I have been to Knob Hill Ranch on two separate occasions now, and both times were just beyond anything I could have expected! The first ride was a 2-hour sunset ride with my sister and niece, and the second was the 4-hour Wranger Special all by myself, only 3 weeks later, because this place is just that fun! All ranches that offer horseback riding are not equal. I have been to a couple ranches where they simply run it like a machine with little to no respect, having horses ride constantly throughout the day with little rest. Knob Hill Ranch takes a different approach, and after sitting with Madeline and Michael for a length of time after my 2nd ride, I learned that Knob Hill is on a different level than most ranches you'll encounter. Horses at Knob Hill are treated with such compassion and care. A horse only rides once a day, and that alone was enough for me to know I can trust the way this ranch is ran. They have a deep respect, for not only the horses, but the land as well, and you will feel it as soon as you get there. There is something sacred under the lands surface, and it feels as though the ranch is operating in such a beautiful way, because they're mirroring the sacred beauty and elegance that lies beneath the soil. Oh, and it's worth mentioning, they host equine therapy on their land as well, along with sound baths for folks. I mean, this ranch is dabbling into all things that revolve around healing and cultivating a calm and peaceful environment. Once you experience it, how could you not want to go back?! And for me, it's a 6 hour drive each way, totally worth it. After reading this novel of a review, it is clear this ranch is operating with a deep heart-centered intention, so they're not surface level folks running a machine to make money. And, if you're tired of surface level conversations about sports and weather, like myself, these are the folks you can dive deep into conversation with about life, and leave the surface level topics behind. They're providing an area on Earth for us to connect not only with horses and nature, but ourselves. Much gratitude toward Michael and Madeline! read more

Gorgeous property in Yucca Valley. Wonderful staff and instructors. I did the two-hour ride in the morning. Great weather. Jack was my horse; what a sweet animal. Entire experience was excellent. Highly recommend. Madeline's communication was thorough; start to finish. Effortless to sign up. read more

Super clean, easy & delicious! Highly recommend. My high schooler loves it here! Thanks Jarason & Carl read more

I proposed to my now fiancé at Knob Hill Ranch and all of the wonderful staff there made the whole evening an unforgettable experience for us both. From Madeline's excitement from our very first phone call months before, she handled every detail and answered all of my questions with enthusiasm and excitement for our special day. She organized the private horseback ride (2.5 Short Loop), professional photos and private dinner which was nothing short of magical and the horses (Forest and Jack) were so calm and fun to ride. Maddie was an incredible guide for my first time riding and made the whole experience relaxed and filled with laughs. She positioned us perfectly at sunset for me to propose and was so patient while we soaked up the moment. The private dinner afterward was incredibly special with music playing, candles, and champagne - super romantic! The chef curated an amazing meal that was entirely gluten free by request. We ended the night enjoying the company of the other ranch hands around the fire with their dogs as they all shared in the excitement for us that made the evening end feeling like we were celebrating with old friends. We can't thank everyone enough for making it a memorable start to the next chapter of our lives! read more

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YOU HAVE TO GO HERE!! Unforgettable Experience. I celebrated my 30th birthday here and it was absolutely unforgettable. The private horseback ride was magical and the horses (Rusty, Dutch, Andres, Pi, Cody, Forest, Jack, and Levi) were so well cared for and fun to ride. Abby and Maddie were incredible guides who made the whole experience relaxed and full of good vibes. The private dinner afterward was outstanding. The chef created an amazing meal and explained each dish in such a thoughtful way. The two gentlemen serving drinks and taking care of our table made everything seamless. And Madeline, the owner, welcomed us so warmly that it felt like a truly personal celebration. This is hands down the most special experience I could have asked for. I cannot recommend it enough. read more

First and foremost, Knob Hill Ranch takes excellent care of their horses. The guides are polite, friendly, and knowledgeable. Madeline runs a first class and personable operation. My sister and I had a marvelous time. We went on the private ride through the actual Joshua Tree National Park with a chef prepared meal. And let me tell you, it was just breathtaking. I recommend Knob Hill Ranch. The private ride was worth every penny. To me this is the only way to hike through Joshua Tree...on a horse. Book your ride today. read more

