Our stay couldn't have been better. It was peaceful and serene, and exactly as described. My 7YO…read moreand I loved hiking the property and feeding the animals in the morning. The owner Janice was so kind and patient with my kiddo - we'll definitely be back! The location was close to everything, yet felt like a million miles away. Great value, and very quiet.

The horses seemed tired. I was watching the first group leave as we got there. As they were…read morewalking, I seen the horses "knees" shake and looked painful for them to walk. My horse seemed to have something wrong with its mouth. When we mounted, my horse was chewing on the bridle angrily. The guide instructed me not to pull on the reigns, but my horse kept getting to close to my daughters horse in front of me and making my daughters horse kick mine. I had no choice but to pull on the reigns a bit. The guide did say they have days off. But from what I've seen, they seemed tired and in pain. Their manes were full of tangles and burs. The trail was beautiful.

Great ATV time. First time riding went as a walk in. All prices and fees are listed if you actually…read moreread the forms you sign. It is clearly listed that if you flip the atv you will be charged. Just went 2 of us on individual atvs. Our tour guide showed me how to operate the atv and constantly turned around to check on me. I made a joke about wanting to get a little muddy and he made that happen for me . You go around the track twice which is nice. Scenic view at one point but all in all worth it.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel others should be aware of my experience…read more We reserved a UTV for myself and my two younger sons, while my 13-year-old rode an ATV. Before riding, I completed all required waivers and disclosures. I encourage anyone considering this activity to read every line carefully. What stood out to me afterward is that nowhere in the reservation process or waiver did it state that simply tipping an ATV results in an automatic $150 fee. The only notice we saw was a sign near the vehicle staging area--after we had already paid. I was initially hesitant about allowing my 13-year-old to ride independently because he has limited ATV experience. The trails aren't extreme, but they are technical enough that prior riding experience would be very beneficial. The only instruction we received before heading out covered the farm rules--ride sober, maintain distance between vehicles, and other basic operational rules. There was no instruction or guidance on how to actually operate or navigate the ATV, how to handle uneven terrain, or how to avoid situations that could cause it to tip. Interestingly, I was specifically warned by the manager to keep my UTV centered on the trail or it could tip. That same warning was not given to my son riding the ATV. Unfortunately, he drifted slightly onto the embankment, and the ATV slowly tipped onto its side. Thankfully, he wasn't injured at all--just embarrassed. It was a relatively minor incident, and had he known to lean his body weight into the embankment, it likely could have been avoided. My son was extremely upset because he immediately realized we had likely incurred the $150 flip fee. The tour guide reassured him by patting him on the back and saying, "Don't worry, this thing is fine." He explained to me that the mandatory $150 fee covered the oil change and filter replacement after an ATV tips onto its side and that the fee was not flexible, but thankfully the ATV itself appeared to be fine. Imagine my surprise when I later received not only the $150 flip fee but an additional $108.25 charge for handlebar replacement. The following day, I returned respectfully and simply asked to see a photo of the damage or the damaged handlebars themselves. I wasn't asking for an argument--I just wanted documentation supporting the additional charge. I was initially told I might be able to see the ATV. After the front manager stepped away to speak with the manager in the back, she returned and informed me that they could no longer show me photos or the damage because the ATV had already been sent to the mechanic. The timing of that response was difficult to ignore. My disappointment isn't that accidents happen or that businesses need to recover repair costs. I fully understand that equipment can be damaged and customers should be responsible when appropriate. My disappointment is with the lack of transparency. If an automatic flip fee exists, it should be clearly disclosed before payment. If additional damage charges are assessed, customers should be provided evidence of that damage when requested. The entire experience left me feeling that the process lacked transparency, and undermined my confidence in the fairness of the charges. I hope the business will consider making its policies more visible upfront and documenting any additional damage charges so future customers don't leave feeling the same way I did.

My daughter's and I had a great time.. the horses are very gentle. The fresh air and no phones in…read moreour faces was the best part. I grew up with horses and to enjoy a little bit of quiet time with my girls was the best.

Tiffany and her team do an amazing job. I learned during my visit that she has taken in resuce…read moreanimals, some in very poor health, and through many months of care nursed these gentle beasts back to their rightful majesty. Go check them out and show them love.

