There is something different about seeing the Smoky Mountains from horseback. Instead of watching the scenery through a car window, you can slow down, follow wooded mountain trails, and experience the landscape at the pace people once traveled these valleys generations ago.
Guests staying at Tremont Lodge & Resort have two of the area’s best-known horseback riding options close by: Davy Crockett Riding Stables in Townsend and Cades Cove Riding Stables inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both offer guided experiences designed for vacationers, including riders with little or no previous horseback riding experience.
Whether you want a one-hour trail ride through Cades Cove, a longer ride through the mountains, or a carriage experience the whole family can enjoy, here are the best options for horseback riding near Townsend, TN.
For one of the most memorable horseback riding experiences in the Smokies, head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cades Cove Riding Stables.
Located inside Cades Cove, the stable offers approximately one-hour guided horseback rides through the landscape surrounding one of the most visited areas of the national park. Groups are kept relatively small, and the experience is designed for both first-time riders and people who have been on horseback before.
Current horseback ride requirements include a minimum age of 6, minimum height of 4 feet, and maximum rider weight of 300 pounds. Riders age 15 and younger wear a provided helmet, and phones and cameras are not permitted while riding.
Current horseback riding prices are:
Cades Cove Riding Stables also gives families options that do not require getting in the saddle.
Carriage rides last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and accommodate up to six passengers. Unlike the trail rides, the carriage rides do not have age or weight restrictions.
Current pricing is:
Groups can also explore the famous Cades Cove Loop Road on a longer hay/tram ride. These trips generally last between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on traffic and provide another way to experience the historic valley without driving yourself.
If Cades Cove is already part of your vacation plans, read our complete Cades Cove Loop Road guide before you go.
If you want to stay even closer to Tremont Lodge, Davy Crockett Riding Stables is one of the easiest horseback riding outings to work into a Townsend vacation.
Located on Old Cades Cove Road, roughly two miles from Tremont Lodge, Davy Crockett specializes in guided Smoky Mountain trail rides for families, couples, groups, beginners, and more experienced riders
If you want to stay even closer to Tremont Lodge, Davy Crockett Riding Stables is one of the easiest horseback riding outings to work into a Townsend vacation.
Located on Old Cades Cove Road, roughly two miles from Tremont Lodge, Davy Crockett specializes in guided Smoky Mountain trail rides for families, couples, groups, beginners, and more experienced riders.
Approximately 2 miles from Tremont Lodge & Resort
505 Old Cades Cove Road
Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-6411
Approximately 2 miles from Tremont Lodge & Resort
505 Old Cades Cove Road
Townsend, TN 37882
(865) 448-6411
Horseback riding around Townsend is primarily an outdoor, weather-dependent experience, so the season can change the feel of your ride considerably.
Spring brings fresh leaves, wildflowers, comfortable temperatures, and greener mountain trails.
Summer gives families the most scheduling flexibility, but it is also one of the busiest times of year. Morning rides are a smart choice when temperatures rise, and popular time slots can fill quickly.
Fall is especially scenic as color moves through the Smokies. Cooler weather also makes longer rides more comfortable.
Late fall and winter availability varies by stable. Some operations are seasonal, while others farther toward Pigeon Forge offer riding throughout more of the year.
Weather and trail conditions can affect schedules at any time. If horseback riding is one of the main reasons for your trip, check directly with the stable shortly before your visit.
After your ride, you can come back to Townsend and slow the day down with the resort amenities at Tremont Lodge.
For horseback riding specifically, Townsend has a major advantage: you can reach two excellent riding options without turning the activity into an all-day driving commitment.
Davy Crockett Riding Stables is only about two miles from Tremont Lodge, while Cades Cove Riding Stables is roughly five miles away inside the national park area.
That means you can ride in the morning and still have most of your day available for exploring the best things to do in Townsend, driving Cades Cove, hiking, visiting waterfalls, enjoying the Little River, or simply returning to the resort to relax.
The Pigeon Forge and Sevierville riding stables below are good alternatives, but they make more sense if you are already planning to spend part of your day on that side of the Smokies.
Big Rock Dude Ranch offers a different experience from the Cades Cove and Townsend stables. Its guided trail ride covers approximately 3.5 miles of mountain terrain, and the ranch is designed as more of a family activity destination.
In addition to horseback riding, the property features a petting zoo, gem mining, fishing pond, playground, picnic areas, and a general store.
The ranch operates on a walk-in, first-come basis rather than requiring traditional ride reservations, which can make it useful for travelers who want a more flexible Pigeon Forge day.
