Horseback Riding at Parrie Haynes Equestrian Park

Parrie Haynes Equestrian Park is really the go-to place for overnight camping horse trips north of Austin (Of course, we are your stop for south of Austin and North of San Antonio!). This Equestrian Park has endless trails, and the Blue Bonnets are outrageous. Texas wildflower season is fast upon us and if you haven’t had the chance to go trail riding past fields of this Texas state wildflower, then you are seriously missing out. Parrie Haynes offers photo ops galore for the equine photographer in the bunch. In this case, that’s normally me behind the camera, and I can’t even begin to explain how awesome it is to see the ground littered in blue.

Couple shown in the background over a field of Blue Bonnets at Parrie Haynes Riding Ranch in Killeen, mounted on walking horses while Equine photographer Joan Marie MacCoy takes a between the ears shot from the back of her trusted paint mare, Coca — Take a romantic vacation to Parrie Haynes with your horses, or use some of ours!

Above, a couple poses mounted across a field of Blue Bonnets. I’m mounted on Coca, our black and white paint mare who helps me capture the epic #lifebetweentheears movement that’s created a killer following on Instagram. While I don’t recommend riding at Parrie Haynes in the heat of the summer, as there is limited tree cover, it’s absolutely gorgeous in springtime when the weather is a bit cooler and the flowers are peaking their little heads out for the first time of the year. Parrie Haynes Ranch is located at 13816 North Maxdale Road, Killeen, TX 76549. It’s an easy stop from our location, just a little over an hour away.

One of the things that makes this riding facility so great for families is the camping. If you’ve got a split group of folks and not everyone wants to ride, this is a fabulous stop for the family. Tent camping is available for the rugged, or book a cabin for a rustic, but slightly less wilderness-filled adventure.

Black and white paint mare walks on horseback riding obstacle with youth play day rider, eaight years old, pictured in shorts and blue tank top — Coca takes this confident little summer camper over the balance beam at Parrie Haynes in Killeen, Texas

Another great perk of Parrie Haynes is the obstacle course. Here, Coca is pictured with a confident 8 year old girl, who is directing the paint horse for sale over a balance beam. Coca was happy to demonstrate her potential playday skills at PHR, and as you can see she’s even happy to do it in a halter. No bridle needed!

Young play day rider takes a gander at the horseback riding obstacles in the play day course in Killeen, she's wearing a light blue tank top and pictured from behind, getting ready to walk the plank while a group of horseback riding vacationers watches in the foreground — Work your magic with a little generic arcoxia online paint playday mare like Coca at the riding ranch in Killeen

A group of trail riders watches admiringly as Coca and her itty bitty rider strut their stuff on the balance beam. This obstacle, at the head of the trails by the cabins and main building, is a great place to start your ride. In the background, you can also see a mailbox (which we all know eats horses), a noodle wall and a square area to walk through with cut up hoola hoops that are sure to challenge even the best horses.

Blue, orange and green summer pool noodles create the perfect horseback riding obstacle, as demonstrated by youth play day rider on APHA mare, Coca — Try out the play day obstacles like this colorful noodle wall

Here, Coca (our playday horse for sale) braves the noodle wall. Behind you see the balance beam, mailbox and beaded wall to the left. There are pipes for small jumps in the back as well, and a tire filled with sand so you can practice a raised turn on the forehand with your horse. Parrie Haynes has round pens (pictured) as well as holding pens for horses. Last time we counted, they had 64 pens for folks staying for overnight horseback riding trails. It’s pretty impressive!

Black and white paint mare for sale as play day prospect takes a stroll through a colorful noodle wall with horse summer camper riding her with poise — Horseback Riding overnight camping at Parrie Haynes

Looking for a romantic getaway? Try the Sunrise Cabin at PHR for your overnight accommodations, and a day-long trail ride with the help of Maverick Riding. Parrie Haynes does not supply horses, but we will happily trailer out to meet your needs. We Maverick Riders have personally enjoyed staying the the quaint little Sunrise Cabin, and can’t complain at all about the price, which is very affordable. The cost of the cabin is $100 for two people, and $10 for each person thereafter. There’s a private room with a double bed, a loft with two singles and a sofa just waiting to be utilized by avid horseback riders and equestrians of all skill levels.

Looking to book at Parrie Haynes? Call the lovely Ona at (254) 394-0330 if you’d like to book a cabin or want to trailer your horses out for a trail. Don’t have your own horses, or here on vacation and need to find a horse to ride? No worries! Call us at (512) 230-8413 for an amazing day (or weekend) at Parrie Haynes Equestrian Ranch in Killeen. Happy Trails, and God Bless!

The Blog

Thoughts, musings, and ruminations.

Back in the Saddle

From the very first, infamous buffalo ride back in Hutto, to the now beloved Lockhart BBQ Ride, I’ve watched this Program become something a lot of people may have never dreamed it may come to be. It’s a place where all around knowledged people can come, wether you know how to ride or not, and […]

The Children’s Introduction to Horsemanship

Maverick Ranch Horseback Riding Lessons As is the case with many of the experiences we offer, horseback riding lessons at Maverick Ranch are… well… not the same as horseback riding lessons other places. What we don’t do: Barrels, Poles, Playdays (check back in January 2021) Hunter showmanship (ask about our developing cross country course) What […]

An Update for Guests at Maverick Ranch

Dear Mavericks, The world has been spinning and we here at Mavericks are rolling right along with it. Life offers many ups and downs for us all. For so many folks in the world right now, there are a lot of downs. Isn’t it wild we all share this? Mavericks was conceived some 13 years […]