There are multiple options in the area for students who want to enjoy the outdoors this summer, but don’t want to break the bank while doing it.
Whether it’s horseback riding, hiking trips or wakeboarding parks, there are affordable options available for everyone.
The Riding Stables in Oklahoma City, located on 9,000 acres, offers horseback riding to beginner, intermediate and advanced level riders.
The stables are the largest in the state. Riders can ride with a guide or by themselves.
Owner Steve Stephens said students frequent the stables because of the low rates. Stephens said it costs a rider $20 for two hours, tax included.
Stephens said OU students who bring their IDs can ride for $15 dollars for two hours, Tuesday through Friday.
He said it’s important for people to call and make reservations so they can be matched to the right horses according to their skill level.
“We don’t assume everyone is a cowboy or cowgirl,” Stephens said.
The Thunderbird Riding Stables at Lake Thunderbird charges $19 an hour, according to its website.
Blossom Crews, operations manager of Backwoods store in Norman, said the store takes groups of 20 to 30 people for free monthly hikes to different locations in the area.
The store’s next trip will be May 15, but the location is still undecided.
Crews said the group usually meets at the store and carpools to the site, but hikers are welcome to meet them at the grounds.
In addition, Backwoods also hosts free clinics about different outdoor activities, like “getting the right backpack fit,” Crews said.
The group currently meets for hiking, but Crews said the store has received requests for mountain biking trips. The group has traveled to the Wichita Mountains, Roman Nose State Park and Chickasaw National Forest.
There’s Mawi 151, a cable-wakeboard park located between Edmond and Guthrie, for those interested in wakeboarding.
Mawi 151 is a cheap alternative, because wakeboard enthusiasts don’t have to have a boat or pay for the gas.
Equipment rentals are available, and the park offers classes and professional instruction for new riders.
For some students, there are options in Norman that are just as appealing.
Hannah Gandy, international security studies junior, said she has gone camping with some friends at Lake Thunderbird.
Gandy said she remembers paying a small $3 fee per car, and her friends set up a tent along the lake.
“I didn’t even know it existed, and it was a really pretty spot just 15 minutes away,” Gandy said.
Daniel Gassett, chemical engineering sophomore, said he went camping in the Arbuckle Mountains last semester.
He said he and his friends swam, fished and visited Little Niagara.
“My friend has a lake house up there, and she knew where we could go,” Gassett said.
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audwaddd 2 years ago
The Riding Stables are located at Lake Stanley Draper.
7900 SE 104th Oklahoma City, OK 73165 Phone: 405-794-8850
cketrick 2 years ago
what exactly are the Riding Stables called? if I google this (since there is no address/contact info) nothing comes up.