Hands down the best horseback riding experience ever! You can keep your beach rides, Jessica set us up to have a real lovely experience. Pushing the excitement level and challenge of what one would expect to the next level! Crossing the river and being deep in the Oregon's natural forested beauty, I cannot say enough good things about the ranch and the pride they take in their animals and the people that come to visit. Thank you very much for the opportunity to allow us to feel like we were real seasoned riders, and giving us time to connect with the horses and the nature that surrounds us. Cannot imagine how you could do it better? Family owned and operated for several generations, they have a wealth of knowledge about the land and its history. read more

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Jessica was an amazing trail boss. We had a beautiful and peaceful ride. The mountains and creeks were so nice to ride thru. I definitely recommend this place for a fun ride. read more

Flying M Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Yamhill, Oregon

We had a wonderful experience here! We did a trail ride with our kids, who are so anxious about everything this year during the pandemic. The couple of hours we spent with the horses was really therapeutic. Jessica was gentle and firm in her guidance of us (our kids in particular) which helped calm their first-timer nerves immensely. We did the groom and tack add-on which was a great way for the kids to warm up to the horses before getting on them, and was a more intimate experience with the horses. The horses were just lovely, the scenery absolutely beautiful (one of those times that makes us so grateful we live in the Pacific Northwest!) and we had a fantastic time. The kids are so proud of themselves too! read more

This ranch hosts horse trail rides multiple days a week. They run the rides well and give clear direction. There is a guide at the head, tail and middle. The horses were very patient, even with the inexperienced reign yankers. Most of the horses were not wearing bits, which I appreciated. The general populace is too quick to wrench on the reigns rather than try to communicate with the horses, not thinking how they may hurt the horses mouth. We rode through a mix of forests, clear cut sections of gravel logging roads, across rocky streams, and narrow, bramble crowded paths. We rode on the steak fry. Good size steaks are provided, mixed green salad, grape tomatoes, fresh rolls, butter and jam, and baked beans. They also provided cake, brownies, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, and water and pink lemonade mix for refreshments. Barbara, who manages the phones, check-in, payments and grilling, was wonderful about keeping two steaks seperate (they usually marinate in bbq sauce that was not know if safe) for my daughter and I, due to our gluten issues. The salad, lemonade mix and hot chocolate were also safe. The beans were an unknown. We stopped for forty-five minutes or so to eat, hydrate and stretch. There were portapotties at the barn, as well as the covered spot we ate. The only critique I would offer is to ask more questions of the guests when matching them to horses. They were good with the kids, and more cautious. The adults they only ask if anyone has never been on a horse before. No one raised their hand, yet once on the horses it was clear some had never learned any riding skills. Perhaps asking who has had any formal training wth horses would be pertinent. Tips: the last several miles are curving, hilly, gravel roads. Expect extra time for much slower speeds on the last bit to get there. Also, GPS says you have arrived a tad early. Keep going about twenty feet down, and you will see the sign for Flying M ranch on your left. There are no shaded spots were you ultimately park to go ride. Bring a hat to keep the sun off you, wear pants, sturdy athletic shoes or comfortable, low-heeled boots, and perhaps a hoodie for cooler days. You will be covered in dirt and likely step in some dooky. Don't dress for fashion and expect you will need a shower afterward. On the way back through Yamhill, there was an outside band, dancing and food available if you want to hang out a bit longer. read more

