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    Fort Valley Ranch & Campground

    4.5 (61 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    M A.

    I had such a wonderful time here with my kids (6 and 11). We went on an hour long ride with Ann. She was patient with the kids and they finished comfortable on their horses. Our ride was lovely and we saw about 20 deer!

    I had my bachelorette party here and all the girls absolutely loved it! They are very well managed and are super helpful and accommodating. I recommend for any event or even just if you want to experience a trail ride. It is also great for all levels of riding experience!

    Christine G.

    The last time we went for a horseback riding was when we were kids. That's why I was thrilled when my SO suggested to do this activity. We called a few hours on our last day to book our ride. Luckily, they were able to squeeze us in. It was supposed to rain during our ride and we came in earlier that our booked time. Due to that reason, they were able to accommodate us a few minutes earlier. It wasn't supposed to be a private ride, but it was just us during that booked time, so we got to enjoyed it more. Our ride was about 1 hour. We were guided by Sarah and Cory. They were both friendly and were able to answer our questions. I was a bit scared at first because I never rode a horse by myself (when I was a kid, someone was holding a rope to guide the horse). But Sarah was very helpful and gave us suggestions on how to ride the horse. Our horses were very nice and are funny. Overall, the ride was very enjoyable. I highly recommend Fort Valley Ranch, if you are in the area and wanted to do ride a horse. Everyone is very professional, accommodating, and friendly. We had a very good experience and will definitely be back when we are in the area.

    Ruger the cutie pie
    Kelsey P.

    We had a completely perfect experience doing a 1.5hr trail ride here. Most importantly - the entire staff was amazingly kind, helpful, patient, and friendly. Our group had kids, adults, and a senior - they put time and thought into the right horse for each of us and offering the right amount of guidance to make sure we enjoyed our time. This was not some tourist trap walk-in-circles ride. We rode on trails through their 84 acres, up and down hills and switchbacks, over a creek, and through the woods. Had to do some leaning forward and back to balance and made it feel adventurous to us non-experienced riders! We saw lots of whitetail deer and heard from the guides you may see black bear in the right season. The horses were so sweet and well-trained, we felt safe. The whole ranch had a great feeling of being comfortable, clean, and remote. A fire going for our 10am ride was so nice! Cute limited gift shop items were great so the kids could take home a key chain of their horse :) Our kids say "this was a great experience for all ages - young and older people" and "this was probably the best experience of my life" Graham, 7, would like to work here when he's old enough. Can't think of anything to suggest that they could possible improve upon.

    Parker
    Autumn H.

    Absolutely loved it here! We chose the hour and a half horse ride and it was lovely. Everyone here is so nice and friendly! Would definitely recommend.

    Claire H.

    Ft Valley Ranch was a hit! My friends and I went to go horse back riding and were surprised to see that there was also a campground that you could camp at. The horse back riding route was great, but what made this place stand out above other rides we'd been on was the friendliness of the staff. We were taken aback at first because we had a friend who had to cancel due to medical reasons, & they still made us pay for that horse. But when we got there, we learned the friendliness of the workers and forgot all about paying for the additional horse. I'd highly recommend choosing Ft Valley Ranch over other ranches in the area!

    Trail train through the woods.
    Chris H.

    They took very good care of us and the horses looked well cared for. We called the day before and booked our ride. It was difficult to get through since they don't man the phones all the time. We came late in the afternoon and had a pleasant 1.5 hr ride. The ride is through the woods in hilly conditions. It was shady and cool even on a hot day. Our trail guide was Christine and we would recommend her. Don't forget to tip your guide.

    Best staff!!

    Amazing staff. Horses were well taken care of and we enjoyed ourselves. Already planning on going back.

