French Broad Outpost Dude Ranch — Hotel in Newport

This was a great experience! It was an authentic good time, and a place to unplug from electronics, and enjoy the beauty of nature. The outpost is a quick and beautiful drive from Asheville, but cell service is spotty starting around Hot Springs, NC (for T mobile and AT&T at least) so don’t accidentally close out your navigation (oops!) or your step back in time will start with navigating a map to the ranch. The first (gravel) road into the place is easy to miss if you don’t know where you’re going but there is a roundabout way to get there if you continue on the paved road at the curve by accident. There is another gravel road to the right that takes you under a train trestle, and is where you will later go river tubing. There is no sign saying “this way” so take the gravel road right before the curve and the before crossing the train tracks. There isn’t good (or any that I noticed) signage, and I get it! I wouldn’t want people just heading that way to see where the sign is pointing.||Once you arrive on the property there is a sign directing guests to the left, but make sure to keep driving straight past the hitching posts, the barn at the bottom of the hill, and past their two cute donkeys and rescue horses toward the left side of the lodge. There you will find a parking area to check into your room within the main office/gift shop. ||The lodge is rustic, wooden, and beautiful. Despite it aging exterior, it’s a stunning illustration of craftsmanship… I imagine it takes a lot to keep up a solid wooden building of its size. The interior still looks like it was built yesterday, with gorgeous rough cut wood beams and floors. The rooms are cozy and rustic, scattered with western decor and antique furniture. The beds were comfortable, and the rooms had great AC for the hot June days. Unless you want an icebox when those nighttime temps drop, don’t put the cold on full blast, and grab an extra quilt out of the chifforobe. Soap, lotion and shampoo were supplied with the ranch logo on them. Rooms are vacuumed, beds made and fresh towels provided daily. It’s a nice touch, but seems like a lot of work for a small staff to launder fresh towels every day. Many hotels only offer it as an option now… and towels used once or twice should be clean if you’re doing what your supposed to in the shower!||The food was excellent! Meg (whose last day was reportedly our last day) was a wonderful and accommodating chef! Her mac and cheese and the buttermilk pie alone would make the trip worthwhile! In other words, pack your big girl/boy pants because you aren’t coming to lose weight… ||A note about booze… as stated on the page you have to check alcoholic beverages in when you get there. They have beer (maybe wine?) for sale, but are short staffed. One night, the wrangler was the lone wolf with farm chores (including fixing a fence some horses broke during pioneer games) and serving in the saloon. There isn’t a designated bartender at the ranch so just be patient or make alternative plans to dip out to a local bar or restaurant following dinner.||I hadn’t read but one review about the facility, and that was on the drive up regarding how they had malnourished horses. Seeing the pictures in that review, I will say, I was worried. I didn’t know that they rescue horses at that time, so I believe the rescues are what was pictured. The horses that we rode were well kept and well nourished. You can see the wranglers out there at least 4 times a day feeding the underweight horses too, so the owners are not starving their horses. In fact, I think one of the horses pictured is now appropriate weight and roams the property freely. You can tell they love the horses, and are probably only doing all of this to help support and maintain them.||We had a great group! The mix of experience was nice, because it seemed to move things along a bit faster. I was definitely the least experienced adult there, but the wranglers helped me catch on pretty quickly. Learning to saddle your horse is a pretty cool experience, and having the kids do it (or at least participate) is great! I think it’s equally as important to learn that horses are hard work as it is to learn that they are fun.||While there, I did note that Shawn was not the kindest to his employees, and would make backhanded or patronizing comments towards them in front of the guests. Later, I heard from some of the other guests that this was stated in several of the negative reviews they read before making the trip. From my personal and professional experience, you can work a lot of tough environments with strong leadership and some occasional praise. Furthermore, chastising the hands in front of the people who are supposed to trust their abilities isn’t instilling confidence in the guests… nor is it going to encourage perseverance or longevity from employees. Those ranch hands (and the chef) work dang hard! They appear to love this type of work, and did a great job of making it a fun and enjoyable (learning) experience. Issues would be better addressed with a little more grace and away from prying eyes (and ears). Luckily, you can always turn experiences into life lessons…||Praises go to Hope and Josiah for being particularly amazing with the kiddos. Josiah made the horse painting really fun, and took time to teach the kids about some of the horse body language. He also gave me some pointers on what to do on the trail to keep my horse from stopping to munch on everything on the longer rides. The patience and pointers were much appreciated.||Mrs JoAnn, although we only saw her two or three times, was perfectly lovely from our limited interactions! She gave us a little history of the area on the ride back from our whitewater rafting excursion. She mentioned that the area was the setting of a book-later turned TV series that aired in the 90s- named Christy. She gave us a rundown of the animals on the ranch- 44 horses (to my recollection), 9 cows, 2 dogs, 6 cats, and two donkeys. My youngest was convinced she was going to sneak a donkey home in the back of the car… and I couldn’t blame her. They are super cute little fellas!