horse riding in Cade's Cove

[fc123]

Is it possible to rent horses in Cade's Cove? If it is so, then how much is the cost per person? Do they allow children to ride? We’re coming there in January…. any help?

[ftuley]

Yes, you can rent horses but not so sure January will be the right time to do so, camps are located at Cades Cove (Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. Horse camps are open from April through October, when renting a horse in the park you will be guided and in most cases the ratio of horseback riders to guides will not exceed 6 riders per guide. Children or adults with special needs can still have the opportunity to ride horses in the national park and may have as many as one guide per rider. I have found that the folks at the Smokemont Riding Stables in Cherokee NC just inside the park on Newfound Gap Highway near the Smokemont campgrounds were most accommodating with special need riders. Be advised at most places where you can rent a horse, you are not allowed to get off the horse along the trail to take pictures or just walk around. The reason behind this rule is that most people who ride rented horses in the park are not very experienced riders who will have difficulty in getting back on the horse and regardless of your equestrian experience, this rule applies to all who rent horses. The Smokemont riding stables has a variety of tours including trails to the mountain tops passing many streams and interesting back country as well as high country tours with outstanding vistas. I recommend the special waterfalls trail ride which is a wonderful experience on horseback. The waterfall trail ride departs twice daily at 9:00 am and 11:30 am and takes approximately 2-1/2. hours. This special horse trail tour cost $48 per horseback rider and I strongly suggest that you reserve in advance during peak season and on weekends.
The Smokemont stables trails are very well groomed and I found the horses to be in good condition and exceptionally well tempered. You can rent horses from this stable from April to October from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm all week long. Horses can be rented by the hour for $20 or up to 8 hours for $115 per rider. At 5 hours they give you a discounted rate of $75 per rider. The stables have a 200 pound limit on anyone who wishes to ride a horse. Unlike some of the other stables in the park, they accept Visa MasterCard and Discover. The Smokemont Stables can be reached at (828)497-2373. Click here for more information Horse Rentals in the Smoky Mountain National Park. and you can also look here Things to Do In North Carolina
I hope this helps. Take care and enjoy Cade's Cove.