Literally cannot say enough great things about Southern Cross Ranch. It has become kind of a tradition for me to go on a trail ride for my birthday with my husband (who also shares my birthday) and my kiddo the last two years. Southern Cross is absolutely beautiful from the moment you pull in the drive you know it's a special place. We checked in at the main house and drove over to the barn where my family and I were able to meet all the horses love on them a little, meet the doggies and just take our time. When it was time for our ride we went and got the horses ourselves, brushed and loved on them, got them dressed and ready all by ourselves my kiddo was a beast picking up that saddle and carrying it she did fantastic!! The people guiding us were so nice letting us know what we needed to do and when but letting everyone do it mostly themselves. I loved it and ended up bonding so well with my horse, Borris. He was an absolute love bug and when I go back I hope I can ride him again he's the best! My kiddo had Troy and my husband had Amos who was gorgeous! We even got to see a mama and baby horse my daughter was smitten! We had such a great time and it was a relatively easy ride with no large drops or tight places. We rode through a creek which I thought was the best part of the whole ride hearing the horses hooves splashing through the water was so cool! Even my kiddo who has only gone riding one other time before loved it and is already planning her next trip back! Definitely THE place to go if you love trail riding and beautiful scenery. They cater to beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. If you love riding or want to try it for the first time this place is the best check it out!! read more

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What a wonderful place, stayed one night on a mother/daughter trip. The place is a hidden gem in Georgia. They have about 100 horses and do a fantastic job of caring for the horses and property. They rotate the horses that ride in order to give them plenty of down time to rest and enjoy. It is a family run business and they make you feel so welcomed. They offer various packages on your stay. You can choose bed and breakfast, all three meals and stay, or two horse back rides a day and stay. Each room comes with its own bathroom and everything was comfortable. You feel like you are coming home to your mom's house. Horse back riding was around 9:15am and 2:15pm each day. Meals times change per season by was 8am, 1pm, and 6pm. Food was good and unlimited soft drinks and tea. If you want to bring alcohol, they make available refrig to store. They also have a kitchen in the main house that you can store your items needing refrig or frozen. You can walk the pasture and/or hang out at the barn. They welcome feeding behind the fence as well and have food for you to feed the horses in the barn. The riding was great, they have you saddle up the horses and still give you about two hours ride time. Beautiful property. Depending on your riding ability they let you go on your own to ride too. It was such a wonderful stay and plan to be back again for another visit in the future. This was the highlight of our trip. read more

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One of my favorite places on earth! I have been visiting the ranch for over 20 years and just got back from my 5th trip with my husband and our now 15-year old son, neither of whom are big into riding but just love being there for everything else it has to offer. As a lifelong rider, I appreciate how well trained and well cared for the horses are. Southern Cross Ranch is my absolute favorite place to ride, especially because it's hard to find good western riding up in the northeast where I live. And as a busy mom/professional, I very much look forward to not having to cook or clean or go grocery shopping or make any decisions whatsoever about food other than what delicious things from the buffet to put on my plate! The staff are wonderful and incredibly gracious; they really go out of their way to make the guests feel welcome and at home. We are already planning our next trip there! read more

Nothing special, unfriendly owner and staff . Sleep area was ok, food and dining area okay

Trail horses treated poorly. Trail guide hit her horse repeatedly who was frightened by things on the trail. Beautiful farm but some horses kept out of sight in muddy pens with no grass, shelter or fresh hay. My assigned horse was quite old and thin with saddle sores and untreated skin condition. She had dental problems. Other horses desperately needed a farrier. One had a nerve issue but the disrespectful staff dismissed it. Safety is also an issue. No helmet requirement for adults. One girl not wearing a helmet fainted on her horse and almost fell off before the guide got to her. Novice riders not adequately educated but riding without a guide. Our room had a foul sewage type odor and strong musty smell. There is another side to this business that is not being acknowledged in most of the reviews. Don't support these people. read more

