Whether you want to bring your own horse and go camping or vacation at a "dude ranch," North Carolina has many options to consider. The Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their scenic vistas. The 88 miles of the Appalachian Trail that stretch through North Carolina is home to many species of rare and endangered wildlife and you can ride by horseback through the dense forests of 40 National Parks and Forests. The mountains of North Carolina are known as the "Cradle of Forestry," where sustainable forest management began.
Bringing Your Own Horse
North Carolina State Parks, such as South Mountains, Raven Rock, Morrow Mountain, Weymouth and others, have dedicated equestrian campsites with either stalls or pipe corrals and miles of bridle trails. Permits are required and can be obtained at any park office. If you'd like to stay in a cabin rather than camp, Leatherwood Mountains is a combination vacation rental and private residence development in Ferguson, North Carolina. They have both indoor and open-air stalls available in their barn. Wherever you take your horse on vacation, all parks and camps require current Coggins and health certificates; carry them on the trails.
Camping
If you don't own a horse, but you've always wanted to go camping and explore the forests of North Carolina on horseback, many National Parks, such as Dupont and Pisgah, have equestrian facilities within the park for guided trail rides. Guest ranches, like Dead Broke Ranch in Raleigh, are next to state parks. You can camp nearby and go for a trail ride, take riding lessons or sign up for an all-day ride, ending with dinner and some ranch-style entertainment. Riverside Riding Stables in Rutherfordton offers a three-day, two-night guided horseback camping trip as well as day rides. They supply everything but your sleeping bag.
Family Style
Dude ranches, such as Clear Creek Ranch in Burnsville, are set up family-style. All guests congregate in the dining hall for meals -- except when there's a cookout. They have guided trail rides through the Pisgah Nation Forest's waterfalls, meadows and woods. Clear Creek also offers swimming, fishing, line dancing, hayrides and volleyball. Accommodations are cozy, rustic cabins. Nearby attractions include golf, whitewater rafting and local arts and crafts shows.
Vacation Cabins
Leatherwood Mountains, in addition to boarding, offers one- and two-hour guided trail rides at their equestrian center. Houses include full kitchens, whirlpool tubs and air conditioning. There is an on-site restaurant, swimming pool and tennis courts. Other available activities include canoeing, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Resort Vacations
Many luxury resorts in North Carolina offer horseback riding. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville has luxury accommodations -- along with luxury stables for horses, if you bring your own -- and guided horseback riding tours, if you don't. Others, such as Lakeview at Fontana, have an equestrian center for guided trail rides only. The Smoky Mountain Country Club in Whittier will arrange trail rides with riding stables close by. These resorts offer many other outdoor activities as well, such as golf, swimming, rafting, tennis and luxury spas.
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