Free Equine Camping in and around McBride:
- McIntosh Equestrian Recreation Site – Buit and Maintained by Back Country Horsemen of BC Robson Valley Chapter. Free camping, 16 non-serviced sites, 28 corrals, piped non-potable water available for horses, kitchen shelter with wood stove and manure pits. Campers must arrive self sufficient with their own domestic/drinking water, horse feed, buckets etc. There is a Forty-two km equine trail network on Belle Mountain adjacent to the campground (see Day use trails below for details). This camp is Located at km 3 on Mcintosh Road – turn off highway 16 twelve km west of McBride if arriving from the East, or two km east of Clyde creek if arriving from the west – look for the green recreation highway signs.
- Koeneman Park staging area – Located 2km east of the Village of McBride -turn left at first road east of Fraser River Bridge. Staging area for the scenic McBride Mountain Multiuse trial Network (see Day rides section below). Also has 2 corrals and Room for up to two rigs to stay overnight at this site (ideal for people to overnight when travelling through). No piped horse water – must walk the horses to water at the Fraser River Bridge.
Day Rides within 40 minute drive from McBride
Contact Robson Valley Chapter of Back Country Horsemen for information robsonchapter1@gmail.com. We may also have members available who can show you some trails.
- Belle Mtn Equine trail network (options for all levels of riders). Multiple staging areas located at 1) the Dore River Staging area, 2) km 3 and km 4.5 on the Belle Mountain Forest Service road, and 3) from McIntosh Equestrian Recreation Site at 3km on McIntosh Road. Trail network Includes option for many loop trails at Lower (Dore River), Mid, and upper levels on the mountain including riding to Belle Mtn Alpine. www.hcbc.ca trails database to download maps and trail descriptions.
- McBride Mountain multi-use trails (uphill sections but suitable for all levels of riders –– Access from Koeneman Park staging area 2km east of the Village of McBride. Very scenic with option to ride to a half way lookout overlooking the Village of McBride and the Fraser River Valley.
- Renshaw sort yard trails: flat and scenic trails through open bush for all levels of riders. Turn onto Mountainview road 2km east of McBride. Trails located 18 km up Mountainview on the left up ½ km past the community pasture corals. No signage – park in meadow across the road from the gravel pit.
- Teare Mountain Trails – Options for all levels of riders. Access from Little Falls Parking Lot approx. 12 km East of McBride. Short loop trails around the falls and back or longer ride options to the upper mountain along a steep trail or the Teare Mountain Forest Service with scenic views along the way.
- Swift Current Creek Route – Scenic Mountain valley – No loop option (for experienced riders who must be comfortable with initial steep uphill section, route finding and assessing creek crossings. Water may be deep depending on the glacier snow melt and/or recent rainfalls. Not suitable for spring rides. Day ride from the staging area at the end of Howard Road approximately 13 km East of Tete Jeune at the western border of Mount Robson Park (see trail map and description on Horse Council BC trail database). Ride has variety with steep uphill climb, forested trail, long boardwalk over muskeg which maybe slippery in rain or frost, then travels along braided gravel bars on Swift Current Creek with trail options on the right-hand side further up the valley.
- Jackman Flats – Ride the ancient sand dune area located off highway 5 south 10 minutes of Tete Jeune – to access turn right off highway 5 at Blackman Road and park at a yellow gate on right-hand side 4.1km down Blackman Road. Room for two rigs. Suitable for all levels of rider, but good navigation skills are required. After a while riding, everything looks the same, so keep an eye on your route, remain on the trail to avoid trampling the delicate moss/lichen.
McBride is uniquely situated, with expansive and scenic backcountry routes along the Continental Divide at its doorstep. Local staging areas provide backdoor access into the backcountry of Jasper National Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, the Wilmore Wilderness, and Kakwa Provincial Park. Back Country Horsemen of BC maintains staging areas to this vast wilderness at Blueberry Creek km42 on the Holmes River Forest Service Road North East of McBride and at the Moose River trailheadapproximately 2km East of Moose Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park.
Contact The Robson Valley Chapter for details: robsonvalley1@gmail.com
This organization provides equestrians who are interested in trail riding and the back country with a safe and social learning atmosphere where people of all ages can enjoy trail riding and the wilderness experience. They strive to preserve and enhance the use of public lands for all equestrians.
The Robson Valley Chapter, founded in 2010, hosts trail rides, workshops, work bees, potluck get-togethers, including an annual poker ride in late September, which is always well attended by both locals and out-of-towners.
Email: robsonchapter1@gmail.com
Website: Robson Valley Backcountry Horsemen
Guided Horseback Riding/Horse packing:
Cowgirl Up Adventures offers trail rides, pack trips, riding lessons and retreats near historic Tete Jaune Cache, only 40 minutes from McBride.
Phone: 250-566-5099
Email: info@cowgirlupadventures.com
Website: Cowgirl Up Adventures
