Looking for a great place to enjoy miles and miles of horseback riding? You’re very welcome in Carter County! We have over 100 miles of trails in the Cherokee National Forest, primarily on Holston Mountain and Walnut & White Rock Mountains, including single track, closed forest service roads and open gravel forest service roads. There are miles of trails with gradual elevation changes for gaiting, and great mountain riding with elevations ranging from 2000 feet to 5000 feet. Panoramic views of mountains stretching to the horizon are abundant. The forest floor is alive with wild flowers during spring and summer, and the fall display of color is simply spectacular. Even winter has its charms in the lower elevations – bundle up and come enjoy!
Convenient access to many of the trails is available at Happy Trails Park, a unit of Roan Mountain Community Park.
The trails in our area are maintained by the Watauga District of the Cherokee National Forest and the volunteers of the Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee. The trails can be found on the National Geographic Map 783 South Holston and Watauga Lakes.
The Carter County Parks & Rec Board partners with the Back Country Horsemen to improve riding opportunities in the county. Please visit the BCHET website for more information. We look forward to seeing you!
Other resources:
Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce
