Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
All Inclusive Four Season Family Resort in the Hudson Valley We’re more than just horses… We’re the most fun your family ever had! Nestled on a 500-acre spread in the heart of the scenic Hudson River Valley, Rocking Horse offers 4 seasons of activities for families of all ages. From our Winter Fun Park to Big Splash indoor waterpark, The Ranch provides the perfect backdrop for your family’s next big adventure. Enjoy three delicious meals daily, summer BBQ’s, afternoon chef’s tastings, pool parties, wine pairings and more. End the evening with our top-name family entertainment, featuring magicians, bonfire singalongs, comedians and jugglers. It’ll be the best family vacation you’ve ever had!
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is celebrated by guests for its abundant activities catering to various ages and its standout service, which ensures an unforgettable experience. The resort's cleanliness garners consistent acclaim, with travelers noting the meticulous maintenance of facilities.
Despite some concerns over the cost and dated room decor, the resort's overall value, coupled with the spacious and spotless accommodations, often compensates. However, reviewers suggest that there is room for enhancement in both amenities and room updates.
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Abundant
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveler reviews and learn more about how the site works.
RHR is a well-maintained, clean family resort that offers lots of activities for children of all ages and during all seasons. We visited with a 9 and 11 year old, and they loved the mountain tubing, laser tag, archery, indoor/outdoor hot tub, and of course the trail rides. We liked that the grounds are somewhat compact and easily walkable, with the main building having everything from lodging to the dining room, arcade, and swimming pool. With older kids like this, we had a lot of flexibility in that they were never far from us, but had the freedom to go to the arcade without us if they finished eating before my wife and I were done with our meal.
The staff was generally very good, although the dining room seemed a bit under-staffed, and the friendliness and responsiveness of the waiters and waitresses was a mixed bag. The food was serviceable and mediocre - not terrible but I certainly wouldn't say that it was great.
My major gripe with the resort, which cost it a 5th tripavisor star, is the cost. In the shoulder season of late October we paid close to $2,500 for two nights in a standard room with 2 adults and 2 kids. I recognize that this includes horseback riding, activities and meals, but that is an awfully high price for a 2 night stay.
Overall I very much recommend RHR and we had a lovely time. I just think it should be at least 20 percent less expensive.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Oct 29, 2024
Hello Brian, Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It sounds like you had a great time enjoying all that The Ranch has to offer with your family. Safety is a top priority here, and it definitely allows your children to experience freedom as you mentioned. With regards to your rate, weekends are always in demand here at The Ranch, and the weekend you came we were sold out. The rates are dynamic and fluctuate with demand, as does most of the travel industry. Since you are now in our database, you will be receiving all email specials moving forward. That is certainly a great way to take advantage of the best rates for your stay. Thanks again for the feedback, and we hope to see you again soon! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just got back from an amazing stay at Rocking Horse Ranch. First and foremost the staff were amazing. You can tell they really love their jobs. The activities director (I’m assuming that’s her title), Makaylah, was wonderful. She remembered our daughter Kinzie’s name after the first time they met and greeted her by name throughout our stay. She even went out of her way to track Kinzie down to say goodbye before we left. It’s kind gestures like this that set Rocking Horse Ranch above other resorts. The food was fresh, high quality, and delicious. We loved laser tag, the pools, archery, and the planned activities throughout the day. The horses were beautiful and very well cared for. Rocking Horse Ranch is a special place and we can’t wait to return.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Sep 30, 2024
Hello Stewnc, Thank you for the feedback regarding your recent stay. We like to say that the staff here at The Ranch is our #1 attraction, and we're glad you agree. Your compliments will be shared with Makalah, our culinary team, and stables staff. Thanks again, and we hope to see you again soon. Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
