We have nothing but great things to say about the team at Cedar Creek Ranch. We signed up taking our 7 & 9 year olds for their first ever ride. They were VERY nervous before we started the ride and the team took a bit more time with them and helped to get them a little more calm before starting. They even had one of the team members, Abby, walk along side the kids during the ride to help remind them of what to do along the ride. Needless to say, our kids all had an amazing time and we wouldn't hesitate recommending this ranch to others. It was a holiday weekend and we called about a week in advance and they only had 2 slots left that could accommodate our group of 7, so I'd recommend calling asap to set up your reservations. Abby also mentioned that there was going to be a new trail opening in the fall of 2017. read more

Lovely peaceful horseback ride on the property's trail with such a friendly crew Cassie and Abby. My toddler had such a great time feeding the goats and first horseback ride. Such a cool and unique experience here that we were looking for!! So glad we got to visit and found this spot!! read more

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First time ever, no experience horseback riding experience and it was AMAZING!!! Found this place from a deep dive on google. There website had no time slots showing but I called and they answered and said they have availability for the day I was hoping for. Great customer service from the moment they answered the phone to the moment we stepped off of the property. Well organized and such a fun time. Very well worth it and would definitely be coming back!! My boyfriend was completely mortified and scared to get on the horse and asked a million and one questions and every single staff was reassuring but also honest. He rode the horse with confidence because of the staff training and attentiveness. He would definitely come back and said he was the most amazing thing he's done his whole life. Every single animal on the ranch is also well taken care off and amazingly well manners, from the dogs to the random Turkey on site. Every single one was gentle and sweet. They also take pictures of you throughout the trail and provide you FREE of charge by texting them to you. HOW CONVENIENT!!! And the pictures are SOOOO GOOD! This also happened to be my step-son's birthday and they were wonderful and sweet enough to give him a horse shoe for good luck after the ride it was so unexpected and he completely was so excited. From a teenager being excited to ride horses and receive a horseshoe this says a lot!! read more

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I took my Boy Scout Troop to camp and ride at CCR. The staff at CCR were incredibly accommodating, friendly and helpful. We camped on a hill overlooking a beautiful pasture where horses grazed. My scouts enjoyed a great ride and the Haunted Trail. We had a freat time and I'm sure we'll be back! read more

Great experience! Was my first time riding a horse and I enjoyed every minute of it. The grounds are beautiful. We had a blast watching the barn animals interact. The guides were great; we learned a lot prior to the ride which put me at ease. It seemed like all the horses are well trained and everyone on the ride had a good time. The ride was easy going, relaxing and a great way to spend 2 hours while in the Starved Rock area. Highly recommend!! read more

Cedar Creek Ranch - Barn animals! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cedar Point, Illinois

Was originally in the area for starved rock but had some time to kill before they opened the lots again so we decided to check it out...best decision! Staff was so welcoming and friendly. It was my first time on a horse but they explained everything and horse were quite steady. Loved it, had such a great time. Definitely recommend it! read more

Cedar Creek Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cedar Point, Illinois

We had a great time. The guides were very safety conscious. They walked the trail and watched over everyone. The horses were all beautiful and looked well taken care of. Would definitely go back! read more

Cedar Creek Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cedar Point, Illinois

This place is awesome! The property is gorgeous, the staff is extremely nice, the horses are well kept and very friendly. We will definitely be coming back here again! read more

Amazing trail ride today! Paul the owner was so nice and very professional. The team was so great, Tbone and Nutsy were so fun and kept the kids engaged. Kids loved it and we had a blast. Don't look any further this is a great place to horseback ride! read more