What an amazing day! Horses and Joshua trees!!! The horses were beautiful and the staff was wonderful. I highly recommend Knob Hill Ranch. read more

It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. My wife and I were the only two riders on this beautiful breezy morning, which made me a little nervous. But ultimately ended up feeling like a private tour. Kara explained everything throughly from beginning to end of tour. From how to tips with guiding horses, desert snake fun facts, and even pointing out bobcat poop during the trail. I will definitely be back and highly recommend! read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Kara (Wrangler/Tour guide) - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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We had a great two hour guided tour! We booked a couple of weeks before our trip to Joshua Tree and are glad we did. We filled out the request for an appointment and got a call within a few hours to confirm. The ranch was easy to find and we were greeted by our guide. The horses were friendly and well taken care of. The guide was friendly and told us about the local plant life as we walked by. She also spoke highly of the owner and her care for the horses. We ended up having a private two hour tour since no one else signed up for that time. We started in the morning when it was chilly and it warmed up throughout the trip. I encouraged our local Airbnb host to add them to their local recommendations as well! read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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Such a fun & relaxing ride thru the park! Shannon was a great guide... highly recommend! read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Horse back riding! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

My family went on the 2-Hour Sunset Ride, and it was the highlight of our trip. My daughter has taken horseback riding lessons before, but the rest of us were total novices. We all felt very comfortable with the horses, and the instructions given before the ride. The staff, including their adorable dog Tucker, made us feel at home. It was a great time. I would highly recommend this ranch. We are even checking out the Airbnb that is located on their property for our next trip. read more

Everything about the experience was amazing! We booked a private ride since it was out first time horseback riding and our guides Madeline made us feel safe, taught us well, and made everything so fun. The trail was beautiful during sunset time and it was perfect for our first time. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back! read more

A group of friends and I had such an amazing experience at Knobb Hill. We took the 2hr short west loop trail with Brian as our guide. He was extremely friendly and helpful the entire time. He really made it a great experience as beginner riders and even took us to a beautiful photo spot. In the beginning of our visit, he clearly explained how to maneuver and the ride the horse. Also, Madeline was super helpful when booking on short notice and was to accommodate to our group. Thank you again for this wonderful experience. I definitely recommend this to anyone of any riding level! read more

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Went on the super epic 5-hour wrangler's special ride, it was amazing, and Kara was knowledgeable and professional throughout. This is the most time I have ever spent on a horse, and the scenery and landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park made the time fly! So fun and relaxing. read more

An absolutely delightful ride led by Shannon and her faithful horse Leroy. The climb was steady and never too challenging, and the views were magnificent. Shannon checked our (that be Pancho and me) progress and safety constantly. Highly recommend. read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

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I would highly recommend this if you are out near Joshua Tree. I had a couple of extra days out west at the end of a work trip and wanted to take some time to ride in the desert (one of my favorite things!) I booked a long trail ride at Knob Hill Ranch and it was remarkable and beautiful and so much fun! It was exactly as I envisioned it would be. I've done quite a bit of riding but am no expert but the wranglers were wonderful. My horse Appy was well schooled and fun to ride but very safe. Setting this up with the folks at the ranch was very easy and everything went without a glitch. I hope to go back! read more

The most beautiful, peaceful, and magical horseback riding I've been on! We did the California scenic ride through the National Park, and will definitely do it again! Kara the wrangler was very knowledgeable about the horses and Joshua Tree. Thanks for an unforgettable experience! read more

Best part of our trip to Joshua Tree! Kara was an excellent wrangler and guide. We did the 3 hour trail ride and felt totally safe but also challenged enough to be exciting and fun. Got to see the sunset and many beautiful views only possible to experience on horseback. Highly recommended!! read more

Fantastic horseback riding experience! My husband and I are beginners and wanted to try riding. I made a reservation over the phone. We did a 2 hour ride through Joshua Tree. We got a little introductory lesson at the ranch for how to steer and stop the horse. The ride was beautiful and relaxing. Don was really nice and have a tour of the valley. He was excellent at maki us feel comfortable and safe. Would definitely return. A word of warning, the road to get there is unpaved and google maps directions aren't accurate. read more

