Whiterock Resort

Bringing Your Own Horse?

Day Rides         Camping with Horses      Saddle Clubs            Trail Map

Land Access
Whiterock Resort offers 4300 beautiful acres of riding. The land lies on both sides of the Middle Fork of the Raccoon River, along an eight mile stretch of river.  The land offers clear, sandy ridge lines (open even when wet), timbered slopes, and timbered or clear bottom land.  Numerous ponds and wetlands are scattered along the bottom land.  The trails include several river crossings.   There are a few, but not many, gates and fence lines.  One formal, marked and mowed trail extends from the Garst Farm Lodge Headquarters to the north, down river to the River House and the Main Horse Campground, and then east along the River to the Remer House (where Mary Garst lives).  Many riders ride into Coon Rapids for an ice-cream at the Drive-Inn.  Endless miles of  informal trails are also available ... you can ride three days before seeing most of the valley.  Print out the trail map before you come!  It shows closed hunting areas, so keep checking back as well.  Guide service is available for those who want to explore the remote corners of the valley. 

Prices for Land Access:  $10 per horse per day  (whether day visitor or
    overnight visitor)   (saddle club discount... $8... see below)
                                         

Day Rides       Guests are welcome to bring their own horses and just ride for the day.  Reservations are required, though we almost always have availability.  (However, occasionally, we are closed for large groups, and we always want the opportunity to tell you about closed areas (due to hunting)).    Riders are directed to the Main Horse Campground and can park their trailers there.  Payment is made at the Garst Farm Lodge Headquarters before going to the campground.  Most people water their horses in the river.  Picnic tables and a clean porta-potty are available. Check-in and guest services are provided from the Garst Lodge Headquarters.    Back to Top

Camping with Horses.  
Our main campground is idea for trail riders.  It is a pretty site, next to the river on the main trail through the valley.   The Campground has six "sites", three which can hold at least a dozen RVs and trailers.   Each site offers some shade and mowed grass pasture.  There is enough room to set up your own tie lines between trailers and trees, and some  tie lines that are provided.    The campground is equipped with picnic tables, firewood, fire ring, porta-potty and shower house with solar-heated cold water.  Most people water their horses in the river, which is accessible and adjacent to the campground.   A manure pit, wheelbarrow and dumpster are also provided, and we request that you clean up after yourselves and your horses.  The campground is sandy, so mud is rarely a problem in the campground.   The water in the shower house tank is potable and a hydrant is available across the road at the River House.  Check-in and guest services are available from the Garst Farm Lodge Headquarters.

Optional sturdy steal pens are available for $8/night.  Reservations required.

There are NO vaccination requirements for horses in our main campground.  Visitors beware.  We strongly encourage you to make sure your horses are protected. 

Prices for Camping With Horses:  $12 per rig (2 horses) per night.   Extra horses in a rig ...$2 per horse per night.    Optional open pen ... $8 per pen (available in May 2003).    In addition, a "day access fee" is charged. (See above.)

805 River, our primitive camping cabin, is another great venue for campers with horses.  The horse overnight fee is $8/horse in addition to the cabin cost.
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Saddle Clubs   
Our Main Campground is an ideal venue for Saddle Clubs.  References available upon request.   A 20% Riding Club discount ($8 per horse per night) is available if there are 10 or more riders in your group, and if you make the reservation and pay as one party. 

If you are an overnight guest at Oakridge Country House, you can reserve the two steel pens for $8 each or set up your own tie line.  

If you are a guest at Woodland Carriage House, you can keep your horses in open pens in our Campground (which is just across the road from Woodland Carriage House and the River House.)  The cost is $8 per night per steel pen

Tie Line or Open Pen at 805 River :   $8 per horse per night
Open Pen at Oakridge:  $8 per horse per night
Open Pen at Campground:   $8 per pen per night

Back to Top   [ Rules of the Trail ] Guest Comments: Horses  Prices: Bring Your Own Horse    Camping   Trail Map

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Contact Information

Telephone:   712-684-2964

 

FAX:  712-684-2299   

 

Whiterock Resort   

1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids, Iowa 50058

 

whiterock@iowatelecom.net