This place is just MAGICAL! If you're looking for the ultimate, peaceful, horseback riding getaway- look no further. I went many years ago and Southern Cross still stays in my heart till this day. We did horseback riding twice a day and came back to some of the best, hearty dishes I've ever eaten. Definitely get the package that includes your meals! Absolutely worth it! The rooms were beautifully appointed and ours had a whirlpool tub, living room area, and a comfy bed. I remember they had so many places to simply RELAX and take in the heavenly sights. Looking out the window at almost any given time you'd see over 100 paint horses and a few draft horses (first and last time riding one was at the ranch, lol. My legs were like jello for the rest of the trip!). The hospitality was excellent and everything you'd expect down south. While there isn't much to do in the immediate area of Madison- Atlanta was only about an hour away. I visited the aquarium and went scuba diving with the whale sharks! We also visited Stone Mountain. Although cloaked in controversy by today's standard- I would still say it was worth the visit for the breathtaking nature and beauty. You can either bring your own horse or ride theirs. They will pair you with one which matches your skill level and ability. I cannot wait to go back! One day soon, I hope! read more

Trail Horses are standing in 2 foot deep mud, not brushed properly before saddling. Gear is old and falling apart. Feet never cleaned. They all hate being removed from their pens and none are happy to be ridden. I am an experienced rider and my husband was brand new, neither of us had fun at all and ended up leaving early. The food is good. The girls and staff do not have any idea what they r doing. Unless u like sitting on an uncomfortable saddle for hours on dead/annoyed/sad horse who just wants to go back into its mud....stay home! read more

Travel and Leisure's nomination of Southern Cross Ranch as one of America's top Dude Ranches is well deserved. In fact, I can't imagine it as anything other than THE top. First, the riding. As others have noted, the horses are splendid, healthy and sound. Often, I have found horses offered on trail rides to be either brain-dead or barely trained and in questionable health. Not the case here. Because their horses are so sound, guests with some riding experience can go on the trails without a guide, which I did with my (adult) children yesterday. The trails meander though woods and must be pleasant at any time of year, including early winter. And 2 hours of riding twice a day is quite a treat. I have encountered plenty of grumpy or disinterested barn staff and trail guides in my time-- but not here! The barn staff work patiently and efficiently together to get everyone safely saddled up ( girth check just before ride and also one hour into the ride). The folks at Southern Cross are pros and enjoy sharing their knowledge. The lodging feels like a large BnB, homey, but very professionally run at the same time. Bedrooms are clean, comfortable, inviting and charming. Nice touches like coffee ready at 6 am in the kitchen for early risers, and snacks for when after a long ride you just can't wait 30 minutes for dinner made my day. Also very thoughtful, especially for families with young children, is the availability of items like sunscreen, bug spray, etc in a kitchen cabinet. Such a nice change from chain hotels that charge you a couple of dollars for a single band aid! This ranch is family run, and the service is outstanding. From the folks at the stables to those in the kitchen, pleasantness, kindness and patience prevails. Meals are good and varied, served in a socially distanced manner in the bright and airy dining room. These 4 days at Southern Cross Ranch were a much welcomed relief from the pressures of home and work. We are sure to return. read more

Southern Cross Ranch - I rode Sprout. Solid, sure footed, fast trot, and just enough attitude to make her interesting. - Horseback Riding Near Me - Madison, Georgia

I am only giving Southern Cross 5 stars because I can't give them 10! This might have been the best getaway my wife and I have ever taken. Nestled in the middle of the Georgia midlands, this 200+ acre ranch has anything you could ever want or need. The family, that has run it since they built it in 1991, does everything they can to make you feel like part of their family. My wife and I had the pleasure of speaking with Inge, the original owner. She gladly spent time telling us all about how she came down to Georgia to make Southern Cross Ranch a reality. Her whole family still works together on the ranch till this day. The horses are so well cared for and you can spend time with them whenever you want. The trail guides are patient and friendly, and by the second ride, they have to ready to ride off on your own or with a small group. You can feel free to get as lost as you want because the horses all know their way home. I spent 3 days riding Billy and my wife rode Artie. It is amazing the bond you can create with a horse in such a short time! You get to groom them, tack them and bring them too and from there pens.. what a great experience. And in between rides, the pool is there to cool you off. The food.. I don't know where to begin! They say it's a buffet, but it's really more of a fresh, 5 star, family meal served 3 times a day. The food was always fresh, hot, and amazing! Since there are only 17 guest rooms, everyone has their own reserved table, and the family is always at their table eating too, so feel free to say hi and show your gratitude for the wonderful time you will certainly have! The rooms are private and so comfortable. They're kept the original style of the house, but give you all the amenities you could ask for. During our stay we chatted with Inge, her son Lance, and grandson Wes. You can tell that they all love what they do and are their to make sure you you have everything you could need or want. This is proven by the many families that continue to return! Over your stay you can't help but meet and chat with the other guests at meals and on rides. We met people there for their first time, 5th time and one family that has been going for 17 years. We are already dreaming of our next trip down to the Southern Cross Ranch and you should be too!! read more

