Mountaintop Ranch is a premier family-owned horseback riding destination and vacation ranch in Elkton, Virginia, established in 1972 by Bettie and Virgle Cunningham (both natives of West Texas from a long line of Texas ranchers) and operated for over 50 years spanning three generations, currently managed by daughter Lydia Cunningham as Managing Principal of the 400-acre property bordering Shenandoah National Park on three sides in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ranch offers multiple guided horseback riding options including the Wilderness Ride (1 hour, $110 per person) climbing to 3,300 feet elevation with 360-degree mountain views, the Sunset Ride (1.5 hours, $185 per person) departing 1.5 hours before sunset to a high mountain meadow for spectacular photography opportunities, the Around the Ranch Ride (3-4 hours, $275 per person) exploring wooded trails with boxed picnic lunch at the main cabin overlooking Skyline Drive, and the full-day Ride and Hike Excursion ($275 per person) combining guided waterfall hikes to two waterfalls with deep swimming holes and horseback riding. Ranked #1 of 11 attractions in Elkton on TripAdvisor with 237 reviews and earning a Travelers' Choice Award (Top 10% of properties), Mountaintop Ranch consistently receives praise for its well-trained Quarter Horses and Paint horses (many bred, born, and trained on the property), exceptionally patient and knowledgeable guides including Lebert, Chris, and Karla, breathtaking scenic vistas, and clean, professional facilities that make it ideal for beginners, nervous first-time riders, families with children of all ages, and couples seeking romantic mountain experiences. Beyond trail riding, the ranch operates The Equine Center offering full-service breeding, foaling, training and consulting for Quarter and Paint horses with champion bloodlines, and in 2019 launched "THE BED AND BARN" lodging program featuring log cabins including The Skyline Log Cabin (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 6, starting at $195/night), rooms in the family log home, and private campsites, all available through Airbnb and VRBO with access to additional activities like waterfall hikes, fishing, and skeet shooting. The ranch specializes in small groups (10 guests or less maximum) to provide personalized attention and safe experiences, requiring long pants and closed-toe shoes with reservations at least 24 hours in advance (highly recommended during peak weekends and good weather), and operates year-round weather permitting with rides departing at 10 AM and 1 PM for standard wilderness rides. Mountaintop Ranch maintains a strong reputation for horse welfare with exceptionally gentle, well-cared-for horses perfectly matched to rider experience levels, diverse terrain mixing mountain meadows, heavily wooded trails (80% wooded, 20% open pasture), rock formations, and water features, all conducted at safe walking pace with trails reaching elevations up to 3,300 feet offering unparalleled Shenandoah Valley views and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities including deer, turkey, and various birds. Contact the ranch at (540) 298-1455 for trail ride reservations or mttopranch@aol.com, with pricing reflecting premium positioning in the market (current rates significantly higher than historical 2018 pricing of $50-$180 per ride) but justified by the exclusive private property access, multi-generational expertise, and comprehensive wilderness experience bordering one of America's most beloved national parks.
Jordan Hollow Stables is a family-owned horseback riding stable at 657 Pine Grove Road in Stanley, Virginia, and Lisa Cubbage and her husband Woody have been running it since 2005. That's over two decades of equestrian experience serving the Luray and Page County area. The property covers 140 acres of genuinely beautiful Shenandoah Valley terrain that winds past the rolling waters of Hawksbill Creek, through shaded forests, and into open meadows with panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views (talked to someone who said the first time she saw the view from the ridge, she just stopped her horse and sat there for a minute). Trail rides start at $65 per person for a one-hour group ride at walking pace. Want something more private? Guided tours run $85 per rider with a three-person minimum. Walk and trot options for folks wanting a more adventurous Virginia trail riding experience cost $85 per person for group rides or $95 for private. They've earned TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence five consecutive years and have nearly 350 combined ratings on TripAdvisor and Yelp. Guests consistently mention the gentle, well-cared-for horses (many are rescues) and the knowledgeable trail guides. Location-wise you're near Luray Caverns, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, and Massanutten Resort, making it ideal for beginner horseback riding lessons, family-friendly trail rides, romantic couples' excursions, birthdays, and bachelorette parties. Kids seven and older can join guided trail rides. The property also has charming farm animals including peacocks, goats named Skittles and Snickers, and a friendly turkey named Wishbone who greets visitors. They offer pony rides and support local scouting programs with community events. Call (540) 778-2623 or email ridejordanhollow@gmail.com to book your Shenandoah Valley horseback riding adventure. Open year-round on weekends with expanded hours spring through fall, generally 10 AM to early evening.