||Whitewater rafting was a great time, and would be a good introductory run for any skill level… at least at the water level we ran. The guide was knowledgeable and experienced, and runs fishing excursions on the French Broad River. (Those cabins on property would be a really cool base for fishing trips if they have running water and electric!) The evening ride up the mountain was also a lot of fun, and the brisket delicious. There is a beautiful view of the river running through the valley from up top. The cattle drive was great to experience, and considering our collective horseback experience, went well. My kiddos favorite event was the square dancing, and I have to agree it was a lot of fun! Personally, I loved the kids rodeo and watching them have a little fun with the horses.||Props if you get the brown cow (pictured below) into the pen during team penning!||A couple of recommendations to make your stay extra authentic and special: ||1) get the full experience and offer to feed horses with the kiddos a couple of times during the week. It is allowed, but not expected (or really communicated as an option). The kids love it, and if you make sure they are being helpful and not in the way, the wranglers seem to appreciate the help.||2) The staff really work hard, and the guys who play bluegrass are fantastic. Some cash for tips are appreciated from all!||3) Make sure anything requiring internet or cell communication is squared away before arrival. You may or may not have enough service in the area to accomplish what you need once you get there. It’s great to be out of touch though!||Packing list recommendations:|-Bug spray- it’s a farm with animals that poop… there are gnats, flies, and mosquitos. You’re going to want it!|-Sunscreen, especially if you have fair skin. You’ll spend a good amount of time in the sun. If you can find bug repellent sunscreen that’s the best option. The effects seemed to last longer than just bug spray alone.|-Ponchos and a printout/screenshot of the anticipated weather (I would do it on the way there in retrospect). The rainy ride was a great time , but we left our ponchos in the room because I failed to save a weather report.|-swimsuits for the pool and/or the water day|-closed back water shoes (preferably not crocs) for the water day. Dollar General up the road only has a small selection of croc type shoes, so these I would definitely recommend coming with you!|-dollars and detergent because there is a washer/dryer by the pool… if you are inclined to do laundry it’s $1 to wash and $1 to dry. If you don’t want to wash make sure you bring more than the number of days of undergarments. You’re going to sweat!|-drinks to put in the kitchen if you aren’t a fan of tea or lemonade.|-a small crossbody bag or backpack and water bottle if you like to drink on the rides. |**If you’re averse to tap water then BYO(w)Bs. You only get bottled water on longer excursions (like the cattle drive lunch, rafting). The tap water is good though. It is hot, so I recommend a hydration mix too. Again, you’re going to sweat!|-helmet if you want one. I don’t even think about this until one of the other guests mentioned they didn’t offer them. I never felt like my kids or myself were unsafe. There was only one incident with a guest falling off of a horse and it only ended in a skinned up elbow. |-Motrin, Tylenol, or the likes isn’t a bad idea. I luckily had some for my husband’s back after riding the second day.|-some riding breeches (padded pants) as a splurge item wouldn’t be a bad idea for anyone that doesn’t ride often enough to have built up a tolerance. This was mentioned to me by a friend who rides often, and I wish I had taken her advice after that cattle drive|-if you don’t drink beer, bring enough booze or plan to drink canned mixed drinks from the dollar general down the street. The liquor store was a drive from...

In August, 2025, our family of 15, ranging in age from 5 to 73, recently spent 5 days at the French Broad Outpost Ranch in Del Rio, Tennessee. Family members came from Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. With such a wide age range, we knew this vacation carried some risks, but what we found was an experience that exceeded our expectations and gave us memories we will treasure for years.||Arrival and First Impressions|The journey to the ranch ended with a long gravel road, which only built anticipation for the western adventure awaiting us. When the entrance sign finally came into view, relief and excitement swept through our caravan. The setting was exactly as advertised—authentic, rustic, and breathtaking. Nestled against the Smoky Mountains and bordered by the French Broad River, the ranch immediately transported us to the old west. The sight of horses running freely in the corrals set the perfect tone.||Accommodations|We stayed in the ranch’s hotel, with 15 family members across six rooms. The rooms were authentically western, featuring sturdy beams, wood plank floors, and charming rustic décor. Beds were comfortable, bathrooms clean and functional, and fresh towels and toiletries were replenished daily. Photos on the website truly reflect the accommodations. The upstairs playroom became a favorite spot for the kids, with air hockey, foosball, pool, and a cozy TV area.||It’s worth noting that cell service and internet are virtually nonexistent here. While initially concerning, this ended up being one of the best parts of the trip—everyone was fully present and engaged without outside distractions. A highlight turned out to be relaxing on the front porch during sunrise and sunset drinking coffee, lemonade, or iced tea.||Meals and Dining Experience|Three meals a day were announced by the ringing of the ranch’s triangle bell, and we all gathered at a long family-style table. The food was plentiful, varied, and delicious—enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The kitchen staff, led by JoAnn, were gracious, efficient, and welcoming. Mealtimes became an event in themselves, with plenty of iced tea and lemonade, and bowls of peppermints and carrots for feeding our horses.||Horses and Riding Experience|For most of our family, this was our first experience with horses, and initial hesitation quickly gave way to confidence and joy. Each of us was assigned a horse for the duration of our stay, which created a sense of connection and responsibility. We learned to brush, saddle, feed, ride, and cool them down—skills that added tremendous depth to the experience.