Absolute class, great food surrounded by people who care. We had the steak, it was cooked to…read moreperfection. Magical place and cannot wait to go back.

Loved our stay here. Recently underwent renovations and joined the luxury chain Relais and Chateau…read more We stayed in the Haywood cabin which was perfect for our group of 5. Two king bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, porches, living area with pull out couch, and fireplace. Modern decor and comfy touches throughout like the heated floors in the bathroom. We also had an amazing view of the mountains. We had the pleasure of trying all the menus at Switchback Restaurant - breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Food was local and tasty. Vibe was lodge chic. Took advantage of the hiking trails as well. Did the Salamander Falls and Meadow trails. Great scenery and went right past the pasture with horses, which were so sweet. Most importantly, the staff were all incredible. Everyone was pleasant and accommodating. They made it so easy to communicate requests both before and during our stay. Thanks for a great time!

My wife and I have been together for 24 years. In that time we've gone horseback riding 3 times,…read moretwo of which have been here in Pigeon Forge. Our most recent excursion @ Goldrush Stables and the other @ Big Rock Dude Ranch. Naturally, I can't help making comparisons between the two. Simply put, after this experience we've come to the conclusion we really don't like riding horses, even though we love them! It's just not for us, but we are so glad for all the opportunities. . [ THE RIDE ] We arrived 15 minutes early as requested by the stables to sign waivers and prep for the ride. Our trail guides were saddling several horses as we watched from outside the fence. Once ready, we were summoned to the mounting platform, which makes it much easier for beginners like us. Because COVID-19 has given me a little extra girth, I was given one of the larger horses named Blondie, while my wife rode Fanny. It was Blondie's first ride in weeks (they tend to rest their horses for long periods), so she proved to be rather eager on the trail. Fanny, as my wife soon discovered, doesn't like to get her feet wet. Once all the riders were mounted & instructed, we walked across a wooden bridge to a field and began our ride. Normally the ride would begin by walking the horses through the creek, but rain from the night before had water levels up, so we bypassed it via the bridge. We also bypassed another creek walk further down the trail, which was disappointing since it was one of the main reasons we chose this stable over Big Rock. It was one of the best selling points. We then arrived at a smaller, more narrow creek crossing that both Blondie and Fanny decided to jump, startling both me & my wife. Immediately after the creek the terrain goes uphill, which my horse decided to run. She headed straight into some low-lying branches, almost knocking me off. Her eagerness caused her to not listen very well when pulling back on her reigns and my inexperience handling her didn't help. My wife's horse ran her knee into a tree just after jumping the small creek, so clearly we were having a few issues! LOL Our guides yelled out after my wife's accident "steer your horses", but even after 3-minutes of instruction it's hard to do that properly when the horse seems to have other plans. At this point the trail follows a path into the woods and up and down a fairly good-sized hill. On a dry day I think this would have been a very pleasant ride, but because the trail was muddy, my particular horse kept sliding... BADLY, like something you'd see in a cartoon! It was very nerve racking and made it difficult to relax and enjoy the experience. In truth, I felt sorry for my horse. She was seriously soaked in sweat by mid ride and seemed to walk under every low branch along the way! I believe she was intentionally trying to get me off her back, fo'realz... hahaha! Poor thing. My wife remained frazzled most of the ride as she wrestled with her own fears of not feeling in control. At midpoint the trail loops back into itself and we follow the same path back to the beginning. . [ THE VERDICT ] We learned something about ourselves that I suppose we've always known. Some of the experiences we've had were greatly enhanced because of the joy we felt showing our children how to live life. We did so many things in the name of giving them great memories and now we must reprogram to pursue our own like as a couple, not just as parents. We thought we would enjoy the more open fields & smaller slopes @ Goldrush versus the mountainous trail @ Big Rock, and probably would have if not for the muddy conditions. That being said, the ride time was far shorter and there is little else to do here. Overall we felt like Big Rock was the better value. So why 4 stars you ask? Well, for one I believe most of our dislikes for this ride were either OPERATOR ERROR or just conditions that couldn't be helped. It's just the luck of the draw when dealing with nature. Secondly, I think despite the shortness of the trail, it is perfect for beginners and families with children old enough to ride on their own. [ NOTE TO OWNERS ] I would like to suggest regularly trimming low lying branches along the trail, adding colorful signage reminding riders to watch their knees in at least TWO critical areas and/or add a guide rail to deter the horses from walking so close. Most of us city folk just don't know how to handle a horse!!! Also, since the trail is short and most people these days love photo opportunities, why not build a second mounting/dismounting platform at the top of the hill where riders can have a chance to pause & take pics on or beside their horses. I personally think this would go a long way in improving the experience. TIP WHEN PLANNING A VISIT: Currently they do not allow doubles, so smaller children or kids fearful of riding alone cannot ride (unlike Big Rock which allows small children to ride with parents). ENJOY 2020 / 71

