Horse & Equestrian Trail
Permits — 2026 Guide

Horseback riding is welcome on most national forest, BLM, and national park trails. You typically do not need a special permit for day rides, though commercial outfitters require a Special Use Permit. Overnight horse camping has specific rules about weed-free feed, highline systems, and setback distances from water. Here is a complete guide to equestrian use on public lands.

Day Rides Usually Permit-Free Commercial Use Requires SUP Weed-Free Feed Required

What You Need to Know

Four Key Facts About Equestrian Access

Most Trails Allow Horses

The majority of trails on national forests and BLM land are open to stock use including horses, mules, donkeys, and llamas. Trails designated as "hiking only" or "non-motorized but no stock" are the exception. Check trail designations on the forest or district website before loading up the trailer.

Commercial Outfitters Need SUP

Commercial guide services, outfitters, and pack stations operating on federal land must have a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the relevant agency. Casual, non-commercial equestrian use — even in groups — generally does not require an SUP unless you exceed specific group size limits in wilderness areas.

Weed-Free Feed is Critical

Most national forests and wilderness areas require that all feed brought in for stock be certified weed-free to prevent the spread of invasive plants. Horses and mules pass undigested seeds that can establish invasive weed populations miles from the nearest road. This is among the most strictly enforced equestrian regulations.

Wilderness Group Size Limits

Most wilderness areas have group size limits that include both people and animals. A common limit is 12 heartbeats (combined people + stock), though some areas allow up to 25 heartbeats. Check the specific wilderness area's regulations — these are strictly enforced because horses and mules have a much larger impact per visitor than foot traffic alone.

Where Horses Are Allowed

Equestrian Access on Public Lands

Horseback riding has a long tradition on American public lands, and the federal land management agencies actively work to maintain trail systems suitable for stock use. The rules vary somewhat between agencies:

National Forests (USFS)

The US Forest Service manages over 158,000+ trail miles, the majority of which permit stock use. The US Forest Service manages over 158,000 miles of trails, the majority of which permit stock use. Many national forests maintain dedicated horse camps with corrals or highline facilities at trailheads. To find horse-friendly trailheads, use the USFS Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) database or contact the ranger district. Wilderness areas within national forests allow stock but have specific rules about number of animals and overnight camping setbacks.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

BLM land is generally very open to stock use, including horses, mules, burros, and llamas. The BLM manages several designated equestrian trail systems including the Pony Express National Historic Trail, the Oregon Trail, and many regional horse trail networks in the Southwest. As with the Forest Service, commercial outfitting requires a Special Use Permit from the local BLM field office.

National Parks

Horse access in national parks varies significantly. Some parks, like Grand Canyon, offer maintained stock trails and even commercial mule rides. Others, like Great Smoky Mountains, permit stock on designated trails only. Several smaller or more fragile parks prohibit horses entirely. Always check the specific park's "Pets & Stock" management page well before your trip.

Stock-Free Areas: Many wilderness areas and high-altitude zones prohibit stock use entirely to protect fragile ecosystems. Some areas near water sources, stream crossings, and meadows have seasonal closures for stock. Always verify current restrictions with the ranger district before your trip.

Overnight Horse Camping

Rules for Overnight Equestrian Camping

Overnight camping with horses on public lands involves more planning and regulation than a simple day ride. These requirements exist because horses and mules can cause significant resource damage — trampling vegetation, eroding soil, contaminating water sources, and spreading invasive weed seeds — especially if not managed properly.