||The horses were gentle, well cared for, and accustomed to guests. With the guidance of Shawn (the ranch owner) and wranglers Doria and Patrick, everyone felt safe and supported. Shawn, at first a bit gruff with his communication, revealed himself to be a deeply caring cowboy and person—dedicated to his guests, his staff, and his horses. His passion and authenticity set the tone for the ranch. Doria and Patrick were outstanding: hardworking, knowledgeable, endlessly kind, and patient with kids and adults alike.||The rides themselves were spectacular—beginning with corral lessons and progressing to riverside trails, mountain rides, cattle drives, cattle penning, and even a kids rodeo. Each ride was well-organized, safe, and progressively challenging, allowing everyone to build skill and confidence.||Other Activities|To balance out horseback riding, the ranch offered plenty of additional fun. The swimming pool provided refreshment on hot afternoons. By the way, there is a washer and dryer located near the pool that turned out to be very convenient ($1 a wash, $1 a dry). Midweek, we went white-water rafting and tubing on the French Broad River—an unforgettable highlight with smooth stretches, small rapids, and a few thrilling drops. It was safe yet exciting for all ages. Evenings brought bluegrass music, square dancing, and plenty of laughter, creating the feeling of a true western community.||Overall Impressions|We approached this vacation cautiously, given some older negative reviews we had read about the ranch. What we discovered was the complete opposite: healthy, happy horses; a dedicated and hardworking staff; clean, comfortable accommodations; excellent food; and activities perfectly suited for a wide range of ages.||This trip took many of us out of our comfort zones, but it also brought us closer as a family and gave us shared experiences we will never forget. When it came time to leave, it felt as though we were saying goodbye to family, not just a vacation destination.||Final Thoughts|The French Broad Outpost Ranch delivered one of the best family vacations we have ever had. For families seeking an authentic western adventure in the Smoky Mountains—with horses, river adventures, music, and togetherness—this ranch offers something truly special. It’s not just a getaway; it’s an immersion into a lifestyle that bonds families and creates...

We stayed here in May/early June. |It saddens me to see recent reviews. Especially the ones the ones that depict malnourished horses. Shawn and Joann rescue and love their horses and a couple of photos don’t share what the mass of their horses look like… for instance, Charlie is FAT! A young girl on our holiday rode him and he stopped at every Point to eat and although he was clearly well fed, he loved his food! And this is a similar story for most of the horses there. I don’t think it’s fair to share a couple of pictures of underweight horses after staying there, I know Shawn and Joann will be doing all they can to put weight on them. Which if in a corporate business is nothing but an overhead to them so they are absolutely not about money but kindness to the horses they look after. |I read a recent review about having access to a computer… THE best thing about this place is that you have to drive miles to get a signal. The kids didn’t look at the phones but neither did the adults and I can’t remember a time before or a time since that people have just been connected in the way we are supposed to be so Shawn if you read this, never put in a computer!! :) ||Granted, Shawn’s riding style is different, probably different to most however if you are open minded to it, it works… being from England, we very much ride English style so we (should I say I), my daughter adapted very easily, struggled at first. But the horses are used to the style of riding and if you listen and go with it, they and you as the rider really enjoy it. It was strange to me at first, the cinch’s aren’t tight, some of the horses don’t have a bit…. But isn’t that nice and kind? | We tighten girths here (girths are cinch’s as known in England) so tight and we ride very tight on the horses bit too and we’ve bought home some of Shawn’s advice and found that balance and mouth contact has improved so much… my daughter actually spends most of her time riding bare back now since our visit to the ranch. ||Now I will move onto the ranch itself. It is the most beautiful tranquil place. The rooms are authentic, clean… the games room is awesome… there is checkers, jigsaws, chess… everything that my child loved and yet would never have done had she not gone here. She continues to play chess now that she is back here and found a hobby in it which she never would have done had we not visited the ranch..|Shawn doesn’t stop… literally doesn’t stop! He’s working so hard to make his business work. Along with Joann. One or both are on every ride and they accommodate whatever they need to. I know on my trip there, I threw in a curve ball that caused an issue as I got spooked (by nothing the horse or anybody did but we’d rode 3 meadows away and I didn’t want to ride back, it was a me issue, nothing more) and they accommodated me. They got a wrangler to ride my horse home and I rode back in the 4x4. That in itself was so much fun and Joann was just so lovely to me and didn’t make me feel bad in any way. |The games we played were awesome! The adults did some shooting whilst the kids painted a horse… we did corn hole and horse shoe. Tug of war, some fun water fill up game…. We just laughed… real old school fun!! |I have taken my daughter to Disney World, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and when I ask her what she wants to do next, she wants to go back to the ranch….. best holiday ever and with no technology. As her Mum was the most connected time I’ve had with her and neither of us will. Ever forget it! Absolute memory maker… banked! |For me, you can’t describe this place, the activities and atmosphere unless you try it…. I would say though, if you want to be connected to everything that 2023 is about in terms of technology and contact, it isn’t the place for you…. The disconnection was the biggest charm and my greatest for me and superseded my expectation of memory maker for my...