THE STABLES at Palmer Gulch

carlos spicyweiner

2023-09

Awesome, fantastic, fun time. Wonderful guide, very knowledgeable. Relaxing, quiet ride through the hills. We saw a few very young baby deer along the trail along with spectacular scenery. The horse's were very well trained and well mannered. Pretty much know the way so there's not a lot of work for the riders to worry about which means it's great for beginners and kids alike. If you're going to Mt Rushmore or if you're in the area you owe it to yourself to stop by. We'll be back anytime we pass through..

Mary Cameron

2023-07

We took the horseback-ride into the Black Hills National Forest, followed by the Cowboy Dinner Show, in June. The ride was breathtaking! The food was incredible and the entertainment was top-notch! Looking forward to going again during our next visit!

M B

2023-08

Really great night at the Chuckwagon dinner! Wagon riders, you can bring your own drinks, including adult beverages. I’m not sure what magic they used, but there are zero flies at the chuckwagon site! The food is delicious, and you’ll even get the opportunity to get the recipes later. The music and comedy are fun too. Don’t forget your wallet in case you wish to tip or purchase one of their CDs. A perfect way to end a trip to the Black Hills.

L

2023-05

Great ride through the hills! It was a nice paced, easy ride through some beautiful landscape which included giant boulder rocks, over streams, across bridges, up hills, wide and somewhat narrow paths. A delightful experience we would do again!

Amanda Escarcega

2021-05

We attended the cowboy cookout via some beautiful sweet horses from this stable. They start by pairing you with a horse that matches your experience as a rider. All of them were super friendly and sweet. The ride was fun, the tour guide was funny and friendly and the views on the way to the cookout are beautiful. We all talk about how exciting it was to ride up to the cookout. The food was delicious accompanied by some country tunes sung by cowboys Paul Larson and Donley Hewett. The beans alone are the cherry on top. Specially if you are a foodie! Best beans I’ve ever had. We chose to do this for our daughters birthdays and we all agree this was one of the top highlights of the trip. We plan to make this an annual trip. I would recommend everyone check this experience out. You won’t be disappointed!

Megan Jipson

2022-05

We had a girls weekend in the Black Hills and went horseback riding. It was a fun experience. All the horses were well behaved and easy to handle. Our tour guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and loved her job. They have someone taking pics on the trail so after your ride you can purchase a picture of yourself. We were lucky to get a great picture of us 3 all together! Great experience and highly recommend to anyone.

Wess Collette

2023-07

With my wife loving horses, what better way to end a visit to the Black Hills? The Stables At Palmer Gulch should be commented for taking us on a great ride, for the amount of time that we paid. It seems most do not do that any more

C Schultz

2023-05

Excellent experience from start to finish. Kind, helpful staff. Even if you have no experience riding, I highly recommend! Our Trail guide was awesome with my girls and shared fun facts about the area we were in. The horses are in the stables, ready to be pet most of the day. If you're up early enough, you will be lucky enough to watch them be brought in from the pasture around 6am. Fun to watch!

Emily Lu

2023-07

Fun and beautiful scenery horse riding with delicious dinner and cowboy entertainment. Great experience except I wish they started dinner earlier either before or during the show.

Matt Clima

2023-09

Ok, but I wouldn't recommend unless *really slow* is your speed. My horse kept stumbling, it's gait seemed wrong somehow ( I ride quite a bit) and the poor thing was literally sleepwalking. The guide said that house was just "that way". I'm pretty sure the animal was sick. As for the tour, get ready for a slow, plodding, mildly interesting ride through the nearby woods, which have been largely destroyed by the Asian pine beetle, so the area looks pretty depressing in spots. You never really get any great views, never cross any streams, never get out into the open, and never ever break into a slow trot. No dismounting allowed, no changing order allowed, no leaving the extremely well worn path allowed. Basically the ride is kind of boring. Our guide rattled on constantly.

Michelle Piloto

2023-05

We had a wonderful time on our 1.5 hour trail ride. Our 8 year old was even comfortable managing her horse on the trail. Peyton was our guide and she was an absolute doll; telling fun stories about the surrounding areas and about the horses and their personalities. 10/10 would recommend. A wonderlust way to see the back hills of the Black Hills. Thanks to Arapaho, Concho, Blueberry & Gibson for the stress-free rides 🐎 We even spotted deer and marmots!

Joel Wallen

2021-05

We went on the 1.5 hour trail ride. They broke us into small groups which was nice. Our guy it was really incredible. It’s a slow ride, but very beautiful. We crossed of your bridges and roads through the Pine Forest

Carlie Potts

2023-05

Book this ride!! It’s beautiful and relaxing. Myself and two of my kids ride regularly, and we really enjoyed it. The staff was super friendly, and the horses were very well cared for. Mostly draft crosses, larger with bigger feet. I would highly recommend them!

