Cades Cove Riding Stables ~ Everything You Need to Know!

Are you headed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and want to go horseback riding at Cades Cove Riding Stables? If so, you are in for a real adventure! A guided horseback ride is a great opportunity to learn about the area from a knowledgeable, experienced trail guide while being immersed in its natural beauty.

Cades Cove Riding Stables is the only National Park authorized stables within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is located near the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop.

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We are so excited to share with you our experience at Cades Cove Riding Stable. We hope this information will help you know what to expect for your visit!

** IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING IN THIS POST THIS SHOULD BE IT: Arrive one hour before Cades Cove Riding Stables open to wait in line, especially during the warmer months.  (Read why below, you will thank me later!)

Check out these Wonderful Children’s Books All About Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains!

HOW DO I MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR CADES COVE RIDING STABLES?

Well… you can’t! Simply put, Cades Cove Riding Stables does not take reservations. Riding times are assigned when you arrive at the stables to book and are first come first served.

So, how do you increase your chances of getting a horseback ride the day you want to go? You arrive EARLY! (See next section.)

HOW SOON SHOULD I ARRIVE AT CADES COVE RIDING STABLES THE DAY I WISH TO RIDE?

I highly recommend getting there an hour before the stables open to wait in line to buy tickets, especially during the warmer months.  At the time of this writing the stables DO NOT take reservations.  Horse back riding is first come first served, the day of.  From what we could see, groups of up to 8 people are sent out approximately every 15 minutes, which means roughly four guided horseback tours an hour.  

Trust me on getting there an hour early, especially if you are wanting to do other things that day as well.  We went in June and arrived right at open (9 am) and didn’t get to ride until 12:30.  We waited in line 2 hours before even getting to buy the tickets and once your tickets are secured, you stay there and wait. Why?

You will not be given a time to report back for your ride, rather a group number.  It is up to you to make sure you are present when your group number is called in numerical order.  Be prepared for the possibility of a group(s) ahead of you canceling after booking.  This actually happened to us, which bumped our Group up.

As you know, we arrived at 9 a.m. open and got Group 20, which rode about 12:30 p.m.   I would have much rather waited in line an hour before the stables opened and been on one of the first 4 groups to head out on the trail.  Instead, we ended up using up almost 6 hours of our vacation time on this experience… 3 1/2 of which was just spent waiting to reserve tickets and ride.

UM… SO, I’VE NEVER RIDDEN A HORSE, CAN I STILL GO ON A HORSEBACK RIDE?

YES… Cades Cove Riding Stables can accommodate riders without any previous experience! Prior to leaving on your guided trail tour, your guide will go over information needed to steer, stop and start your horse. There are wooden platforms used to mount and dismount the horses.

From our experience with other horseback riding stables, first-time or uneasy riders are placed on a lead near the guide. Nobody in our group required this at Cades Cove Riding Stables, but I would assume they would likely do the same thing. (Don’t be afraid to ask or request to be positioned near the trail guide during your ride.)

Trail guides are always close-by, before, during and after your ride should you have any questions or need assistance.

CAN MY CHILD RIDE TOO?

Horseback riders must be at least 6 years old to ride at Cades Cove Riding Stables. The saddle/stirrups can only adjust so far, as they are adult sized.

Cades Cove Riding Stables has horses that are trained to work well with younger riders. They make sure children are paired with a horse that is suitable for working with kids.   My 9 year old daughter felt very comfortable while on her horse, Domino (pictured below).

Children must wear helmets on the trail, which are provided at check-in, free of charge. Helmets are also available (free of charge) for adult riders as well.

Children are not allowed to double-ride with a parent/adult while horseback riding for any reason. Cades Cove Riding Stables offers guided carriage tours and hayrides which are a great option for families with children under the age of 6. Their carriages and wagons have been modified to accommodate wheelchairs as well.

ARE THERE BATHROOMS?

Yes, there are bathrooms right outside the Cades Cove Riding Stables office. (As a mom, you know I was asking this question too!)

ARE THERE BEARS?!

