Curious about where to go horseback riding in Cades Cove? Cades Cove Riding Stables is the best option, with many activities. It’s also Cades Cove’s only licensed horseback riding stable.
Cades Cove is the most visited part of Tennessee, with more than 2 million annual visitors. Before you get amazed at the statistics, it’s the home to the most historic houses in the state, unequaled wildlife viewing, and beautiful mountain sceneries.
While Cades Cove serves as an excellent spot for auto tourism, horseback riding has proven to be an excellent method to explore the area. It’s also an excellent choice for folks of all weights and ages.
However, if you would love to extend your horseback riding adventures, for many years, these stables have offered fun rides to explore this historic and scenic area fully:
- Davy Crockett Riding Stables
- Orchard Cove Stables
- Twin Valley Bed and Breakfast Ranch
To discover more about the stables and their beautiful events, keep reading!
Cades Cove Stables
Cades Cove Riding Stables offers the opportunity to explore the Tennessee wilderness as fresh as the good old days of the first settlers in America. You walk under the breathtaking canopies and through the woodland beasts off the trails. The friendly guides will also share the history of the stables and the area’s settlement with you.
Horseback Riding
If you are looking for a chance to connect with nature and escape the busy life, Cades Cove Riding Stables offers an ideal horseback experience that will get you closer to nature.
The one-hour trail rides are limited to a party of nine or fewer persons. The groups are more like family to boost the chances of seeing wildlife in their native homes. A local expert or equestrian will accompany you to lead the way.
Since the horses are not trained to gallop, they offer calm rides suitable for children and beginner riders. Don’t get intimidated if it’s the first time mounting a horse. In addition, the stables have one of the friendliest horses with a modest pace and a knowledgeable guide at your side to put you at ease. The guides will answer all your questions as they give you complete training before you begin your trip.
Once you are ready for the trip, the trail leader will take you through the forest, where you may come across wildlife. In addition, you will also enjoy the spectacular mountain views, see historic houses, and pass the mountain as you learn about this unique environment’s calm and serenity.
Horseback Riding Tips
- Phones and cameras are not permitted.
- A height of 48 inches is required.
- The maximum weight the horses carry is 250 pounds.
- Group rides do not exceed nine riders.
- Every rider is advised to wear a helmet, especially for under 16 years.
- There is no double riding. However, you may choose hayrides if you need to ride along with your kid(s)
- Wear safe and comfortable dressing. In addition, it’s recommended you wear long jeans, closed shoes with half an inch heel, and shirts or blouses with long sleeves. Purses and bag packs are not allowed.
- Western riding is the main style.
- Trips from March to November
- Riders with ages from six to twelve pay $35 per head. Riders with more than 13 years of age pay $40 per head.
- Reservation is not need
Who Can Ride?
- Adults and children who are four feet tall and six years old or more
- Women who are not pregnant
- Riders with less than 250 pounds
- Anyone with no health or age issues can ride. This group of people can choose hayrides or carriage rides.
- Experienced and beginner riders
Wildlife To Encounter
Wildlife viewing is the best part of horseback riding trips. The animals are available based on the current season and time. Some, like the whitetail deer, are available throughout the seasons. Wild turkeys are available during spring when it’s time to breed. In addition, black bears roam around in early falls and late springs. Others include pileated woodpeckers, river otters, and coyotes.
As you would expect from such a reputable stable, Cades Cove Riding Stables has a variety of adventures to choose from. If you are not a horseback fanatic, you may opt for carriage rides or hayrides for similar activities.
Carriage Rides
Carriage rides serve better if you wish to go on an adventure with your entire family. You will be assigned your horse, sit back, and enjoy the animal and plant life tales. Unlike horseback riding, carriage rides:
- Last for 30 to 45 minutes
- Have no limits to age or weight. However, the carriage can carry up to six passengers, mainly due to the passenger’s size.
- Charge $22 for each rider above 13 years and $15 per rider between 2 to 12 years.
Hayrides
Hayrides entail a trailer filled with hay, which serves as comfortable seats for passengers. The trailer is pulled by a truck along Loop Road in Caves Cove, where you get a good view of the early farming communities.