    My daughter really wanted to go horseback riding for her 18th birthday, so my husband found this place online and it was only 2 hours away. We had a really great time on the horses. The horse wranglers were all so friendly. Peter and Leland were great with the horses and talked about themselves and the ranch. It was clear they knew what they were doing. We enjoyed riding Junior, Tigger, Shadow, and Twister. We did a 1 hour ride with the whole family, then the next day my daughter and I did the lunch ride and it was so much fun! I got a little nervous on up hills and on the rocky parts when some of the horses tripped, but it was fine. I thought it was hilarious when my horse Tigger kept biting Junior's butt when he stopped. We stayed 3 nights in the Moose cabin. The beds weren't super comfortable, but we still had a great time. My 9 year old son loved the pond right outside our cabin. He had a blast catching fish, crawfish, and newts. Every night we had smores and a short walk over to feed the horses. There were some road closures due to the fire, so trips into the city took much longer, but it wasn't too bad. We are already thinking about when we can go back.

    Dan C.

    It's a nice quiet out of the way ranch. Did the two night stay and half day train ride. Accommodations are sparse but clean and quiet. The ranch grounds are maintained well. Staff is polite and really cares about the guides receiving appreciation. Our guide was knowledgeable and experienced, most of all took care to help us enjoy a safe experience. The horses were great and know the trail like the back of their hooves. Recommend this ranch for a unique experience.

    Nattaya R.

    It was my first time going on a horseback riding and it went super smooth and fun! Their horses were very well trained. My ride was the handsome boy, Cricket, he was super gentle and well behaved. We had a wonderful time here. Highly recommend for anyone looking for horseback riding service.

    Junior

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    3 months ago

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    Ann H.

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    11 months ago

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    Ann H.

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    3 months ago

    Amazing. Took a trail ride with the horses on a rainy day for an hour. The forest was pretty and the horses were nice.

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Ann H.

    thanks for passing on the word.. that is our best advertising..

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Beautiful ride; wonderful staff and gentle horses made this a pleasant experience for a beginner like me. Looking forward to future rides!

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    3 years ago

    Unnecessary rules and extremely rude and unhelpful on the phone whilst simultaneously being condescending. A triumph of poor practices.

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    Ann H.

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    4 years ago

    We had a great time yesterday on our trail ride through the mountains. Our guide was funny and knowledgeable. Will definitely be going back

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    3 years ago

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    Ann H.

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    5 years ago

    Had a great time horseback riding with the kids. Trails are well kept and the riding guides were professional and courteous!

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    16 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Ann H.

    thanks for coming and visiting and sharing in our ranch experience

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    11 years ago

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    Ann H.

    thanks.. so happy the Bear cabin fit your need..

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Fort Valley Ranch & Campground

    Review Highlights - Fort Valley Ranch & Campground

    The guide gives you some instruction on what to do/not to do, then they put you on a horse and you are off.

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Jordan Hollow Stables - The moment she said Yes!

    Jordan Hollow Stables

    4.9(66 reviews)
    13.3 mi

    Lisa! Thank you SO much for a seamless and wonderful and homey experience! Our group absolutely had…read morea lovely time unforgettable. It was the first time for one, some their second time. I've never been horse riding at an open stable and this made me feel so alive and one with the horses the way I always wanted! Being able to get hugs, holds, pets, and a ride with the horses was truly life giving and I hope to come back with another group! If we lived closer one of the girls wanted to volunteer--that's just how much we felt great about your stable. Seeing the peacocks made me so happy and meeting a roaming turkey was quite fun. Hope to see y'all again this year. Folks...Go, enjoy!!!

    What an unforgettable experience! We booked this horseback ride thinking it would just be a…read morebeautiful ride through nature, but it became one of the most special days of our lives. The horses were gentle, well cared for, and perfectly matched to Us. Our guide, Ella, was absolutely incredible. She made us feel comfortable from the moment we arrived and took excellent care of us throughout the entire experience. Along the trail, we stopped to watch several deer, which was such a peaceful and magical moment. Then came the biggest surprise--we arrived at a beautifully decorated table that had been set up for our engagement. It was absolutely perfect, and everything was arranged so thoughtfully. It couldn't have been a more romantic setting to propose. A huge thank you to Lisa and her Team for helping make our engagement so memorable. Her kindness, attention to detail, and genuine excitement for us made the day even more special. We'll cherish these memories forever and highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure.