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I had a sudden desire to escape the city on Thursday in November so my sister and I drove from Chicago to Starved Rock for a day. And because we were in the area and hadn't ridden a horse in over a decade, we decided to check this place out. Cedar Creek Ranch is listed on the Starved Rock website as a place to ride horses because it's a 15 minute drive. Well, it was 15 minutes away. But it's a couple towns over so it's pretty far. But then again I'm used to traveling in the city where 15 minutes doesn't get you much farther than a mile or two. We made appointments for 12:30pm and were told to arrive at 12:15pm. At first we missed the turn-off to the ranch because it was so inconspicuous looking. But we found it and parked and were greeted with the the sight of tons of horses and miniature horses. So cute! Before we got on the horse, we were given a short "class" on how to use the reigns and sit in the saddle. Then we were on the horses and riding off into the valley just beyond the ranch. We spent about an hour riding the horses. You didn't really need to know much about riding because the horses stayed in single file and followed the lead rider. I would've appreciated a little more of an actual class and it would've been nice if we had the opportunity to navigate ourselves. Nevertheless, it was fun to ride a horse through a few creeks and up a few hills. For $30, it's a bit steep. But they're conveniently located if you're spending a day or two near Starved Rock. And the owner seemed really dedicated to his animals - he said they were all rescues and he said he had 40 horses. He talked to the people in the front of the line a lot but since I was the fourth rider, I didn't get to hear as much of the history. Once the ride was over, we were given the opportunity to lead the horses back to their stable. And then after we paid for the ride, we got to feed the horses a little treat. So that was definitely fun. Overall, I definitely enjoyed my time here and can see myself coming here again next time I'm by Starved Rock. read more

Brought some of the granddaughters. Three did the trail ride and had a blast! They loves giving the horses a treat also. Two took the Gator creek ride and they also got to give some horses a treat. They all really enjoyed their time there. The staff was wonderful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Highly recommended. read more

We had a lovely time. My husband and i came here for a 10th anniversary treat- we spent the weekend in Starved Rock and this was our last "thing" we did before heading home to the kids. My horse seemed particularly enthused with the "hedge apples" and kept trying to eat them. I loved the civil war cemetery. Towards the middle of the walk, you'll turn a corner and see where you have just been and the view, especially now, during the fall, was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had had a go-pro camera or something to video it- I am a very inexperienced rider so I did not trust myself with the camera/cell phone out. Anyone in other reviews complaining about the horse poop. For cuss sake its a ranch. And a stable. Its not going to be Operating Room clean. Like, i can't roll my eyes hard enough at that. I'm a "city person" and I know better. We ate at the attached restaurant- I rarely get a rare burger unless I make it at home. This did not disappoint. The burger was awesome, the fries were good too. Also- just as an FYI, get there at the half hour prior time that the owner will tell you when you reserve over the phone. The trail rides do book up fast, and its basically unfair to the riders who did get there on time to be late and then everyone else has to wait for you. read more

Took my 7 year old daughter for her first horseback ride. We have a wonderful experience. Staff was entertaining and took extra care to make sure all riders had a great ride. read more

The horses are gorgeous, the staff was great, the land was beautiful, but unfortunately, the owner repeatedly made racist comments to my group during our entire visit. My girlfriend and her family are from Mexico and he kept saying "arriba, andale!" to them in a Speedy Gonzalez voice. When they had trouble understanding him, he was quite rude. He yelled at us to hurry throughout the whole visit. Worst of all, before our visit, he asked for our consent to videotape our ride for promotional purposes. We agreed, but soon regretted it, because he yelled at us the entire ride to "smile!" He told us to take off our masks for the ride because "COVID will be over when the election is over." It didn't feel authentic, like he wanted us to have fun, but it felt staged. I felt so badly that my guests were treated in this rude and racist manner, please take your money elsewhere. read more

What a nice bunch of people and what a fun ride! They made our first-ever horseback ride a ton of fun and very easy to enjoy!

This place is awesome if you wanna horseback ride near Chicago. The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable and the actual land is amazing. Theres a little petting zoo at the entrance and once you start the ride the forest you go through is beautiful. You get to go up and downhill as well as ride through some creeks. They also take great pictures for you. Will definitely continue to come here in the future. read more

Had an amazing time! It was my second time and my partners first time horse back riding. The trail guide Abby was super friendly and made sure everyone was safe during the ride. Helped us all understand what to do and what not to do while riding the horses. If is a beautiful ranch and you can tell the animals are all treated well. The horses were amazing as well! We also went into the petting zoo area and had a blast. If you are experienced or inexperienced I would recommend this place. Such a great time and memory! read more

If you're looking for a kid friendly place especially first timers you will love this place! My kids (7 and 8 yr old) and I have never gone horseback riding before and was worried that my kids would get really nervous. My 7 yr old did get nervous but Paul the owner was so patient with my boys. My 8 yr old did great! My 7 yr old wanted to get off but by the end he wanted to ride around and the owner allowed him to and they had a blast! Such a great memory. Hoping to go again next time we are in area. read more

After reviewing all these comments specifically about the owner, we decided not to go to this place. They don't deserve my money.