Lynne Holmgren

2021-05

This was the last of the area chuck wagons for our family to check out and also the most expensive. The ride in the wagon was great , it was drizzly but the wagon was covered so no problem. It’s located in front of the Mount Rushmore koa and the ride starts by taking you down a long road through the koa and into this beautiful valley where you arrive at a covered lean to. Hense the rain or shine as you would be covered the whole time. Most chuck wagons have a show. There was a very small show. It was a couple of guys singing. They were good and sang about 6 or 7 songs and then served dinner. Which consisted of steak (cooked to order ) beans ,potatoes and watered down pink lemonade or tea. Dessert was cooked cinnamon apples( not a cobbler as stated) They were missing cornbread or biscuits for sure and the others chuck wagons in town also serve a cake. The steak was not seasoned and since I got well done sadly it was also burnt. The apple dish did not have much flavor either. I don’t eat beans but my husband said the beans were great. The potato’s were au gratin cut mixed with onions that could easily be picked out. You could go back and get seconds if wanted. Overall cost was extreme for very little performance and mediocre food. If your going to pick a chuck wagon I would recommend the Circle B chuck wagon especially if you have kids in your party.

John Wayne Johnson

2019-05

This outfit is amazing. The wranglers are true professionals. Great tips for a great ride. The horses are well maintained and trained. The saddling process is on of the best I've seen and I have road in over a dozen trail ride locations and used to be a wrangler in Alaska. Mercy is the best wrangler I've had the pleasure of riding with. Extremely knowledgeable about the area, charismatic, and funny. Thank you, sir.

M M

2021-05

Outstanding. Wonderfully tempered horses, experienced guides and just courteous all around. We did the Keystone trail (about an hour) and it was my kids first time. Felt just like riding the fences growing up. Thank you!

Nicole Carr

2023-05

Our family takes a camping trip to the Mt Rushmore KOA every year. My husband, who manages a stable, and I love to ride whenever we get the chance. We also love to see how different stables do different things! We usually don't make it known that we ride nor that he works at a stable, because we don't want to be "those" people. Each year we ride the customer service is wonderful. The flow is fast, efficient, and well-oiled. Last year, the owner actually took my husband behind and showed him the outfit. We always enjoy riding here, as it's different than riding in our native Colorado. The trails and views are different than our own and we enjoy getting to see the hills through a different perspective than on the road. Shannon was our guide this last time and she was terribly sweet with all of our little ones. We will be back next year and as always, look forward to riding with y'all!!

Cory Clapsaddle

2023-05

A must stop on your South Dakota vacation. Horse riding and wagon rides to one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The staff are beyond friendly and tell a wonderful lesson about American farmers and ranchers.

Paul Boston

2020-05

It's wonderful visiting with the horses and speaking with the stable hands when they're not so busy. Every person and horse has a story. The trail rides are easy and very enjoyable.

Carly Lemmon

2023-07

We had a great ride! It was absolutely gorgeous.

Teri McBurney

2023-08

The entire family had an amazing time! Note: I had called ahead of time to confirm that they have gentle horses that wouldn’t trot or run since I have osteoporosis and my daughter was recovering from a broken wrist. The horses are organized by temperament and know to stay in order. The worst thing was having to not allow the horses to stop and eat the grass! Now that I feel so comfortable with their horses and management, I would for sure sign up for the longer meal events next time.

Cynthia Brown

2023-08

My family went on the 1.5 hour trail ride with the Palmer Gulch Stables in the last week of June. It was fun to hear everyone's horse they were assigned to. We had an amazing guide who knew a lot about the horses and the area. Great way to see the beautiful views of the Black Hills National Forest!! Highly recommend it!

Carpenter

2022-05

This should be on your list to do when vacationing in the area. Plan ahead for reservations. Our teenager rode a horse and we did the wagon. The food was awesome! Steak, Fried Potatoes and Cowboy beans. The Cowboy singers were also very entertaining and friendly!

Isaac (Deliverance)

2021-05

Very passionate staff and a great ride with our family. The photos are worth it, very professional and reasonably priced.

Lacey Graff

2023-06

They got us in same day, unlike some of the other places that had a 2-day wait. They were also half the price of most of the other stables. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The kids loved it and can't wait to go again - thanks, Palmer Gulch!

Mckenzie Locke

2023-06

Maddie was so accommodating! It was my little girls birthday that day and she made our ride happen with our group being all together! The ride was beautiful with 3 great leaders with us who were very friendly. It was a great day! Thanks!

Doug W

2020-05

We had a wonderful time on our ride. The wrangler was super friendly and tremendously helpful for our 6 year old, who was very scared when she first got on the horse.

deanna dake

2023-09

Excellent! The trail ride with dinner and a show was awesome and very organized.Horses are well taken care of, the food cooked on the trail was great,entertainment very entertaining! And the trail leader was knowledgeable and helpful and the view! WOW

Tk H

2021-05

The staff are so friendly and seem to truly care about people having a good time. The guides are knowledgeable. My son had a great time on his ride!

DJ L

2023-05

What a great riding experience! I have taken many trail rides across the US and this trail ride is one of my top rides! The rain did not bother our group and only enhanced the beautiful Black Hills we were in.Would highly recommend The Stables at Palmer Gulch to anyone and look forward to future rides. Thanks so much!