54 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Eminance, MO
By Carolyn Dyer
If you've ever imagined heaven on earth, from an equine perspective, Cross Country Trail Ride is it! In the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Cross Country Trail Ride is situated in one of the most pristine and scenic areas in the state of Missouri. Trails cover a variety of terrain from scenic vistas to river crossings. There will most likely be a sighting of Missouri's only wild horse herd as well. Yes, I said wild horses! Shannon County is home to the only wild horses in the state of Missouri and most days trail riders will catch a glimpse of them while riding.
While encountering wild horses out on the trail is an amazing experience, Cross Country Trail Ride offers much more. We are the premier equine vacation offering 7 trail rides each year for a week or a weekend! Our packages include 3 meals each day, camping with electric hookup, and daily entertainment for an all-inclusive admission price of $285 per adult (prices for weekend events vary). We're not open between event dates, but with a variety of dates to choose from there should be no problem finding a time that will work with your schedule.
If you're looking for a well-rounded vacation experience, then Cross Country Trail Ride can certainly provide that for you. Our 80-acre campground houses electric hookups throughout and water in most areas, a 63,000-square foot indoor riding arena, a dining hall and kitchen with seating capacity for approximately 1200 guests, and a shower house. We offer an onsite restaurant that serves all you can eat steak bars, tasty ice cream treats, and a variety of short order items. As our guest, you also have unlimited access to three beaches along the Jack's Fork river which flows around the entire back side of our facility. If you’re needing a break from riding and want to do some shopping, we have you covered on that as well with a western store and tack store located inside our arena. In addition to your meals being included we also provide daily entertainment. There are organized trail rides each day, dances nightly with a live band and concerts by Nashville entertainers such as Daryle Singletary, Ricochet, and Drew Baldridge. We have horse shows, a tack sale, AQHA sponsored activities, the area's largest fireworks display, and of course swimming, floating, and relaxing in the Jack's Fork river. Our May and Late October events provide some extraordinary food at noon cooked on the trail. The menu includes catfish and jumbo shrimp, pork steak, homemade donuts, peach cobbler, and a host of other tasty items! If all of that isn't enough to peak your interest, Cross Country Trail Ride, is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which provides many national parks to explore and some of the nation's most beautiful scenery.
Photo by Jim Lee
access to three beaches along the Jack's Fork river which flows around the entire back side of our facility. If you’re needing a break from riding and want to do some shopping, we have you covered on that as well with a western store and tack store located inside our arena. In addition to your meals being included we also provide daily entertainment. There are organized trail rides each day, dances nightly with a live band and concerts by Nashville entertainers such as Daryle Singletary, Ricochet, and Drew Baldridge. We have horse shows, a tack sale, AQHA sponsored activities, the area's largest fireworks display, and of course swimming, floating, and relaxing in the Jack's Fork river. Our May and Late October events provide some extraordinary food at noon cooked on the trail. The menu includes catfish and jumbo shrimp, pork steak, homemade donuts, peach cobbler, and a host of other tasty items! If all of that isn't enough to peak your interest, Cross
Country Trail Ride, is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which provides many national parks to explore and some of the nation's most beautiful scenery. many national parks to explore and some of the nation's most beautiful scenery.