The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, located in Tennessee and Kentucky, is becoming a trail-rider’s paradise for riders all over the country.

I first found this wonderful area in 1999 when I moved back to Kentucky from Northern California’s Bay Area. Actually, I first found and fell in love with the East Fork Stables horse camp on Highway 127, south of Jamestown, nearby.

East Fork Stables is comprised of hundreds of acres of privately owned land, and the lay of the land is very similar. There are beautiful vistas, bluffs, overlooks, running creeks, and all kinds of flora that’s especially alluring in the spring. There are also wild animals, such as turkeys, coyotes, and even black bears.

The trails in this area range from easy, wide fire trails to steep and challenging ones. There’s nothing more peaceful and gratifying than being on a good, gaited Tennessee Walking Horse in the woods of Tennessee.

There’s something about the Big South Fork area that kept drawing me back. In fact, I decided to buy a cabin there in 2002. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m now able to spend about two weeks per month in the area. I head out with horses in tow and two dogs in the front seat of my Dodge to the mountains of Tennessee and my home. Yes, I call Tennessee my home, as there’s no other place I want to be.

Evidently, others also feel this way; there are equestrian developments popping up all over the place. Most sell out to trail riders and horse owners within days of going on the market. Trail riders from California to Florida are moving there en masse.

Trail riders are good, friendly people. Just start one talking about his or her riding experiences, and you’ll have a friend for life.

For more information Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, call (423) 286-7275, or visit www.nps.gov/biso/ and www.bigsouthforkinfo.com. For more on East Fork Stables, call (800) 97-TRAIL [87245], or visit www.eastforkstables.com.

The trails in this area range from easy, wide fire trails to steep and challenging ones," writes Glenda Levin. "There's nothing more peaceful and gratifying than being on a good, gaited Tennessee Walking Horse in the woods of Tennessee."