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    Southern Cross Ranch

    4.4 (37 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

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    I rode Sprout. Solid, sure footed, fast trot, and just enough attitude to make her interesting.
    Lola M.

    Travel and Leisure's nomination of Southern Cross Ranch as one of America's top Dude Ranches is well deserved. In fact, I can't imagine it as anything other than THE top. First, the riding. As others have noted, the horses are splendid, healthy and sound. Often, I have found horses offered on trail rides to be either brain-dead or barely trained and in questionable health. Not the case here. Because their horses are so sound, guests with some riding experience can go on the trails without a guide, which I did with my (adult) children yesterday. The trails meander though woods and must be pleasant at any time of year, including early winter. And 2 hours of riding twice a day is quite a treat. I have encountered plenty of grumpy or disinterested barn staff and trail guides in my time-- but not here! The barn staff work patiently and efficiently together to get everyone safely saddled up ( girth check just before ride and also one hour into the ride). The folks at Southern Cross are pros and enjoy sharing their knowledge. The lodging feels like a large BnB, homey, but very professionally run at the same time. Bedrooms are clean, comfortable, inviting and charming. Nice touches like coffee ready at 6 am in the kitchen for early risers, and snacks for when after a long ride you just can't wait 30 minutes for dinner made my day. Also very thoughtful, especially for families with young children, is the availability of items like sunscreen, bug spray, etc in a kitchen cabinet. Such a nice change from chain hotels that charge you a couple of dollars for a single band aid! This ranch is family run, and the service is outstanding. From the folks at the stables to those in the kitchen, pleasantness, kindness and patience prevails. Meals are good and varied, served in a socially distanced manner in the bright and airy dining room. These 4 days at Southern Cross Ranch were a much welcomed relief from the pressures of home and work. We are sure to return.

    The main house
    Kevin C.

    I am only giving Southern Cross 5 stars because I can't give them 10! This might have been the best getaway my wife and I have ever taken. Nestled in the middle of the Georgia midlands, this 200+ acre ranch has anything you could ever want or need. The family, that has run it since they built it in 1991, does everything they can to make you feel like part of their family. My wife and I had the pleasure of speaking with Inge, the original owner. She gladly spent time telling us all about how she came down to Georgia to make Southern Cross Ranch a reality. Her whole family still works together on the ranch till this day. The horses are so well cared for and you can spend time with them whenever you want. The trail guides are patient and friendly, and by the second ride, they have to ready to ride off on your own or with a small group. You can feel free to get as lost as you want because the horses all know their way home. I spent 3 days riding Billy and my wife rode Artie. It is amazing the bond you can create with a horse in such a short time! You get to groom them, tack them and bring them too and from there pens.. what a great experience. And in between rides, the pool is there to cool you off. The food.. I don't know where to begin! They say it's a buffet, but it's really more of a fresh, 5 star, family meal served 3 times a day. The food was always fresh, hot, and amazing! Since there are only 17 guest rooms, everyone has their own reserved table, and the family is always at their table eating too, so feel free to say hi and show your gratitude for the wonderful time you will certainly have! The rooms are private and so comfortable. They're kept the original style of the house, but give you all the amenities you could ask for. During our stay we chatted with Inge, her son Lance, and grandson Wes. You can tell that they all love what they do and are their to make sure you you have everything you could need or want. This is proven by the many families that continue to return! Over your stay you can't help but meet and chat with the other guests at meals and on rides. We met people there for their first time, 5th time and one family that has been going for 17 years. We are already dreaming of our next trip down to the Southern Cross Ranch and you should be too!!

    We just spent several days at the ranch. It's was perfect in every way! Stunning grounds, comfortable room and the food is ridiculously good. All the horses were great and each staff member was helpful and pleasant. It was obvious that everyone cares about their guest. One of the best getaways in a long time. Highly recommend!