River's Bend Ranch is a well-established guest ranch, event venue, and horseback riding center in Stanley, Virginia that's been around since 1979. That's 46 years in business. The McConnell family has owned it for nearly 40 of those years. This working ranch sprawls across 250+ acres between the Blue Ridge Mountains and George Washington National Forest, with half a mile of Shenandoah River frontage and 360-degree panoramic mountain views that honestly look almost fake in photos. One-hour guided trail rides through scenic pastures and along the river cost $78 per rider (pony rides are $30 for younger children). Rides depart at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM every day except Tuesdays. Riders need to be at least 7 years old and 48 inches tall, with a weight limit of 230 to 240 pounds. Closed-toe shoes and jeans recommended. The reviews are really strong: 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 179 reviews, 4.8 out of 5 on Groupon from 300+ reviews, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award (top 10%), and ranked #2 of 3 B&Bs in Stanley with a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. People mention guides like Francesca, Lauren, Caroline, and Ben by name, praising how patient they are with beginners and families. But there's way more than just trail rides here. They've got over 20 bedrooms that can host around 50 overnight guests. The Lodge runs $325/night for up to 4 guests and sleeps 6 to 8. The Ranch House sleeps 12. There's a Cowboy Cabin, Wild West Cabin (each sleeping up to 4), and The Bunkhouse with hot tub access. All feature full kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, spectacular views, fire pits, and dog-friendly options. Wedding packages start at $6,150 for ceremony and reception with two nights lodging for up to 28 guests, featuring an event pavilion with mountain backdrop and flexible vendor options that create an all-inclusive destination experience. On-site activities include fishing in the Shenandoah River, bird watching, walking trails, lawn games, bonfires, and a game room. The farm animals are part of the charm too: horses, Longhorn steers, Navajo Churro sheep, free-range chickens, barn cats, and Abraham the Pig. Sometimes they've got fresh farm eggs available. Hours are Monday and Wednesday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM, Sunday 9 AM to noon (closed Tuesdays). Great spot for trail riding lessons, family vacations, romantic getaways, corporate retreats, and Shenandoah Valley weddings near Luray Caverns and Skyline Drive.
Madeline Farms is a top 1% Airbnb-ranked, award-winning 150-acre working farm in Luray, Virginia, founded by Tony Villa and operating for approximately 6-8 years as a premier agritourism destination just 4.2 miles from Luray Caverns in the Shenandoah Valley. The farm offers "The Cowboy Experience" through Rocking T Ranch, led by Cowboy Dylan who brings over 30 years of horsemanship expertise and trained under renowned horseman James "Petey" Wright, providing 1.5-hour immersive horseback riding sessions for $75 per person that include grooming, groundwork, and riding instruction suitable for all skill levels with stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views. Guests can stay in the luxury 6-bedroom farmhouse for $699-779 per night with farm-to-table breakfast ingredients included, plus scenic "Sunset Hayride and Bovine Safari" experiences ($25/adult, $15/child), and hands-on experiences with over 50 rescued farm animals including horses, St. Croix sheep, potbelly pigs, and heritage chickens. With a perfect 5.0-star Airbnb rating and 10/10 Booking.com score, reviewers praise Tony's extraordinary hospitality and the authentic working farm atmosphere that combines Western riding experiences with farm stays. The property serves families, groups, and events including micro-weddings, with activities ranging from trail rides across rolling pastures to bonfires and farm tours, all within minutes of Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Contact Tony Villa at (540) 244-7133 or tony@madelinefarms.com, or reach Cowboy Dylan at (540) 630-5591 for horseback riding bookings at this LGBTQ+-friendly, rescued animal sanctuary that offers an unforgettable Blue Ridge countryside experience.