Our second visit in as many weeks. Paul, the owner, addressed us by name, as if we were lifelong friends. His staff was the most friendly and accommodating, helping every step of the way because we are novices. Steven, our horse wrangler, went out of his way to help my wife guide her wayward pony on the trail. The trail ride was fun and just long enough to whet my yearning for a longer, more active ride. I hope we have an opportunity to open them up for a short run next time! Highly recommended! read more

The trail and the horses were great. The owner, on the other hand, was kind of a jerk. He was really rude to my friend, who had back problems flare up halfway through and who needed to get off. He also yelled at me a lot for things I would think most people who have never ridden a horse before wouldn't know. He was so adamant about staying calm and not freaking the horses out, yet he was yelling and swearing and generally making us all stressed out and uncomfortable. There has to be better places to do horseback riding around Starved Rock. Please visit those businesses instead. read more

Our family had a wonderful time on our trail ride. The staff were friendly and wonderful, especially with our children who were first time riders. They explained everything to help everyone feel comfortable and safe. They knew their animals, their trails and instinctively knew how to match the right horse to each of the riders. The handlers were great about capturing candid photos with our phones. From making reservations to payment, everyone was great. Would've been five stars had it not been for the low hanging branches and overgrown brush. The trails would benefit from some chainsaw grooming. read more

My boyfriend and I recently went for a morning ride. It was just the two of us and they were happy to accommodate us. We had the best experience ever. As soon as we parked, we were greeted to with waves and hello's by the staff working around the premises, as well as the barn dogs who were also pretty excited to say hello. The ride was an hour or so and Mark was so friendly and knowledgeable, and just fun to have along. The land is beautiful, the horses are so great and the place is just awesome. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great trail ride at a friendly place! I hear their food is great too but we had to get on the road so didn't get a chance to try it. WE WILL BE BACK!!! :) read more

We were there this past weekend for Fall Colors at starved rock. This was the biggest waste of my time. They charge 30$ a person for a 45minute horse walk. They put my three year old son in an ATV behind us to follow. The "guide" kept leaving my son alone in the ATV for up to ten minutes at a time, yes, my three year old son ALONE in the woods. What an idiotic lady. Following the horse back ride, they charged me 10$ for the ATV ride, then my son got a guided horseback riding lesson---for 8 minutes. Yep, I kept track of time. I kid you not, they charged me 15$ For a 8 minute walk with my son. The owner, Paul, has the nastiest mouth on him you will ever meet. He swears left and right, and in front of children. when I asked him to stop swearing in front of my son he responded that he didn't care. My husband then had to step in and tell him to watch it. These folks are pretty trashy and unprofessional. Will NEVER come here again. read more

This place is so fantastic!! My friend and I came here for a trail ride and we had an amazing time. The ranch itself is absolutely stunning and the price can't be beat. Paul, the owner, was really friendly (and patient as we city folk tried to learn our way around a horse) and a great tour guide. There was even someone who took pictures for us - we walked away with a ton of great shots! read more

Great folks on this ranch! Wish we had come when the longer trails were open. Will come back here next year. They have Gun Smoke Grill onsite that we wanted to try but we had just had breakfast. The restaurant, small it may be, has a modern feel to it and is run by the ranch's brother. read more

Very friendly staff who made me and my husband very comfortable on the ride. Land for the trail ride was pretty and The Gunsmoke Grill was delicious! read more

Went for a trail ride there recently. Prices were about half what I pay in California. The horses were the best-behaved horses I've ever seen--had a little spunk so we weren't just following nose to tail, but they were very open to suggestion. The ride was through some of the prettiest country in Illinois (nearby Starved Rock was THE prettiest country in Illinois--voted Ilinois' best attraction). We went through a little stream, and through a civil war cemetery. I was especially impressed to hear that all the horses were rescue animals. The place has a little bar and grill, and they host concerts. Looks like a very sincere place to knock back a few. read more

