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| L to R >> The Mushroom Rock - - - - - - - - The Stone Fort - - - - - - - - The Horse Pens |
Horse Pens 40 Steele AL.
Alabama's Premiere Outdoor Nature Park &
"The Home Of The South's Bluegrass Music"
We appreciate your interest in Horse Pens 40!
Horse pens 40 is a historic outdoor
nature park, a natural wonderland of unique rock formations nestled atop Chandler Mountain in the foothills of the Appalachians.
Located on top of the third highest mountain in Alabama at 1500' above sea level, it is blessed with a moderate climate
that allows everyone to enjoy it's beauty year-round. The stone formations here are said to be among the oldest naturally
exposed stones in the world, dating from 600 million to 1.3 billion years old.
There are over 60 rare, threatened, protected, or
endangered species in the park, and because of this, our goal is to protect all native species here as if they are
an endangered species.
Due to it's very fragile ecosystem, HP40 is a "LEAVE NO TRACE"
nature park and all guests are expected to do no damage to anything while they are here. No level of damage to any plant,
creature, or natural feature here is acceptable or tolerated.
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| The Old Stone Fort |
There has been over 15,000 years of human
habitation in the natural rock shelters located in the park. Humans have used this area as a place of sanctuary
and spiritual renewal for many thousands of years, and continue to do so to this day. The park also contains ancient
Indian burial grounds dating from the earliest inhabitants of this area, all the way up to the time of the Cherokee removal
known as the "Trail of Tears". The Creek and Cherokee tribes at various times used the natural rock formations to trap
and corral horses, as a natural fortress in times of war, and as a sheltered village area in times of peace. (The only
Peace Treaty ever signed between the Creek and Cherokee nations was signed here at Horse Pens 40).
During the
War of Northern Aggression, the folks from the lowlands brought their children, horses, possessions, and valuables here to
hide them from both the Yankee invaders and the Confederate recruiters and 'Bushwhackers'. Discovered by the Confederates,
it was then used for storage of supplies to be distributed to Confederate troops as they passed nearby. These rocks also contain
several outlaw hideouts which were used for many years. The famous Alabama outlaw Rube Burrow had a hideout here, complete with a stable, hidden passages, and a secret stone door to allow for escape if necessary.
In the 1880's, the area was settled by a young couple named
Hyatt, who had come here from Georgia. The original deed refers to "the home 40, the farming 40, and the horse pens 40", each
tract consisting of 40 acres of land. This is how Horse Pens 40 got it's name. Descendants of the original Hyatt family still
occupy nearby areas of the mountain, and we consider ourselves blessed to have them as neighbors and friends.
Around 1958, a newspaperman from Huntsville named Warren Musgrove
discovered the acoustic quality of the natural amphitheater and developed the park as a venue for Bluegrass and Southern
Gospel Music concerts, as well as local arts and crafts fairs, and other activities. In the early 1960's, Emmylou Harris
made her first public appearance here, standing barefoot on a wooden door propped up on the rocks. (She was reportedly paid
with a bowl of fruit for this performance).
Since
then, many have gotten their start here, such as Three
on a String, Marty Stewart, and others. There have been many famous people to appear here, such as Charley Daniels, Ricky Scaggs, Lester Flatt, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, "Doc" Watson, Norman Blake, Deacon Dan Crary,
Ace Weems and the Fat Meat Boys, The Osbourne Brothers, Sam McGee, Red Clay Ramblers,
and many more. During this period, the park
was designated by the Alabama State Legislature as "The
Home of the South's Bluegrass Music"
(Ala. HJR177). It has since become known as
one of the top bouldering destinations in the United States. After some hard times brought on by the mismanagement
of past owners, the Schultz family bought the
park in order to restore it to its former place as a natural and historical park, a world class bouldering site, and as a premere venue for various special events, concerts, and bouldering competitions.
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| Dinosaur Rock |
We look forward to welcoming you
to historic Horse Pens 40 and will do everything we can to make your stay a pleasant and memorable one. Hope to see you soon!
Come and enjoy the astounding rock formations, the rare plants
and animals, and the serenity and clean
air atop the mountain at Horse Pens
40!
The
Schultz family and the Staff and Friends of Horse
Pens 40 cordially invite you to come and enjoy the beauty of Nature and the great
outdoors with us. Everyone is welcome to come
walk the beautiful trails among the unique and amazing rock formations that gave Horse Pens 40 it's worldwide fame, while listening to the birds and enjoying
the solitude and inner peace that can only
be found up here on the mountain in the special place known as Horse Pens 40.
Bring your picnic lunch or dine in our
Country Restaurant which is open Friday thru Sunday. Both RV and primitive camping is available, with bathhouses, hot water showers, huge 50' x 120' covered pavilion,
water and elec. hookups, and Country
Store and Restaurant on site.
HP40 SECURITY ON DUTY 24/7
24hr assistance is available from HP40 staff
IMPORTANT NOTICE ! !
HP40 has a New Phone Number ! !
(256)-538-7439
The Groundhog sez:
Due to continuing difficulty with our antiquated, slow, and dependably unreliable phone service,
we have been required to obtain a new phone line and also a new phone number. And even so our credit card machine seldom works
properly...especially if it is windy, raining, clear, sunny, cold, warm, or anything in between.
