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    Zephyr Cove Stables

    4.6 (221 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Stephen L.

    We picked the last ride of today and got really lucky with just the two of us. Leo was absolutely entertaining and we got the lucky treat of seeing deer and a redtail hawk amidst the numerous chipmunks and squirrels! We got a lot of awesome stories and also nice tips and tricks of how to handle the horse in all of the situations. The horses are very well trained and freaking amazing too mind you, not giving a hint of even wanting to buck or being super excited. Richard was an absolute gem of a quarter horse to be on! We will 10/10 do this again and hope to catch the dinner ride with a group when we come back for more!

    Reena L.

    Loved loved loved my experience here at Zephry! Leia was an awesome and fun guide. She was also kind enough to take pictures of me on my horse with a beautiful scenic view of the lake in the background. It was about $80 for 1 hour and well worth every penny! It was so fun, calm and full of laughs the whole time. I rode big red and he was definitely a gentle giant! They provide helmets for you or your little ones up front by the check in. Definitely keep in mind that you are riding at your own risk. Don't forget to tip your guide at the end of the tour :-)

    Our tour guide & views of Lake Tahoe !
    Allison T.

    The first time I rode with zephyr cove was probably a decade ago & i loved it so much. So i was excited to share this experience with my husband. I surprised him with a hour long trail ride (something he's never gotten to do in Tahoe). We had a 12 ride & arrived about 15 min before, the woman in the office was so kind & welcoming. I believe her name is Louise (hope i got that right), our trail guide shared that her and her husband started Zephyr Cove Stables 40 years ago and her & her sons still run the operation. I thought that was so cool. We were promptly brought our horses to ride, i got Rocky & my husband rode Clyde :) Laya (hope I'm spelling that right) was our guide and she was so awesome, she was attentive to us and the other couple riding. Pointed out plants and shared information about their medicinal benefits. I love having good conversations with strangers, she really was a delight. The ride itself was seriously perfect. All of the horses were calm and well trained. The view throughout the whole ride was captivating. The hour passed so fast, when the ride was done the same man that made sure i mounted rocky safely was there to help me off. I can't say enough great things about Zephyr Cove Stables. It's a must experience while in Tahoe!

    Looking down onto Lake Tahoe.

    Leo was a great guide on our 1 1/2 hour ride. The natural trail was awesome and it was made by horses, not humans. Trail was technical for the horses but was relaxing for the rider. Less than 45 minutes into the ride was wonderful views of Lake Tahoe. This ride is by far worth the price and rates right up with our rides through Bryce Canyon. Couldn't be happier or more satisfied!

    Awesome view on the trail ride yesterday

    Leia was our guide and was so knowledgeable about the area and land. Super nice and really cared about the horses. The horses were in good shape and very well mannered. The tack was clean and comfortable. The trail and view were amazing. Did the 1 1/2 hour ride. Would come back for the sunset dinner ride.

    Ally & Tamale
    Alexander N.

    Can't believe this was our first time here. Everyone here was super friendly and welcoming. The horses were beautiful and the scenery was amazing. Our guide was super cool and well experienced Cow Boy! We're definitely gonna come back and do the dinner ride cause we saw them preparing and it smelt so good. But this spot we will definitely be back. Thank you all for this experience.

    johnny ringo!
    Giuliana S.

    awesome stables! they make you sign waivers, take cash or card, have restrooms onsite, and have helmets. we did the 90 hour trail ride and the views were gorgeous. our horses were johnny ringo and richard. our guide was quiet but funny. i didnt mind the quietness because the views were breathtaking and the experience itself was surreal. i would recommend!

    Mounting
    Jenn J.

    Many years have we been customers. My husband has been coming to the lake each summer for over 40 years. We often get the same horses each year, which is fine. The horses are gentle and walk slowly. They know this trail so well, they are on auto-pilot. Only deviations from plan are if the horse decides to munch on a bush or stop mid trail for their bathroom break(s). Prompted or not, they then get back to work not long after. They catch right back up to be tail to nose in their queue. The trail itself is largely shaded - that's helpful in summer months. The trail is very defined - It's like the horses know how to queue up like the British. No hoof is out of line. As such, the trail is often quite narrow. At places, the trail is so worn by horse foot traffic that the path is cut a foot or so deep. Brush, at points, is cleared exactly the width of one horse so wear pants to avoid scratches. Combine the auto-pilot horse and the deep worn path, there isn't any steering necessary. No need to drive. Autonomous horse back riding like the pony around a pole. This is good for little kiddos - the establishment will take kids 6 years or older. There is nothing tying the kiddo to the horse but there isn't any need given the languorous pace and predictable path. Low risk of falling off. For adults and older kids, I wish there was an opportunity to practice the horseback riding instructions they describe at the intro: - Spread us out more to allow for some different pacing. I'd like to give trotting a go - Provide an open field to allow us left and right turns, stop and go command practice The ride could use some commentary. Tell me about the trail, local history, topography, etc. Tell me a bit about the horses and animal husbandry. Tell me a bit about the history of your ranch. Heck, tell me you've this job because you're off school for the summer. Talk to me please. Kids are the same price as adults. $75/hr if cash and $77/hr with credit card. Wish there was a child discount or a group discount as we sometimes have 7 kids with my boys plus cousins. Disappointingly, they did not offer us a family photo at the summit of the trail this year. That was the best part of prior years' visits. We get to see how the boys have grown year over year. But no group photo this year. I asked about it as we were getting ready to return the horses and got a half ass photo of us all spread out on a weird part of a path, with half of us in the shade and half of us in the sun. And none of our faces really visible as the picture was taken from too far. So sad. We may not come back after all these years...