However, the hayrides allow a minimum of two riders to a maximum of 55 riders per trip. Unlike carriage rides and horseback rides, hayrides last for 1½ to 3 hours based on the road traffic.
Park Service will get a ranger as your ride leader if you need hayride for special occasions. For advanced reservations, a team of 15 riders or more is required. Plus, you will need to place a 50% deposit. Note that unfavorable trail and weather conditions may compromise your hayride trip.
Riders who are 16 years of age or more pay $20 per head, and those between ages 2 to 15 pay $15 per head. Hayrides led by rangers cost $22 per rider above 13 years and $17 for children between ages 2 to 12.
Address: 10081 Campground Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Website: http://www.cadescovestables.com/
Phone: +1 865-448-9009
Davy Crockett Riding Stables
The Davy Crockett Riding Stables is another favorite tourist portion of the Great Smoky Mountains. Since 1962, they have provided nothing but paramount horseback riding. The backcountry trails head deep into the forest surrounded by Tennessee wildflowers. The riding speeds give a wonderful relaxation moment as you enjoy the cool mountain breeze.
Davy Crockett’s Stables are primarily busy and flocked during summer. “On the spot” ride or early reservations will be convenient. There are guided horseback rides during winter, but advanced reservation is still required.
Rides last for half an hour, 1½ hours, 2 hours, or half a day. Book a ride and get the best of your vacation break for lifetime memories with your family and friends.
Address: 505 Old Cades Cove Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Website: http://www.davycrockettridingstables.com/
Phone: +1 865-448-6411
Orchard Cove Stables
With trails of approximately 250 miles and unbelievable wildlife sceneries, it’s not surprising why Orchard Cove Stables serves as the best summer horseback riding destination in Tennessee.
The well-marked trails are available for all riding levels. You will encounter the black bears, the most numerous among the beasts of the eastern forest, and other regular wildlife along the trails. The bears are not harmful; instead, they ignore the riders and offer an excellent opportunity for photography sessions.
There are 15 campsites for riders who want to extend the night trips. Every camp has everything you would ask for, including electricity, water, and a bathhouse. Horses are also taken into consideration. There are 28 concreted stalls with many water faucets close to the stalls. Rubber mats are laid on the floor, and the barns are large enough to tack up a horse while in.
Orchard Coves has a new and systemized arena hosting training and clinic sessions. In addition, the camps lie at the end of the road opposite the Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders. It offers an actual private wild camping with a closer view of the town.
Address: 1263 Schoolhouse Gap Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
Phone: +1 423-400-6667
Twin Valley Bed And Breakfast Ranch
Twin Valley offers horseback riding activities and state-of-the-art vacations, as the name stipulates. Services include horse riding lessons, horseback weddings, guest horse amenities (could be hired or own horse), participating in ranch activities, onsite swimming and fishing, and more.
Considering that the ranch is located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain, it offers excellent regional attractions unique from other farms.
Enjoy the mountain trails on the mountain horses to explore the fabulous mountain creatures and views. You wouldn’t want to miss visiting the ranch, whose setting resembles the old century mountain settlements. Plus, there are several ranch activities for you and your families to enjoy. They include cookouts along the pond, campfires, fishing, and swimming.
Most visitors love spending time with the other animals on the ranch apart from the horses. Meet Belle the pig, the only friendly donkey, Junebug, and some curious goats always looking forward to visitors feeding them. As for the horses, supervisors help and teach you to provide, walk, saddle, groom, and bond with them.
Twin Valley caters to its guest’s accommodation with modern amenities. There are log homes with spacious rooms, jacuzzis, and private baths. Alternatively, you may rent a private cabin or choose wilderness camping tents.
Address: 2848 Old Chilhowee Rd, Walland, TN 37886, United States
Website: http://www.twinvalleyhorseranch.com/
Phone: +1 865-984-0980
Conclusion
We hope that the horseback riding stables in Cade Coves list will serve as your ultimate map. Cades Cove has many horseback riding stables with thrilling horseback experiences for your loved ones. But from an adventure perspective, Cades Cove Riding Stables is a great spot, especially if you are a new tourist in Cades Cove. However, that shouldn’t limit you. Explore more to experience more!