YES!  We actually DID see Black Bears while on our horseback ride!  

Towards the end of the trail, I spotted a Momma Black Bear and two cubs about 35-40 feet off the trail, in the vegetation.  They paused a moment and watched us as we trotted slowly by, just as curious as we were.  It was an incredible moment, and my teenage son had the honor of the best seat in the house.  

It is very quiet out there, so nearby animals area easier to hear. Always be on the lookout for sounds or movement while enjoying the trail. You never know what you may spot!

While encountering wildlife during your guided tour is a possibility, it simply cannot be guaranteed, as animals obviously work on their own agenda.  It truly is a matter of being at the right place at the right time.  

WHAT OTHER WILDLIFE COULD I ENCOUNTER?

Cade’s Cove is well known for visitors’ ability to regularly see some of the Smoky Mountain’s beautiful wildlife.  Elk, coyote, and Black Bears are known to frequent this area.  

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO CADES COVE RIDING STABLES:

The number one thing I recommend bringing is a picnic lunch.  You might end up waiting quite a length of time (like we did) before your guided horseback tour.  It’s a great idea to come prepared with a packed lunch. Waiting always seems worse for us if we are hungry.  

Check out our list of items we recommend bringing to Cades Cove Riding Stable, below.

Don’t Forget to Bring:

• Lunch
• Snacks
• Water (We recommend a stainless steel water bottle to keep your drink cold)
• Sunscreen (Parts of waiting area/parking lot are sunny)
• Bug spray 
• Gym shoes
• Fannie Pack or Drawstring Bag (to hold keys, phone and other small items during trail ride)
• Activities for kiddos to do while waiting to horseback ride. Looking for ideas to pack? Check out these National Park finds: Smoky Mountain Wildlife Guide Books, National Geographic Kids Funny Fill-In: My National Parks Adventure, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Activity Book or Horseshoe Game Set. (There is tons of open space to play while waiting! You may even make some new friends!)

IS HORSEBACK RIDING AT CADES COVE STABLES WORTH IT?

ABSOLUTELY!! Despite our experience with waiting before our ride… the trail was absolutely gorgeous!  Cameras and phones are not allowed to be used while riding, (I know, trust me, I was bummed too) so sadly I don’t have any photos to share. 

Our guide Curtis, was extremely professional, knowledgeable and did just the right amount of chit- chatting while on the trail with facts about the area and getting to know the riders.  Our horses, Mercedes, Lena, Coco and Domino were well trained, calm and seemed to enjoy the trail (Mercedes, my horse, especially snacking her way through).   

When we first discovered Cades Cove Riding Stables, we pictured horseback riding in open spaces, with sweeping views of the mountains. This is not at all what the trail is actually like and we didn’t discover this until we set off on our guided tour.   

The horseback riding trail winds through the dense, untouched forest surrounding the entrance to Cade’s Cove.  You’ll be on a shaded dirt trail about the width of a car, surround by towering trees, lush vegetation, the sounds of nature and of course Smoky Mountain wildlife.

The only thing that took away from this experience overall, was the incredible amount of time we waited to actually ride. (If only I had found a travel blogger who gave me a heads-up about that, lol!) Despite our wait time, we would absolutely recommend this activity and do it again and again.

If you are looking for a way to connect with nature, unwind, and explore the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, this is the adventure for you. Happy Trails!

HAVE A QUESTION?

Is there a question you’d like to ask about our experience that we didn’t cover here? If so, please let us know in the comments below. We check comments frequently and are always happy to help!

Be sure to visit the Cades Cove Riding Stables website, for the most current information.

Read About Our Other Tennessee Adventures:

• Tuckaleechee Caverns: 12 Interesting Facts You Need To Know (Townsend)
• Why Our Ride At Davy Crockett Riding Stables Is Easily One We Will Never Forget (Townsend)
• Smoky Mountain Farm Stay: Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm (Townsend)
• Soar High Through the Treetop World of Anakeesta (Gatlinburg)
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg)
• What To Expect At DollyWood (Pigeon Forge)