Cedar Lake Oklahoma Trail Riding Guide
· 4 min read · Jeff Williams, Panorama Ranch
Last updated
More than 70 miles of marked horse trails start at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp in the Ouachita National Forest. Here is what to know before you haul in.
Cedar Lake Oklahoma trail riding means the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails. It's a network of marked loops in the Ouachita National Forest, starting at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp 17 miles by road from Panorama Ranch. The U.S. Forest Service charges no fee for the trails, which wind through pine and hardwood ridges of the Winding Stair Mountains. Loops range from easy to most difficult.
Key takeaways
- The Winding Stair Equestrian Trails start at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp in the Ouachita National Forest. USFS describes the system as more than 70 miles, and its trail map shows about 77.
- The trails are marked with yellow blazes, and there's no fee. There's no drinking water on the trails, so bring water for you and your horse.
- The Ouachita National Recreation Trail section of the Horsethief Springs loop is closed to horses. It's hikers only.
- The day-use fee at Cedar Lake Recreation Area is $5 per vehicle or $2 per person (USFS).
Where is Cedar Lake for trail riding?
Cedar Lake sits on the north side of Winding Stair Mountain in LeFlore County, about 12 miles south of Heavener off US-59, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Talimena National Scenic Byway runs along the crest within 10 miles. From the ranch, it's 17 miles to both the recreation area and the equestrian camp.
The photo up top was taken from the saddle on a forest trail through pines and hardwoods. If you've ever ridden in these mountains, you know the creak of leather and the smell of pine on a cool May morning.
Cedar Lake Oklahoma trail riding on the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails
The Forest Service's Winding Stair Equestrian Trails page describes a system of loops starting at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp. The loops are blazed in yellow and rated from easy to most difficult, so a family ride and an all-day mountain ride can start from the same camp.
A few things to know before you load up:
- Length: USFS says "over 70 miles," and the USFS trail map shows about 77 miles of trail. TravelOK also puts it at more than 70.
- Season: USFS recommends autumn through spring. Late spring is a sweet spot before the heat sets in.
- Water: there's none on the trails. Plan for you and your horse.
- Fee: none for the trails themselves.
- Terrain: rocky ridges, creek crossings and forest roads. Shoes or boots are a good idea for horses not used to rock.
Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp
The equestrian campground near Cedar Lake has about 130 equestrian sites with corrals, horse-wash racks and warm showers, according to TravelOK. Reserve campsites on Recreation.gov, and check there for current prices and which loops are open.
Horsethief Springs: a hiking loop, not a horse trail
This one trips people up. The Horsethief Springs Trail is a loop of roughly 11 miles from Cedar Lake up to the historic Horsethief Spring on OK-1. Part of it follows the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, and that section is closed to horses. Ride the Winding Stair equestrian loops and save Horsethief Springs for a hiking day. Our Ouachita Trail spring hiking guide covers that loop.
More at Cedar Lake Recreation Area
Even if you don't ride, Cedar Lake is one of the prettiest spots in the forest. USFS lists:
- An 86-acre lake with a 3-mile trail around it
- Swimming beach, boat ramp and fishing piers
- No motors over 7.5 horsepower, so it stays quiet
- A campground with about 90 sites, open seasonally
- Day use: $5 per vehicle or $2 per person. Camping: about $15–$40 a night (USFS, subject to change).
ODWC manages Cedar Lake for fishing as part of the Ouachita WMA, with bass, catfish and sunfish. Check the ODWC regulations before you fish, and note that the Cedar Lake area is closed to hunting.
Tips for trail riding in the Ouachita National Forest
- Bring a current negative Coggins. Recreation.gov notes that horses at the camp need a current Coggins test, so keep the papers in the truck.
- Ride early. By late May, afternoons get warm and humid, and spring storms build quickly.
- Watch for ticks on you and your horse.
- Share the trail. You'll meet hikers, mountain bikers and maybe an ATV on forest roads.
- Check alerts. The Forest Service runs prescribed burns and sometimes closes trails after storms.
- Leave no trace. Pack out what you pack in, and spread manure at camp.
Memorial Day weekend at the ranch
Memorial Day weekend is a popular time for this kind of trip. Just so you know, we have a 4-night minimum on Memorial Day weekend, and on July 4th and Labor Day weekends. The rest of the year it's a 2-night minimum. Rates start at $250 a night, with Friday and Saturday nights at $400. If you are hauling horses, plan to keep them at the equestrian camp, and ask us about the property before you book.
For June and July ideas, check our southeast Oklahoma lakes guide. And for cooler weather riding, the trails are hard to beat when the leaves turn. See our Talimena Drive fall foliage guide.
Quick facts
- Distance from Panorama Ranch: 17 mi to the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp and Cedar Lake Recreation Area, 21 mi to Horsethief Springs on OK-1
- Trail system: Winding Stair Equestrian Trails, yellow blazes, more than 70 miles (USFS)
- Best season: autumn through spring (USFS), with May a favorite before summer heat
- Fees: no trail fee. Cedar Lake day use is $5 per vehicle or $2 per person.
- Official info: USFS Winding Stair Equestrian Trails
Panorama Ranch has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, sleeps up to 8 (one on the couch), and sits about 1.6 miles from the Ouachita National Forest boundary. See the house.
Panorama Ranch opens for direct bookings January 15, 2027; reserve your dates at [panoramaranch.us](https://panoramaranch.us/#book).
Questions
How many miles of horse trails are at Cedar Lake Oklahoma?
The U.S. Forest Service says the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails starting at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp total more than 70 miles, and its trail map shows about 77. The loops are marked with yellow blazes and range from easy to most difficult, so families and experienced riders can start from the same camp.
Is there a fee to ride the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails?
The Forest Service lists no fee for the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails themselves. Camping at the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is reserved and paid through Recreation.gov, and day use at the Cedar Lake Recreation Area is $5 per vehicle or $2 per person. There is no water on the trails, so bring your own.
Can you ride horses on the Horsethief Springs Trail?
No, not on the whole loop. The Horsethief Springs Trail uses a section of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, and that section is closed to horses. Riders should use the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails from the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp instead, and save Horsethief Springs for a hiking day on foot.
What is the best season for trail riding at Cedar Lake?
The U.S. Forest Service recommends autumn through spring for the Winding Stair Equestrian Trails. Late spring, before summer heat and humidity settle in, and mid to late fall are favorite times to ride. Early mornings are cooler in May, and riders should check for ticks and watch for fast-building spring storms.