Equine State Trail - Public Input Survey

Submitted by lorr on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 11:31

In 2023, the General Assembly authorized the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the Equine State Trail to the State Parks System. This authorization occurred during the “Year of the Trail” and furthers the development of North Carolina as the “Great Trails State.” The Equine State Trail is the 14th state trail to be authorized since the State Trails Act passed in 1973.

State trails are linear corridors protected from vehicular traffic which provide public access for non-motorized recreation or transportation and offer a wealth of opportunities for North Carolina. These trails are authorized by the General Assembly to provide iconic experiences in North Carolina's natural landscapes. They serve to promote healthy living, revitalize communities, provide environmental benefits, and enable people to visit areas of natural, historic, and cultural significance. Once authorized, the trail becomes a unit of the North Carolina State Parks System, giving the parks system responsibility and authority to plan the general corridor within which the trail will be located.

This survey is part of the initial master planning process. The master plan will identify a five-to-ten-mile-wide corridor for the Equine State Trail as well as outline potential opportunities and constraints, define segments within the corridor, and gather input from the public and stakeholders.

Current Equine and Use
Equine and Use Continued
Corridor Location
Trail Amenities
Demographics
Complete

Indicates required field

1. Do you own or lease a horse(s)?

Yes

How many horses do you own or lease?

What are your horses used for? (Select all that apply.)

Racing

Recreation

Competition

Traditional Work Horses

Equine Assisted Services

Equine Rescues and Sanctuary

How often do you take your horse on trails? (Select one.)

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Once or twice a year

Never

What type of activity do you use your horse for on trail rides? (Select all that apply.)

Trail riding

Carriage driving

Ponying

Other…

Within one trail ride, how often do you ride in each of the following conditions?

Questions	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
On my own property	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
On other private property with permission	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
Along a roadside	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
On off-road trails	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
On equestrian trails on public property	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride
On trails not identified for horses on public property	Never	More than half the time	Less than half the time	The entire ride

Where do you currently take your horse for trail rides? (e.g. Raven Rock State Park)

Would you hike/walk on a trail designed for an intended for horses?

Yes

Would you be interested in riding a horse on the Equine State Trail if there were an outfitter that provided the service?

Yes