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We just spent several days at the ranch. It's was perfect in every way! Stunning grounds, comfortable room and the food is ridiculously good. All the horses were great and each staff member was helpful and pleasant. It was obvious that everyone cares about their guest. One of the best getaways in a long time. Highly recommend! read more

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I researched for a while to find a place fairly close to home to celebrate our anniversary. We decided to give Sothern Cross Ranch a try. We were pleasantly surprised and have to say this was one of the best vacations we have taken! The staff was amazing! Everyone was so nice. We haven't ridden in 20+ years so we were a little nervous. The staff helped us with everything and our guide provided an awesome trail ride that lasted about 2 hours. The horses were well mannered and beautiful. We stayed in the Charleston room which was complete with fireplace, Whirlpool tub, walk in shower and double vanity. There are several sitting areas both indoors and outdoors where you can enjoy some quiet time to decompress. In between rides there were several things to do. There is a pool, movie room, game room (board games and ping pong etc...), bicycles and a basketball hoop. Last but not least, the food was absolutely delicious! The dining area has indoor and outdoor seating. Thank you so much for an awesome vacation! We will be back! read more

Possibly my favorite vacation/long weekend ever! Everything was amazing! I cannot say enough good about this place. Everything from the delicious home cooked food, the views, the employees, the hospitality, the atmosphere, the many, many, many horses, everything was perfect! I wouldn't have changed anything! Did I mention the food? Amazing southern food! Felt very at home! Thank you for a wonderful trip, we'll be back soon, for sure!! read more

As a self described horse lover, going to SCR is the epitome of the ultimate getaway. For me as I arrive at the gates of this glorious ranch and cross the threshold of the entrance gate I have a feeling of euphoria. I look to my right and see the grain mill processing barn, then the main riding barn and a feeling of peacefulness overcomes me. As I continue down the long drive to the main house to begin my relaxing journey, I marvel at the glorious steeds grazing peacefully in the lush pasture that surround the driveway. Upon check-in you are greeted by a wonderful staff that makes sure your visit is as if you never left home, only improved. They are friendly, and most welcoming as if you are family. On our visits, we usually arrive at around 11am, with the invitation of lunch and the promise of your first ride at 2pm. While at SCR, we were provided the wonderful accommodations of the Magnolia suite, which is above the kitchen. As your shown to your room, when walking up the steps, the aromas of a wonderful meal wafts behind you. Inviting you to a delicious home cooked lunch. As you settle into this particular room, you have the large window which looks directly out over the pasture where you again see these beautiful horses. For me a smile never leaves my face, I'm in heaven. We settle our things and wander down to the kitchen, you're offered unlimited beverages while you await the fantastic lunch. We walk out the doors to the deck and down to the pasture to see the horses while we wait. You are free to wander the fields and pastures as well as the riding trails as you please. There's always something to do if your not riding. You can hike through the wooded areas seeing all varieties of beautiful horses, pet those that will allow it and hike peacefully in hopes of also seeing other woodland creatures such as deer. Bring carrots, peppermints and other various horse treats for your "field" friends as you stroll through. I promise you'll make many friends. Once lunch is served, which is usually a large spread of various foods from completely southern, to German, Italian, and America foods, just to name a few. There are always unlimited options and they will accommodate your every dietary need, just ask. These exquisite meals are complete including beverages, main course with vegetables, salads and desserts. Delicious! You then meander to the riding barn for your first ride at 2. You can drive or walk and once there you are again greeted by a group of staff members that make sure you're matched to the perfect horse. From first time novice riders to the most experienced, they will make sure you have a great time. As a rider that's ridden since I was 3 yrs old they match me with a horse that meets my needs, and as a barn rule they take you on a guided trail ride first. This is to familiarize you with the riding areas for your safety. If your experienced and/or a return guest and you're comfortable with it you're allowed to venture out on your own eventually. The first part of your barn experience is getting your assigned horse from the paddock, brushing the horse in preparation of saddling your ride all by yourself with the staff assisting where and when needed. This is just part of what makes SCR so wonderful. After your 2 hour ride, you return to the barn and again your responsible for your horse. Unsaddling them, brushing them, and returning them to their paddock. Who could ask for more? Simply wonderful! You're now free to hike the fields and woodlands, swim in the beautiful pool, play billiards or games, ride bikes, watch videos, read and relax as you please until the next delicious meal is served for supper. SCR is well versed in accommodating its guests and never have failed to treat us with the best accommodations available. After you've enjoyed as many days as you are able to stay and enjoy this wonderful ranch, you're last day usually offers a great filling breakfast along with your last ride. As you pack to leave, going to the main house to checkout don't fail to look at the wonderful SCR gifts to purchase that will provide you a lasting memory of what I believe is the best vacation available. Simply wonderful euphoria. As you finally depart, and drive down that long beautiful driveway, take in the sights of the horses, barns and grounds to hold in your minds eye until you can return to paradise again. read more

