Big South Fork, Tennessee, is a destination for trail riders. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses 125,000 acres and has hundreds of miles of trails for riding. It's called "The Trail Riding Capital of the Southeast" and, in fact, has the best trail riding east of the Mississippi! Many who come to ride stay in a horse campground or a rental cabin.

Many who come to ride STAY!

Several equestrian communities have been developed now near Big South Fork. Ten years ago, people who wanted to come here for the riding bought parcels of land in Spruce Creek Acres, the oldest of these equestrian communities, and began to build cabarns (cabin/barn combination) or small cabins. Each one is different  and most are tucked into the trees, so it has a very rural look and feel. Deeded trails wind throughout and connect directly to the Cumberland Trailhead, a major gateway into the Big South Fork. A central pavilion hosts a well-attended potluck supper on the last Saturday of warm months so it's easy to meet people and find riding buddies, and a bi-monthly newsletter keeps members of the Spruce Creek Trail Association connected. For more information, go to the Spruce Creek website at www.sprucecreektrails.com

For information about horse properties in the Big South Fork Tennessee area, www.trailridersrealestate.com