Horse riding is an energy-filled activity native to many in the country and beyond. The fun comes from the continuous horse galloping cross-filed – prepare to scream if you’re an amateur! Despite this, no one can refute that riding a horse is probably one of the best war feelings in the world.
Not only does it provide a means of connecting with nature; some say “psychiatrists prescribe it to their patients in Texas”, can you believe it?
The Smoky Mountain region is full of numerous horseback riding activities. There is tons of training going on in the various horseback riding attractions. From Pigeon Forge to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, all the way to Knoxville, you will find accommodating destinations to either train or ride in the wild.
The Smoky Mountain region includes Knoxville, Townsend, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and other towns. Where can you get a horse piggyback in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding towns, you ask?
Horseback Riding in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge has an incredible assortment of horse activities. The trained horses are calm and ready to carry amateur riders and saddle gurus.
Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa LLC
- Address: 909 Little Cove Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, weather, and day; check the ranch’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Specialty: Mountain horseback riding and petting
Big Rock Dude Ranch is one of the biggest in the Smokies, with horse riding, petting, a playground and picnic site, and a museum. It offers an unforgettable experience for adults and children, so bring your loved ones along for a visit here.
With over 80+ heads of horses, all trained and bred for maximum agility and safety, Big Rock Dude Ranch will have a horse for you. They go even further to facilitate sessions for larger people. If your party includes riders over the standard weight limit, call ahead to ask whether a suitable horse is available when you visit. Note that extra charges may apply for this service.
Big Rock is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and a proud holder of the Gilliham & Associates Safety 5-star rating. Their trained horses and guides ensure that all safety precautions are in place before a rider can start a ride. The establishment even has a 4-minute must-view safety video for their patrons before riding. You can ask for a helmet for extra safety should you feel the need.
The mountain track is 3.5 miles long, with a view of the Great Smoky Mountains and its topography. The breeze and cool mountain air will relax you in a way only nature can. Loading ramps are big and adequate for you to climb on the saddle without much trouble, leg up, and you are on.
Small children also have VIP rides with a guide.
Trail ride rates can change by season and booking channel, so check Big Rock’s current pricing and coupon offers before you go. The ranch also has a general store where you can purchase snacks for the petting zoo or yourself. Don’t forget to buy a souvenir cowboy hat, a shirt, or a stuffed horse on your way out.
You will find Big Rock on Pigeon Forge Parkway Drive at light 10, between Marathon (BP) Gas Station and Mountain Sky Rodeway Inn.
Goldrush Stables
- Address: 202 Goldrush Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, weather, and day; check the stable’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Socials: Facebook
- Specialty: Horse riding and petting
Goldrush Stables has long been listed on Google and Tripadvisor as a destination for fun and immersive horse riding experiences. They received the 2018-2020 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice awards, which stamps authority on their prowess. The friendly staff and world-class guides make your visit more enjoyable and riding super easy.
Get to ride across a creek, green pastures, a ridge, and through the forest. The natural trail has less impact on wildlife discomfort, which is a plus to the environment’s cohesiveness. Incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountain and the Dollywood are relaxing and a must-watch as you ride.
Current prices and rider rules are posted by Goldrush’s booking page and can change by season. If you are near the stable’s posted upper weight range, ask about horse availability and any additional fee when reserving. Ride lengths and age/weight rules should be confirmed before you book.
Goldrush takes reservations for trail rides; this allows them to control traffic and the number of horses available against the patrons present.
Horseback Riding In Sevierville
Sevierville has the most horse riding destinations in the Smoky Mountains. The ranches and farms have best practices in breeding and training to produce stallions that will handle terrain well. Here are the top destinations in the area:
Jayell Ranch Adventure Park
- Address: 1131 Jayell Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, weather, and day; check the ranch’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Socials: Facebook, Instagram
- Specialty: Horseback Riding
Jayell Ranch Adventure Park features ATV rides, zipline tours, and mountain slides alongside horse riding. Here, you’ll find the longest zipline in the Smokies!