Southern Cross Ranch - Riding the ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Madison, Georgia

I drove out to Southern Cross Ranch to horseback ride with a friend who had never been on a horse. The ranch was only about an hour outside of Atlanta but the scenery made it feel half a world away. Out in Georgia's heartland we were surrounded by a landscape of rolling pastures and lush woodlands. We arrived at the property and took a long road to the main house. Once we paid for the two hour ride and signed waivers we went over to the horse stable for our assignments. They matched us with horses based on our level of experience. The horses were in great condition. They had good muscle tone and their coats shimmered in the hot sun. The staff instructed us to groom them by brushing their hair and coat with a stiff bristle brush. This fostered an environment of trust between horse and rider before getting in the saddle. At the start of the ride our horses strolled into a pasture where a couple of other horses were sipping from a lake. A few minutes later the trail guide led us into a wooded area and in no time we were deep into the woods. It was so remote that at one point we passed grazing deer. For the majority of the ride the horses walked slowly and single file down the trails. Once we got back into the open pasture, my guide invited me to gallop my horse. After we got back to the stable and dismounted the horses, the staff sprayed them with water to cool them off. Our legs were sore the next day from spending two hours in the saddle but we both had a wonderful experience unplugging and getting lost in nature. I would recommend Southern Cross Ranch to anyone looking for a nearby escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. read more

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(I got in late and it was dark) When first driving in you will get to the stables and be greeted by a nice dog. This is not where check in or the house is. You have to continue straight ahead on the path that looks big enough for a golf cart only. Then you will see the beautiful Southern Cross house and plenty of parking. When I got to the front door there was a letter with my name on the table, giving me great directions to my room. They left the light on for me and my key in my door. Here at the house I was greeted by a very cute black and white cat and let's be honest cats make everything better. I then went to the dining hall where snacks and drinks are available 24/7, not to mention I walked past a fire pit and a gorgeous pool. In the morning breakfast is at 8. Good breakfast with lots of options and my own seating. For Covid... not one guest wore a mask and its serve yourself buffet style. I had my own room with bathroom and a super comfy bed. read more

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Consider this the ultimate family vacation destination. Our extended family has stayed here several times over the years. The staff is wonderful and treats every guest as family. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are severed daily and the food is prepared fresh daily and wonderful. Our extended family is able to sit back and relax and eat together. Afterwards, we spend countless hours reminiscing, talking, or playing games. As far as the horseback riding, words cannot describe the scenery and the staff. They cater to the novice as well as experienced riders. They offer guided tours or allow guests to ride and explore on their own. They have over 200 horses that are tame enough for my 11 year old to handle himself. I would definitely recommend this for either and extended family gathering (aunts, uncles, cousins) or for husbands looking for something special to surprise your wife. The rooms themselves are very clean and quaint. read more

