Horse Heaven Ranch is located seven miles east of Talihina, Oklahoma, on Highway 63. It's recently come under the ownership of Dudley Black and Elfie Bowling from Killeen, Texas. They're both avid trail riders, so they know what we equestrians are looking for in an equine resort!
My husband and I have been going to Horse Heaven Ranch ever since it first opened more than seven years ago. We travel to many places in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico, and Horse Heaven is one of the best places we've ever been. That's what keeps us going back year after year.
Camp in Comfort
When you pull up, you'll see the ranch is well maintained and immaculate. The campsites are regularly mowed and weeded, and there's never trash or horse manure around. There's a friendly onsite manager who'll assist you with any questions you have or anything you might need during your stay. There are local veterinarians and farriers available, plus restaurants and grocery stores in Talihina if you forget something or wish to go out for a meal.
The ranch's 32 campsites include full electric and water hookups (even sewer hookups at some sites), level cement pads, picnic tables, a fire ring, a grill, hitching posts, and two pipe corrals. Some sites have views; most have lots of shady trees.
There's also a heated and air conditioned bathhouse, a dump station, and ice machine. For the horses, there's a six-stall Barnmaster barn, a sand arena, and a wash rack.
If you're looking for more luxurious accommodations, the ranch also has six fully furnished stone-and-cedar cabins that include a covered paddock for your horses! Each cabin has a full kitchen, back patio, fireplace, and satellite-dish TV. We have living quarters in our trailer, but at least once a year we treat ourselves to a stay in one of these lovely cabins, just because we like them so much.
Rugged Trails & More
Around Horse Heaven, you can ride on 100-plus miles of trails that wind through Ouachita National Forest. Most trails are fairly rocky (you'd want your horses shod); they range in difficulty level from easy to rugged.
There are spectacular mountain views along some of these trails! If you like good, challenging riding with some climbs and lots of creek crossings, you'll love the trails at Horse Heaven.
The new owners are making some great improvements to an already wonderful place, including building a 30-by-100-foot covered pavilion, cutting more trails, and hosting organized rides. They've also opened a new cabin for large groups.
If you've never been to Horse Heaven, I highly recommend you check out this great equine paradise! You'll be happy you did.