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    Jordan Hollow Stables
    Jordan Hollow Stables
    Jordan Hollow Stables - Peacocks!!!! My fave

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    Peacocks!!!! My fave

    River's Bend Ranch - Me riding Outlaw

    River's Bend Ranch

    5.0(26 reviews)
    12.4 mi

    Highly recommend. We stayed in the cowboy cabin it was such a cute cabin with the most beautiful…read moreMountain View. Highly recommend for a get away with your sweetheart & your dogs! We rode horses on the ranch, Francisca was the sweetest guide & really made the experience. Our dogs loved walking along the property watching the long horns, cows, & sheep. The sunrise was absolutely stunning from the rocking chairs on the porch. Cute cowboy aesthetic! Everything was clean & tidy. The extra paper towels, soaps, and trash bags came in handy. Such a sweet extra amenity. Celena & Susan were so kind and responsive. We met afew of the other staff along the property and they were all so sweet and courteous as well. The wedding venue looks amazing!! Can't wait to come back!! Thank you so much for having us!!

    So after running late for a horseback riding trail in Shenandoah they steered us in the direction…read moreof this ranch. They were so accommodating to book a same day appointment for me and my date. We arrived like 30 minutes early so we got to sign the forms and walk around the ranch. The property is beautiful I wish we could have stayed in one of the cabins. My horse outlaw was the sweetest. This wasn't my first time riding but even if it was anyone could ride him. I enjoyed the trail ride throughly I wanted it to last another hour it was so peaceful! Between the instructor & my man we got great pictures and an unforgettable experience.

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    River's Bend Ranch - Me and outlaw

    Me and outlaw

    River's Bend Ranch
    River's Bend Ranch - The Lodge

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    The Lodge

    Mountaintop Ranch

    Mountaintop Ranch

    4.3(3 reviews)
    19.5 mi

    The views were definitely epic, but they came with a couple of big hurdles…read more The first was that when I booked online there wasn't any way to put the ages of kids or expertise level of the people riding. It's fine, but they claim that you don't need any experience. When we showed up, our guide saw us waiting outside of the car and he told us to sign in. After filling the paperwork he came out and said he didn't know that there were kids riding on their own. (I had my 11 and 9 year old riding by themselves). He seems like a very nice guy, but the whole time he was complaining that he already dealt with kids that morning and the slow horses had been used so he didn't have slow horses for us to put the kids on. The second hurdle was that his horse was not listening, I think he might've been a young horse that wasn't as broken-in as his usual horse. He said his horse was hurt, so he couldn't use it and he had to ride a horse that was "nuts." There were horses that were in the back that he had swapped so I don't know why he couldn't switch his horse to different one. He kept having to smack him and pull the reins to try to get him to keep going on the trail because he wasn't listening. This wouldn't have been a huge issue, but he insisted in holding a lead to lead my daughter's horse since she was riding on her own. (he suggested my son go ride with my husband doubled up) His horse kept moving abruptly, and I felt like it was more of a safety issue for my daughter to be near his horse so I asked him to let go of the lead, and have her ride by herself without him pulling the horse. She seemed to do much better without him holding it because, thankfully, her horse (Diamond) was cooperative and chill. The whole time he seemed very frazzled and worried. Although it is understandable for him to want us to have a good experience with the horses and for everyone's safety, I think that him having a different horse and there being better communication when booking a riding session would've made for a much better experience. The whole time we pretty much felt like a nuisance, and I felt sorry for him. He suggested that we get a partial refund because our experience wasn't as great as it should've been since we didn't have the correct horses to have a smooth ride. When I communicated with the owner, they just said thank you for letting them know and they didn't offer any sort of compensation or refund. In future, if we were to do this experience again, it would probably have to be with a different guide, but I don't think that I would come back to this Ranch I would try somewhere else. On a positive note, the views were amazing, the horses that we had were pretty chill and kept trying to eat, but other than that they didn't cause trouble. They had helmets for us if we needed them and the guide was upset, but he was apologetic the whole time. The guide did a great job at posing the horses for our family picture.

