LaRiviere Riders - Trail Riding at it's Best

The LaRiviere Riders, Inc. Saddle Club was formed to preserve and enhance the LaRiviere Horse Park, Prairie du Chien, WI.. The LaRiviere Horse Park is a City park that features camping and trail riding for equestrians. The riders volunteer time and donate funds to manage the park and maintain the trails. The club leases the LaRiviere Horse Park from the City of Prairie du Chien, WI for horse camping and trail riding.

Members strive to conserve the natural resources and enhance the environment by improving good trail maintenance techniques. A trail improvement class was held to share this knowledge. Areas are targeted that challenge the impact of high trail use, maximizing the benefits of the experienced talents of our volunteers. Mitigating adverse impacts on the agricultural and recreational properties used for the horse trails within and around the Park area. Improvements have been made and will continue to be made to the park by sharing the knowledge of the members.

The Prairie du Chien EMS hold a Trail Ride each year. Members conduct guided trail rides through the Park and adjoining trails. Riders, when you come to ride that weekend you are part of the trail ride and must pay the registration fee and have the proper coggins papers and health papers.

The riders experience the many wonders of nature as the trails take them through the woods to open fields and many hills and valleys. Family members of all ages are encouraged to experience the camping, riding, socializing and sharing experiences. Children as young as 3 years old have been observed brushing their horse before they go for a ride. Elder adults (some are in their 80’s) ride and share their experiences as well.

Thank you to the riders that visit the park and leave donations for park support. The donations made to the LaRiviere Riders, Inc. are used to improve the park and trails. Grants and donations support this park system.

Our mission is to increase public awareness of the presence and availability of LaRiviere Horse Park for future generations. To offer quality riding areas, to observe nature, and emphasize an affordable family oriented horse related activity.

Membership is $10 per family per year (one mailing address).

Park Notices:

09/01/2010
The horse park is open for camping and riding, as well as the adjoining trails on the Children’s Ranch and surrounding trails. Some trails are more challenging so always ride with caution, especially when trails are wet.
Trails : Many trails are not yet marked. Several of them are on private property so please do not ride into or through yards. We don’t want to lose our trail privileges. Signs have been ordered and a trail marking day has been planned for Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are requested to assist.
BEES: This is ground bee season in Prairie du Chien. Reports are coming in that they are out on the trails so ride with care.
Self Registration: Our State approved camping license requires registration of all campers. This information is used only for safety and grant purposes. Forms and a drop box are provided in the kiosk at the south entrance of the horse camp.
Manure Pits: Manure must be put in the holding areas provided. More areas are scheduled to be added in 2011. The manure forks are stenciled, horse park, but if you find you’ve mistakenly taken one home with you, we would appreciate its return.
Portable Pens: Portable pens are not allowed. Corrals, hitching rails and picket lines are provided.
Dogs: Dogs must be leashed in the campground at all times.
Speed Limit: 10 MPH speed limit signs will soon be posted. With the increased use of the campground, it has become necessary.

The park normally opens the first week in May and closes the 2nd weekend in November. The park is closed one weekend a year to hold a fund raiser for the Prairie du Chien EMS, usually the weekend after Fathers Day, or the last full weekend in June (a notice will be posted each year.)

Park amenities:

First come first serve for campsite use
Some electrical hook ups for campers
Water hydrant for camper use
Automatic waterer for horses
Some picket lines
Some corrals
Some hitching rails
Winding trails through the woods and prairies over the hills and into the valleys.

The club officers and board of directors meet often to discuss issues that arise. An annual meeting is held in late January or February.

Projects: Projects for improvements are decided by the Officers & Board of Directors as funding becomes available. Grants for improvements are accepted with Board approval. If anyone has a specific improvement they would like to see it should be brought to the Board. Some improvements require approval of the City Park Board.

All improvements to the park area have been made by the help of volunteers and donations from others.

Prairie Du Chien Weather Forecast, WI

Feb 2010 Annual Meeting Highlights

Membership Form