Experience Cherokee on Horseback.
Forget cars. Explore this natural wonderland by foot or by hoof. These trails were made for one or the other.
Up high on your horse’s back, you can let your eyes drift over the quiet foliage and bustle of forest creatures hiding and peeking out to see you as you clop by. What was that streak of red? Could it be the Scarlet Tanager? Is that cave by the trail the entrance to the spirit world where the Yunwi Tsunsdi dwelled? If so, you’re in good hands. They are known by the Cherokee to be a kind-hearted race of spirits who once helped lost children find their way home.
As you travel the old trails where these Cherokee stories came into being, let yourself be carried by more than just the wonder of the culture. Contact Smokemont Riding Stables to start your adventure today.
Reservations & Information
Smokemont Riding Stables
Phone: (828) 497-2373
Email: smokemontridingstable@gmail.com
Address
Smokemont Riding Stables
135 Smokemont Riding
Stable Road
Cherokee, NC 28719
Get Directions
Ride Information
1. Hourly Rides — You ford the Oconaluftee River, go through a tunnel underneath US 441, and then make a 3-mile loop on the mountain.
Departure Times: Every hour from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Hourly rate: $45 per rider.
2. Waterfall Ride — The 2.5-hour ride, you ride for a mile above the Smokemont Campground. Then you ride alongside mountain streams until you reach the Chasteen Creek Waterfall. You dismount for approximately 15 minutes to view the waterfall. *Note: The Chasteen Creek Waterfall is the waterfall playing in the video on this page.
Departure Times: 9:00 am,12:00 pm, & 3:00 pm
Waterfall rate: $110 per rider.
3. Four-Hour Ride — The four-hour ride departs once a day. Features include a wooded mountain trail, miles of creekside scenery, and two cascades.
Departure Time: Currently Unavailable
4. Wagon Rides — Our wagon ride travels down the Old Turnpike Road, alongside the Oconaluftee River. You pass fields we frequently see wildlife in, and we share some historical information with you along the way. There are no age or weight restrictions on the wagon.
Departure Times: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Wagon Rides: $25 per rider.