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    Circle M Ranch

    4.8 (303 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Circle M Ranch Photos

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    Angela B.

    This is a Must-Do Maui experience! I can't say enough good things about this horseback riding tour. It was absolutely fantastic! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely at ease, even as first-timers. You can tell they truly care about the horses. They were well-trained and clearly well taken care of. The ride itself was absolutely breathtaking. The scenery was beyond words... it was like riding through a postcard. It was so peaceful. A truly unforgettable experience. This tour is now on the "must-do list" every time we visit Maui. If you're even thinking about it, just book it! You won't regret it - I promise! Pro tip: wear sunglasses, pants and close-toed shoes.

    On the trail they'll take photos of your individual group
    Jamie M.

    The staff and experience are incredible! This was a priceless memory for our family. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous, the staff are intentional and knowledgeable, the horses are so incredibly well trained, and you'll learn some great history about the ranch and island. Highly recommend this experience for families, individuals, and couples. Regardless of your walk of life the staff are ready to meet you where you are at. Thank you Circle M Ranch!

    Gorgeous horse
    Marissa D.

    INCREDIBLE excursion! horses were so tame and well kept - the trail was beautiful. The guides were so helpful. Last year we did the Maui Mountain Activities horseback riding and it paled in comparison to this one. If you're between horseback riding services, choose this one.

    Circle M Ranch scenic view along the trails!  Sooo cool.

    Best trail ride we've ever done. Great horses and experienced wranglers made it special.

    Circle M Ranch
    Kay S.

    The best horseback riding experience ever! We booked last minute (literally the night before!), and they still welcomed us so kindly. We decided to go with Circle M because of all the great reviews -- and it's true, they don't disappoint! The ride was super informative, we learned so much about the history, and the whole experience was just magical -- definitely something to remember. If you're thinking about going horseback riding, like everyone else says, I highly recommend this place! Huge shout-out to Teri for the amazing communication and for helping us make it happen! And they even offer kamaʻāina pricing if you're visiting from another island!

    Ready to ride
    Todd E.

    Just Go Already! My daughters (11 and 12) absolutely loved our visit to Circle M Ranch today -- and honestly, so did I! From start to finish, the staff was outstanding. Every wrangler we met was incredibly kind, patient, and helpful -- some of the best I've ever encountered. Special shoutout to Don, Chase, and Bailey, and to the wonderful front desk staff (Trina, I think?) who helped make everything seamless. The horses were perfectly matched to our experience levels. My daughters are still beginners, but they felt safe and comfortable the entire time -- especially thanks to the wrangler who rode with them and kept up fun conversation throughout the ride. The scenery was stunning, with plenty of interesting history sprinkled in, and it's clear the horses are well cared for. You can also tell the new owners genuinely care about the ranch -- they're continually making improvements to both the facilities and the animals' well-being, even though things are already in great shape. One of the most memorable parts of the day: the staff went above and beyond to give my mom (who recently broke her femur) a special experience. They arranged an ATV ride so she and my dad could relax at a gorgeous lookout point while the rest of us rode. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare and so appreciated. The whole experience was more than worth the price and a quick 30-minute drive from Kihei. We'll definitely be back next time we're on Maui!

    Angel F.

    We booked a private ride for Valentine's Day. Couldn't have gone better! We are so happy with the experience we had. Chase gave us a very educational and entertaining safety briefing. Bailey guided us along a beautiful coastal trail, took a bunch of great photos for us, and shared so much aloha and passion for Hawaiian paniolo culture. I highly recommend circle M ranch, we will certainly be back for another trail ride soon!

    Justin S.

    Hands down one of the best horseback rides you can find on the planet! Yes, they have real no nonsense but friendly cowboys but you come here for the views and experiences. OMG I can not praise this company enough. Shoutout to Jordan for helping me get some phenomenal pictures. If you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. Check out my full review on Youtube. Just Search MrBucketlist Maui Horseback Riding.

    Bella C.

    Circle M Ranch is truly a gem! This well-run ranch offers not only stunning scenery and amazing horses, but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes the experience unforgettable. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, making riders of all experience levels feel comfortable and cared for. Our guide Chase, a true Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy), gave us a fascinating history lesson as we rode along breathtaking ocean cliffs--right as whales were spouting in the distance! He made sure everyone felt safe and relaxed, which meant so much to me as a mom of 9-year-old twins and a 7-year-old daughter. Trina also did a wonderful job welcoming us and riding alongside us with such positive energy. Be sure to say hi to Cheese-it the cat when you arrive--he's part of the charm! And if you get to ride Mary, Tapatio, Spirit, Duke, or the absolute sweetheart Nightmare like we did, you're in for a treat. This was my fifth visit to Circle M Ranch, and somehow it just keeps getting better. We left with memories (and photos!) to last a lifetime, and we're already planning to come back next year. Highly recommend!

    Midway through the ride.
    Ed R.

