Ride Overview
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and surrounded by Cherokee National Forest, you will feel transported back in time to the days of the early west.
The French Broad Outpost Ranch is a true gem for riders and folks that want to have a true dude ranch experience – but one that caters to horse folks! The Gannon family have created, crafted and maintain this ranch to provide an exceptional week of riding for friends, families and riders.
Your week will consist of fun and active trail riding (morning and afternoon guided rides), the chance to practice herding and sorting cattle as well as enjoying white water rafting, black powder shooting, a night of square dancing – grab your partner and do-si-do and the chance to sit around the bonfire!
The ranch was built and created in the feel and manner of an Old West town, complete with well appointed and comfortable Old West hotel rooms and a saloon for slaking your thirst after a day on the trail.
Dates: Open March through October
High Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Low Season: March, April, May, September, October, November
Sept. 11-17: Women Only Week
Rates:
High Season (Sunday-Saturday):
6 Nights: $1,590.00 USD per person in a shared room
4 Nights: $1,060.00 USD per person in a shared room
3 Nights: $795.00 USD per person in a shared room
Single Supplement: 20% of listed price
Low Season (Sunday-Saturday):
6 Nights: $1,410.00 USD per person in a shared room
4 Nights: $940.00 USD per person in a shared room
3 Nights: $705.00 USD per person in a shared room
No Single Supplement
Included
- Accommodations
- Guided Riding
- All meals
- Horse and all tack
- Ranch activities
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Transfers to/from the ranch
- Alcoholic beverages
- Whitewater Rafting
- Tax
- Gratuities
Sample Weekly Schedule
Sunday
Arrivals Enter the Ranch 4:00 pm
Supper 6:00 pm
Horseback Riding Orientation 7:00 pm
Free Time 8:30 - 10:00 pm
Monday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Morning Ride - 10 Guests 8:45 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Afternoon Ride - 10 Guests 1:30 pm
Supper 6:00 pm
Team Penning 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Free Time 9:00 - 10:00 pm
Tuesday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Morning Ride - 10 Guests 8:45 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Tubing 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Afternoon Ride 2:00 pm
Supper Ride (20 guest max) 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Supper at the Lodge 6:00 pm
Wednesday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Half-Week Guest Checkout 10:00 am
Morning Ride - 10 Guests 9:00 am, 10:15 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Whitewater Rafting 1:30 pm
Supper at the Lodge 6:00 pm
Pioneer Games 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Horseback Riding Orientation 9:00 am
Morning Ride - 10 Guests 8:45 am, 9:45 am
First Ride for New Guests 10:30 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Afternoon Ride - 10 Guests 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:30 pm
Supper at the Lodge 6:00 pm
Bluegrass Band 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Free Time 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Morning Ride - 10 Guests 8:45 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Tryout for Cantering Ride at Corral 1:15 pm
Cantering/Loping Ride 1:45 pm
All Other Rides Will Be Called 2:15 pm and after
Supper Ride (20 Guests Max) 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Supper at the Lodge 6:00 pm
Kids' Rodeo 6:45 pm Square Dance
Saturday
Breakfast 8:00 am
Team Penning 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
Checkout 2:00 pm
Ann M.
Hi and a note about our trip – we had fantastic time!!!! It was great for me because we had to saddle our own horses so I learned how to do that western and Kathy got a spirited horse because of her experience; so it worked great for both of us.
The other girls on our week were so fun, we all played BINGO at night and laughed a bunch! We went tubing down the French Broad – so fun!!!! It was a great time had by all despite the record breaking heat!!!! Thanks so much!
Kathy G.
Just a note about my amazing week – I loved and rode every trail ride. That was my goal. Princess was my horse. The trails give a lot of variety in the riding.
The accommodations were nice. Limited cell service was inconvenient but not a deal breaker. I can live without TV, but I really missed having a radio to hear the news, but maybe that’s the point of unplugging for a week. The lodge was clean and neat—I loved all the Western mementos.
Ian was the cook, hospitality host, cleaner, and part time horse feeder. His cooking was great—very impressive guy—must have an interesting background. Joann did most of the lead trail rides. She works very hard and is very and concerned about their horses and keeping everyone safe.
Shawn is a character; he is passionate about his riding technique—a balanced seat approach which was very interesting.
All in all, a great week that I’d repeat!