Five Oaks Riding Stables in Sevierville offers approximately one-hour guided rides along a 3.5-mile trail through its 70-acre nature park.
The experience is geared toward vacationers and first-time riders, with guides leading riders through wooded terrain, streams, and Smoky Mountain scenery.
Standard single riders must currently be at least 6 years old, while a limited double-rider option is available for children ages 3–5 riding with an adult. Current posted pricing for a standard horseback trail ride is $54.99.
Because Five Oaks sits across from Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, it works best as part of a Pigeon Forge or Sevierville day rather than a quick trip from the lodge.
Jayell Ranch combines horseback riding with enough other activities to fill a large part of a vacation day.
Its guided horseback experience lasts approximately one hour and travels through mountain trails on the ranch with views toward Mt. LeConte, Shields Mountain Fort, and on clear days, long-range views toward North Carolina.
No previous riding experience is required, and guests receive basic instruction before heading onto the trail. Children age 5 and older can ride their own horse, while younger children may be eligible to ride with an adult subject to the ranch’s requirements.
Jayell also offers ziplining, ATV and UTV adventures, snow tubing, animal encounters, dining, and other family activities.
Because the ranch is in Sevierville near the Pigeon Forge/Dollywood area, this is another option we would pair with a full day on that side of the Smokies.
Horseback riding is one of those Townsend activities that works for several different kinds of trips.
Families can choose beginner-friendly guided rides or a Cades Cove carriage ride. Couples can make a trail ride part of a quieter outdoor weekend. Groups can combine horseback riding with hiking, scenic drives, waterfalls, or other activities around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Start with our complete guide to things to do in Townsend, TN if you want to build the rest of your itinerary.
If horseback riding is only one piece of an outdoor-focused trip, you can also explore our guides to the best hiking trails near Townsend and best waterfalls near Townsend.
For couples or groups visiting Townsend for a celebration weekend, horseback riding can also make a memorable off-property activity. Our sister property site has additional resources for Smoky Mountain wedding planning and destination weddings in the Smoky Mountains.
Two of the closest options are Davy Crockett Riding Stables in Townsend and Cades Cove Riding Stables inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Davy Crockett is roughly two miles from Tremont Lodge, while Cades Cove Riding Stables is about five miles away. You can find more outdoor activities in our full Things to Do in Townsend guide.
Yes. Several area stables offer guided trail rides designed for beginners as well as experienced riders. Cades Cove Riding Stables describes its one-hour guided experience as appropriate for both, while Davy Crockett offers guided rides through the Townsend area. If you want more beginner-friendly outdoor ideas, see our guide to the best hiking trails near Townsend.
Current posted pricing at Cades Cove Riding Stables is $50 for riders age 13 and older and $40 for children ages 6–12. Carriage rides and hayrides are also available at different price points. Prices and operations can change, so check directly with the stable before your trip. While you are planning your visit, our Cades Cove Loop Road guide covers what else to see in the area.
For guided horseback rides at Cades Cove Riding Stables, riders currently must be at least 6 years old and 4 feet tall. Families with younger children can consider one of the stable’s horse-drawn carriage experiences instead.
No. The major vacation-oriented stables near Townsend offer guided rides intended for people with different levels of experience. Guides provide basic instruction and horses are selected for organized trail rides rather than independent riding.
Cades Cove Riding Stables recommends closed-toe shoes with approximately a half-inch heel, comfortable pants, and shirts with sleeves. Avoid loose or bulky items. Phones and cameras are not permitted during the horseback trail ride itself.
Yes. Cades Cove Riding Stables operates horseback trail rides inside the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is one of the best ways to combine Cades Cove with a more immersive outdoor experience.
You can make horseback riding part of a larger outdoor day with hiking, waterfalls, Little River activities, scenic drives, or a slower afternoon back at the property. Browse our complete Things to Do in Townsend guide or see the amenities at Tremont Lodge for ideas after your ride.
Townsend is particularly convenient because Davy Crockett Riding Stables and Cades Cove Riding Stables are both close to town. Tremont Lodge gives you a central base for horseback riding, Cades Cove, hiking, waterfalls, and other outdoor adventures without staying in the busier Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg corridors. Browse all Tremont Lodge rooms to find the right stay for your trip.
From a one-hour ride through Cades Cove to a longer guided mountain adventure, horseback riding gives you a completely different way to experience the Smokies.
Staying at Tremont Lodge keeps two of the area’s best-known riding stables nearby while giving you easy access to Cades Cove, hiking trails, waterfalls, the Little River, and everything else that makes the peaceful side of the Smokies worth visiting.
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