Horseback Riding Trails

See image below for designated bridle trails for horseback riding throughout the park. The park does not offer horseback rides but they are available through several commercial business in the Gettysburg area. Visit Destination Gettysburg for further information. For the safety of both animal and rider, protection of other visitors and park resources, riders must remain on designated horse trails at all times.

Other conditions concerning the use of horses or pack animals

Operators of horse (draft animal) drawn vehicles will conform to the Pennsylvania motor vehicle code, Title 75 sections 3103 (Traffic Regulation applicable), Section 4303(e) (Lighting Requirements) and section 4529 (Slow Moving Vehicle emblem required). All such vehicles shall utilize manure catchers as part of the tack.

Know Before You Go

• There are no restrooms along the trails. Plan accordingly.
• Horseback riding is permitted only on established horse trails.
• No horse drawn vehicles on any trail.
• No use of horses along park roads unless necessary to cross to, or from a designated trail.
• Abide by the park’s normal operating hours of sunrise to sunset.
• Refer to the trail map to determine your ideal route.
• The Slyder Farm section of the trail is closed to horses Monday through Friday during April, May, and October.
• Groups of 15 or more horses require a permit.
• Commercial trail riding activities in Gettysburg National Military Park without a commercial use authorization is strictly prohibited.

Park Resource Protection & Leave No Trace Etiquette

• Leave No Trace - All manure and other litter must be collected and removed from the park.
• Horses are not permitted to graze any vegetation in the park or along the trail corridor.
• Do not water horses at the spigot in the McMillan Woods area. Please carry water to your horses from the spigot.
• Horses may only be secured by tying them to a pre-existing hitching post or a horse trailer.

Safety Matters

• In case of emergency, call 911.
• Appropriate safety gear is recommended for all trail users.
• Horses must always be kept under physical control.
• Highways should be crossed only at marked bridle trail crossing locations.
• Pedestrians have the right of way on the trail.
• No racing, running, jumping walls/fences, and galloping of horses.
• Maintain a safe distance between horses.
• Do not obstruct the trail or make unreasonable noise while passing other horses.
• Horses and riders are not permitted to leave the trail to traverse any fields in the park.
• Wildlife is abundant along the trail corridors, be aware of your surroundings.
• If riders/horses cannot safely share the trail in a manner that is accommodating to others, do not use the park’s trails.
• Be alert for low hanging branches. Report fallen trees to the ranger station at 717-334-0909.

Note: Under emergency circumstances the park may close the trail temporarily or sections of the trail without prior notice. The closures will be signed and the park Visitor Center will know the current status of the horse trails [phone] ext. 8023.

For visitors who bring their own horses to the park, limited trailer parking is available at McMillan Woods on West Confederate Avenue. On weekends during spring, summer and fall, the parking area for horse trailers can fill up quickly. Since parking is limited it is best to arrive early. Once the lot is full, there are no other places for trailers to park on the battlefield. If that happens, horse riders need to be flexible and consider other horse riding venues in the area:

Bridle Trails Close to Gettysburg

Catoctin National Park, Thurmont, MD, [phone]
web site: https://www.nps.gov/cato/
Large Parking area - 5 trails totaling 30 miles.

Codorus State Park, Hanover, PA [phone]
web site: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/codorus.aspx
40 trailer parking- 8 miles of trails.

Gifford Pinchot State Park, Lewisberry, PA [phone]
web site: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx
6 miles of riding trails.

Michaux State Forest, Fayetteville, PA [phone]
web site: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/michaux.aspx
Large Parking area; call for information on length of trails.

Bridle trails are open year round however, the Slyder Farm trail is closed to horses Monday – Friday during the months of April, May, and October due to its use for student education programs.

 

Pedestrian and Horse Trails map

NPS Image