(Their excuse is that we are the last one on the wire... OK, whatever.)
So, if you need to talk to someone here, call 256-538-7439.
And, if you don't get an answer, it doesn't mean that we aren't here, we are probably just outside
in the park. Keep tryin' til you get ahold of somebody, or just come on up to see us.
Thanks, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
> > NOTICE: NEW PET POLICY < <
We love dogs, and we own several,
BUT...
due to insurance restrictions and
important ecological considerations, (There are over 60 rare, threatened, protected, or endangered species at HP40) we
have been forced to adopt a STRICT NO PETS policy.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME ! !
NO PETS ARE ALLOWED
(outside your vehicle) ANYWHERE AT HP40 EXCEPT IN THE LARGE FIELD OUTSIDE THE MIDDLE GATE.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME ! ! !
There are many rare, threatened, protected and
endangered species here, and all are potentially vulnerable to canine (and also careless human) impact. While we love dogs, they can't really make a positive contribution to a nature park, and cannot possibly benefit the
creatures that live here.
We also expect our human guests to LEAVE NO TRACE while
they are here.
We appreciate your consideration on this important
issue, and we apologize for the inconvenience it will cause pet owners.
Pets will not be allowed to remain in a HOT vehicle
in the summer. To avoid this problem:
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME!!
(Click here for more details)
HORSE PENS 40 IS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK !!
Open for day use from 9am til just after sunset
Admission/day
use fee --------------- $5.00 per person per day (9am til sunset)
(Not including festivals and special events. Event prices will
vary.)
Kids 10 years of age and under -------- FREE!! (with
paid parent)
R/V or Primitive
Camping ----------- $10.00 person per night (day fees incl).
Water / Elec.
RV hookups ---------------- add $5.00 extra (per RV per night)
Kids tent -------------------------
FREE!! (under 10 years old on parents campsite)
Your pre-placed
camper/tent (to reserve your site)---- $2.00 per day ($5.00 day with elec.)
Day use hours
--------------------------- 9am until sunset
Campground check-out
time ----- sunset
Quiet Time (enforced)
--------------- Midnight until 8am
>
> > SECURITY ON DUTY 24/7 < < <
GUESTS
UNDER 18 MUST HAVE A PARENTAL WAIVER ON FILE (available upon request through e-mail at horsepens40@aol.com. ALL
MINORS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
MINORS MUST BE UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES !!!
NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED IN PARK !!!
PLEASE DO NOT BRING GLASS TO HP40 !!!
Pets are no
longer allowed at HP40 (outside your vehicle).
* * * PLEASE NOTE * * *
Due to the environmental impact and the potential for
injury and damage,
BB GUNS, PELLET RIFLES, OR
SOFT-AIR TYPE GUNS ARE PROHIBITED ON HP40 PROPERTY.
THIS IS STRICTLY ENFORCED !!!!
We feel that there is no place for these items in a nature
park where all living things are strongly protected. The potential for injury or damage Is simply too great, including the
fact that the lead and plastic pellets are potentially harmful to wildlife and are NOT BIODEGRADABLE, effecting the
environment for many years. Please use these items elsewhere in a safe place and in a safe manner, and be environmentally
responsible and use a target that recovers your pellets.
>
> > SECURITY ON DUTY 24/7 < < <
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| Mountain Laurel in bloom at Lookout Point |
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| one of the beautiful RV camping areas |
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Horse Pens 40 is a 120 acre historic outdoor nature park offering hiking, camping,
picnicing, bouldering, exploring, and much more. It is open for day use 7 days a week from 9am til after sunset, and also offers primitive campsites and 100+ RV hookups. The day use fee is $5.00 per person per day. Camping is $10.00 per person per night (includes day use). Children
under 10 are FREE! (with paid parent). Elec. and water hookups
are $5.00 extra. Check out time is sunset.
We have clean restrooms and shower facilities, a large (50' x 120') covered pavilion, as
well as a Country Store
and Restaurant. There are also special events scheduled regularly, such as Bluegrass Music festivals, Native American Powwows, Civil War Re-enactments, Mountain Man Rendezvous,
Mountain Arts and Crafts,
Tomato Festival (Chandler Mountain tomatoes are world famous and are ripe in July-Sept), Motorcycle Rallys, Christmas Arts and Crafts, and many more. We also
host corperate picnics,
family reunions, outdoor weddings and other special gatherings.
Country Store open
7 days a week!!
Restaurant Open
Friday thru Sunday!!
RUSTIC CABINS
NOW AVAILABLE !!
Reservations recommended
for rustic cabins
Reservations are not accepted (or normally needed) for camping
NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED IN PARK !!!
PLEASE DO
NOT BRING GLASS TO HP40 !!!
NO PETS ALLOWED
IN CAMPGROUND,
ROCK AREAS, OR NATURE
AREAS!!!
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR
PETS AT HOME !!!
HP40
SECURITY
ON DUTY 24/7
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| Mushroom Rock (aka "The Cup and Saucer") |
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| "The Schultz Family" |
| Please Support Our Sponsors: |
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| "Southern Spice" Ginger Ale -- since 1901 |
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