    Riding the ranch

    As a self described horse lover, going to SCR is the epitome of the ultimate getaway. For me as I arrive at the gates of this glorious ranch and cross the threshold of the entrance gate I have a feeling of euphoria. I look to my right and see the grain mill processing barn, then the main riding barn and a feeling of peacefulness overcomes me. As I continue down the long drive to the main house to begin my relaxing journey, I marvel at the glorious steeds grazing peacefully in the lush pasture that surround the driveway. Upon check-in you are greeted by a wonderful staff that makes sure your visit is as if you never left home, only improved. They are friendly, and most welcoming as if you are family. On our visits, we usually arrive at around 11am, with the invitation of lunch and the promise of your first ride at 2pm. While at SCR, we were provided the wonderful accommodations of the Magnolia suite, which is above the kitchen. As your shown to your room, when walking up the steps, the aromas of a wonderful meal wafts behind you. Inviting you to a delicious home cooked lunch. As you settle into this particular room, you have the large window which looks directly out over the pasture where you again see these beautiful horses. For me a smile never leaves my face, I'm in heaven. We settle our things and wander down to the kitchen, you're offered unlimited beverages while you await the fantastic lunch. We walk out the doors to the deck and down to the pasture to see the horses while we wait. You are free to wander the fields and pastures as well as the riding trails as you please. There's always something to do if your not riding. You can hike through the wooded areas seeing all varieties of beautiful horses, pet those that will allow it and hike peacefully in hopes of also seeing other woodland creatures such as deer. Bring carrots, peppermints and other various horse treats for your "field" friends as you stroll through. I promise you'll make many friends. Once lunch is served, which is usually a large spread of various foods from completely southern, to German, Italian, and America foods, just to name a few. There are always unlimited options and they will accommodate your every dietary need, just ask. These exquisite meals are complete including beverages, main course with vegetables, salads and desserts. Delicious! You then meander to the riding barn for your first ride at 2. You can drive or walk and once there you are again greeted by a group of staff members that make sure you're matched to the perfect horse. From first time novice riders to the most experienced, they will make sure you have a great time. As a rider that's ridden since I was 3 yrs old they match me with a horse that meets my needs, and as a barn rule they take you on a guided trail ride first. This is to familiarize you with the riding areas for your safety. If your experienced and/or a return guest and you're comfortable with it you're allowed to venture out on your own eventually. The first part of your barn experience is getting your assigned horse from the paddock, brushing the horse in preparation of saddling your ride all by yourself with the staff assisting where and when needed. This is just part of what makes SCR so wonderful. After your 2 hour ride, you return to the barn and again your responsible for your horse. Unsaddling them, brushing them, and returning them to their paddock. Who could ask for more? Simply wonderful! You're now free to hike the fields and woodlands, swim in the beautiful pool, play billiards or games, ride bikes, watch videos, read and relax as you please until the next delicious meal is served for supper. SCR is well versed in accommodating its guests and never have failed to treat us with the best accommodations available. After you've enjoyed as many days as you are able to stay and enjoy this wonderful ranch, you're last day usually offers a great filling breakfast along with your last ride. As you pack to leave, going to the main house to checkout don't fail to look at the wonderful SCR gifts to purchase that will provide you a lasting memory of what I believe is the best vacation available. Simply wonderful euphoria. As you finally depart, and drive down that long beautiful driveway, take in the sights of the horses, barns and grounds to hold in your minds eye until you can return to paradise again.

    Comfy bed
    Marie C.

    (I got in late and it was dark) When first driving in you will get to the stables and be greeted by a nice dog. This is not where check in or the house is. You have to continue straight ahead on the path that looks big enough for a golf cart only. Then you will see the beautiful Southern Cross house and plenty of parking. When I got to the front door there was a letter with my name on the table, giving me great directions to my room. They left the light on for me and my key in my door. Here at the house I was greeted by a very cute black and white cat and let's be honest cats make everything better. I then went to the dining hall where snacks and drinks are available 24/7, not to mention I walked past a fire pit and a gorgeous pool. In the morning breakfast is at 8. Good breakfast with lots of options and my own seating. For Covid... not one guest wore a mask and its serve yourself buffet style. I had my own room with bathroom and a super comfy bed.

    Grab a saddle and go.
    Andrea T.

    I drove out to Southern Cross Ranch to horseback ride with a friend who had never been on a horse. The ranch was only about an hour outside of Atlanta but the scenery made it feel half a world away. Out in Georgia's heartland we were surrounded by a landscape of rolling pastures and lush woodlands. We arrived at the property and took a long road to the main house. Once we paid for the two hour ride and signed waivers we went over to the horse stable for our assignments. They matched us with horses based on our level of experience. The horses were in great condition. They had good muscle tone and their coats shimmered in the hot sun. The staff instructed us to groom them by brushing their hair and coat with a stiff bristle brush. This fostered an environment of trust between horse and rider before getting in the saddle. At the start of the ride our horses strolled into a pasture where a couple of other horses were sipping from a lake. A few minutes later the trail guide led us into a wooded area and in no time we were deep into the woods. It was so remote that at one point we passed grazing deer. For the majority of the ride the horses walked slowly and single file down the trails. Once we got back into the open pasture, my guide invited me to gallop my horse. After we got back to the stable and dismounted the horses, the staff sprayed them with water to cool them off. Our legs were sore the next day from spending two hours in the saddle but we both had a wonderful experience unplugging and getting lost in nature. I would recommend Southern Cross Ranch to anyone looking for a nearby escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    Group before ride
    Gina L.

