If you’re a Midwesterner and want to go horseback riding, some people might point you toward Kentucky or out west. That’s a miss. Wisconsin has more than 700 miles of horse trails running through its state parks and forests, plus a handful of private farms that have offered rides on trained horses for decades.
I write about Wisconsin for a living on my blog, and a good chunk of that job is understanding the terrain: what grows on it and so much more. A friend asked me where to take her kids riding, and one search led me down this rabbit hole of comparing trails and horse-riding spots.
Where to Book a Horseback Ride in Wisconsin
Palmquist Farm
Location: Brantwood
Contact: 715 564 2558 | [email protected]
Palmquist Farm is a family-run all-season resort farm in north-central Wisconsin. They’ve been welcoming guests since 1949, over a century of Finnish hospitality. It’s the only one on the list that isn’t a horse rental operation. You bring your own horse, and the farm provides the trails and outdoor corrals. The indoor stalls cost $16 per day, while corrals cost $11.
In exchange, you will receive 800 private acres, approximately 20 miles of trail, and access to nearby Chequamegon National Forest trails. The terrain has a few steep man-made hills and shallow stream crossings, making it beginner- and intermediate-friendly. Reservations are made by phone or email.
Trail riding runs in summer and fall; in winter, it switches to horse-drawn sleigh rides instead. If you like trees, there are plenty to look at. Wisconsin tree diseases and seasonal changes make the forest look different over time, so each visit feels fresh and exciting.
Red Ridge Ranch
Location: Mauston
Contact: (608) 847-2273 | [email protected]
Red Ridge Ranch is about twenty minutes from Wisconsin Dells. It’s been family-run since 1999, and it’s the easiest recommendation on this list if you’ve got young kids or a nervous first-timer in the group.
It offers a one-hour guided trail ride on 250 acres of woods and farmland, open every day of the year, including holidays. Red Ridge also runs pony rides for younger kids at $25 and, in winter operate horse-drawn sleigh rides. Its costs $45 per head and $80 for advanced rides.
The last ride typically leaves around 5:00 PM. Reservations aren’t required, but I’ll strongly recommend them on summer weekends. Private or more advanced rides are available if you call ahead and ask.
Wild 3L Ranch
Location: Eagle
Contact: 920-251-1989 | [email protected]
For a ride with more range, Wild 3L Ranch meets guests at the trailhead of the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest, which features roughly 87 miles of designated horse trails. It’s one of the largest networks in the state.
The owner, Lisa, has guided rides here for over a decade. Unlike the walk-only operations above, riders can trot and canter. This depends on skill level and your horse getting along with you. The terrain is also very different: no farmlands here, just adventure. Ride options range from a 90-minute outing for $70 to a full day for $300, with a pub stop included.
Reservations are necessary because horses are trailered to various trailheads based on the route and season. Ages 7 to 80 are welcome at the ranch; younger riders must ride with an adult, and cash or checks are preferred (Venmo or cards add a small fee).
What Makes a Great Horseback Riding Trail?
Of course, great scenery helps, but the trails that stick with people usually mix things up. A flat stretch broken by hills, a water crossing, and enough change in tree cover so the ride doesn’t feel like one long hallway. Wisconsin’s glacial terrain gives the Kettle Moraine and northwoods regions a natural edge here.
Maintenance matters more than people expect. One rainstorm can turn a trail to mud soup and quickly ruin the experience. Hillside trails have to work harder at drainage and erosion control to prevent that from happening. It’s a similar problem you’ll face in your yard with a poorly built retaining wall on sloped ground.
Then there’s what’s actually growing along the path. Wisconsin perennials can do more for a ride than most people give them credit for. They’re a big part of why the same trail looks completely different in June versus October.
On guided rides, the guide is honestly half the experience. A good one pays attention to the horse and rider at the same time and adjusts pace without being asked.
Before You Book: What First-Timers Need to Know
Book early if you’re going in the summer and on weekends. Spots like Red Ridge Ranch and Holiday Acres fill up fast, and weekday mornings are your best shot at a same-week slot.
Most farms set a minimum age for solo riding, usually somewhere around six to eight, and a weight limit for the horse’s sake. Younger kids typically ride with an adult or opt for the pony option instead, so call ahead if you’re not sure your child qualifies.
What you wear matters a lot. Long pants, closed-toe shoes, and nothing that could catch on a branch. You won’t need the boots or helmet you bought for the occasion.
If you want more than a walk, say so when you reserve. Wild 3L Ranch will build trotting and cantering into your ride if you’re up for it, but family-oriented farms usually default to a slow, steady pace unless you ask otherwise.
Bug spray is not optional. Shaded trails mean mosquitoes, especially anywhere near ponds or river crossings.
And leave the dog at home for this one. An unfamiliar dog on a narrow trail can spook a horse fast. If your dog’s coming along for the rest of the trip, our pet-friendly plants guide is worth a look for wherever you end up staying.
Final Thoughts
None of these spots made this list for being the biggest name or the flashiest photo gallery. They made it because the land does the work: terrain variety, trails that hold up after a hard rain, and tree cover that’s actually been cared for. Want to make a decision? Let the ride you want make the call.
FAQs
Where can I actually go horseback riding in Wisconsin?
State parks and forests cover more than 700 miles of horse trail. On top of that, Red Ridge Ranch, Wild 3L Ranch, and Palmquist Farm open their properties to guests who want to experience a horseback ride.
Which of Wisconsin’s horseback riding trails has the best scenery?
It depends on what you’re after. Palmquist offers the most tree variety and pond country; Wild 3L Ranch puts you in genuine glacial hill terrain.
Do I need experience to go?
No. Red Ridge Ranch is built around first-timers and kids. Wild 3L Ranch is the one to book if you’ve ridden before and want to move past a walk.
Do I need to bring my own horse?
Only at Palmquist Farm. Red Ridge Ranch and Wild 3L Ranch both provide horses. You’d also need your own for public state forest trail systems, where riders 16 and older are required to have a state trail pass.