Weed-Free Feed Requirements

Use only certified weed-free hay, pellets, or cubes

Feed store must certify the feed is noxious weed-free

Switch to pellet/cube feed 3–5 days before trip to clear gut

Keep receipts showing weed-free certification

Required in most wilderness areas; strongly recommended everywhere

Highlines & Containment

Highlines preferred over tying to trees (prevents bark damage)

Use tree saver straps at least 2 inches wide

Move highline location every 2–3 hours to prevent overgrazing

Portable electric corrals allowed where stakes are permitted

Hobbles allowed; always check local regulations

Water Setback Rules

Camp at least 200 feet (70 steps) from streams and lakes

Water horses downstream from your camp water source

Some areas require 300-foot setback for stock

Don't allow horses to stand in streams or lakeshores

Scatter manure far from water sources and campsites

Group Size & Permits

Most wilderness areas: 12 heartbeats (people + animals)

Some areas allow up to 25 total heartbeats

Wilderness permit required for overnight in most areas

Obtain permit via recreation.gov or ranger station

Quota systems apply on popular routes

Planning Your Ride

Finding Horse Camps & Trail Information

Planning a backcountry equestrian trip requires more research than a day hike, but excellent resources are available. The USFS Recreation.gov database includes many horse camps with corral and trailer parking information. The National Forest's Horse Camp Locator on the USFS website is a searchable database of developed horse camps across the national forest system.

The Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) is a national advocacy organization with state chapters that maintain trails, work with land managers, and provide excellent local knowledge about equestrian access, permit requirements, and recommended routes in their regions. Their website at backcountryhorse.com is an excellent starting point for trip planning in any region of the country.

America the Beautiful Pass for Equestrians

The America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass ($80) covers entrance and day-use fees at federal recreation sites. This includes many horse staging areas and trailheads that charge day-use fees. The pass is highly recommended for riders who visit multiple national forests or BLM areas throughout the year and can easily pay for itself in a single season of riding.

Horse & Equestrian Access — Frequently Asked Questions

For a day ride on a national forest trail, you typically do not need any permit beyond paying the trailhead day-use fee where one is charged. However, if you plan to camp overnight in a wilderness area, a wilderness permit is required and may have quotas. Commercial outfitters and guide services are always required to have a Special Use Permit regardless of trip duration. Contact the specific ranger district to confirm requirements for your planned trail.

Weed-free certified hay has been inspected and certified to be free of noxious or invasive weed species that could establish in wilderness areas. You can find it at feed stores that specialize in equestrian supplies — ask for "certified weed-free hay" and request the certification documentation. Many riders switch to weed-free pellets or compressed cubes 3–5 days before a backcountry trip to ensure the horse's digestive system is cleared of any weed seeds from regular pasture hay.

A highline is a horizontal rope or cable strung between two trees at about head height for your horse, from which individual lead ropes attach. This keeps horses contained while allowing them to move side-to-side without being able to eat vegetation from a single spot. To protect trees, always use tree saver straps (webbing at least 2 inches wide) wrapped around the trunk before attaching the highline rope. Move the highline position every few hours during a multi-day stay to prevent overgrazing. Many wilderness-specific highline kits include all necessary components.

Grazing rules vary by area and are typically addressed in the specific land management area's plan. In most wilderness areas and heavily used public lands, grazing is either prohibited or severely restricted to protect native vegetation. Bringing your own weed-free pelletized or cubed feed and using a highline is the safest approach. In some lower-elevation, lightly used areas, limited grazing may be permitted — but always verify with the ranger district and get it in writing.

Most wilderness areas use a "heartbeat" system that counts both people and animals together toward the group size limit. The most common limit is 12 heartbeats total (e.g., 4 people + 8 horses = 12 heartbeats). Some areas allow up to 25. Counting heartbeats: horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, and goats all count as one heartbeat each, just like a person. The limit applies to the entire group traveling together on the trail at one time — you cannot split a large group and then reunite at camp.

Llamas and pack goats are generally permitted on trails that allow stock, though regulations vary. One important consideration is that horses may spook at unfamiliar animals — in national parks with commercial mule operations, there are etiquette guidelines about yielding right-of-way to mule strings. In general, if you encounter horses on the trail, move your llamas or goats well off the trail on the downhill side and give the horses space to pass. Some specific wilderness areas prohibit goats due to concerns about disease transmission to native bighorn sheep populations — verify regulations for your destination.