A two-hour horseback ride takes you to the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a breathtaking view of the ranch below.

The Main Ranch House’s great room offers a good place to plan a big day in the mountains.

Cataloochee Ranch in western North Carolina comes full of surprises. It’s rustic yet refined, family-oriented but romantic. The ranch near Maggie Valley offers modern comforts without losing the appeal of an authentic mountainside getaway. In summer, when days top out around 70 degrees and nights call for a sweater, you won’t find a more invigorating place for family fun.

Summit Surprise
You’ll be amazed when you arrive and see the sun-dappled trout pond and hear the clip-clopping horses beside the stables. A verdant sweep of lawn, dotted with log cabins, gives way to a stunning view of Plott Balsam Mountain. Step outside, and you’ll hear the gentle thwack-thwack of kids playing tennis or laughter from a nearby horseshoe pit.

That first view of the ranch tells a lot about a stay here. You can create whatever kind of trip you want. For the active set, nothing beats a horseback ride to Hemphill Bald, at the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walking trails wind throughout the 1,000-acre ranch (and beyond), and the lodge will pack a lunch for your hike through the woods. The small trout pond makes an easy place for kids to fish, while a game of horseshoes rounds out the perfect laid-back afternoon.