    Top of the trail
    Nick R.

    Absolutely 5 star, best experience I've had in Tahoe! Very calm and easy to ride horses, expert and caring guide who rides with you, drop dead gorgeous trails and lake views. Connect with nature in a way that will leave you wanting to do it again. We did the 1 hour ride, more than enough for inexperienced riders. I hadn't been on a horse for 15 years since my childhood.

    Horses
    Divya K.

    We had a great time here on our trip to Tahoe. Enjoying the views as part of a horse ride was a really nice experience. We called in for a reservation about a week in advance for an hour long ride, most people have timely made reservations but they do seem pretty accommodating. We checked in about 5-10 mins before time and signed a waiver and made our payment. The hour long slot worked out perfectly. As a first time horse rider I was nervous, but the horses were really tame and friendly. We went with a group of a few other people to talking to about 6 plus the guide. As you hop on, you'll get some simple on the reigns and posture and then you go along the trail in a single file line with the guide leading the way, the horses kinda automatically just follow each other without any prompts. You can tell the guides are experienced and you're in safe hands. Horse riding at Zephyr cove stables is just another great way to enjoy the Tahoe views, be sure to check it out and tip your guide :)

    Melissa V.

    Shout out to Samantha our tour guide for giving us a fun and welcoming experience!! Super glad we chose this spot to horse ride really relaxing and peaceful! Beautiful scenery horses did great as well!

    Yvon Y.

    My boyfriend and I came here on our last day of our weekend getaway. Our guide, Peyton was AMAZING and made our first horseback riding experience enjoyable. She was friendly, talkative and EXTREMELY helpful with how to guide our horses with turning, how to posture ourselves while going up and down the trails. Peyton also gave us a heads up when there were a few obstacles coming up; such as going in between a few boulders we would have to squeeze through, tree branches to avoid and taking a few big steps downhill. We came across a group of others that were on a guide and she assisted some of the other hosts' guests with how to steer the horse and to get them moving again. Peyton was more than willing to help others! She was also more than willing to answer any questions that we had about riding our horses. She also stopped for a bit to make sure my feet were positioned properly and adjusted my stirrups for safety. Thank you for checking on us every now and then and for taking our pictures! For that day being her second day, we're happy to have had the pleasure of meeting her.

    Horse
    Rose G.

    Everyone was super helpful and friendly getting me on and off my horse and guiding us around the woods. It was a neat perspective of seeing the lake and the woods. There was a lovely spot where our guide nicely stopped to take pictures of us. And my horse was so sweet and smart, stopping when I wanted her to (to readjust or stay a bit further back from the dust being kicked by the horse in front of me) even though she knew she was supposed to follow the line. Since it was my first time riding a horse, it was a bit painful for me. I awkwardly had to get some extra help to get off my horse at the end because my legs were like jello and my butt really hurt lol. Shout out to the nice man that helped me down. I pretty much just went limp noodle and he had to set me down...so sorry, dude! Fair warning, the inside of your nose will have black boogers coming out all day because of all the dust that the horses kick up lol. Def recommend heading back to your hotel for a shower afterwards!

    The stables are right across from Zephyr Cove Marina.

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    2 years ago

    We had a great time. Wonderful people. Their dinner is top notch. We would go there again!!

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    2 years ago

    Perfect one hour ride. Very well behaved horses. Great guide. Would highly recommend!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Zephyr Cove Stables

    Is this business still open? We tried calling the business number and no voicemail with details and it just keeps ringing. No email address also on their website.. No details on specific dates when they are open..

    I was able to contact them and they are having issues from all the snow. They'll be open hopefully late April 2023.

    Will you be open the last week in October?

    Yes

    Are you open now (April 1 2021), yelp is saying "No", and no one is answering your phone?

    Sorry I missed this. We are open now. Opened on the third of April

    Can you trot on the trail if you are good with horses?

    Sorry no

    Do you have to wear a mask while riding?

    No you are outside and six feet apart

    Hello, what is the age requirement or most appropriate age to ride?

    Minimum age is 7 yrs.

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    Review Highlights - Zephyr Cove Stables

    We had the most beautiful ride to the top of the mountain where we could see so much of beautiful Lake Tahoe.

    Mentioned in 27 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Alpine Meadows Stables

    Alpine Meadows Stables

    4.6
    (136 reviews)
    18.5 mi

    There were 8 of us and we were all first time riders. They were amazing and very patient and…read morehelpful. We had our elderly grandmother with us and the guide led her horse and stayed right next to her the entire time. We didn't ask them to do that, the staff recognized the situation and did it on their own. We're were very appreciative for that. Awesome experience! I would not hesitate to book here.

