Horseback riding is a popular attraction in rural areas like Townsend, Tennessee, and is a great way to spend time outdoors. Many stables and farms in the area offer guided horseback tours for riders of all skill levels. Some only offer horses for rent, some require that guests bring their own horses, and others have both options.
Cades Cove Riding Stables
Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers horseback, carriage or hayride trips by the hour. The stable has trained horses to fit all skill levels. Ages 6 and up can ride by themselves, but those 16 and under must wear a helmet. Guided horseback rides at Cades Cove cost $25 per person per hour. The price covers an orientation to get riders comfortable before leaving on the horseback trail. Cades Cove is open 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. April 2 through January 2, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cades Cove Riding Stables
10018 Campground Drive
Townsend, TN 37882
865-448-9009
cadescovestables.com
Davey Crockett Riding Stables
Davey Crockett Riding Stables allows guests to rent horses or bring their own, but all tours are guided. The stable charges $20 per person for hour-long guided tours and offers longer rides as well, such as half-day rides and overnight tours. Davey Crockett Riding Stables is open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week. From March 15 through November 15, reservations are not required and tours are given on a first come, first served policy. For the remainder of the year, reservations are required.
Davey Crockett Riding Stables
505 Old Cades Cove Road
Townsend, TN 37882
865-448-6411
davycrockettridingstables.com
Orchard Cove Stables
Orchard Cove Stables offers trails and stables but requires that visitors bring their own horses. Its services can be described as horse camping and boarding. Orchard Cove is a 160-acre farm with trails bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For guests and their horses, the facility boasts a 20-stall barn, a covered arena and a bathhouse. The 10-by-12-foot stalls come bedded with shavings upon the guest's arrival. For guests with one horse, the cost is $35 per day with check in time after 3 p.m. and check out time at 10 a.m. the next morning. The cost for additional horses for each guest is $15.
Orchard Cove Stables
1263 School House Gap Road
Townsend, TN 37882
423-400-6667
orchardcovestables.com
Twin Valley Bed and Breakfast Horse Ranch
Twin Valley Bed and Breakfast Horse Ranch offers ranch horses available for guided mountain tours in short, half-day and full-day packages on its miles of horse trails. Short, half-day and full-day rides cost $40, $65 and $95, respectively, if visitors use a ranch horse. If guests bring their own horse, the costs are $20, $30, and $55 for the short, half-day and full-day tours. The ranch also offers mountain riding and basic horsemanship instruction, which costs $65. For those who prefer to bring their own horse, Twin Valley has rentable stables. For human lodging, the ranch offers authentic log homes, primitive camping shelters and cabins. Twin Valley is located in Walland, about seven miles from Townsend. All activities are by reservation only.
Twin Valley Bed and Breakfast Horse Ranch
2848 Old Chilhowee Road
Walland, TN 37886
865-984-0980
bbonline.com/tn/twinvalley
Echo Brooke Farm
Echo Brooke Farm, also located near Townsend in Walland, features recreational riding instructions from a professional equestrian. Instructor Carla Hawkinson has over 30 years of experience with horse shows, trail riding, sidesaddle and western pleasure riding. Lessons emphasize safe riding and horse handling practices. Besides instruction lessons from Hawkinson, Echo Brooke Farm does not have guided horseback tours and specializes in horse-drawn carriage rides for wedding. Those interested in taking lessons must call to inquire about rates.
Echo Brooke Farm
117 Flynn Road
Walland, TN 37886
865-984-1459
echobrookefarm.com
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