Aude Bauserman Dressage LLC in Luray, Virginia provides classical dressage instruction, horse training, and boarding services led by French-certified instructor Aude Bauserman, who holds a Brevet Fédéral d'Entraîneur Sports Equestres Second Niveau (BFESE 2) and trained extensively in England, France, and Germany with masters from the prestigious Cadre Noir at Saumur. Founded in January 2006 and operating for 19+ years, this Shenandoah Valley dressage facility welcomes riders of all disciplines including dressage, eventing, jumping, and fox hunting, though students must bring their own horses as no school horses are available for riding lessons in Luray. Aude leverages her unique background as a 22-year French and Biology teacher at Luray High School (department head until 2024) to deliver exceptionally clear instruction that clients praise for making dressage accessible even to "eventer brain" riders who previously struggled with the discipline. Pricing for this Virginia dressage training includes $65 for on-site private lessons, $75 for off-site lessons (travel included), $50 for virtual training (video evaluations and phone consultations), discounted packages for 3-5 weekly private lessons, and travel clinics priced at $350 for half-day or $700 for full-day sessions throughout Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg, Winchester, and Charlottesville areas. The business operates from two listed locations (1306 E Main St and 812 North Egypt Bend Road, both in Luray, VA 22835) with indoor and outdoor arenas, plus Aude travels extensively to clients' farms for trailer-in lessons and mobile instruction throughout Virginia's horse country. While formal Google or Yelp reviews are limited, website testimonials highlight Aude's gifts as a "truly amazing instructor" who provides "wonderful insight and helpful tips" while maintaining a "straightforward and very professional" teaching style that builds confidence in riders moving up the dressage levels. Services include full horse training, Fix-A-Test dressage test preparation clinics, custom field board retirement, and both in-person and virtual consultations for riders seeking classical French dressage methodology. Contact this experienced Luray dressage instructor and USDF member at (540) 742-2162 or audebauserman@hotmail.com to schedule riding lessons, discuss horse training packages, or arrange a clinic at your Virginia equestrian facility.
Fort Valley Ranch & Campground is a family-owned Western guest ranch and campground nestled on 84 acres in Fort Valley, Virginia, originally established in the 1950s as a hunting camp and purchased by Ann and Ron Heck in April 2020, bringing over 20 years of hospitality experience to create an authentic Western ranch atmosphere in the Shenandoah Valley. Located in the Massanutten Mountains just 8 miles off Interstate 81, the ranch offers guided horseback trail rides ranging from $30 to $275 per rider, including one-hour rides, half-day and full-day mountain excursions with lunch, private trail rides ($120/hour minimum), and pony rides for young children ($10 for 20 minutes), with camping sites available from $30-$45 per night and three fully-equipped cabins overlooking fishing ponds. As one of only two mountain horseback riding facilities with permitted access to George Washington National Forest trails, Fort Valley Ranch operates 25 horses and one mule across beginner-friendly to experienced terrain, earning consistently high ratings including 9.3 out of 10 on RV LIFE Campground Reviews and a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award (Top 10% of properties). Customer reviews across 128 TripAdvisor reviews, 57 Yelp reviews, and multiple camping platforms consistently praise the well-cared-for horses, knowledgeable wranglers, authentic Western experience, and comprehensive amenities including fishing in two stocked ponds, ax throwing, archery, strong WiFi (unusual for the remote location), and proximity to Luray Caverns and Skyline Drive. The ranch specializes in beginner riders and families, with their son Jake Heck known as the "Whistling Cowboy" who entertains guests with cowboy tunes, historical facts, and wildflower identification during scenic rides through wooded trails, streams, and hills where guests frequently spot bears, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. The ranch operates Monday through Saturday with varied hours (closed Wednesdays), offering year-round outdoor adventures with reservations required and a 48-hour cancellation policy.
