellston, Mich.
www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hmnf/recreation/horseriding-camping
SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina; Tennessee
MID-ATLANTIC/NORTHEAST REGION
Catskill Forest Preserve
Bear Spring Mountain Campground
Downsville, N.Y.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24454.html
New Discovery State Park
Peacham, Vt.
www.vtstateparks.com/htm/newdiscovery.htm
Fall-Foliage Riding Vacations
(Trail Mount Provided)
PACIFIC REGION
Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort
Solvang, Calif.
Bardy’s Trail Rides
Seward, Alaska
Brasada Ranch Equestrian Center
Bend, Ore.
Denali Horseback Tours
Healy, Alaska
Flying Horseshoe Ranch
Cle Elum, Wash.
Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit
Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
Minam River Lodge
Joseph, Ore.
M Lazy C Ranch
Lake George, Colo.
Mountain Springs Lodge
Leavenworth, Wash.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Bear Basin Packtrips, LLC
Westcliffe, Colo.
Blue Sky Sage Horseback Adventures
Big Piney, Wyo.
Colorado Trails Ranch
Durango, Colo.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa
Tabernash, Colo.
Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures
Crested Butte, Colo.
www.fantastyranchoutfitters.com
The Historic Triple B Ranch
Woodland Park, Colo.
Laramie River Ranch
Glendevey, Colo.
Sundance Trail Guest Ranch
Red Feather Lakes, Colo.
Vista Verde Ranch
Clark, Colo.
MIDWEST REGION
Hay Creek Stables
Red Wing, Minn.
Hiddenbrook Peruvian Farm, LLC
Cambridge, Minn.
Liberty Valley Ranch
Gaylord, Mich.
SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION
High Country of North Carolina
Boone, N.C.
North Mountain Outfitter
Swoop, Va.
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
Marshall, N.C.
www.sandybottomtrailrides.net
Shangrila Guest Ranch
South Boston, Va.
MID-ATLANTIC/NORTHEAST REGION
1000 Acres Ranch Resort
Stony Creek, N.Y.
Farm by the River
North Conway, Maine
Kimberly Farms
North Bennington, Vt.
The Mountaintop Inn & Resort
Chittenden, Vt.
Mountain View Ranch
Danby, Vt.
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Ojai, Calif.
www.ojaivalleytrailridingcompany.com
Ridge Valley Riding Stables
Grafton, Mass.
Top Notch Resort & Spa
Stowe, Vt.
Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm
Waitsfield, Vt.
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