This question comes up from time to time and the correct answer is…. not yet! The City of Jacksonville, the Forest Park Volunteers and some volunteers from local equestrian groups have been working for about a year to be able to permit horse riding within Forest Park. Currently, horses are NOT allowed in the Forest Park, but hopefully by next summer (2021) we will have a loop trail that will allow for horse traffic on specific, designated trails.
Many trails in Forest Park were only built and designed for hiking and biking traffic and cannot withstand the weight of horses or are not wide enough for horse traffic, especially when meeting other trail users. Due to recent damage caused this spring by horses being ridden on trails that were built for hiking, these trails required unexpected/unnecessary repairs as well as frustration by those that have been working on a plan to accommodate horse riding within the park. So, to answer the question; Forest Park will be closed to horse riding for the summer of 2020, but there are plans to have the loop trail open by summer of 2021. The City of Jacksonville, Forest Park Volunteers and equestrian groups that we are working with appreciate your patience and understanding. There will be more information coming soon regarding the equestrian loop trail and the partnership with the equestrian groups. If you have any questions, please call the city of Jacksonville at 541-899-1231.