Absolute great place!! The staff were so friendly and helpful, the horses rode easy (even for a first timer), the trail was awesome! With great views and loved going in the creek! Cost is good for what you get! There's a restaurant next door that serves good food too! read more

Amazing my daughter and I and also my friend and her two sons had an AMAZING experience.The staff was patient funny friendly and really took time to teach our kids and they really focus on the safety of the rider and the horses they really could of just gone with going straight to the trail and take our money ! But they didn't he waited till kids were comfortable and myself.This is a must Go!!!!! read more

My husband took me here as an anniversary surprise. And it was totally awesome! I was very nervous at first, but the guides are great and the horses are very tame. The staff was all very friendly and made us fell very comfortable as it was a first for us both. We will be back soon! read more

I can't say enough great things about Paul, the owner. On our way in we saw a dog by the side of the road who looked like he'd been hit by a car. Paul helped us find the owners and rode with us until we got the dog safely back home. Turns out much of the ranch is a collection of lost or unwanted pets that they've taken in and sort of rehabbed. We ended up getting rained out so we grabbed some burgers at the restaurant, which were amazing, and the service was really good. He didn't charge us for being rained out and let us come back the next day. The horses were wonderful and he gave a great explanation at the beginning so you really feel comfortable on the trail itself. read more

My brother and I had a great time riding at Cedar Creek Ranch a couple weeks ago. Paul was very friendly, it was very early in the season but he still accommodated us. read more

My husband and I had a great experience horseback riding with Paul in the lead. We stayed at the Starved Rock Inn, and it was about a 15 minute drive to the ranch. We experienced a nice ride on the horses through the trees and creeks. Would highly recommend. Also had a great lunch at a restaurant on the ranch - Gunsmoke. read more

I was so excited to go on a lovely horseback ride at Cedar, I drove 2 hours to get there but I was extremely disappointed. The owner was rude and said multiple explicit words in front of my 5 year old daughter. Their safety training was inadequate and it smelled like horse poop and there were flies everywhere. I wish I could give it 0 stars read more

We took our 12-year-old and 10-year-old for a trail ride on April 1, 2017. Paul and Jerry were fantastic! They have plenty of calm horses for kids and they explain everything so the kids know what to do. Our kids can't wait to go back. Cedar Creek Ranch is just a few miles from Starved Rock and Matthiessen, so it all makes for a fun day. Be sure to plan on eating at the Gunsmoke Grill while you're there... have an ice-cold beer and highly recommend the 38 Special burger. Delicious!! The Williams family really knows how to take care of guests. read more

Cedar creek ranch was not a friendly farm environment like advertised on the website. My 3 children and I drove over 90 miles to be unpleasantly surprised with a dirty ranch and extremely rude ranch hands. The Owner Paul Williams was very dismissive when teaching safety instructions for the saddle and seemed to care very little about safety. Once on our ride things seemed to be going decent, until a child under the age of 10 was thrown off his horse and hit his head pretty severely. I WILL NOT be returning with any of family. read more

I searched the Chicago suburbs for somewhere to take the grandkids for a trail ride to no avail. Found Cedar Creek ranch by searching but then it was recommended by some friends. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, my grandkids can't wait to go back! Even this old Grandma got on a horse (with a whole lot of help) and although I was scared, Paul matched each of us up with the right horse. Skeeter didn't even need coaxing, he just knew what he was supposed to do and did it well, leaving me extremely relieved. I didn't catch their names but there were two young staff members that were walking the trails or riding the jeep keeping close tabs on all of us since this was a first ride for many in the group. Knowing I was afraid, one of them was always there as we went down a hill or crossed the water, explaining to every rider when to lean forward or backward to make it easier on the horse. After the ride we went to Gunsmoke Grill for a snack before heading home. Awesome experience for everyone, even those who did not ride enjoyed Gunsmoke Grill. Had a great afternnon!! read more