    I wish I had listened to the negative reviews before booking. Unfortunately, our experience matched…read moremany of the concerns other people have shared. From the moment we arrived, the staff seemed disorganized and unprepared. We were surprised to learn they only accepted cash or personal checks, despite our group asking multiple questions when making the reservation and even calling again the day of our ride to confirm everything. At no point was this ever mentioned, which left our group scrambling before the ride even began. What bothered me most was the lack of concern for rider comfort and safety. Before the ride started, we specifically explained that one member of our group had previously had a traumatic horseback riding experience and was very nervous. Instead of taking that into consideration, they placed her on a horse they described as "lazy and bucks when behind" and positioned her at the very back of the group. It immediately made her feel unsafe. During the ride, she became overwhelmed and asked if she could get off her horse. We were told they do not allow anyone to dismount during the ride or switch horses under any circumstances. It was concerning that there appeared to be no plan or flexibility if a rider was genuinely distressed. A guide should prioritize safety and be prepared to handle situations like this. The staff came across as rushed, unfriendly, and more focused on getting our group finished so they could move on to the next reservation. The overall atmosphere felt like a money grab rather than an enjoyable experience, and customer service was lacking from beginning to end. We booked this as part of a bachelorette weekend and were hoping for a fun, memorable experience. Instead, it ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of the trip. I would absolutely not recommend this as a bachelorette activity, especially if your group includes beginner or nervous riders. There are much better businesses that value customer experience and make safety a priority. The scenery was beautiful, but unfortunately the service and overall experience overshadowed it. I would not return.

    Photos
    The guides will take pics for you
    The guides will take pics for you
    Alpine Meadows Stables
    If you are early they let you say hi to the horses before your ride.

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    If you are early they let you say hi to the horses before your ride.
    Piping Rock Horses

    Piping Rock Horses

    4.8
    (182 reviews)
    26.5 mi

    We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Piping Rock Horses! My sister and I both agreed it was…read morethe best horseback ride we've ever done. Our guide, Kiera, was fantastic -- knowledgeable, relaxed, encouraging, and clearly wonderful with both people and horses. The scenery was breathtaking, and the ride felt like a real adventure rather than just following a trail in a line. We crossed a beautiful river twice, rode through gorgeous mountain terrain, and truly got to experience the landscape. My horse, Buckwheat, was such a character and made the ride even more fun. We especially appreciated that the ride felt personal, peaceful, and authentic. You can tell the horses are well cared for and that the guides genuinely love what they do. Highly, highly recommend this experience if you're looking for a scenic and memorable ride in the Truckee/Tahoe area!

    Our daughter had the most wonderful experience at Farm and Pony camp. It was a perfect blend of…read morespecial time with the farm animals (holding baby bunnies! walking goats!), learning to care for the animals (branding manes and tails, picking horseshoes, touring the stables), crafts, and pony rides. And I was blown away by the pony show on Friday morning! The counselors were so caring and great with the kids and 4-H values and true equestrian skills are evident in all the kids learn in a short 5 days. I cannot say enough what a gem this place is. Only one exit down the road from downtown Truckee but a world away and we could pick her up at lunch and still have a family afternoon together. We felt so lucky that we found out about this camp. We will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Piping Rock Horses
    Piping Rock Horses
    Piping Rock Horses!

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    Piping Rock Horses!
    Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility

    Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility

    2.9
    (14 reviews)
    19.7 mi

    Franktown is terribly run. The barn manager is very manipulative of her customers. There are some…read morecases when we've had to miss our lessons, and she would not give us a make up for them. Another example of how Franktown scams their customers is horsemanship on Saturdays is literally just the kids doing chores that the owners are responsible for doing. This barn is very overpriced and not worth it AT ALL. There were some cases when my kid was so scared to go to horsemanship because of the stress that she would feel sick to her stomach. Riding is supposed to be fun and this is exactly the opposite. Do not go here. It is an absolute shit show.

    I want to share what I've observed and heard about Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility. From what…read moreI've seen and from stories shared by others, the environment can feel harsh and unsupportive. Staff members sometimes raise their voices, use language that feels inappropriate around kids, and place heavy cleaning responsibilities on students. To me, this doesn't seem like healthy structure or discipline -- it comes across as excessive and discouraging. I've also heard from multiple students that the way horse leases are handled can create pressure and a sense of power imbalance. Many kids feel trapped or anxious, which is heartbreaking in a place that's supposed to nurture confidence and joy in riders. While I've seen other glowing reviews about this facility, I can only speak to what I've observed and been told -- and it doesn't reflect a positive experience for many kids. I hope the facility reflects on its culture and works to create a more respectful, supportive environment. Parents, please take the time to visit and see for yourself before making a decision.

    Photos
    Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility
    Snow removal. This was done directly above horses.
    Snow removal. This was done directly above horses.
    Trees in winter

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    Trees in winter

    Zephyr Cove Stables - horsebackriding - Updated August 2026

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