Five Oaks Riding Stables

Why go: A guided horseback trail ride through 70 acres of Smoky Mountain foothills, covering 3.5 miles of wooded terrain past streams, a mountaintop overlook, and a historic moonshine still, all just steps from the Parkway.

About Five Oaks Riding Stables

Five Oaks Riding Stables sits on a 70-acre nature park at the base of the Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, directly across from Tanger Outlets. The property is part of Adventure Park at Five Oaks, which has offered guided outdoor experiences in the region for more than 25 years.

The stable keeps a herd of more than 60 horses, including Tennessee Walkers, Quarter Horses, and Appaloosas, selected and trained for riders of all experience levels. Each one-hour guided ride follows a 3.5-mile loop trail through rolling woodland, crossing streams, skirting a mountain lake, and climbing to a ridgeline with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. Along the way, riders pass a preserved moonshine still that gives the tour a dose of regional history.

Guides lead every ride from front to back, offering a safety briefing before departure and narrating the trail with local lore and wildlife notes throughout. The stable also operates under a horse welfare pledge, committing to veterinary care, proper rest rotations, and quality-of-life standards for every animal in the herd. Five Oaks accommodates families, couples, and groups of 20 or more with custom event packages for corporate outings, reunions, and celebrations.

Getting to Five Oaks Riding Stables

Five Oaks Riding Stables is located at 1628 Parkway in Sevierville, directly across from the Tanger Outlets shopping center. If you are coming from Interstate 40, take Exit 407 south onto the Parkway (Highway 66) and continue toward Sevierville. The stables will be on your left just past the Tanger Outlets entrance. Parking is free on site. The location is convenient for visitors staying in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, with the stables sitting just a few minutes north of both towns on the main Parkway corridor.

Why Choose Five Oaks Riding Stables

Five Oaks Riding Stables stands out along the Parkway corridor for combining a genuine wooded trail experience with the convenience of a location that does not require a long mountain drive to reach. The 70-acre property feels removed from the tourist strip, even though it sits right across from Tanger Outlets.

• Real trail riding, not a ring ride. The 3.5-mile loop follows natural terrain through forest, across streams, and up to a ridgeline overlook, a far cry from flat, circular paddock rides offered at some competing stables.
• Accessible to younger riders. Children as young as three can ride double with an adult (age 16 or older), making this one of the few stables in the area that welcomes very young families without turning them away at the gate.
• Higher weight capacity than national park stables. Five Oaks accommodates riders up to 270 pounds under normal conditions, compared to the 225-pound limit common at stables inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• No experience required. Guides match each rider to an appropriate horse and walk through mounting, posture, and rein handling before the ride begins.
• Combo packages with ziplines. The same property operates Adventure Park Ziplines, so you can pair a horseback ride with a zipline tour in a single visit and save on the bundle.

Must Do

Whether you have an hour or a full afternoon, these are the experiences worth prioritizing at Five Oaks Riding Stables.

• The Ridgeline Overlook. The trail climbs to a high point where the trees open up and you can see the layered peaks of the Smokies stretching into the distance. This is the photo-op moment of the ride, so keep your phone accessible.
• The Moonshine Still Stop. Partway through the loop, the guide pauses at a preserved moonshine still tucked into the woods and shares the history of Appalachian distilling in the area. It is a brief stop, but it adds a storytelling element that makes the ride more than just scenery.
• The Creek Crossing. The trail dips down to a stream crossing where horses wade through shallow water. First-time riders tend to remember this stretch, and it gives you a sense of how surefooted these animals are on varied terrain.
• The Zipline and Horseback Combo. If you want to make a half-day of it, the combined package pairs the one-hour horseback ride with a zipline tour on the same property. The two activities use different parts of the 70-acre park, so you get a broader look at the landscape.

What to Expect

Five Oaks Riding Stables is an outdoor activity on natural terrain, so a few practical details will help you arrive prepared and make the most of your ride.

• Age and weight requirements. Single riders must be at least 6 years old. Children ages 3 to 5 can ride double with someone at least 16 years old. The weight limit is 270 pounds per rider under dry conditions and 225 pounds during wet weather. No double riders are allowed in wet conditions.
• Closed-toed shoes required. Flip-flops, sandals, and open-heeled shoes are not allowed. Sturdy sneakers or boots work best for mounting and riding.
• Helmets provided for children. The staff provides safety helmets for younger riders and walks every group through a pre-ride safety briefing covering posture, rein handling, and what to expect on the trail.
• Reservations are recommended. Popular tour times fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during peak season. Book online through the website or call ahead. Families with children 12 and under should book tours starting on the hour to ensure kid-friendly horses are available.
• Cancellation policy. Five Oaks offers a full refund or reschedule if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable.
• Plan for about 90 minutes total. The ride itself lasts one hour, but allow extra time for check-in, the safety briefing, horse matching, and mounting. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early keeps things smooth.
• Weather affects operations. Rides run weather permitting. If heavy rain or storms are in the forecast, call ahead to confirm your tour is still running. Wet-weather rides have a reduced weight limit and no double riders.
• On-site dining nearby. Five Oaks Farm Kitchen and Cruze Farm Ice Cream are both on the same property, so you can grab a meal or a treat before or after your ride without driving anywhere.

Nearby in Sevierville

• Adventure Park at Five Oaks. Eight ziplines reaching speeds up to 50 mph on the same 70-acre property as Five Oaks Riding Stables, with combo packages available.
• Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini-Golf. A farm-themed miniature golf course on the Parkway with two 18-hole courses, interactive animal exhibits, and family-friendly competition.

Explore More

My Smoky Mountain Guide Sevierville is a great resource for finding things to do and places to eat.

• Sevierville Food & Beverage Guide. Find the best restaurants, breweries, and local eateries across Sevierville.
• Sevierville Outdoor Adventure. Explore ziplines, horseback riding, helicopter tours, and more outdoor activities in the Sevierville area.
• Sevierville Attractions. Browse water parks, museums, go-karts, and family-friendly attractions throughout Sevierville.
• Sevierville Things to Do. Your complete guide to every activity, attraction, and adventure in and around Sevierville.