Equestrians throughout the state have many diverse choices for trail riding in Colorado State Parks and several parks have public corrals for those camping with horses. State parks with horse-friendly trails include:

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA): This park offers eight miles of trails along the Arkansas River south of Salida. One equestrian trailhead connects riders to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trails, and the United States Forest Service (USFS) property at Ruby Mountain.

Barr Lake State Park: This park offers 12 miles of horse trails, including the nine-mile Perimeter Trail circling Barr Lake. Horses are not allowed on boardwalk structures or on the top of the dam.

Bonny Lake State Park: Most of the lakeshore trails at Bonny are open to horses. There are 10 campsites in the Foster Grove Campground for equestrians, but horses must be tethered outside the campground.

Chatfield State Park: This park features Chatfield Stables offering horseback trail rides, hayrack rides, youth day camps and riding lessons. Horse trailer parking, corrals, unloading ramps and a trailhead are located on the park's west side. Equestrian trails are also available throughout the park for those bringing their own horses.

Cherry Creek State Park: Horse rental and boarding are available at the Paint Horse Stables within the park. Miles of trails at Cherry Creek offer equestrians a real treat.

Eldorado Canyon State Park: Horses are welcome on the park road, up to but not including, the road to the picnic areas. They are also welcome on the Eldorado Canyon Trail which connects to Boulder County Open Space.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Ride horses here on all trails designated for multiple use. Nott Creek and Kriley Overlook have parking for horse trailers.

Highline Lake State Park: This park offers over five miles of trails for equestrian use, plus access to BLM property.

Lake Pueblo State Park: The best place to ride is the Arkansas Point Trail. Park in the lot at Arkansas Point Campground and ride up into the bluffs for a stunning, scenic view. Horses are welcome for day trips, but not permitted in the campgrounds for overnight stays.

Lory State Park: Trails open to horses at Lory State Park include the East, West, and South Valley Trails, the Shoreline Trail, and the Mill Creek Link. The South Valley Trail and Mill Creek Link connect to Larimer County's trail system in Horsetooth Mountain Park.

Mancos State Park: Mancos offers five miles of trails for equestrian use. Horses may be trailered overnight for those camping, but the trail parking is limited.

Mueller State Park: There are 23 miles of beautiful trails at this park that welcome horses. See a map of the designated trails on the parks' website.

North Sterling State Park: There are three and a half miles of trails within the park for horseback riding. Stagecoach State Park: Enthusiasts can ride the five-mile, Elk Run Trail.

State Forest State Park: There are 130 miles of trails and roads for equestrians. Camp at Bockman Campground, where a public corral next to the campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trinidad Lake State Park: The south side trails, including Long's Canyon, are great places to ride.

Vega State Park: Equestrians may ride on roads within the parks, but there are no equestrian trails. Corrals for horses, and access to over 300 miles of trails in the Grand Mesa National Forest, are located near the cabins in the park.

These are just a handful of trail experiences available for equestrian enthusiasts in Colorado State Parks that showcase the incredible beauty and diversity of Colorado's landscapes.

There are also volunteer opportunities for equestrians to embrace stewardship of Colorado's public land. Contact Nori Pearce, Colorado State Parks volunteer resource provider at 970-309-3402 or click on the Volunteer link at www.parks.state.co.us. For more information on opportunities for equestrians in Colorado State Parks, visit the Web at www.parks.state.co.us and search for "horseback riding."

Attracting more than 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's 41 State Parks are a vital cornerstone in Colorado's economy and quality of life, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks manages more than 4,000 campsites, 57 cabins and yurts, encompassing 246,000 land and water acres. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.