    Great for just a day ride or BnB, trail in woods, horses for all levels knowledgeable staff. Western ride I felt so happy after

    Jason K.

    Consider this the ultimate family vacation destination. Our extended family has stayed here several times over the years. The staff is wonderful and treats every guest as family. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are severed daily and the food is prepared fresh daily and wonderful. Our extended family is able to sit back and relax and eat together. Afterwards, we spend countless hours reminiscing, talking, or playing games. As far as the horseback riding, words cannot describe the scenery and the staff. They cater to the novice as well as experienced riders. They offer guided tours or allow guests to ride and explore on their own. They have over 200 horses that are tame enough for my 11 year old to handle himself. I would definitely recommend this for either and extended family gathering (aunts, uncles, cousins) or for husbands looking for something special to surprise your wife. The rooms themselves are very clean and quaint.

    Breathtaking!
    Eva D.

    Where to start? We fell in love with the place! Visited while scouting Georgia as a possible relocation spot and decided to give the ranch a try. We have a little rider that has never been outside the lesson scenario, and thought trail ride would be something she would love. Ended up extending the stay. The facility is breathtaking. Their staff is amazing. Our guides, on different times, were Trish and Alyssa, and they were both outstanding. Their horses are an absolute pleasure. We got Bobby, Salt and little Nugget and we loved them! Food wise, well... there's room for improvement, but that is my personal taste. Either way we thought the food was very good and with much variety. There were guests from New Zealand, Canada and straight from the Philippines, so that should give anyone a very good idea on how amazing this place is. We will be going back, that's for sure!

    Amanda P.

    Came here for a girls weekend and had the best time. I was nervous about horseback riding since I hadn't done it in so many years but the guides made it so easy. And my horse - Cheyenne - was fantastic! She knew exactly what to do. We had 8 people in our party so we booked two rooms and they were nice - clean, spacious and very comfortable beds. The food was delicious, too! We had a birthday girl in our group and the staff made her a delicious birthday cake, how sweet is that?! The service was great, everyone was very welcoming. We left feeling relaxed and full of good memories. Wonderful place to spend a weekend!

    This is Lilly. What a great horse! I brought my own saddle and the Cinch broke on it, while going up Canter hill!! Lilly just stood still

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    9 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Nothing special, unfriendly owner and staff . Sleep area was ok, food and dining area okay

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    2 years ago

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    Noel D.

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    14 years ago

    This place is amazing. The people are incredibly friendly, it is beautiful and reasonably priced. I couldn't have asked for better!

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    Ask the Community - Southern Cross Ranch

    My wife and I are very experienced riders and love to lope. Do you get to do this?

    Hello. Thank you for your interest in our ranch. Southern Cross Guest Ranch has been serving guests from around the world for nearly 30 years. We offer opportunities to trot and canter based on trail conditions at the time of your ride.… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Southern Cross Ranch

    You can choose bed and breakfast, all three meals and stay, or two horse back rides a day and stay.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    South Side Riders - My husband. I was on Snickers and he was on Duelly, if that's how you spell it. Very open trail.

    South Side Riders

    4.6(11 reviews)
    41.4 mi

    Well, what can I say about Southside Riders they made me the best grandma ever I treated my family…read moreto Southside Riders. They had so much fun. The folks there were knowledgeable friendly the animals were friendly. It was a wonderful experience. Only thing I can say is that we will be making another reservation soon and in inviting More family to come. wonderful place to go horseback riding.!!!!!

