Smoky Mountains Horseback Riding
Smoky Mountains horseback riding is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the mountains whether you're an experienced rider, or you've never been on a horse before. There are many options available, including guided tours, carriage and hay rides, backcountry horse camping, pony rides, and even weddings on horseback. Horseback riding is available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but there are also numerous stables and trail guides in the areas close to the Park. The cost of a one hour trail ride usually ranges between $20 to $25 per person. Longer rides are also available, including overnight trips. Some facilities welcome group reservations, and there are usually age and weight limits. In most cases, children must be 5 years of age and up. For longer rides, or rougher terrain, only older children are allowed. Call to check before going. Smoky Mountains Horseback Riding in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkStablesThere are 4 commercial stables located in or near the Park where you can rent a horse for guided horseback rides. They're open from mid-March through late November. There are weight and age limits, so call to check first.Cades Cove Riding Stables offers hayrides and carriage rides as well as horse rentals. Located near Townsend, Tennessee. (865) 448-6286 Trails and Backcountry CampingYou'll find some 550 miles of hiking trails that are open to horses, and some of the campsites on these trails are also available to horseback riders. You can obtain a trail map at any park visitor center, or download one from the National Park Service Maps web site.Some of these backcountry campsites require reservations, and these are clearly marked on the trail map. Camping permits are required for any overnight stay. Some of the trails may be steep and narrow, so expect to find rugged conditions. Drive-In Horse CampsThe Park also has 5 drive-in horse camps, open from early April through October:
Facilities include picnic tables, grills, designated parking spaces (usually gravel), refuse containers, hitch racks and space to pitch a tent or two. Big Creek has flush toilets with cold water. Other horse camps have portable toilets and no drinking water. Water is available for horses, either in the campground or at a nearby stream. Reservations are required. Call the National Park Reservation Service at 1-800-365-2267 (park code GRE) or go to Recreation.gov. Only one of these (Anthony Creek in the Cades Cove area) is located on the Tennessee side of the Park. The others are in North Carolina. Smoky Mountains Horseback Riding Close to the ParkThere are many facilities close to the Park that offer a variety of options for Smoky Mountains horseback riding, including hayrides, weddings, pony rides, camping and cabins.Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
Townsend & WallandApple Valley Riding Stables Return to Discovering East Tennessee home page from Smoky Mountains Horseback Riding |