Walnut Cove Farm is a family-owned horse boarding stable in Mt Crawford, VA, established in 2000 and featuring a 23-acre Shenandoah Valley facility with eight matted 12x12 box stalls, a professional 100x200 foot riding ring, and access to 200 acres of Virginia trail riding terrain. Owner Kate Schurtz runs this hunter/jumper barn near Harrisonburg with field board starting at $375/month and full stall board at $450/month, serving the equestrian communities at James Madison University, Bridgewater College, and Blue Ridge Community College. The historic property (the farmhouse dates to 1890, if you're into that sort of thing) offers heated tack rooms, hot/cold water wash stalls, farm-grown orchard grass hay, and Southern States premium feed programs tailored to each horse's nutritional needs. In-house professional trainer Jackson C. Schurtz of JCS Show Stable offers horseback riding lessons and specializes in training difficult horses, adding real depth to the farm's riding program. Customer reviews praise the well-behaved, clean horses and note that the owners treat boarded horses as if they were their own. That family like atmosphere isn't just marketing speak. The farm maintains rigorous biosecurity protocols including vaccination requirements and quarantine procedures for Rockingham County horse health. Located with easy I-81 access near two equine emergency hospitals, Walnut Cove Farm provides Virginia horse owners professional full-service boarding with separate mare and gelding pastures, run-in shelters, and complimentary blanket management services.
Secret Passage Ranch is a family-owned, volunteer-run horseback riding operation spanning over 850 acres in Fort Valley, Virginia (321 Spring Mountain Way, Shenandoah County), originally founded in the mid-1990s by longtime wrangler Don Warlick and continuing operations with dedicated volunteer staff, located just one hour from Washington DC and Northern Virginia in the scenic Massanutten Mountains adjacent to George Washington National Forest. Trail rides are offered at competitive rates including shared rides ($65/hour, $90/1.5 hours, $120/2 hours) and private rides ($80/hour, $120/1.5 hours, $150/2 hours), plus English and Western riding lessons at $75 per hour, half/full-day mountain excursions for experienced riders, and overnight rides through over 100 acres of fields, forests, and Passage Creek where horses can ride through the water. The ranch distinguishes itself from typical "nose-to-tail" operations by carefully matching horses to riders based on skill level and offering personalized, educational experiences that prioritize both safety and freedom, with all rides beginning with training corral instruction before venturing onto scenic mountain trails. Customer reviews reflect strong satisfaction with a 4.5/5 TripAdvisor rating (23 reviews, Travelers' Choice Award), 94% Facebook recommendation rate (24 reviews), and consistent praise for well-trained horses, beautiful scenery, knowledgeable guides, and a welcoming "like visiting family" atmosphere. Services extend beyond trail rides and riding lessons to include horse boarding (ranging from $250/month for basic self-care pasture board to $500/month for full-care), team building workshops, therapeutic riding with an EAGALA-certified psychologist, weddings, birthday parties, school field trips, and overnight accommodations in a historic guest house with full kitchen and WiFi, making it ideal for multi-day horseback riding vacations. The ranch accommodates riders ages 5 and up (minimum recommended age 7 for trail rides) with appropriate weight limits, welcoming beginners through advanced riders across approximately 30 horses, and offers unique features like carriage rides, shooting range access, bonfire areas, and abundant wildlife sightings including deer and various birds. Book your trail ride, riding lesson, or special event by calling (540) 300-2656 or emailing secretpassageonline@gmail.com to experience this peaceful Shenandoah mountain retreat that emphasizes proper horsemanship education and individualized attention in one of Virginia's most picturesque riding destinations.
