There are four horseback riding stables inside the park; Cades Cove Riding Stables, Sugarlands, Smoky Mountain Riding Stables, and Smokemont.

Horsecamps

Sugarlands Riding Stables. Image by Jeaneane Payne

Cades Cove Riding Stables
Cades Cove Riding Stables - Open from mid-March through late November. Cades Cove stables also offers hayrides and carriage rides. (865) 448-9009

Smokemont Riding Stables
Smokemont - Smokemont Riding Stables is located just outside Cherokee, NC on Highway 441 (between Cherokee and Gatlinburg). (828) 497-2373

Smoky Mountain Riding Stables
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables - Smoky Mountain Riding Stables is an established horseback riding stable which has been in operation for over 20 years. No experience is necessary to ride. All horseback rides are great for beginner through advanced riders, with beautiful wooded scenery and mountain streams. (865) 436-5634

Sugarlands Riding Stables
This stable is located just outside of Gatlinburg on Hwy 441 (Newfound Gap Road). (865) 436-3535.


Bringing Your Horse to the Park
About 550 miles of the park's hiking trails are open to horses. Horses are restricted to trails specifically designated for horse use. If you wish to ride your own horse in the park, please obtain a copy of the park's trail map. This map indicates the trails on which you may ride horses and explains the park's rules and regulations concerning horse riding in the backcountry. It also provides information about backcountry camping, and permit requirements. To obtain an official trail map, stop at any park visitor center or call (865) 436-0120. The cost of the map is $1. You may also download a trail map here.

Caution is advised in the backcountry. The park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. Please be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion—riding is not recommended from early December until May due to the seasonal nature of the trail maintenance program.


Riding Stables Outside the National Park:

Big Creek Outdoors - Offering horseback riding adventures, mountain biking, fishing, cabin rentals, and RV and camp sites. Provides photos and descriptions of cabins, policies, and contact information.
French Broad Outpost Ranch - Offering day and overnight trips. Also have cattle drives with guest participation, team penning contests, rafting trips, fishing trips. Includes hiking along the Appalachian Trail where you might hear a live bluegrass band or pickers, or a live country singer or band. Sometimes there will be storytellers, sing-a-longs, bonfires, line dancing, and on Saturday night is the great Square dance and hoe-down.
Meadow Creek Mountain Farm Riding Stable - Offering one or two hour rides; also an overnight pack trip with a chuck wagon meal cooked over a wood fire (includes activities of horseshoes, hiking, and campfire with singing and storytelling as well as a hearty mountain breakfast the following morning.
Walden Creek Stables - Over 500 acres, 100 horses and 50 cowboys and cowgirls. Western gift shop, bonfire entertainment, gunfight shows. Free for our horseback riders and overnighters. Our Horseback riding stables are a family attraction for Smoky Mountain guest and neighbors alike. Horseback riding on over 500 acres with 100 horses and 50 riding cowboys keeps the action going seven days a week, including Christmas Day.