One of the most unique and fun ways to experience the beauty of the Cades Cove area is with a guided horseback ride! These relaxing trail rides depart from the Cades Cove Riding Stables, adjacent to the Cades Cove Campground, and are excellent for both beginners and experienced riders alike! The rides are approximately one hour long, so you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the hiking trails, historical buildings, and the other sights in this stunning area of the National Park! Here are the top 4 things to know about horseback riding in Cades Cove:
1. What to Expect
The guided trail rides in Cades Cove are a wonderful way to explore one of the most popular sections of Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The rides are kept as small as possible with a limit of 9 riders per group, which makes riding with your guide more like riding with a friend! The horses have been handpicked for their calm temperament, athletic ability and willingness to please, and each horse is matched with you and your family to suit your experience and skill level. If you’ve never been horseback riding before, there is no need to worry - an orientation session before the trail ride will make you feel comfortable with your horse!
Read More: “4 Reasons to Go on a Smoky Mountains Horseback Riding Adventure”
2. Dates, Times and Rates
Another one of the top things to know about horseback riding in Cades Cove is the dates, times, and rates information! The trail rides kick off in early March and run all the way until the end of November, operating daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. The current rates are $45 per person for ages 13 and over, and $35 for kids ages 6 to 12 (note that the minimum age to participate is 6). Reservations for the guided trail rides are not accepted, so just show up when you’re ready to ride! Just keep in mind that all rides are subject to the weather and trail conditions.
3. Trail Ride Rules and Restrictions
There are a few trail ride rules and restrictions that have been implemented for safety reasons. The minimum height to participate is 4 feet and the maximum weight is 300 pounds. While safety helmets are required for all riders 15 years of age and younger, it is suggested that all riders wear a safety helmet (these are provided free of charge for everyone). Due to the nature of this activity, no cameras or phones are permitted on the horseback rides.
4. Location Information
The Cades Cove Riding Stables are situated near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road and right next to the Cades Cove Campground, making it a convenient first stop for visitors! Cades Cove itself is a scenic valley surrounded on all sides by mountains, and a popular one-way loop road circles the valley for 11 miles. In addition to the Cades Cove Riding Stables, you’ll find a visitor center, picnic area, multiple hiking trails, historic homesites, and some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Horseback riding at Cades Cove is just one of the many ways that you can enjoy exploring this spectacular area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you would prefer renting a bike to ride along Cades Cove Loop Road, learn more about Cades Cove bicycle rentals!
