family travel | horses | New York City | resorts | waterpark
Rocking Horse Ranch, a top rated family resort in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, has been our must-visit list for years. A few years ago we explored many parts of the Hudson Valley and several locals told us we had to check out resort. This past week we finally had the opportunity to explore the 500+ acre resort, which is less than two hours from both New York City and Hartford (Connecticut) and three and a half hours from Boston, Massachusetts.
Rocking Horse Ranch was founded by Nathan Turk, who grew up riding horses and spent summers on dude ranches in the Catskills, and his wife Gloria, whom he met on a ranch in New Jersey. The Turks purchased the upstate New York property and opened to the public in May of 1958, with many additions and expansions over the past 65 years. Today, a stay at Rocking Horse Ranch includes dozens of daily indoor and outdoor activities, three delicious meals each day, plenty of space to spread out and explore, and spacious accommodations (many rooms have bunk beds for kids!).
The grounds are beautiful, with every corner and bend of the resort bursting with flowers. We noticed staff attending to the grounds all day, and doing a great job cleaning up after the horses. There are several new adventures each season and some mainstays that are popular year round. Virtually every activity is included in a stay (additional charge only for the Mining Camp and alcoholic drinks at meals and the Pool Bar and Silverado Saloon). The resort schedule includes activities all day and there was never a wait at any activity during our entire stay. We noted that when one pool closed for the day, another one opened for evening hours, and multiple areas were opened early for early birds and stayed open late for night owls.
We were impressed by the warm, friendly greeting we received from every staff member and the multiple times we overheard staff welcome back returning guests. We personally know two families who make an annual trip to Rocking Horse Ranch for almost 20 years, and we saw several families who also appeared to be there for their annual vacation.
Reminder: Remember to bring closed toe shoes (they’re required for some activities) and jeans/long pants for horseback riding.
40 Things to Do at Rocking Horse Ranch:
- Ride one of the 110+ horses. A popular reason people visit RHR is to ride horses. There are typically five, hour long trail rides scheduled every day (all levels of experience welcome) and guests are guaranteed a spot on one of the trail rides (but can ride multiple times a day). There are also daily riding demonstrations, pony rides, pony meet and greets, and the daily horse parade.
- Make new animal friends. Besides horses, RHR is home to goats, a zebra, Scottish highland cows, and miniature donkeys. Head to the Highland Cattle Exhibit, Winter Garden, and Exotic Wildlife Exhibit on the far end of the resort, near the stables, to visit the animals and check the daily itinerary for Reptile Encounters.
- Splash, swim, and slide. RHR has multiple aquatic options, including the outdoor Boulder Bay, indoor Big Splash Water Park, and Eldorado Hot Springs. Boulder Bay includes two pools, both of which are zero entry. The toddler pool includes two smaller water slides, and the larger pool includes lengthier water slides and water games. Eldorado Hot Springs is a year round, 98 degree, indoor/outdoor pool. Big Splash Indoor Waterpark has plenty of water features, including an obstacle course and two water slides. There are restrooms and changing rooms adjacent to the Waterpark, restrooms and a Pool Bar in Boulder Bay, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating near all three areas.
- Get out on the lake. Guests can take paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes out on the lake, and even try to stay aboard the Banana Boat! There’s also an opportunity to fish (equipment provided).
- Compete! RHR has tons of daily competitions, including family kickball and volleyball, hula-hoop and frozen t-shirt contests, and tv show games like Jeopardy, Let’s Make a Deal, and Family Feud. The resort has a bocce court, softball field, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, miniature golf course, table tennis and corn hole sets, and even outdoor checker tables set up around the property.
- Test your knowledge (and your creativity and luck) with BINGO, trivia games, video and board games, and relay races. Check the daily itinerary for tons of options. The Kids Club and Arts & Crafts Building offers daily activities.
- Hit your mark with Laser Tag, at the Shooting Gallery and Archery Range, Mini Bowling, and on an outdoor miniature golf course. Guests can also bounce and flip on the Super Bungee Jumpers, fly down the Northeast’s longest mountain tubing track, and climb the rock climbing wall.
- Catch a show. RHR offers nightly entertainment in the Silverado Saloon, with magicians, jugglers, comedians, and musical acts. Guests can sing karaoke in the Sunset Lounge and join in on Bonfire Sing-A-Longs at the Firepit near the lake.
- Eat! A stay at Rocking Horse Ranch includes three meals each day, with the option of adding lunch for the day of arrival and/or dinner the day of departure. Breakfast and dinner are served in the Longhorn Dining Room, and a picnic lunch is served on the BBQ Grounds in season. Dinner includes four courses and there is a generous buffet for breakfast. Don’t miss the daily afternoon Chef’s Tasting, which is a full spread of snacks and treats. Reservations are suggested for dinner, and we suggest making later dinner reservations in case you fill up at the Chef’s Tasting. The Hunt Room offers a coffee, water, and pastry station set up all day with sweet treats, and the dining room is open for cold soft drinks all day.
- Get a good night’s rest. The resort has over 110 guest rooms spread across three buildings (Texas and Arizona are attached to the Main Lodge, and Oklahoma is a stone’s throw from the Main Lodge). There are a variety of bed arrangements (including bunk beds!) and all rooms include mini fridges and wifi.
Bonuses: There is a large Fort Tiny playground for the toddler crew near Stables, an indoor arcade with a two lane mini bowling alley, AND a Fitness Center and sauna rooms. And be sure to check out the Got Gifts? gift shop in the Main Lodge.
Looking for more nearby fun? Check out our Dutchess County City Guide. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Disclaimer: Our family was given a media rate to visit the resort; all opinions expressed are my own.