    We had a GREAT time at Circle M. Don was a great guide who made us feel very welcomed. The views were amazing. This is a well run place with great people and horses. We HIGHLY recommend Circle M to anyone who wants to ride on the island. Ed and Jill

    Horse riding

    I went here for my birthday and it did not disappoint! The views are beautiful and look identical to the website pictures. As a teenager, this was an experience of a lifetime. We took the most amazing photos you could imagine. The staff was welcoming and made me feel safe. As a beginning rider, I felt completely safe and they were amazing to the younger kids on the ride as-well. I would definitely go back to Maui just to go to Circle M Ranch.

    rick m.

    What a fun way to spend the afternoon. Don and Travis were great and I liked the fact that you didn't have to travel far to get to the ranch. They teach you the basics of riding and take it slow on the trail. The only recommendation I would suggest is if you're going it's best to wear dark pants/shorts because it is extremely dusty on the trail and your shoes and lower half will be dusty/dirty by the time you get back. Since it was breezy, the dust kicks up quite a bit from the horse in front of you and if you wore a bandana around your nose/mouth (yeah, even Kevin Costner knows this), it would not be a bad idea. I also enjoyed hearing the history of the ranch and how it came to be. Glad we went (and we're 69 years young)!!!! :-)

    Drop dead gorgeous views! Plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy.

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    4 months ago

    Had a fantastic ride with circle m ranch! The wranglers were fantastic and the horses were so sweet. Highly recommend!.

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    4 months ago

    We had such a great time! The staff was so friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Even if you're a beginner, we would definitely recommend this!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Circle M Ranch

    Is it safe for beginner riders? Or, is this only recommended for seasoned riders?

    It can accommodate both. There is a large selection of horses for different levels of riding experience. On my ride, there were young children that were beginners that did the trail with no issues. The horses are all gentle and used to the trail.

    Is it recommended to bring a backpack for your personal belongings?

    You don't need a backpack. They will give you a saddle pack with 2 big pockets to carry your personal things. It's big enough to fit your camera, phone, wallet, water bottle, snacks, etc.

    What's the difference between the morning and afternoon ride? I want the best chance to canter.

    I did the afternoon. There was a chance to canter but short. This has amazing views but a very hilly ride.

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - Circle M Ranch

    This is our 3rd visit and each vacation to Maui includes a ride at Mendes Ranch; the highlight of our trip.

    Mentioned in 70 reviews

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    Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables - This is Davey

    Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables

    5.0(25 reviews)
    20.7 mi

    I don't like to ride horses, but I was convinced by my own instincts to make this a special trip…read morefor my daughter and visiting friends, so I swallowed my fears and agreed to go. I am glad I did. This is a family-owned and locally-owned working ranch. Mr. Thompson was kind and explained during the five minute instructional period which end of the horse was the front end and which was the back end. :) He also offered helmets, which we declined. The trail rides are only a part of his ranch businesses, so the tour is less touristy and more cruising. There was minimal talking on the trail and that actually allowed me to enjoy the scenery more. The bi-coastal views were breathtaking as we rode their well-trained, stable and calm horses up a very rocky and steep trail to a private cabin. We were surrounded by a crown of clouds and the cool air helped us to enjoy the ride even more. I didn't need a jacket at all. The cabin had an overgrown garden, bottled water, packaged treats and the chance to use a flush toilet (yay! so precious!). We sat for a little while, resting our (my) weary knees. The first half of the ride was about a half hour. We enjoyed Mr. Thompson's gentle humor and his description of how he takes care of his land and his animals. He has cattle, goats alongside wild deer on his pastures. The second half of the ride to return to our starting point was about the same amount of time and a bit more gentle, as the horses didn't follow the same steep, hilly trail. Those horses know where they want to go. My horse had her own mind about things. She didn't quite follow the same trail but she chose her steps carefully around the deep holes and slick rocks. She might have suspected she had an anxious rider. I think I bored her. She kept huffing and stopping to eat more often than the other horses did, I felt. She also passed a lot of gas which compelled me to say, "excuse me", every time. We had a choice between this idea and a sunset ride in Makena and I am glad we chose this one instead. The bi-coastal views are unique to Maui and the cool air upcountry helped use to enjoy what may have been a very hot ride. Sunset rides or beach rides can be had anywhere else easily; these upcountry views of Maui's landscape are difficult to find anywhere else. If you take a photo with that view in the background, whoever sees it will say, "That's Maui!"

    Toni and Andy are AWESOME. Such a beautiful ride and the horses couldn't have been more patient…read morewith novice riders. I can't wait to do it again!

    Photos
    Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables - The Thompson's are super people!

    The Thompson's are super people!

    Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables - Making sure the horse is brushed to perfection!

    Making sure the horse is brushed to perfection!

    Thompson Ranch and Riding Stables

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    Circle M Ranch - horsebackriding - Updated September 2026

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