The Smoky Mountain National Park is renowned nationwide for its abundant, scenic trail systems, ranging in difficulty from easy day hikes to backcountry areas for experienced hikers. About 550 miles of the park's hiking trails are open to horses, although horses are restricted to trails specifically designated for horse use.
Hikers and horseback riders enjoy the Smoky Mountains during all months of the year with every season offering is own special rewards. During winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas along trails and reveals stone walls, chimneys, foundations, and other reminders of past residents. Spring provides a weekly parade of wildflowers and flowering trees. In summer, hikers and riders can seek out cool retreats among the spruce-fir forests and balds or follow splashy mountain streams to roaring falls and cascades. Autumn hikers have crisp, dry air to sharpen their senses and a varied palette of fall colors to enjoy.
Riders and hikers have many choices in deciding on a trail, depending on what you would like to see. Want to see Waterfalls? Old-growth forests? Panorama views? How far you would like to hike or ride?
Guided horseback rides are available at four concession horseback riding stables in the park from mid-March through late November. Rides on scenic park trails are offered lasting from 45 minutes to several hours. All rides proceed at a walking pace. Rates are from $25 per hour. Weight limits and age restrictions may apply. The following stables offer rides:
· Cades Cove, near Townsend, TN (865) 448-9009
(also offers hayrides and carriage rides)
· Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC (828) 497-2373
(also offers wagon rides)
· Smoky Mountain, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-5634
· Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-3535
Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to backcountry horse trails in the park. Camps are located at Cades Cove (Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. Horse camps are open from April through October.
If you wish to ride your own horse in the park, you must first obtain a copy of the park's trail map, which 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 download a trail map from the Park’s website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/horseriding.htm.
Trail Riding in the Smokies
The Smoky Mountain National Park is renowned nationwide for its abundant, scenic trail systems, ranging in difficulty from easy day hikes to backcountry areas for experienced hikers. About 550 miles of the park's hiking trails are open to horses, although horses are restricted to trails specifically designated for horse use.
Hikers and horseback riders enjoy the Smoky Mountains during all months of the year with every season offering is own special rewards. During winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas along trails and reveals stone walls, chimneys, foundations, and other reminders of past residents. Spring provides a weekly parade of wildflowers and flowering trees. In summer, hikers and riders can seek out cool retreats among the spruce-fir forests and balds or follow splashy mountain streams to roaring falls and cascades. Autumn hikers have crisp, dry air to sharpen their senses and a varied palette of fall colors to enjoy.
Riders and hikers have many choices in deciding on a trail, depending on what you would like to see. Want to see Waterfalls? Old-growth forests? Panorama views? How far you would like to hike or ride?
Guided horseback rides are available at four concession horseback riding stables in the park from mid-March through late November. Rides on scenic park trails are offered lasting from 45 minutes to several hours. All rides proceed at a walking pace. Rates are from $25 per hour. Weight limits and age restrictions may apply. The following stables offer rides:
· Cades Cove, near Townsend, TN (865) 448-9009
(also offers hayrides and carriage rides)
· Smokemont, near Cherokee, NC (828) 497-2373
(also offers wagon rides)
· Smoky Mountain, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-5634
· Sugarlands, near Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-3535
Five drive-in horse camps provide ready access to backcountry horse trails in the park. Camps are located at Cades Cove (Anthony Creek), Big Creek, Cataloochee, Round Bottom, and Towstring. Horse camps are open from April through October.
If you wish to ride your own horse in the park, you must first obtain a copy of the park's trail map, which 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 download a trail map from the Park’s website: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/horseriding.htm.
