By Witherspoon Realty Team
Equestrians find Willis specifically because the Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail is under 30 minutes from most front doors in this area. Couple that with 85 miles of multi-use forest trails open to equestrians, W. Goodrich Jones State Forest's 15 free miles south of Conroe, and acreage properties along the FM 1097 corridor and Republic Grand Ranch where a barn and a pasture are entirely buildable, and Willis horseback riding has infrastructure that most Houston-area communities simply cannot match.
Key Takeaways
- Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail: 19-plus miles of dedicated equestrian trail opened May 2021 in Sam Houston National Forest, built with $550,000 in Recreational Trails Program grants, with a 3-acre trailhead and three purpose-built bridges
- Sam Houston Multi-Use Trails: 85 miles open to horses, hikers, mountain bikers, and OHVs, with a $5 day-use pass and access off FM 1375 near New Waverly
- W. Goodrich Jones State Forest: 1,722 acres south of Conroe with 15 miles of free horseback riding trails, two small ponds, and a designated horse trailer area
- Willis acreage for horse owners: Properties with space for barns, pastures, and round pens, some carrying ag exemption eligibility that meaningfully reduces property taxes
Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail
The Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail is the flagship equestrian destination in the national forest, located in the northwestern Sam Houston Ranger District across Montgomery and Walker Counties.
- The trail system: 19-plus miles of non-motorized equestrian trail in a looped system with a separate 3.5-mile motorized section. A 3-acre trailhead serves as the central hub with three bridges spanning creek crossings
- Horse requirements: All horses must have a current negative Coggins Test for Equine Infectious Anemia. Riders carry this certification and present it upon request
- Overnight options: Coach House at Tamerlane Farm is a private horse campground less than half a mile from the trailhead, roughly 10 minutes by horseback. West Sandy Creek Winery is nearby for wine, live music, and food
Sam Houston Multi-Use Trails
Beyond Richards-Raven, the forest maintains 85 miles of multi-use trails open to equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, and registered off-highway vehicles.
- Kelly Pond Recreation Area and Multi-use Trailhead: Eight miles west of I-45 along FM-1375 from New Waverly, connecting riders to the multi-use network and the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Restrooms, picnic tables, and campsites available. Kelly Pond offers 12 miles of trail through pine forest
- Four Notch Loop: A 9.2-mile well-marked loop through moderate terrain in the Central Area
- What riders encounter: Pine and hardwood forest, creek crossings, open corridors, and stretches where white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and the red-cockaded woodpecker are regularly seen
W. Goodrich Jones State Forest
South of Conroe on FM 1488, W. Goodrich Jones State Forest puts 1,722 acres within easy reach, one of the best free options for Willis horseback riding within 25 miles.
- The trails: Nearly 15 miles of roads and trails open to horseback riding south of FM 1488, on a grid-based system that lets riders link routes for shorter or longer outings through mature pine and hardwood
- The horse trailer area: A designated trailer parking area is available. Riders register online for the gate combination. Three public lots are accessible from FM 1488
- The setting: Two small ponds and wildlife habitat managed for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Deer, rabbits, and native birds are common companions on the trail
Living the Equestrian Life in Willis
What separates Willis horseback riding from trail riding near other Houston communities is what riders return home to. Willis acreage routinely accommodates barns, pastures, round pens, and hay storage on lots where deed restrictions and HOA rules do not limit what owners build.
- Space for facilities: Multi-stall barns, covered arenas, and working pastures are realistic here in ways suburban properties rarely allow. The Charles Traylor Memorial Park in Willis includes a covered horse arena for community events
- No-restriction options: Several Willis-area parcels come with no HOA and no deed restrictions, giving horse owners full latitude over configuration and use
- Forest access from home: With the Richards-Raven trailhead under 30 minutes away, riders can load their horses and be on federal forest trails before most people in Houston have finished their commute
Willis is one of the few markets where affordable acreage, forest proximity, and practical equestrian infrastructure all line up.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to ride at the Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail?
A day-use pass costs $5 per person and annual passes are $25. Both are available at recreation.gov or in person at the Sam Houston Ranger District Office in New Waverly (394 FM 1375 West). Horses must have a current negative Coggins Test, which riders carry and present upon request.
Can horses be boarded near the forest trails?
Yes. Coach House at Tamerlane Farm is a private horse campground less than half a mile from the Richards-Raven trail, designed specifically for horses and riders. For Willis residents with acreage, trailering out from home is the more common arrangement.
What should I know about trail conditions before heading out?
Both the Richards-Raven trails and the multi-use system close after rainfall. We recommend calling even if the weather looks clear because conditions can stay soft for days.
Reach Out to the Witherspoon Realty Team
We are the Witherspoon Realty Team, a Century 21-affiliated team with over 10 years of experience in the Houston real estate market. Based in Willis, we know the equestrian property market here well.
If you're looking for acreage with room for horses and close forest access, reach out to us at Witherspoon Realty Team.
If you're looking for acreage with room for horses and close forest access, reach out to us at Witherspoon Realty Team.
