Red Fern Riding Center located at Shelby Trails Park — Attraction in Crestwood

I booked the hour-and-a-half adventure ride for myself and my Mom to celebrate her birthday. We’ve been coming to Red Fern Riding Center for years, and have previously only done the hour long nature trail, which is great for beginners or younger children. I booked us the 8:30 am ride to avoid the heat, which was a blessing because we were the only ones on the ride! For people who want more one-on-one time with their horse or a fresher ride, I would 100% recommend a morning spot on the adventure trail. It was so nice to walk through the woods/meadows as the sun was rising, with dew/morning mist. Our guide Leah, who was working for the summer before going back to complete her degree at the University of Maryland, was excellent. We felt like she took the time to personalize the ride/trails we took given our experience, and given that we were the only ones on the ride. She was personable, and we enjoyed talking to her! I rode Fawn, who I affectionately referred to as a soprano-diva because of her little comedic moments of sassiness (she was perhaps a little grumpy about being woken up for the early ride, which I can sympathize with- I’m not a morning person either). I like to think that Fawn and I bonded over our mutual dislike of horse flies, and I would love to ride her again. In all the times I have ridden at Red Fern, I have never gotten the sense that my horse was unfriendly, overworked, or not well-trained. I have only ever had positive riding experiences! If you aren’t as naturally comfortable with horses going in, I would strongly recommend writing in the notes section the experience level of each person in your group when you book a tour. The guides at Red Fern always reference the notes section of the reservation when telling you about the horse you will be riding, so it is personalized. This was our favorite riding experience we’ve had so far, and I will be making this an...

We had such a wonderful experience on the Adventure Trail Ride! From the moment we arrived, everything felt well-organized and welcoming. The horses were clearly well cared for and matched perfectly to each rider’s comfort level, which made the ride relaxing and enjoyable.

A special shout-out to James, our trail guide—he was fantastic! Extremely friendly, patient, and very knowledgeable, he made sure everyone felt comfortable before setting out. Along the ride, he shared fun facts and insights about the horses, the trails, and the surrounding area, which really enriched the whole experience. His calm and upbeat personality kept the ride fun for both beginners and more experienced riders.

The trails themselves were beautiful, winding through peaceful scenery that made us feel like we were miles away from the bustle of everyday life. It was the perfect mix of adventure and serenity.

I can’t recommend Red Fern Riding Center enough if you’re looking for a safe, enjoyable, and memorable trail riding experience. Thanks again to James for making it such a great outing—we’ll...

We had such a fantastic experience at Red Fern Riding Center! Our group went on a guided nature trail ride, and from start to finish, it was nothing short of amazing. The staff was incredibly friendly, patient, and welcoming — they made everyone feel completely at ease, regardless of experience level. Whether it was your first time on a horse or you’d been riding for years, they took the time to teach and explain everything clearly and kindly.

Our guide, Anna, was especially wonderful — knowledgeable, warm, and so fun to ride with. She made sure everyone felt confident and safe, and even stopped halfway through the trail to snap some great photos of our group (which we really appreciated!).

The horses were just as great as the staff. I rode a horse named Cricket, who had a big personality and loved being in everyone’s business — in the most endearing way! He made the ride fun and full of little laughs.

The trail itself was beautiful and peaceful, the perfect way to spend time in nature. If you're even thinking about booking a...