Beautiful ride in the park. Horses are lovely and trail guides just as sweet. We did the 3 hour ride, which was a little hard on most of the party but I enjoyed it :) read more

A good experience with the horses, but a bad experience with the company. Would only recommend booking if your trip itinerary is flexible. I made our reservation for a sunset trail ride months in advance for our trip and was called 3 days prior to our ride saying that due to a staffing error on their end, our options were to cancel for a refund or reschedule for a different day at 3pm. This was extremely stressful because as we received the call we were already losing signal (had to turn around to even keep the call from dropping) so we were forced into the position to rearrange our trip itinerary and other reservations without having a computer or reliable cellphone signal. All with 3 days to spare. They also kept changing the reason and circumstance for canceling within the call- At first saying they didn't have enough staff for the large group and needed to cancel just our booking to make the group smaller. When I first pushed back they said would try to ask another couple if they would have an easier time rescheduling than us. Eventually they changed the story and said everyone had to be canceled, I assume just to get us off the phone. I booked this trip to find some peace after dealing with trauma and having the rug pulled out from under us on this trip was not the experience I had hoped for. The company was not apologetic at all and did not offer a discount of any kind for their mistake, the last minute inconvenience, or the stress. I would have liked to have been enjoying my trip and not searching for signal to rearrange things. So, moral of the story, if you make a reservation- it is not actually a guarantee of anything. So cross your fingers. read more

Had an amazing trail ride with Kara the guide. She made me feel safe on the horse and talked about the wildlife as we embarked on some breathtaking views. The horse was easy to ride and you could tell it was having as much fun as I was. Would recommend Knob Hill ranch to others. This place is a Gem in the desert with friendly staff. I will be coming again read more

This was an absolutely incredible trail ride by Kara. As many rides as I've done in my life this was one of the best. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about ALL things horse related but was kind, timely, informative and truly a wonderful person to spend a morning ride with. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE 5:30AM start time to beat the wicked heat that is Joshua Tree! Unforgettable ride, incredible beauty, the and the most knowledgeable guide/ woman who truly loves what she does and prides herself on full knowledge of horses. This is the guide and horses you NEEED!! Knob Hill Ranch should not be missed! read more

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Booked the four hour Panorama Trail ride in early July. I was worried because of the heat we wouldn't be able to go but departing the ranch at sunrise was an unforgettable experience! We saw a bobcat, a coyote, some baby quail and even a pink boa constrictor! Although we are experienced riders, we appreciated instruction provided by our seasoned guide, Kara. Having guided all over the world, she has some amazing stories - never a dull moment! We learned about desert flora, fauna, geology, local attractions and restaurants. This experience through the park was everything we could have asked for. We will cherish these wonderful photos forever. Many thanks, Knob Hill Ranch, we will be returning! read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Super wrangler Kara! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

A very enjoyable outing in Joshua Tree NP. Our guide was knowledgeable and pleasant. However, she was texting on her phone for most of the second half of the ride. She also kept asking me to shift saddle rather than adjusting herself. Ride was pricey so expected better attention to detail. Beautiful park. read more

What an amazing ride and ranch. The staff are amazing, pleasant, patient and knowledgeable. I have been riding my whole life and I love to see how they are able to cater to riders of all experience and everyone still have a great time. The horses are well cared for and good solid well trained trail horses which just makes for an amazing day. If you are in the area and looking for a place to ride up in to the hills you want to try out Knob Hill Ranch!! read more

This was a fantastic experience! We are not experienced riders, but Kara instructed us well and the horses were very cooperative! The trail is breath-taking. read more

We had the best 2 hour ride with Megan the other day. The horses were calm and sweet and Megan was kind and knowledgeable. We can't wait to do it again. read more

This was an unbelievable experience. I've been to Joshua Tree many times, but have never been horseback riding there. It took Joshua Tree to another level. We traveled through Joshua Tree National Park and got to experience amazing views. The horses were beautiful and well taken care of. Kara was great and made the experience perfect. I'm so happy we added this to our trip. I will definitely do it again and try the longer rides. read more