Located a mile past Dollywood and five minutes from the main parkway, Jayell offers a horse riding experience to remember. The park is on a 200-year-old family-owned farm that also runs it. The upside to this is that you and your party feel welcome, just like a neighbor would do it. The guides are soft-spoken and experienced to teach you how to maneuver to be an avid horse racer or at least a rider.
The 4-mile trail leads you up the mountainous sides of the 260-acre park, letting you enjoy the breathtaking natural views of North Carolina, Mount Leconte, and The Shield’s Mountain Fort.
Jayell posts current rider age, weight, and supervision requirements on its booking page; check those rules before reserving.
Current horseback-ride pricing is listed on Jayell’s booking page and can change by season or package. Get deals and discounts on multiple activities when you book combo offers. You can choose the horse riding and zipline experience combo, for example.
Five Oaks Riding Stables
- Address: 1630 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, weather, and day; check the stable’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Socials: Facebook
- Specialty: Horse riding and training
Riding on a 3.5-mile trail with views of the Great Smoky Mountains, natural streams, and trees is what awaits you in Five Oaks. The park is 70 acres of trees and vegetation you will love. No one will tell if you change careers into botany, though far-fetched.
The well-groomed horses are friendly and fun to ride on the calm natural trails, giving you time to enjoy the wild. A guide will accompany you to the end of the ride. Don’t miss an authentic moonshine still along the way! If only they made moonshine here. But again, don’t drink and drive or ride in this case.
Safety helmets for kids are available, as children over 6 years can ride a horse. Children aged 3-4 years can ride with their parents. Anyone under 16 must be in the company of a supervising adult to ride a horse at Five Oaks.
Persons weighing more than 270 lbs will not be allowed a ride for safety reasons. The weight limit goes down to 225 lbs in wet seasons. Doubling on horseback is also not allowed during wet seasons.
Wear a closed shoe covering toe-to-heel: athletic shoes, boots, or hiking shoes are recommended.
If you’re planning to visit soon, a reservation may be your best option to prevent waiting too long before your turn or missing a ride altogether. The park will be happy to furnish you with details on your ride on the phone.
Deer Farm Riding Stables
- Address: 478 Happy Hollow Ln, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by season, weather, and day; check the farm’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Specialty: Horse riding, pony riding
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo is a huge site in Sevierville with numerous attractions for the whole family. It features 140 acres of barnyard trails and animal spaces, from a petting zoo to horse saddles. The farm was honored with the 2021 Traveler’s Choice Award by Tripadvisor.
You can have your little one ride a pony (ooh yes, the good old pony ride) as you take on the reins. Get them through an exciting sand trail as you hold the reins. If your child is relentless in holding the reins, get them a saddle on the horse track as both of you enjoy the scenic views on horseback.
The trail is 60%-80% covered up, shielding you from the sun and heat streaks. The wood-demarcated trails are wide enough to accommodate side-by-side riding. What better way to bond with your partner than on horseback in the south? Well, maybe over food, which you will have after the ride, but a horseback ride is undeniably top rated.
Ponies are available for children under 100 lbs and not taller than 56 inches. Pony-ride pricing and refund policies can change, so check with the farm before visiting. The farm has excellent guides who are very “experienced” to help your child overcome the fear and uncertainty of riding a pony.
The horseback riding experience is priced by ride length, and current rates are posted by the farm. You can double with your child on a horse for an additional fee, provided the weight limit of 250 lbs is in check.
A preparation fee may apply if you choose not to ride after briefing and saddling; confirm the current policy before your ride.
Horseback riding is limited to persons weighing 250 lbs. All riders are weighed, so don’t try to circumnavigate this requirement. Overloading the horse may cause physical harm to it or even to you should you fall. Your weight is visible only to the staff for privacy reasons. You can also take a self-pre-ride measure at the scales in the restrooms.