    My wife and I stayed in one of the cabins here over the weekend. We had a fantastic experience to…read moresay the least. Our host, Jess, was extremely welcoming, helpful, friendly, and made sure our stay was top notch. She provided detailed information, maps, a guide, food recommendations that were spot on, and brought us pizza our first night that was delicious. Our second day, Justin gave us a guided hike through the mountain to a couple private waterfalls. He was very friendly and accommodating of personal limitations for the group. Later on we had a trail ride on horseback with Justin. He made sure to pair each rider with an appropriate horse based on their skill and experience level. The views were absolutely stunning, and the ranch definitely lives up to its name. We enjoyed every second of our stay and did not want to leave. I hope to return sooner rather than later.

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    Mountaintop Ranch
    Mountaintop Ranch
    Mountaintop Ranch

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    Shadow Mountain Escape - Night view - Stone Courtyard at Shadow Mountain Escape

    Shadow Mountain Escape

    4.9(29 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    SME is the kind of place that's so special, you want to keep it all to yourself, but can't help but…read moretell everyone you know about it! It is the coziest little getaway in Luray situated on an absolutely beautiful property. There are five cabins in total that are intended to be a couple's getaway, so the property is always very quiet and peaceful. It feels very connected to nature- we've seen deer very close to each of the structures when we've stayed. We've had the pleasure of staying in the Dragonfly, Bumblebee, and Ladybug cabins and have really enjoyed each one- they all have a similar feel but are built slightly differently. This time around, we were in the Bumblebee cabin, which is quite spacious and shares a structure with the Dragonfly cabin. There was a gas fireplace and a TV downstairs where we spent most of our time reading; there was also a couch upstairs in the hallway outside of the bedroom, and a cute balcony we probably would have spent time on if it was warmer! It is absolutely the kind of place where you can just stay in your cabin the entire time you're there, but it's also located pretty close to Sperryville and downtown Luray if you're looking to venture out. To fully take advantage of SME, I'd recommend bringing your own food or groceries to cook- there's not a whole lot close by (which is part of the charm!), but the kitchen is well-equipped with a microwave, oven, and stovetop. There's a pizza place that delivers right to the cabins, which is nice- honestly, the pizza isn't very good, but it's nice to have the option. There are also bottles of wine available for purchase in your cabin, which is nice to have available. You won't meet two nicer people than the owners of SME, Karen and Ralph. It is so clear how much they love SME and sharing their love of the property, which reflects their travels through Europe, with those who stay there. There will always be a delicious baked treat from Karen waiting in your cabin when you arrive, and if you're lucky, she or Ralph will show you around the property and tell you about the structures, all of which were built by Ralph and designed by them both. They are so friendly and kindhearted and make it such a special place to stay. As just one example- it snowed one of the nights we stayed, and Ralph cleared off our car without us even asking. SME feels so calm and peaceful- it's a true VA oasis. We're already planning our next trip back!

    Shadow Mountain Escape is a hidden Gem, as is Karen Riddle. Every detail, from the moment we…read morearrived, until the moment we left, was absolutely perfect. There are certain people that find their calling in life, and believe me, Karen has found hers providing a beautiful one stop destination/ultimate private elopement venue along with handling every aspect of our wedding (flowers, wedding cake, vows, officiant, venue, and beautiful photos). We were blown away and are so happy we chose Shadow Mountain Escape, and Karen Riddle for our special day!! We will be back.

    Photos
    Shadow Mountain Escape - Stay thirsty for adventure!

    Stay thirsty for adventure!

    Shadow Mountain Escape - Main living area of the Bumblebee cabin

    Main living area of the Bumblebee cabin

    Shadow Mountain Escape

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    Fort Valley Ranch & Campground - horsebackriding - Updated August 2026

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