The Smoky Mountains and its expansive tourism offer visitors of all ages and tastes something to enjoy. Kids get the rush of the rides, fun parks, arcades and swimming opportunities. Teens also get in for the rides and some of the higher end adrenaline thrusts like ziplines and trampoline parks. The college kids tend to want to come for a half mix of night-on-the-town and relaxation in between exams. The older adults go for the distilleries and things to entertain the family, the National Park and the arts and crafts boutiques and the elder generations tend to mix it up. If you want to get the most exciting time of your life, you'll get it here in the Smokies. If you need to relax for a while to get recharged after a heavy work project, you'll get it here in the Smokies. If you want to get spiritual with a variety of different types of worship services, you'll find it here in the Smokies. If you want a fantasy wedding like you've always had in your dreams, yes, you'll find it here in the Smokies as well.
Then again, people can find the basic needs of those goals met at many tourism areas throughout the United States, why is it the Smokies are often considered? Because a significant overlay for visitors is they want the Southern Appalachian experience. They didn't come just to see any mountains, they came to see the SMOKY Mountains. They don't come here just to eat any BBQ, they come here to eat SMOKY MOUNTAIN BBQ. They come here to get the experience of being out in the country – to see farms, bales of hay, barns, tractors, cows and more. Sometimes, our visitors even want more – to get to FEEL like a good ol' country boy or gal.
That's where horseback riding comes in; almost nothing in the Smokies makes you feel more like a Southern country local than hitchin' up a saddle, riding a tall majestic animal through a well-worn path and enjoying our particular brand of equestrianism to its fullest!
In this article, we'll showcase some of the horseback riding places we can recommend within Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. It's a great family and group activity for pretty much everyone and, indeed, memories will be made. Let's look:
Heritage Carriage Rides & Gold Rush Stables
2202 Goldrush Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 365-5894
From their website:
“Gold Rush Stables offers a 2 1/2 mile trail that takes an hour to ride. We have 5 trails to accommodate any level of experience. All trails are safe with no extreme trails. We are located at 2202 Goldrush Rd, Pigeon Forge, one red light past Dollywood and across from Dolly’s Dream More Resort. Our carriage rides are available to take a romantic ride in Pigeon Forge in our horse drawn carriage. Perfect for your romantic getaway in the Smokies!”
Jayell Ranch
1131 Jayell Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 776-1593
From their website:
“Our 4 mile, 1 hour, shady trail ride winds through more than 260 acres of the best scenery in the Smoky Mountains. Throughout the ride, you'll see views of North Carolina, Mount Leconte and Shield's Mountain Fort, taking a ride through Tennessee's true history.
We have well-trained, experienced guides, and the horses are very familiar with the trails. No riding experience necessary. The weight limit for horseback rides is 300 lbs. This is the best ride in Tennessee by far.”
Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa LLC
909 Little Cove Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 428-9398
From their website:
“Our Smoky Mountain outdoor activities let you travel back in time and experience the Smokies as the early settlers did 200 years ago as they crossed the mountains on horseback seeing these mountains and valleys for the very first time. Enjoy relaxing outdoor family activities such as fishing in our stocked fishing pond, mining for gems at our gem mine, and visiting the animals at our petting zoo. Our shaded picnic area is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a snack or meal from Chow-Boys Cafe. And for the truly adventurous, take a guided ATV ride that will take you through creeks and along mountain trails.”
Five Oaks Riding Stables
1630 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
(888) 353-4926
From their website:
“This 70 acre nature park will give you the opportunity to ride with the view of a beautiful mountain lake and the majestic Mount LeConte like you’ve never seen it before.
While on our historical trails, you will encounter the remnants of an authentic moonshiners still! At Five Oaks Riding Stables we believe you deserve more than just a horseback ride, but also an experience of the Appalachian Mountains history. Though in the Great Smoky Mountains we are surrounded in history, it is the critters that receive the most attention.”
Waldens Creek Stables
2709 Waldens Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 429-0411
From their website:
“Come on out and experience firsthand what wonders the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer out at Waldens Creek Stables. Grand views, deep hollows and clear spring waters on over 500 acres of mountains and valleys surround the stables and beckon visitors year round. We are a family orientated attraction and offer western activities such as: horseback riding, Wild West Dinner Shows, hay wagon lunch rides, fishing, camping, weddings, birthday parties, special events, and more. As you can see there are plenty of adventures for the entire family. Upon arrival your western adventure will start by entering our Wild West themed gift shop. Our gift shop is stocked with various cowboy and cowgirl souvenirs, along with a long front porch complete with rocking chairs.”
Sugarlands Riding Stables
865-436-5470
1409 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Open 9 am – 4:30 pm 7 days a week
Fun activity for the entire family! Horseback riding is an excellent choice for a fun activity on your next vacation, even if you’ve never been on a horse before! Our trail rides climb along streams inside the National Park and are excellent for beginners and experienced riders alike where you may see Black Bears, White Tail Deer, Turkeys, or other wildlife. We have handpicked our horses for their calm temperament, athletic ability, and willingness to please. We match our horses with each rider to suit your experience and skill level, and we provide an orientation, so you feel comfortable with your horse before we leave. Expect to be with us for a little over an hour to 2 hours, depending on the length of your ride, for signing in, orientation, familiarizing yourself with the horses, mounting up and the trail ride. Sugarlands Riding Stables is conveniently located minutes from Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the beautiful Sugarlands Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
