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Horse highline: how to set one up for camping

A horse highline (also written “high line”) is a rope between two live trees that holds each horse by its own lead rope. Use tree-saver straps, hang the rope above head height, and keep it well back from water. The steps, the distances agencies publish and what a kit contains are below, each with its source.

What is a highline for horses?

A highline is a rope stretched between two live trees. Each horse is tied to it by its own lead rope, so it can move around and the trees and their roots are not trampled. In many areas it is the preferred low-impact way to hold horses in camp. [4]

Back Country Horsemen of America recommends a highline between trees, with tree-saver straps to protect the trees, and says not to picket stock in wet meadows. [5]

The Forest Service calls a highline one of the easiest, lightest ways to keep stock in camp, and says it keeps stock from trampling roots and chewing bark. [6]

How do you set up a horse highline?

Where two sources give different numbers, both are shown. Facts were read from the pages in Sources on October 24, 2026.

  1. Pick hard, dry ground. Look for dry, hardened ground or a spot where the least ground cover gets disturbed. Wet or boggy ground does not stand up to tied horses trampling it. [4] The Forest Service says to choose a hard, rocky spot. [6]
  2. Use live trees at least 8 inches across. Leave No Trace horse guidance says the rope goes between two live trees at least 8 inches in diameter. [4] TrailMeister's article says at least 12 inches, 15 to 20 feet apart, and never a dead tree. The two sources differ, so use the larger tree when you have a choice. [7]
  3. Put a tree-saver strap on each tree. Wide nylon tree-saver straps keep the rope from girdling the bark. The Forest Service describes them as 2-inch nylon webbing, 6 to 9 feet long, with adjustable self-locking buckles, and says two straps and a rope make an adjustable highline. [8]
  4. Set the rope above head height. Leave No Trace horse guidance says a little over horse-head high, and to adjust the height when saddling so saddle horns do not catch on it. [4] The Forest Service's San Bernardino National Forest puts the straps and rope about 7 feet above the ground. [6] TrailMeister's article also puts the straps as high as you can reach, 7 feet preferred. [7]
  5. Tie off with a quick-release knot and pull tight. Run the rope between the straps, tie with a quick-release knot and pull it tight. [6]
  6. Tie lead ropes away from the trunks and keep them from sliding. Space the lead ropes along the highline, away from the trunks. They should not slide along the line, and they should have no long loops a horse could step over or catch around its neck. [4] TrailMeister's article says at least 7 feet between horses and at least 7 feet between a horse and a tree, and shorter leads at night so a leg cannot get over the line. [7]
  7. Hobble a horse that paws. A nervous or bored horse that paws while tied should be hobbled as well as tied. Fill pawed holes and scatter manure when you break camp. [4] Back Country Horsemen of America asks riders to rake or scatter manure when breaking camp, especially around the highline. [5]

If you must tie to a tree for a short time, for example while you string the highline, pick a live tree at least 8 inches across and wrap the lead rope around the trunk twice before you knot it. [4]

How far from water can you highline horses?

It depends on who manages the land. These are each agency's or guide's own wording for its own land, not one national or California rule. Ask the land manager before you rely on any of them.

SourceWhat it saysType
Leave No Trace horse guidance (Back Country Horsemen of Washington)Camps at least 200 feet from water or trails in most areas. [4]Guidance
National Park Service, stock campingTie stock at least 200 feet from streams or lakes. [9]Guidance
Forest Service, San Bernardino National ForestKeep pack animals at least 200 feet from streams, lake shores, trails and camping areas. [6]Guidance
Yosemite wildernessPicket stock at least 100 feet from any stream, lake or spring. [10]Rule
Sierra National Forest wildernessNo hitching, tethering or tying stock within 100 feet of lakes, streams, trails or campsites, except while loading or unloading. [11]Rule

Yosemite. In Yosemite's frontcountry stock camps, stock must be kept on hitch lines or in portable corrals, and trees must be wrapped under the ropes. [10] In Yosemite wilderness, stock may be tied to a tree, or within a campsite, only while loading and unloading. Stock picketed on a line must still be kept from chewing bark or woody leaves. [10]

What comes in a horse highline kit?

A kit is the same few parts the Forest Service lists: a rope and two tree-saver straps, plus something on the line to hold each lead rope. [8] Three kits as their sellers describe them, listed by name and not ranked. Ride has tested none of them and takes no affiliate money.

KitWhat is in itWeightPrice
Outfitters Supply 4-horse highline kit100 feet of 3/8-inch nylon rope, 4 in-line swivels, 2 tree-saver straps, instructions and a zippered storage bag [12]7 lb [12]$124.95 [12]
Laura's Saddlery high line kit100 feet of 3/8-inch nylon rope, 4 swivels, 2 adjustable tree-saver straps and a tote bag; holds up to four horses [13]Not listed$131.99 [13]
Savvy Horse Highline (TrailMeister)5/8-inch rope with a thimble end, tree-saver straps, a rope cleat closure bar, horse positioners with tie rings, and a carry bag; rope length is not listed [14]Not listedNot listed

Prices as listed October 24, 2026: 2 kits show a price, $124.95 to $131.99. They change, so check the seller.

Which California horse camps publish a highline?

3 camps of the 50 Northern California horse camps on Ride mention a highline or hitch line in the agency's own description. Highline at the other 47: Not published by the agency. Ridden here? Add it in Ride

More horse camps, with corrals, rig length and season: horse camping in California.

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Sources

  1. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10077451, fetched October 25, 2026
  2. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10192152, fetched October 25, 2026
  3. Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10220609, fetched October 25, 2026
  4. Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Leave No Trace: Outdoor Skills and Ethics, Backcountry Horse Use: https://www.bchw.org/files/leave-no-trace.pdf, fetched October 24, 2026
  5. Back Country Horsemen of America, Light on the Land: https://www.bcha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Light-on-the-Land-trifold-3-6-2025.pdf, fetched October 24, 2026
  6. USDA Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Horse Sense: https://www.fs.usda.gov/media/132294, fetched October 24, 2026
  7. TrailMeister, How to Set Up a Highline When Camping with Horses and Mules (article dated December 17, 2013): https://www.trailmeister.com/?p=393, fetched October 24, 2026
  8. USDA Forest Service, Techniques and Equipment for Wilderness Travel with Stock (9323-2839-MTDC): https://www.fs.usda.gov/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm93232839/page28.htm, fetched October 24, 2026
  9. National Park Service, Camping with Horses and other Stock: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/camping/stock-use.htm, fetched October 24, 2026
  10. National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, stock regulations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/stock.htm, fetched October 24, 2026
  11. USDA Forest Service, Sierra National Forest, wilderness regulations: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/sierra/wilderness/sierra-national-forest-wilderness-regulations, fetched October 24, 2026
  12. Outfitters Supply, 4-Horse Highline Kit w/In-Line Swivels (maker product page): https://outfitterssupply.com/products/4-horse-highline-kit-w-in-line-swivels-1, fetched October 24, 2026
  13. Laura's Saddlery, High Line Kit (seller product page): https://www.lauras-saddlery.com/products/high-line-kit, fetched October 24, 2026
  14. TrailMeister, Savvy Horse Highline (product page): https://www.trailmeister.com/savvy-horse-highline, fetched October 24, 2026