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Horse
Pens 40
Steele
AL.
Alabama's
Premiere Outdoor Nature Park &
"The
Home Of The South's Bluegrass Music"
>> This is an OLD WEBSITE! << We have a NEW MUCH NICER WEBSITE at HP40.com
Get our current info and prices at HP40.com
by clicking below. v
v CLICK LINKS BELOW v v
HP40.com
horsepens40.com
^^^ CLICK ABOVE LINKS ^^^TO SEE OUR NEW WEBSITE !
>
> > > UPCOMING EVENTS < < < <2023-2024 CURRENT SCHEDULE INFO may be found at HP40.com as it becomes available
> > HP40 WINTER RATE INFO click here < <
> > click here to download parental waiver for minors < <
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| The Old Stone Fort |
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.
NOTE: 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 willingly tolerated.
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 shelter and ceremonial 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 Civil War, the folks from the lowlands brought their children, horses, possessions, and valuables here to hide them from
both the Northern Armies 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: HP40 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.
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 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK !!
Open for day use from 9am til just after sunset
Day Use
Admission (9am til sunset)--------------- $10.00 per person per day
(Not including festivals and special events. Event prices and
summer rates will vary.)
Primitive
or R/V Camping ----------- $20.00 person per night (sundown thru sundown the next day). (Not including festivals and special
events. Event prices and summer rates will vary.)
Kids 10
years of age and under -------- FREE!! (with paid parent)
Water /
Elec. RV hookups ---------------- add $5.00 extra per RV per night.
Kids tent
------------------------- FREE!! (under 10 years old on parents campsite)
Day use
hours --------------------------- 9am until sunset
Campground
check-out time ----- sunset
Quiet Time
(enforced) --------------- Midnight until 8am
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> > 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 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, rustic cabins, and RV hookups.
(CERTAIN HOLIDAYS EXCEPTED. See Below.)
ALL
HP40 PRICES REFLECT A 10% DISCOUNT FOR CASH THAT CANNOT BE OBTAINED
THROUGH THE USE OF ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT. All
HP40 prices quoted here are final CASH
ONLY PRICES and
INCLUDE
6% ALA SALES TAX *.
>
*except as noted below <
Children under 10 are FREE! (with paid parent).
SUMMER RATES JUNE 1 - SEPT 30 The day
use fee is $8.00 per person per
day. (8am til sunset.) Camping is $20.00 per person per night/day (1 night and 1 day - sundown thru sundown the next day).
WINTER RATES OCT 1 - MAY 30 The day use fee is $10.00 per person per day. (8am til sunset.) Camping is $20.00 per person per night/day (1 night and 1 day - sundown thru sundown the next day). Our winter
rates (which also already
include the 6% sales tax)
reflect the higher costs of winterizing, maintaining, and operating
the park throughout the colder winter months.
FAMILY and GROUP RATES
ARE AVAILABLE ! Call the office for details or inquire at the office at check-in. Children under 10 are FREE! (with paid parent).
Minors
(under 18) not accompanied by a parent or guardian must have a
parental waiver on file to enter the park. V
See below for
link V Rustic
Cabins are $80 per night for 1 or 2
people, (add $20 per additional person per night). Reservations are recommended for
rustic cabins. Reservations are not accepted (or needed) for primitive camping. Elec.
and water RV hookups are $5.00 extra.
CHECKOUT
TIME IS SUNDOWN.
DISCOUNT
CARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
HP40
Discount Punch Cards are available for $80.00
(10
punches per card) which are usable for many HP40 services, such as
day use fee (1 punch), primitive camping (2 punches), Rustic Cabins
(4 punches per person, 2 persons min., some restrictions apply), Crash pad or
shoe rental (1 punch), firewood (1 punch per bundle), and more!
This
discount card amounts to only $8.00 per day or $16.00 per night !!
The
discount card lets you get the summer rate all year long !!
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 various Concerts
and Festivals, Bluegrass Music festivals, Native American Events,
Mountain Arts and Crafts, Motorcycle Rallys, and many more. We also
host corporate picnics, family reunions, outdoor weddings and other
special gatherings.
Country
Store open 7 days a week!!
Restaurant
Open Friday thru Sunday!!
HOLIDAY
HOURS:
Horse
Pens 40 is always closed to incoming day users and campers on Easter
Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
If
you are already camping here and are paid up through the holiday, you
may remain and enjoy the park.
The
Country Store and restaurant will also be closed on the above
holidays.
RUSTIC
CABINS
NOW
AVAILABLE!!
Reservations
are recommended for
rustic cabins.
Reservations
are not accepted (or needed) for camping.
NO
GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED IN PARK !!!
PLEASE
DO NOT BRING GLASS TO HP40 !!!
NO
PETS ALLOWED IN HP40 PARK, CAMPGROUND, ROCK
AREAS, OR NATURE AREAS!!!
PLEASE
LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME !!!
HP40
SECURITY
ON
DUTY 24/7
>> Click here to download HP40 Parental Waiver <<
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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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Legal notice: HP40 management and staff reserves the right, solely at their
discretion, to refuse, curtail, revoke, or deny any admission, discount, or service to anyone at any time, for any reason,
with no reason required to be stated. According to the situation causing the action to occur, and the attitude of the parties
involved, a refund may be denied or not offered. All admission fees, user fees, camping fees, discounts, group rates, or any
other rates or services are offered or accepted solely at the discretion of HP40 management and staff, and may be changed,
ended, revoked or denied at any time, with no reason required to be stated, with or without a refund given.
Horse Pens 40
3525 Co. Rd. 42
Steele, AL. 35987
256-538-7439
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