Horseback Riding at Leatherwood Mountains: What to Know Before You Book
Most cabin rentals in the Boone area are just cabins. Leatherwood Mountains is different. The community you are staying in is a regional equestrian destination with a full stable, 75 miles of trails, and a guided trail-ride program open to guests.
If horseback riding is on your bucket list, or you already ride and want a vacation where you can keep doing it, this is one of the few places in the North Carolina mountains where the horse experience is built into the property, not a 30-minute drive away.
Here is some additional Leatherwood horse riding information to help you plan your trip.
Guided Trail Rides
The Leatherwood Stables run guided trail rides for guests, usually Wednesday through Sunday. You do not need to bring a horse. The stable pairs you with one of their horses or mules, and a wrangler leads the group through the trail system. Helmets are required and provided. There are two ride options (prices subject to change):
2-mile trail ride, about 1 hour, $60 per rider. Good for beginners and first-time riders.
4-mile trail ride, about 2 hours, $115 per rider. For advanced riders only.
Rider pictured: Age 11
A few things worth knowing up front. For the guided trail rides, riders must be at least 8 years old, with a 225-pound weight limit. Reservations are required, and payment is due at booking. Call the stables at 336-973-5044 to book, or reserve through the Leatherwood website.
Younger kids can still ride. The stables offer lead-line rides, where a staff member walks the horse while a child rides in the saddle. These are done by appointment and run as time permits, but they are a good way to introduce a small kid to horses without waiting for them to age into a full trail ride.
Riding lessons and clinics
If you want actually to learn something while you are there, the stable offers horseback riding lessons in a covered, lighted arena and an outdoor show-sized ring. Leatherwood also hosts clinics throughout the year with well-known trainers like Julie Goodnight, Chris Cox, and Tom Seay. If you have ever thought about a vacation where you come home a better rider than you left, this is a real option.
Bringing your own horse
You can absolutely bring your own horse to Leatherwood. The equine center has 60 stalls, a community tack room, bathrooms, a shower, and both indoor and outdoor wash areas with hitching rails. Stalls run $30 per night.
A few requirements to know if you are trailering in. Leatherwood requires annual proof of vaccinations (rabies, tetanus, EEE/WEE, West Nile virus) and a negative Coggins. Out-of-state horses need a 30-day health certificate. Plan ahead with your vet before the trip so nothing slows you down at the gate.
The trail system
This is the part that makes Leatherwood stand out. There are 75 miles of deeded, maintained trails inside the community. They run along ridges, cross creeks, follow old logging roads, and range from easy, wide paths to rugged mountain climbs. The trails are mapped and signed, so self-guided riders do not have to guess. If you are a casual rider who wants a quiet hour, the easy loops are there. If you want a real half-day in the saddle, so is that.
Non-riders can walk the same trails on foot. If you are traveling with a group where some people ride, and others do not, everyone has something to do without leaving the gate.
If you are not riding, visit the stables anyway
One thing we always tell guests: even if nobody in your group is planning to ride, walk over to the barn at some point during your stay. The horses are friendly, the people who work there are the kind of folks who will actually talk to you about what they do, and watching a trail group saddle up in the morning is a small moment that tends to stick. For families with young kids, it is one of the easiest activities on the property.
How to plan a horse-centered weekend in NC
If horses are the main reason you are coming, a workable plan might look like this:
Book the cabin and your trail rides at the same time. Rides fill up on weekends, and you want to lock in your time slot before you drive up.
Put the ride on day two of your trip, not day one. That gives you a full evening to settle in, unpack, grab a bite to eat, and not feel rushed on the drive up.
Pair a morning ride with an afternoon on the porch. The hot tub is on the front porch with a west-facing mountain view. Saddle soreness is real. This helps.
If you are riding more than once, space the rides out. Your legs will thank you.
Eat at Saddlebrook Grill at least once. It is the restaurant inside Leatherwood, open Friday through Sunday (hours may vary).
Why Changes in Altitude is one of the Best Cabins in Leatherwood
Our cabin is inside the Leatherwood gate, which means you have full access to the stables, the trails, the pool, the tennis and pickleball courts, the zipline, the fishing pond, and the grill, all without leaving the community. If you want to see the full amenities list, our amenities page covers what is in the cabin and what is available resort-wide.
The front porch faces west, so after a morning ride, you come back to a long, quiet afternoon and a ridgeline sunset view over the mountains. The cabin also features a hot tub with mountain views, high-speed internet, a well-stocked kitchen, and other modern comforts with all of the rustic charm you expect from a mountain house.
Book your stay today. Then call the stables at 336-973-5044 to reserve your ride.
Walking through the stables at Leatherwood or spending a morning in the saddle on the ridge trails puts you inside that world in a way a porch chair cannot. Even if you’re not a rider, the stables are worth a visit. You can walk over, meet the horses, and watch a lesson or a trail group heading out. For a reader's weekend, it is one of those small, unplanned moments that ends up being the story you tell when you get home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go horseback riding at Leatherwood Mountains if I don’t own a horse?
Yes. Leatherwood Stables runs guided trail rides for guests on the community's own horses and mules. A 2-mile ride runs about an hour and costs $60 per rider. A 4-mile ride runs about two hours and costs $115, and is for advanced riders only. Guided trail rides require riders to be at least 8 years old and under 225 pounds. For younger children, lead-line rides are available by appointment. Reservations are required for all rides.
How long are the trail rides at Leatherwood Mountains?
Leatherwood offers two guided trail ride options: a 2-mile ride that takes about one hour, and a 4-mile ride that takes about two hours. Lead-line rides are also available for younger children who are not yet old enough for a full trail ride.
Can I bring my own horse to Leatherwood Mountains?
Yes. Leatherwood has a 60-stall equine center with a community tack room, wash areas with hot and cold water, a covered lighted arena, and an outdoor show-sized ring. Stall rental is $30 per night. You will need annual proof of vaccinations and a negative Coggins, and out-of-state horses need a 30-day health certificate.
How many miles of horseback riding trails are at Leatherwood Mountains?
Leatherwood Mountains has 75 miles of deeded, maintained trails for horseback riding and hiking. The trails range from easy, wide forest paths to rugged mountain routes, with creek crossings, ridge runs, and old logging roads. The trails are mapped and signed.
Is Leatherwood Mountains good for beginner riders?
Yes. The 2-mile guided trail ride is designed for beginners, and the horses and mules used in the program are chosen for being gentle and sure-footed. Helmets are required and provided. For children younger than the 8-year-old minimum for guided rides, lead-line rides are available by appointment.