Read More: Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains
Horseback Riding In Cades Cove, Townsend
Cades Cove has proximity to the National Park, and its stables are just as amazing. Here are two of the best in the area:
Cades Cove Riding Stables
- Address: 10018 Campground Dr, Townsend, TN 37882
- Opening Hours: Seasonal hours vary; check the stable’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Specialty: Horse riding, horse carriage riding
Cades Cove Riding Stables is the only riding stables in Cades Cove authorized to ride in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You get to see wowing views of wildlife and forestry on calm horses.
If you fear a runny horse, you will be glad to know that the guides will pair your personality with a horse and a skill. All the horses are well-groomed and athletic to capture the best moments as you ride them across the vegetative terrain. You may get a chance to see bears and grazing deer, and if you’re lucky, turkeys.
All guests are encouraged to wear a safety helmet (mandatory for children under 15 years). You must weigh less than 300 lbs to ride a horse at Cades Cove Riding Stables for safety reasons.
Your tour guide takes a group of 9 to make you feel at ease. You are fed the stories of the Wild West, the farming communities, and the various entertaining facts of the terrain. Reservations are not allowed for guided horseback tours.
The stables also have horse-pulled carriage rides across the terrain. The carriage rides are suitable for children and seniors. If you fear horseback riding, then here is your reprieve. A carriage can host up to 6 people depending on their total weight.
- Horseback guided rides: Current rates are posted by Cades Cove Riding Stables and can vary by season.
- Horse-pulled carriage rides (30-45 minutes): Current rates are posted by Cades Cove Riding Stables and can vary by season.
Also Read: Best Camping in The Great Smoky Mountains
Davy Crockett Riding Stables
- Address: 505 Old Cades Cove Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
- Opening Hours: Seasonal hours vary; check the stable’s current schedule before visiting
- Rating: Check current Google and Tripadvisor reviews before booking
- Specialty: Horse riding
Davy Crockett Riding Stables is in one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Enjoy the old history of the south and the incredible scenery on horseback available in Cades Cove.
Reservations are greatly encouraged to avoid lagging and long lines. Booking policies can vary by season, so contact the stables’ management to have a proper schedule in place. Rides are typically available from March through November yearly, so plan.
Current rates depend on ride length and season, so check Davy Crockett Riding Stables’ current pricing before booking.
Also Read:
Horseback Riding in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg also has seasonal rides near the national park. One of the better-known options is:
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables
- Address: 1720 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Opening Hours: Seasonal hours vary; check the stable’s current schedule before visiting
- Specialty: Guided horseback rides in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables offers guided trail rides on wooded mountain trails near Gatlinburg. Rides are generally geared toward beginners as well as casual riders, with guides and stable staff helping match guests with suitable horses before heading out.
The stable is a useful option if you are staying in Gatlinburg and do not want to drive to Townsend, Sevierville, or Pigeon Forge for a horseback ride. Hours, seasonal opening dates, rider rules, and pricing can change, so check the current schedule before planning around it.
Horseback Riding in the Smoky Mountains: FAQs
Does Gatlinburg have horseback riding?
Yes. Smoky Mountain Riding Stables is a Gatlinburg option for seasonal guided trail rides. Availability at park-area stables can change by season, so check official pages before making plans.
How much does it cost to ride a horse in the Smoky Mountains?
Prices vary widely by stable, ride length, season, and booking policy. Many stables use current booking pages rather than permanent posted rates, so visit individual stables for specific pricing and activity sheets.
Are you required to be trained in horse riding to ride on horseback in the Smoky Mountains?
Having formal training is not a requirement for you to ride. However, individual trail tours need someone with experience in handling a horse. Most of the stables offering horseback riding have trainers who will guide you along the way.
Conclusion
Horseback riding is a fun activity that is exponentially popular with residents of the Smoky Mountains. A dozen ranges and stables have opportunities for you to get on horseback and explore the forest and beautiful mountainous scenes. Next time you are in Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, or the other towns in the Smokies, plan to get on a horse. You will not regret it.