Royal Horseshoe Farm in Front Royal, Virginia offers horseback riding lessons, guided trail rides, summer camps, and horse boarding on a spectacular 140-acre historic property that goes back 280 years. George Washington actually visited in 1748, and Chief Justice John Marshall once owned the land. Pretty wild, right? Charles and Rose Asper founded the operation between 2004 and 2006, and it's been a family-operated Front Royal riding stable ever since. They've got a 4.7-star rating from 135 reviews and recognition as a Neighborhood Favorite, with people constantly praising the friendly staff, well-cared-for horses, and beginner-friendly approach to trail riding in Virginia. The facility has 90 acres of forested trails with stream crossings and meadows (90% shaded in summer, which matters more than you'd think when you're on horseback in July). Indoor and outdoor arenas allow year-round English, Western, and bareback riding lessons from certified instructors including longtime horse manager Tina Anderson. One-hour trail rides cost $70. Military folks get $5 off trail rides plus another $5 off for a companion, which is a nice touch. Helmets required and provided. 250-pound weight limit. Services include 1-hour and 1.5-hour trail rides, pony rides for kids as young as 2, customized horse boarding plans, birthday parties with access to a heated indoor pool and game room and sports courts, and intensive summer horse camps where kids learn grooming, saddling, and horsemanship skills. They keep a diverse herd of over 20 horses matched carefully to rider experience levels. There's Sugar, a 22-year-old Shetland pony perfect for beginners. Belle is a dappled grey Arabian-Appaloosa for intermediate riders. Oakley is a 27-year-old Belgian Draft who can carry riders up to 250 pounds (saw a photo of him and he is massive but apparently super gentle). Contact this highly-rated Virginia horse farm at (540) 636-6375 or ride@royalhorseshoe.com to book trail rides, riding lessons, or tours of their Civil War-era barns and historic property just one hour west of Washington D.C.
Highlander Horses (also operating as Double H Stable) in Front Royal, Virginia has provided trail rides, riding lessons, horse training, and boarding services since 2001 (24 years in operation) from their location at 5197 Reliance Road, approximately one hour from Washington, D.C. in the Shenandoah Valley. Directory listings indicate the horseback riding stable welcomes riders and operates year-round by appointment only under owner Burke's management, with some sources noting small-group rides for a maximum of four guests ages 10 and up. Reviews present a mixed picture with a 3.5-star rating on Yelp (16 reviews) and 4 stars on Google, with positive feedback praising "well-trained, well-kept horses" and "beautiful and varied trails" for Front Royal trail riding adventures, while critical reviews raised concerns about inadequate instruction for novice riders, customer service issues, and safety incidents including riders being thrown from horses. The business employs approximately 2 staff members and claims "horse professionals with a combined 35 years of experience" who have been featured in The Washington Post, Boston Globe, and various travel magazines for offering "unique trail riding experiences" in Virginia horse country, with the stable specializing in gaited Virginia Highlander horses native to the Shenandoah Valley. Despite the Front Royal location's proximity to stunning Shenandoah Valley scenery, some reviewers criticized rides as "just woods" that "got boring quick" with abrupt pacing and soft-spoken guides, though others described experiences as "very adventurous" and "relaxing," with hosts Jon and his daughter Bella receiving accolades for their knowledge and evident love for their animals. No pricing information was publicly available for this Virginia horseback riding operation's trail rides, riding lessons, or horse boarding services, and the business remains unclaimed on multiple review platforms including Yelp and Manta, suggesting minimal online presence management. For current information about Highlander Horses' services, rates, and availability for trail riding or riding lessons in Front Royal, contact (540) 636-4523 or burke@highlanderhorses.com, though prospective customers may want to thoroughly discuss safety protocols, instruction quality, and ride expectations given the mixed customer feedback.