Southern Cross Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Madison, Georgia

What a beautiful experience! A great place to relax and unwind while enjoying beautiful weather, stunning views and quality riding time. The staff was helpful and friendly especially after the first day when we learned their system. My only advice, ask lots questions ! The rooms were rustic and homey, the food was exquisite and they were very accommodating fir my vegetarian friend and I. The horses are safe and fun and they have horses for all levels. The best part was going out without a guide once you learn the trails. Thank you Southern Cross for one of the best vacations I have had in years. read more

Great for just a day ride or BnB, trail in woods, horses for all levels knowledgeable staff. Western ride I felt so happy after read more

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Came here for a girls weekend and had the best time. I was nervous about horseback riding since I hadn't done it in so many years but the guides made it so easy. And my horse - Cheyenne - was fantastic! She knew exactly what to do. We had 8 people in our party so we booked two rooms and they were nice - clean, spacious and very comfortable beds. The food was delicious, too! We had a birthday girl in our group and the staff made her a delicious birthday cake, how sweet is that?! The service was great, everyone was very welcoming. We left feeling relaxed and full of good memories. Wonderful place to spend a weekend! read more

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Where to start? We fell in love with the place! Visited while scouting Georgia as a possible relocation spot and decided to give the ranch a try. We have a little rider that has never been outside the lesson scenario, and thought trail ride would be something she would love. Ended up extending the stay. The facility is breathtaking. Their staff is amazing. Our guides, on different times, were Trish and Alyssa, and they were both outstanding. Their horses are an absolute pleasure. We got Bobby, Salt and little Nugget and we loved them! Food wise, well... there's room for improvement, but that is my personal taste. Either way we thought the food was very good and with much variety. There were guests from New Zealand, Canada and straight from the Philippines, so that should give anyone a very good idea on how amazing this place is. We will be going back, that's for sure! read more

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OMG! Such an awesome place! I almost don't want to leave a 5 star rating because Southern Cross Ranch will become too busy! Lol So I'm giving Southern Cross Ranch 10+ stars!! This was my 70th Birthday Surprise.. Incredible place. Ride, ride and ride some more on awesome well trained and kept horses. Paints and Appaloosas! I wanted to take my horse "Lilly" home with me. Then there is the awesome food....breakfast, lunch and dinner provided!! Snacks and drinks 24/7 really!! My husband still talks about the meals we ate. Always bringing cookies back to our room. My Husband got the huge Cattle Baron room. Bathroom is larger than my homes and had a Jacuzzi tub which I used every night. It had been a year since I had ridden since putting my own horse down. I even brought my own gel seat saddle to use! But on the last day my Cinch broke on my saddle and it started going over to Lilly's side, she stayed calm and didn't move while this crazy lady pulled the saddle back up in place without getting off her. She was absolutely the best!! We met some great people. A girl traveling alone from Mexico. I kept telling her to go with our group. A German Police lady "Silka" that was an excellent rider! And Bev "the writer" was working on her book there. She was my age and an excellent rider!! Needless to say we will be back....... Another note: the staff there is very personable. From checking in to checking out. You can walk to the barn or ride a bike that they provide!! They have thought of everything for you so you can enjoy your stay. read more

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I love his place! You come here to relax and unplug. We were in the Iroquois this time. I loved the private balcony! The room was very comfortable, and we enjoyed all the options to do. We tried the pool table, foosball and Scrabble. We also got a little pool time when the sun came out. Emily was our riding instructor, and she was great. Patient and calm, she put everyone at ease. We will definitely be back! read more

Absolutely had a wonderful time. The horse are well taken care of. The folks running the facility are super friendly and accommodating. Will definitely come back again. read more