I still remember my first landing at Flying M. I know, it was no night trap in an F-18 to the pitching deck of the USS John Stennis, somewhere in the North Pacific...it just felt like it to me. I look back and laugh about it now...my very sweaty palms as I pointed the nose of the Cessna 210 at the end of the runway...my head on a swivel as I tried to watch the trees, my airspeed, the trees, the crosswind, the trees, other traffic in the pattern, throttle and mixture, the trees, landing gear, the trees, flap settings...and the trees. There were actual pucker marks in the seat when I climbed out to go and get my $150 hamburger. Which was good in a way...the seat was "pre-puckered" for my short field take off and attempt to clear very tall trees just off the end of the runway! That's one of the ways I used to spend my weekends when I was a little younger and the earth was still globally cooling...I'd rent, beg, borrow or steal somebody's aeroplane and fly somewhere to get coffee or a burger or a chili omelet or something. Actual cost of the burger - about $8.00...Actual cost of the aeroplane and fuel - about $142...give or take. Depending on the aircraft, it could get to be a very expensive hamburger, even back then! But I enjoyed it...for a while. As I logged more and more hours, Flying M Ranch became a favorite little stop for several reasons: * As $150 hamburgers go, they served a pretty decent burger, or even a steak or a chili omelet. * Flying M's log cabin ambience, great service and perpetually smiling faces meant that I always felt welcome and relaxed...important and comforting things when you're contemplating the short field take-off you will be performing for the crowd right after your meal. * It was (and likely always will be), a pretty good test of your airmanship...I saw more than a couple of intrepid aviators ding up their aeroplanes trying to fly in or out of Flying M over the years (no, not me). * The Flying M Ranch is located in the Trask Mountains...just up the road from Oregon Wine Country, to be a bit more precise...the flight in and out of Flying M takes you over some of the most beautiful scenery on earth...when the weather is nice. I don't fly myself around anymore...sitting there droning along at 200 KPH for 3-4 hours to get somewhere became too boring for words. So I switched to flying aerobatics in a glider for a while...no motor...just you, your aircraft and your skill...you can imagine what the Beautiful Carin thought about that...she's not that eager to collect on my life insurance. Now I don't fly at all, unless a professional is driving. And the Flying M has changed too...no more coffee shop...more of a B&B and special events kind of place...which is fine...we all change. But if I did still fly myself from place to place (and even though I can't actually get a burger there anymore), The Flying M Ranch would still be a regular stop on my $150 hamburger route. Even if it would just be a short stop to get out and let the pucker marks settle for a bit. read more

I stayed in one of the shacks with the family. It was rustic but hey. Its a ranch. Got to drop a fishing line, ride a horse, and take some amazing walks. The kitchen served good old American food and everyone was fat and happy. Later we went back to the shack, played cards and drank whiskey. Not too bad. read more

Trail rides through gorgeous forest, streams, past fields, uphill, and downhill. Wonderful guide; friendly but not intrusive. Undaunted by three riders- adults and teen- who had never ridden before, helpful without condescension. Recommend for anyone. read more

We had a wonderful family riding experience! Jessica went out of her way to make sure that we were comfortable and had horses suited to our level of writing. We did the 90 minute trail ride and it was very relaxing. Riding through the forest with occasional sun breaks. Even riding across a couple of streams. She provides helmets which she sanitizes between use. There is a porta potty on site. Can't wait to come back and do a day trip with lunch or even an overnight. read more

Had a awesome time on our hour trail ride through beautiful woodsy terrain on a brisk fall day. Love the family run business rich in history. Everyone was so friendly. Communicated clear directions and made us feel comfortable & relaxed. Beautiful horses that are well trained with a great demeanour. Truly enjoyed the whole experience. My daughter loves horses and will treasure this memory for a long time. read more

From the person who answered the phone to the wranglers, we were given a fabulous experience. The trail ride was so relaxing and the scenery even better. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Really nice people and affordable. read more

I've actually heard good things about the Flying M Ranch, which is why I decided to call them to rent a camper's shack. I've had a disappointing experience with the Flying M Ranch today. It's possible that the man answering phones on the day I called was just having a bad day, so hopefully the customer service is not usually so lackluster. First, I called regarding availability of the campsites and the fun-looking "camper's shacks" that are advertised online. The man I spoke did not know this, and did not know what the rates for sites were. I was actually concerned that he might have been drunk, because he slurred his speech and was difficult to understand. After a long and confusing conversation where I had to repeat myself more than once (I have no accent or speech impediment) the man took down my phone number and said that he would call me back. After waiting 3-4 hours, I called back and again got the same person. He had forgotten about my call, and was still unable to tell me if any sites were available. I asked if their was anyone else there that I might talk to, or that he could call, but he said that there wasn't. He said that I would have to drive down to the ranch and see what was there when I arrived, and again could not confirm how much the camper's shacks go for. Overall, my experience was confusing and frustrating. I was let down by the lack of knowledge, attitude, and competence of the person that I worked with. Generally I am pretty understanding and friendly with people in customer service, but my experience with the Flying M Ranch was poor enough that it prompted me to write this review. read more

Bad horse flies this year, but still a wonderful place to ride. Watch for poker rides hosted there over the summer or haul in to camp or use for a day. Done in roasting heat and pouring rain - always a good time. read more

Horses! This was a great place for a one hour ride. Through the foothills of the coast range, crossing the Trask river a couple of times . . . really beautiful. Super friendly wrangler, family-owned ranch, affordable. We were late for our reserved time slot due to bad traffic, and they sent the other riders ahead and we got our own small group with our own wrangler, and they didn't make us feel bad for being late. Very nice folks and a beautiful place to ride. read more