    So, boom, I went to visit my mama in GA back in August. She's outside of ATL and there isn't much…read moreto do in her neck of the woods. Before leaving NY, I searched for activities. Came across a couple of horseback riding places. That's been on my bucket list but leaped up a few spots after seeing the movie, Nope, lol. The other horse back riding spot was closer to my mama's home and cheaper but South Side Riders is Black-owned and operated so, no contest! I scheduled a ride for me and mama. The day we were scheduled to ride, it rained. We'd gotten a call from SSR to let us know that our ride would be rescheduled because of the inclement weather. Do you know what the lady said? She said, it's raining, it makes the trail slippery, "and the horses don't like it." That's bringing me to tears now as it did then! That told me so much about these beautiful people running this place. They put the horses first!!!!! They put the horses concerns first!!! I fell in LOVE with South Side Riders when she said that! A couple of days later, we'd arrived at SSR for our trail ride. We were greeted by the beautiful couple who runs the place. The vibe was cool, friendly and they put my mom and I, who have no experience riding horses, very much at ease. I saw the horses and got giddy. They're all so beautiful, calm and sweet and you can tell they're well taken care of. The two horses that my mother and I rode seemed to have a bond. It was precious watching them interact. This was my first time on a horse. They provided a step ladder to help me get up. I appreciated that. Before hitting the actual trail, they let us go around in the enclosed area where we mounted the horses. They gave us driving instructions... That's what it felt like, a driving lesson, lol. How to steer right, left, stop, go.... All very necessary and appreciated. They made sure moms and I were comfortable before we got started. The trail ride itself was so lovely. I was nervous but that didn't last long. Before I knew it, I was relaxed and wishing I was rich so I could stay and ride all day. I talk to animals like they're human, so at one point, I'm thanking the horse for taking it easy with me as it's my first time riding. And he neighs. Like, he understood every word I'd said, and he responded. A similar interaction was probably the inspiration for the TV show, Mr. Ed. So now we're having a full-on conversation and...just thinking about it is making my heart smile. Again. When the ride was over, I skipped my giddy, animal loving self over to the petting zoo while moms waited in the car. I didn't wanna leave! The babies are so cute and sweet. The donkeys...what's their I.Q.? I'm asking because they seem quite intelligent. Whenever I visit moms, I will definitely stop by South Side for a trail ride!

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    South Side Riders
    South Side Riders
    South Side Riders

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    Angus Valley Stables

    Angus Valley Stables

    5.0(1 review)
    32.3 mi

    Angus Valley Stables - "The Stable In Bethlehem" Monika is a very honest, sincere, and caring…read moreperson. Will help in any way possible if she can. She gives the utmost care to your horse(s) like they're her own horses. Bucky is bougie, aka Bougie Mammoth Bucky, a high maintenance 3 year old colt gelding, but since he's been there, he's been on nothing but their grass which it's good grass. Grass and hay quality are extremely important for your horse(s). Becareful in choosing a place for your horse(s). I have zero worries with him being at this facility. Had a very rough year not able to get out there like I need to, and it's very comforting to know he's well looked after. In saying this, this facility isn't a high maintenance looking facility, but in saying that its natural beauty speaks for itself and meant for the wellbeing of your precious horse(s). Thank you, Monika Parrish, for all you do. I really appreciate it.

    From the owner: 50 miles NE Atlanta, we are a family farm offering horses premiere pasture boarding in Barrow…read morecounty with over 75 acres on the Apalachee River. This is the place where happy horses are! We maintain 2-3 acres per horse! We have lush pastures, 175’ x 85’ lighted arena, 300’ x 40, indoor riding area, 50’ round pen and 3/4 acre stocked fishing pond, all located within an hour of the Chattahoochee National Forest and 15 other trail riding areas. Pasture horse boarding and wait list for riding lessons available. Come see what we can offer, we’re pretty sure you and your horse will smile as soon as you arrive.

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    Angus Valley Stables
    Angus Valley Stables
    Angus Valley Stables - Riding on the facility. His first trail ride ever at Angus Valley Stables.

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    Riding on the facility. His first trail ride ever at Angus Valley Stables.

    New London Farm

    New London Farm

    4.8(16 reviews)
    39.6 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    My girlfriends and I love to visit New London Farm every year to celebrate the seasons and each…read moreother. We've enjoyed endless hours of swimming in the pool, and enjoying sunset rides and chatting around the fire pit. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable and the animals are well cared for and sweet.

    I loved it. A good family outing. Really enjoyable for adults and especially for kids…read more Definitely follow the directions to how to get to the farm. Otherwise you'll end up in a subdivision following the GPS. All the workers on the farm are super nice and made the experience so much better. Dawn greeted us and did our tour. I did the farm tour with the ride experience. Like others have mentioned the farm tour was very interactive and informative. We were able to feed ans visit with horses, Goats (interesting story about how so many came to be there), the Alpacas and Llamas, Chickens, Ducks and Rabbits. Free range chicken amd roosters. All the animals are well mannered and I didn't feel threatened by them at all. We were told that the farm had 2 airbnbs - 1 was a dome and the other a cottage, pool access. Archery. They offer summer camps and equestrian classes too. After the farm tour we did the 15 min trail ride on the horses. Helmets provided. The workers guide the horses so no experience is needed and they have a pony for toddlers. They have a platform to help with mounting and discounting the horse. Plus the staff help too. My kids had a blast! So did I! I would definitely recommend it for a family day getaway.

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    New London Farm
    New London Farm
    New London Farm

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    Southern Cross Ranch - horsebackriding - Updated May 2026

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