I've been a trail guide for ten years and ridden at a dozen wonderful ranches across the US and this place is a poor substitute for anyone who loves to ride. They don't let you do anything but walk, the horses are slow and conditioned to only walk. No riding in the fields, only on short circular trails designed for walking. Horses are kept in muddy, wet paddocks, staff is very friendly but unhelpful for enjoyable riding. Heaven help you if you spend a few seconds at a slow jog, they scream at you to slow down to a walk. Easily the worst riding experience I've ever had, and I'm including 15 minute pony rides as a child. At least those kind people let me canter my pony around the small riding ring. This place is a ranch closer to ranch dressing than a horseback riding ranch. read more

The buffet lunch was really good. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Our trail ride, while a bit muddy, was quite nice as we meandered through the woods with a very nice guide. read more

I truly can't recommend this place enough! We flew into Atlanta on a Saturday morning. After renting a car and driving the hour to Madison, we checked into the ranch around 1230 pm. After a short tour and dropping our luggage off in the room, we were told to go grab some lunch (at a great buffet-style dining room), and to get ready to ride. We booked the All-Inclusive package, and what a deal it was. The king-size bedroom (with room for kids too), private bath, pool, 3 meals a day, mountain bikes, game room, and TWO rides a day... everything is covered under this package, with really no reason to leave the ranch at all. (We did venture out to dinner one night, and there are plenty of stores and attractions nearby if you're looking for a change of pace.) But honestly, there is really no reason to go anywhere. Meals are served at 8 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm. Riding times are at 915 and 215, and with the level of professionalism and all-around friendliness, there's no reason not to take advantage of it. EVERY single staff member we encountered was just downright friendly. Neva and Carmen in particular were accommodating and patient with us (one of us has lots of experience with horses; the other, none at all). We also had our photos taken by a photographer that the ranch works with, and came away with some AWESOME photos of a truly memorable experience. We had such a great time, that when we got home we told our boys that we were booking another trip. Our romantic weekend away just turned into our next family vacation, and we can't wait! Thanks for a great time!!! Deb and Edie read more

Southern Cross Ranch - Horseback Riding Near Me - Madison, Georgia

What an amazing experience. The food, the atmosphere, the horses, you name it! This has been a remarkable vacation for our family, we're already discussing another trip! read more

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I've been coming here for several years with my family and extended family; it's a trip we look forward to every single year. If you would like to unplug and get away from it all, truly relax in a mellow setting, this is the place. Sit by the fireplace and read a book, go out onto the porch and enjoy the sunset. Catch the big game on the lounge TV. Take a walk into the woods and look for deer. A previously-posted review here on Yelp as well as the Ranch's website do a great job of describing the horse riding options here, so I won't belabor that, other than to say that you don't at all have to be experienced to enjoy this at the Ranch. I have to direct my highest praise for the staff though: they treat us so well, each and every time. They are so attentive, and remember so much about each member of our party when we return. These folks go out of their way to take care of you. I just appreciate all they memories they've helped us make. Great job! read more

My boyfriend and I came yesterday for the all inclusive day package deal. It was his first time riding and I was excited for him to finally see how it felt to walk through the trails on a horse. The first guided trail was fun, we ran up on a few doe and one 7 point buck. We maintained a walk for most of the way. Then when we went back for our second trail, it was a game changer. We were told that we were allowed to ride off away from the group and ride the trails alone (the two of us together). Needless to say, that is the best decision to make for someone who has experience riding. We rode all through the trails, walking/trotting/loping/galloping and it was truly amazing. I was so happy my boyfriend got to experience a gallop, and quite a few times may I add lol. The horses were amazing and strong. They were also pretty obedient, which is always a plus. They matched us both with horses that fit our experience level, so We felt super comfortable on our horses the whole ride. The staff was also, very friendly and happy to help with anything we needed. The food was also pretty good! Needless to say, If you're looking for a great place to go for a great ride, beginner or expert, this is an awesome place to go. We really enjoyed our visit and made lots of cherish-able memories. We hope to come back soon! Also! If you're planning on going, try to pick a day where it hasn't rained in a few days! The dryer the trails are the more you can do on them. :) read more

Southern Cross Ranch - The back pasture - Horseback Riding Near Me - Madison, Georgia

