Timber Ridge Horse Campground, near Jamestown, Tennessee, offers direct trail access to Big South Fork River and Recreation Area. Left to right: Garth Rumsmoke (holding Rex), campground owners Yvette and Joe Mann, and guests Debbie and James Payne.

In Part I, I wrote about my travels in Tennessee’s Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, or BSF (423/286-7276; www.nps.gov/biso).

I visited friends, enjoyed an evening meal at East Fork Stables (931/879-1176; www.eastforkstables.com), and stopped by the Big South Fork Lodge (931/879-4230; www.bigsouthforklodge.com).

From there, I made my way a short distance down the road to the Saddle Valley Campground in Jamestown (931/879-6262; www.saddlevalleycampground.com). I’d ridden through this area on a past trip and remembered that it looked like a good place to stay. Now, I had my chance.

When I drove up, the first thing I saw was a small office building with a horse at the hitch rack. It had to be the right spot. I was greeted by owners Ed and Teresa Elam. Soon, I felt very much at home.

As I had no sleeping quarters in my rig on this trip, I ended up in a nice, one-story guest cabin located a short drive away from the horse and office area.

The campground has five barns, eight paddocks, and a large corral. It offers easy access to Big South Fork’s well-maintained, well-designed, and well-mapped trails. There are easy-to-follow signs just a short ride from your campsite.

Behind the office is a large, covered area for cooking, with a wood-burning stove instead of a campfire; the perfect place for meals.

Scouting Trails
I’d ridden the trails around Saddle Valley Campground, and the next day turned wet, so I opted for a tour of the local sights. Into the pickup I went for a full day of exploring. Scouting areas by truck gives me an idea of a place’s size and riding opportunities.

Heading north, I saw many trailheads and trail crossings, such as Rock Creek, Rock Creek Loop, and Peters Mountain. One overlook offered a view of a huge bend in the river and a bird’s-eye-view of the Blue Heron, a former coal mine.

I then traveled on up to Yakamcraw, where I crossed the river and headed back toward the campground. I can easily see why they call it the Big South Fork area. It seems to go on forever and certainly has more trail miles that anyone can ride in one summer.

The next day, the weather was better, and I went on a short, enjoyable ride.

Upon arriving at the Saddle Valley Campground in Jamestown, Tennessee, Garth Rumsmoke was greeted by owners Ed and Teresa Elam (shown on a nearby overlook). “Soon, I felt very much at home,” Garth writes.

Timber Ridge
I then drove up to Timber Ridge Horse Campground (931/879-RIDE [7433] or 931/260-0826; www.horse-camping.com), located seven miles from Jamestown. This campground offers electricity, water, picnic tables, a new 40-stall barn, a clean, heated bath house, a central sewage station, and a few cabins with electricity and water.

There’s also a huge dining area, where guests are encouraged to use the kitchen; the cabins just have a small refrigerator and microwave. For restrooms and showers, you go to a shared facility nearby.

Head right out the barn’s back door, and you’ll be riding in BSF. There are miles of riding and some very pretty sights. Campground owners Joe and Yvette Mann led me — and guests Debbie and James Payne — on some interesting trails that make the Big South Fork area so great.

Cherokee Ridge
On my first evening at Timber Ridge, I was invited to Cherokee Ridge Camp n Cabins (931/879-7696; www.cherokeeridgecampncabins.com), a local non-horse camp, for a cookout. It was the first time I’ve ever ridden on trails in a golf cart. What a way to go.

I had a complete iron-skillet evening and more than one should eat. The meal was prepared by the owners, John and Kay Reynolds. Tragically, the December after my spring visit, John was killed in a hunting accident. (The campground remains

in business.)

Till next time, keep your cinch tight, carry a good camera, and be sure to keep a copy of The Trail Rider in your rig.