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Horse Pens 40
Horse Pens 40
This is our OLD WEBSITE!! Please go to hp40.com for our NEW SITE!!!
"The Home Of The South's Bluegrass Music"
Steele, AL.
Horse Pens 40 History
   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 atop 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.

   There has been 15,000 years of Native American habitation in the natural rock shelters located in the park. The Creek and Cherokee tribes at various times used the natural rock formations to trap and corral horses and as a natural fortress in times of warfare. (The final Peace Treaty 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 used by various Confederate troops as they passed nearby. These rocks have also been used as an outlaw hideout for many years. The outlaw Rube Burrow was rumored to have used this area as a hideout.

   Around 1900, the area was filed on by a young couple named Hyatt, who had eloped, and came here from Georgia to hide from her father. 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.

   Around 1958, a newspaperman from Huntsville named Warren Musgrove discovered the acoustic quality of the natural amphitheater and started 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 a platter of fruit for this performance).

   Since then, many have gotten their start here, such as Three on a String, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stewart, and others. There have been many famous people to appear here, such as Charley Daniels, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Dr. Ralph Stanley, 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". 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 the park to its former place as a natural and historical park, a top bouldering site, and as a premere venue for various entertainment events.
 "Mushroom Rock"
(called the "Cup and Saucer" in the old days)
Horse Pens 40 Services
   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 $3.00 per person per day. Camping is $8.00 per person per night (includes day use). Elec. and water hookups are $5.00 extra. Check out time is right after sunset. Children under 10 are FREE!  (with parent).
   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 festivals, 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, and outdoor weddings.
 
Country Store and Restaurant Open Friday thru Sunday!!
      
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.
              
       HORSE PENS 40 IS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK !!
  
The entrance to the "Old Stone Fort"
A partial view of the amphitheater
  
Admission/day use fee --------------- $3.00 per person per day (9am til sunset)  
R/V or Primitive Camping ----------- $8.00 per person per night (day use fees included.)
Camping (with Festival Ticket) --- $5.00 per person per night (certain events excluded.)
Water / Elec. hookups ---------------- $5.00 extra (per night)
Kids under 10 years of age --------- FREE!!  (with parent)
Kids tent ------------------------------------ FREE!!  (on parents campsite)
Pre-placed campers/tents ---------- $2.00 per day ($5.00 per day with electricity)
Day use hours --------------------------- 9am until just after sunset        
Campground check-out time ----- just after sunset
Quiet Time (enforced) ---------------  Midnight until 8am
NOTE -- vehicle traffic is restricted inside camping area from 10pm til 8am!

 NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED IN PARK!!!
PLEASE DO NOT BRING GLASS TO HP40!!!
Pets must be on leash at all times!!!
 > > >   SECURITY ON DUTY 24/7    < < <
Gina, Anthony, Ashley, Jeremy, and Mike Schultz -- "The Horse Pens Gang"
   Contact Horse Pens 40 at:
  
  
   (256) 570-0076 (call us up at the pens)
Friends of Horse Pens 40
St. Clair County website                                      www.stclaircountyal.com            
Pearl and Howard Schultz
What others say about Horse Pens 40
  
www.coolclimbing.com/hp40.htm              
Howard and Tina Schultz

 

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