This place was great! We wanted to do something different in this vacation and horse back riding…read morewas something we never have done before! It was cool to get to go up hills and see the beautiful views from riding the horses! I rode rebel and he was great! He wanted to lead the whole time but we stayed in the second spot. Highly recommend trying this place out!

First time coming here and we were all a little nervous, but the staff was beyond friendly and very…read morehelpful. Clint was our guide and he was absolutely amazing, he made us feel safe and comfortable and most importantly confident. I highly recommended visiting.

I am so happy we came to the Big Rock Dude Ranch. The ladies up front were welcoming and kind…read more Our horse guide Anthony took good care of us and kept a close eye on the children. The horses were wonderful! They were well trained and responsive to the rider's commands. The Big Rock Dude Ranch is a great place to visit!!

The drive thru tour of seeing all the animals and feeding them from inside the wagon is so fun…read more There are goats, deer, ram, cows, longhorn steer and even a yak. All the animals are very docile and can easily eat from your hand. A lot of them are big cuddle babies according to the staff.The feed bucket is a good size to feed all the animals. The staff is good at rotating the animals so you get a chance to feed them all They also have a walk in area to see animals, a highland cow session you can book, a zip line and a self controlled mountain coaster. The highlight for me was Dozer the sweet highland cow and the baby alpaca. Thanks Skyland Ranch for the fun morning

My mom and I had a wonderful time on the Safari Hayride, meeting Doser the miniature Highland, and…read moreriding the Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster which was a longer ride than I anticipated. I think all of the attractions are well worth the cost!

Tough meat. Spent a couple hundred bucks on different cuts of meat and I was very surprised at how…read morebad it was. Even the filet was chewy and tough. Ended up feed it to my dogs. I bought with the best intentions of supporting a local but this is not it. They're from California and it shows.

I reached out to the owner to inquire about bones for broth. We have a mutual friend who is on a…read moreliquid diet due to surgery. When I explained who the bones were for, he generously donated a very big box of high-quality bones to assist in our friend's recovery. The broth was the tastiest I've ever made-super velvety and rich. I've never shopped Walnut Hollow but I will be sure to make it a regular habit in the future. Very happy to know that this business and it's kind proprietor are in my community.

We had a big group and the waitress was very patient and never rushed us . The food was great . It…read morewas not very expensive. we had a great time. I would definitely go back. Love this place. Definitely recommend it.(our waitresses's name was Kelsey She was the best.)

Fresh ingredients, well-cooked, traditional food yet with a flair of flavor. Never been to this…read moresmall chain, but I think this one is a winner. Girlfriend was upset before arriving, but loved the food, and it helped put her in a good mood that night. Thank you!

We had an absolute blast! My friends and I, from Florida, took a vacation and stayed in the loft…read morecabin on the property. The cabin was nice, clean and comfortable. The staff was so kind and such a delight! We did the gold panning, gem mining, wagon ride, and paintball gallery. The bathrooms were kept super clean. We will definitely be coming back on our next girls trip!

Ok, so this place is everything you want to find in the middle of nowhere:) My children, ages 4-12,…read moreall had fun. The staff was sweet and patient even when my littles were rambunctious in the office. We did all the activities except the mini car track(cars not working) and the bounce house. The bounce house had a snake in it which one of the staff removed BY HAND! My children thought this lady was a super hero, lol! It was pretty badass. If you are near Murphy and you have kids, don't skip this place. It seems like one of those places that should be around forever.