Horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains is an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors. There are more than 500 miles of the national park's trails that are open to horses, and several outstanding riding stables in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Adventure Park at Five Oaks
1628 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
Exploration and outdoor experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains. Challenge yourself and take in the raw beauty of the Smokies like most folks never get to experience. Whether you want to Horseback Ride or Zipline, there is exciting fun for the whole family! Saddle up like a pio... [Business Info]
Big Rock Dude Ranch
909 Little Cove Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Looking for the best horseback riding in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge? Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa is the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge area's best horseback riding and outdoor adventure destination. Located just a short drive from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, enjoy horse back ri... [Business Info]
Horse Camps in the Smokies
If you own horses, take advantage of the park’s horse camps. There are five different horseback riding camps located throughout the Smoky Mountains at various locations: Anthony Creek, Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. All horse camps require a reservation for use and have different operating schedules - generally April through October. Check the NPS website for this year's open dates.
Riding Stables In The Smokies
If you wish to rent a horse, horseback riding by the hour is available at several different commercial stables located in the park from mid-March through late November. The average cost for horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains is about $30.00 per hour with options on scenic park trails from 45 minutes to a few hours. Carriage rides and hayrides are also available at certain stables.
Riding Stables In The Smokies: Cades Cove Riding Stables in Townsend - (865) 448-9009; Smokemont Riding Stables near Cherokee, NC - (828) 497-2373; Smoky Mountain Riding Stables near Gatlinburg - (865) 436-5634; Sugarlands Riding Stables near Gatlinburg - (865) 436-5470
National Park Horse Trails
If you are bringing your horse to ride in the national park, be advised that not all trails are horse-friendly. Check the national park trail map when planning your trip and always use caution in the backcountry. Be prepared for natural events to determine trail conditions. Trail erosion riding isn't recommended from December to May due to the seasonal nature of the trail maintenance program. Check out the top destinations on horseback in the national park.
Horse Trails in the Smoky Mountains
- Ace Gap (5.5 mi)
- Anthony Creek (3.5 mi)
- Appalachian Trail (Buckeye Gap to Welch Ridge Trail) (3.3 mi)
- Appalachian Trail (Twentymile Tr to Jenkins Ridge) (12.4 mi)
- Appalachian Trail (Peck's Corner to Davenport Gap) (21 mi)
- Balsam Mountain (10.1 mi)
- Bear Creek (5.9 mi)
- Beard Cane (4.2 mi)
- Beech Gap (5.3 mi)
- Big Creek (5.8 mi)
- Big Fork Ridge (3.2 mi)
- Bone Valley (1.8 mi)
- Bote Mountain (6.9 mi)
- Bradley Fork (7.3 mi)
- Brushy Mountain (4.9 mi)
- Cabin Flats (0.9 mi)
- Caldwell Fork (6.3 mi)
- Camel Gap (4.7 mi)
- Cane Creek (2.1 mi)
- Cataloochee Divide (6.4 mi)
- Chasteen Creek (4 mi)
- Cold Spring Gap (3.5 mi)
- Cooper Road (10.7 mi)
- Crib Gap (1.8 mi)
- Crooked Arm Ridge (2.2 mi)
- Deep Creek (Campground to Bearpen Branch) (14.2 mi)
- Deep Creek Horse Trail (1.7 mi)
- Deeplow Gap (6.1 mi)
- Dry Sluice Gap (4.2 mi)
- Enloe Creek (3.6 mi)
- Finley Cane (2.8 mi)
- Gold Mine (0.8 mi)
- Goldmine Loop (2 mi)
- Grapeyard Ridge (Roaring Fork to Indian Camp Branch) (7.6 mi)
- Grassy Branch (2.7 mi)
- Gregory Bald (7.4 mi)
- Hannah Mountain (9.5 mi)
- Hatcher Mountain (2.6 mi)
- Hazel Creek (Campsite 86 to Proctor Creek) (9.4 mi)
- Hemphill Bald (8.5 mi)
- High Rocks (0.3 mi)
- Hughes Ridge (5 mi)
- Hyatt Ridge (4.4 mi)
- Indian Creek (3.7 mi)
- Indian Creek Motor (1.8 mi)
- Indian Grave Gap (3.7 mi)
- Jenkins Ridge (8.9 mi)
- Jonas Creek (4.1 mi)
- Kephart Prong (2 mi)
- Lakeshore (32.8 mi)
- Lead Cove (1.8 mi)
- Little Bottoms (2.5 mi)
- Little Cataloochie (5.1 mi)
- Long Bunk (3.6 mi)
- Long Hungry Ridge (4.5 mi)
- Loop (1.1 mi)
- Lost Cove (2.7 mi)
- Low Gap (5.4 mi)
- Lower Mount Cammerer (7.4 mi)
- Lumber Ridge (4.1 mi)
- Lynn Camp Prong (3.7 mi)
- Martins Gap (3 mi)
- McKee Branch (2.3 mi)
- Meigs Mountain (6 mi)
- Middle Prong (4.1 mi)
- Mingus Creek (5.7 mi)
- Miry Ridge (5 mi)
- Mount Sterling (2.3 mi)
- Mount Sterling Ridge (5.4 mi)
- Newton Bald (5.5 mi)
- Noland Creek (10.4 mi)
- Noland Divide (11.5 mi)
- Old Sugarlands (3.9 mi)
- Palmer Creek (3.3 mi)
- Panther Creek (2.3 mi)
- Pole Road Creek (3.3 mi)
- Pretty Hollow Gap (5.6 mi)
- Rabbit Creek (7.8 mi)
- Rich Mountain (2.3 mi)
- Rough Fork (6.4 mi)
- Russell Field (3.5 mi)
- Snake Den Ridge (4.6 mi)
- Springhouse Branch (7 mi)
- Stone Pile Gap (0.9 mi)
- Sunkota Ridge (8.7 mi)
- Swallow Fork (4 mi)
- Thomas Divide (Galbraith Creek Rd to Sunkota Ridge Tr) (9.3 mi)
- Tow String (2.2 mi)
- Trillium Gap (8.9 mi)
- Tunnel Bypass (1.6 mi)
- Turkeypen Ridge (3.6 mi)
- Twentymile (5 mi)
- Welch Ridge (7.2 mi)
- West Prong (2.7 mi)
- Wet Bottom (1 mi)
- Whiteoak Branch (1.8 mi)
- Wolf Ridge (6.3 mi)