My boyfriend and I had a great experience here. My boyfriend had never ridden a horse before, and Barbara was very patient and thorough when instructing him on the basics and familiarizing him with his horse. The weather was incredible. Our trail guide, Don, was knowledgeable and kind. The trail was beautiful - we did the 1.5-hour ride and it was just the right amount of time for us. We look forward to returning in the spring! Thanks for a great time. :) read more

Awesome experience! Very well put together and felt very comfortable. Host was very helpful and the trail was beautiful

Knob Hill is a beautiful ranch. The staff was easy to communicate with via email and over the phone, as they were very quick to respond and provide the information I asked for. The ranch was also easy to find, and the services are competitively priced. Kara was a fantastic host and guide for the trip. What was most important to me is that the horses are clearly well cared for and happy animals. You can tell they are well-loved. I highly recommend checking them out for a beautiful ride in Joshua Tree! read more

Love this place! Natalia and Rena are fantastic guides. My husband and I are locals and have done a couple rides here, we will continue to do so once the heat drops back down again. They can accommodate any level of riding skill, we are amateurs at best but never have had concerns while riding that the horses were more than we could handle. The horses are also full of personality, each time we've ridden we've gotten Biscuit and Tommy. Lovely ranch with lovely people and lovely horses! read more

Knob Hill Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yucca Valley, California

Such an amazing experience! Kara and Bianca were wonderful guides and made us feel extremely comfortable riding. They gave us a quick demonstration on how to properly ride and let us know what to do, and what not to do. Both are so experienced, and we could tell how much they love and care for the horses, which was very important to us. If anything, the horses wanted to ride longer!! The views were gorgeous going through to the Joshua Trees and canyon, and we thoroughly enjoyed talking with them , learning all about horses as we rode as well.I would go back in a heart beat and hope I get the chance again soon! read more

I had a wonderful ride into Joshua Tree National Park. Barbara was an excellent guide and gave us a brief lesson before the ride began. The horses are well cared for and excellent to ride. Highly recommended! read more

This morning's sunrise ride with Kara @ Knob Hill Ranch was a treat--the ranch is welcoming, clean and organized. More importantly for me (as an equine veterinarian) is the condition and demeanor of the horses--they look comfortable in their stalls, well fed and ready to do their jobs. Kara knows her string well--all their personalities, preferences and individual quirks--and she pairs you with the most appropriate ride. I appreciate that she cares for each horse as an individual and prioritizes their wellbeing; tack fits appropriately and horses get a hay bag while they get tacked up and wait for you. Once you're on and out the gate, the riding experience is catered to the guest--you're entertained, but also left to enjoy the scenery in quiet if you prefer. The desert on horseback is a unique experience, even more so for horse people, and Kara facilitates a fantastic experience for her guests. Check the ranch out! (and definitely tip your wrangler) read more

We had the great pleasure of riding with Kara at Knob Hill Ranch and exploring Joshua Tree National Park. We were so impressed with Kara's skill, patience and decade of experience guiding all around the world - and she was wonderful with our kids!! She matched us perfectly with our horses based on our height, weight and experience levels. Her training demonstration was clear and gave us first time riders the confidence to get on. The horses here are so beautiful and happy. I loved my black and white horse Cody and we all got to feed our horses carrots after the ride to thank them. We've told all our friends about this amazing experience and will be back as soon as we can! We love you Kara and Knob Hill Ranch: thank you SO much! read more

Had a great ride experience with Knob Hill. The trail into Joshua Tree National Park was amazing. Saw a bunch of wildlife and mystical views. Cara the guide made me feel safe and you could tell she loved her job.My horse was very lovable and easy to control. Will try and come back soon for another great memory. read more

We did the panoramic ride (4 hours) and had a fantastic time going threw wonderful scenery. Thanks for the experience!

Had an incredible ride with Kara and Bianca as our guides. A truly breathtaking landscape, with some happy and well-loved horses to take us through. Kara and Bianca were kind, informative, and a pleasure to be around. Glad to have met them, and to have had the chance to share such a beautiful experience with them. Would recommend to anyone wanting to see the desert from horseback! read more