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Amazing facility, we had the all inclusive package and stayed in the new family suite. The food was some of the best I've ever had and always on time. The Barn staff was very knowledgable and helpful. The trails are great we saw deer every day. The pool was refreshing and always clean. Owners of Port Royal Veterinary Hospital in South Carolina. read more

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This was our first time at this ranch. Arrived on Sunday March 4th just in time for lunch and afternoon horseback riding. First had a tour, then our room. The Scarlet O'Hara room. Gorgeous room and big!!! Lunch was served at 1 pm. All I can say is WOW!!! Roast beef, mashed potatoes and other vegetables. Salad bar and a dessert bar. All the food is homemade. Very delicious!!! The whole staff was awesome. Loved to come back. read more

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Our 10th family trip here. The staff is outstanding & the food is out of this world, served buffet style with plenty of choices. The horseback riding makes it even better. read more

These folks really know how to show the hospitality. This place is a guest ranch that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet style. They have some fabulous cooks and a wide range of food choices and outside guests are welcome to come just for the grub. When the bell rings come and get it and help yourself to as many trips as you want. Don't overlook the deserts as they are fantastic. We really love this place and it is especially good at holiday times. Call and make a reservation first if you have a big group. You won't be disappointed. read more

My daughter and I went to experience the beautiful atmosphere of the ranch and take a long ride through the trails. There was a mishap with the stirrups for my daughter and Southern Cross addressed my followup concerns IMMEDIATELY. They are a true customer driven business and I strongly recommend that you experience riding here.... read more

Horses were dirty and ungroomed, my partner's horse had serious gunk in his eyes and was lethargic, were told we would only be walking around a huge paddock (no trails, no posting, no cantering) because it rained (we were not warned that this could be the case, even though rain was clearly forecast and I called the day before to confirm). It took over an hour to get everyone tacked up and mounted, leaving less time for riding as we had to get back to the city. Staff seemed bored and got defensive when several riders indicated their disappointment over the riding conditions. Overall, I felt like a number, not a valued customer. Felt bad for the people who had booked a full week stay here, they seemed pretty annoyed to be wandering around a paddock for two hours instead of doing any serious riding. Was looking forward to riding here but sadly, cannot recommend. read more

This was our second visit. What a wonderful place. Lots of trails, lots of extremely well-cared for horses, very nice trail guides, awesome food, nice pool. Even the dogs are friendly! This is a great place to get away and unwind for awhile. Not only do you get to ride horses, but you will also be responsible for grooming them before and after. FUN! read more

I just needed to relax and the Southern Cross Guest Ranch was perfect choice! It's a little over an hour from Atlanta, and not far from the highway exit. The staff are so wonderful and accommodating, and make every effort to make you feel at home. The ranch has more than 200 horses, and the trails are beautiful and serene. I rode every day; the staff caters to the novice as well as those with experience. My room was nicely decorated, very roomy and comfortable. It overlooked the pasture with the horses. I enjoyed curling up on the swing by the pool & hot tub with my book before dinner. The food was very good and plentiful, and breakfast was made even better by watching the "babies" galloping by the dining room windows. The staff cheerfully made every accommodation for guests with dietary restrictions. I would highly recommend Southern Cross for singles, couples, and families with children. I can't wait to come back! read more

This place is amazing. The people are incredibly friendly, it is beautiful and reasonably priced. I couldn't have asked for better!

We stayed for the weekend on the all inclusive package. The property was beautiful and peaceful and it was a good value considering all the trail riding you are able to do. We were a bit disappointed in the rooms -- our room had peeling paper over the shower head and could have used some updating with paint etc. The food was good but certainly not international cuisine but having to eat at promptly 8am, 1pm and 6pm was just not for us and if you didn't get there they start cleaning up -- we walked in at 6:45 and the salad bar was already picked up and gone. I agree with some of the other patrons -- the horses were dirty and stuck in a muddy coral. I do think the staff at the stables needed to give more instruction - my friend had never been around horses and there was very little instruction on how to brush your horse, lead your horse, turn your horse, get them to trot. The stable staff seems a bit overwhelmed when getting ready to ride -- I think they were short staffed. We did love our guide - Savannah - she was very personable and fun. Overall, is was a great experience and if you love to trail ride a great place to do it! read more