Heyburn Lake, Sheppards Point

Yesterday we rode 10 miles in decent time to the waterfall and back. This was my first time here so I wasn't sure what to expect. So here is my story.

The drive down there- google gave me several options to pick from and so course I chose what they said was the fastest route. This route dropped me in at Bristow off of the turnpike and took me on the most rough/pot hole filled pavement roads that then turned into windy washboard dirt roads out to an intersection that was no longer a working road. It's a blind section. So it then took us up to 33 and dropped us in from above. When we left we decided to take 33 E to the turnpike entrance by John Christner trucking and the creek county fairgrounds and headed back towards Stroud. (I'm coming from Maud Seminole area) The route for my friend Dawn, coming from Jones, took her the same way it did me. It's much better to take the turnpike up past Bristow and get off at that exit before sapulpa.

When we got there, note that the day parking is right outside of the campground entrance. It is small but they have overflow parking up at the very first entrance gate. Signs are clearly marked for both areas. Fees are not marked on how much, if any, that it costs for day riders so we left a day pass amount.

Trails: these trail markers for the blue trail are a little grown up in places and markers are a little here and there but I have been told that this is a work in progress of trails. Bring some nippers, you may have to trim out some branches and briars.

We had to dismount to get across one creek, I had a green horse and old horse and a rider who didn't wanna risk falling off so we got off to go down it but going up coming back was doable- just watch the tree going up. It's something the horses had to jump up and it's a quick turn to the right as soon as you get up or your in the trees.

The waterfall was a nice rest spot for sure. It was pretty cool.

Trails also have a few rocks here and there but it is barefoot friendly for good footed horses. We rode barefoot no issue. Signs and markers for sure need to be added at the split of the loops and such. The red markers sometimes look orange and there are different color markers on the blue trail but it is all blue once you cross the road. Again. Work in progress.

All in all I rate it a 7/10 it wasn't too bad of a ride and besides google being disappointing- i recommend it for those that are closer in distance as a place to ride! We didn't have time to check out the campgrounds so I didn't get a review of them, but you can check out the Heyburn equestrian friends Fb page for more camping information.

Happy Trails! 🐴