My family of 4 have visited RHR about 5 times and we do love it. You can read one thousand reviews and the majority have nothing but good things to say. Grounds are immaculate, staff are wonderful, food is plentiful and pretty good, so many family and kid appropriate activities from trivia, magicians, tubing, karaoke, chef’s table, banana boating, skiing in winter the list goes on. We have only visited during off peak times mid week, but can see how crazy packed it might get here with crowds and kids everywhere. My review will focus on some improvements the Turk family can make to increase the value of the guest experience: please get rid of the bunk beds, separate twin beds can greatly improve safety and ones sleep -there’s no way a parent can rest easy when a 4-5 yr old is in a bunk bed; rooms need a refresh, they are severely outdated and walks are paper thin, you want guests to have a good night’s rest; get rid of the wall a/c units; food seems inconsistent -some meals are great others heavy on meat and carbs; arcade is a rip off, at least make the prizes somewhat better kids leaving super disappointed by pathetic (4 mini tootsie rolls!!!) prize options. We spent about $750 a night here for one of the Oklahoma suites and if you can swing it I highly recommend as they have 2 bathrooms and somewhat separate sleeping arrangements, otherwise your sleep is compromised.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:High peak times it will be super crowded. Oklahoma suites have 2 bathrooms.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Sep 16, 2024
Hello NewsgirlNYC, Thank you for sharing feedback regarding your recent stay. There are multiple room types available at The Ranch, including our A level rooms without bunk beds. Our rooms are already in the process of receiving updates, as we continue to take customer feedback to improve the guest experience. The dining experience is always evolving under the leadership of our executive chef, Paul Kelly. Please note that anytime you have a question or concern regarding meals you can see your server, or any member of our dining room management team. We are always happy to work with our guests in an effort to exceed expectations. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts, and we look forward to seeing you for visit #6! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
While the initial price tag caused a moment of surprise, our recent family trip to Rocking Horse Ranch (RHR) quickly transformed into an unforgettable experience. Witnessing the pure joy on all three of our daughters' faces solidified the value of this trip. If a family can't find happiness and endless entertainment at RHR, then well, a vacation might not be the solution!
The meticulously crafted daily itinerary kept us constantly engaged, with each activity led by a team of incredibly friendly and enthusiastic staff. A special shout-out goes to Kristen, whose patience and care helped our initially apprehensive daughter conquer her fear of horseback riding. We also had a blast tubing down the mountain with Alec, and Loren at the front desk couldn't have been more accommodating when we needed to adjust our schedule. His kindness truly made a difference for my wife.
The meticulous attention to detail throughout the resort was simply impressive. The pristine grounds and spotless facilities spoke volumes about the management's commitment to excellence. This dedication certainly didn't go unnoticed by me!
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the trip was the unanimous praise from all three of our daughters regarding the food. Catering to the often-finicky palates of children is no small feat, yet RHR achieved it flawlessly. This, combined with all the other positive aspects, solidified our belief that this trip was money well spent. We've already secured our reservations for next summer!
In closing, I will say running a successful family resort requires a tremendous amount of effort, and the RHR team has clearly mastered the art. Their dedication to every detail, from the enthusiastic staff to the immaculate facilities and delicious food, ensures an exceptional experience for every guest. Our sincere thanks to the entire team, with a special mention to the talented chef who created such a crowd-pleasing menu! We look forward to returning next year!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Jun 19, 2024
Hello Frederick, Thank you so much for the feedback! We like to say that the staff here at The Ranch is our #1 attraction, and we're glad you agree. Your compliments will be shared with Chef Paul and our team, and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Steve Tuk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
4.5 stars but rounding up! We are a family of 4 (2 kids aged 4 yrs & 1 yr). We loved the staff, pool, thoughtful family friendly set up of the resort, all the food options & the activities we tried. (The 1 yr old was too small for most of the activities but happy enough to watch).
The only thing that was a bit lacking were the rooms; they were a bit dated. The heater/AC was loud and woke me up through the night whenever it came on. This is maybe a niche criticism but the bathroom had the light & extractor fan on the same switch so there was no option for a light-only stealthy night pee. Tricky when sharing a room with kids. The bathroom was pretty small too which made kid bath time cozy. The actual bedroom was a good size with great flexible storage options for luggage. Everything was clean, and daily housekeeping kept all supplies stocked up. We had 2 Queen beds and a bunk bed which my 4 yr old loved (sleeping on the bottom bunk).
Overall the whole resort is really thoughtfully set up for families. This was our first visit but we kept meeting people who had been coming every year as a family tradition for decades (one lady was on her 51st family trip there!). We would return.
Tips; 🤠We stayed in the Arizona wing of the main lodge in winter (Dec/Jan). It was convenient being in the same building as the pool and dinning (not needing to go outside in the cold). 🤠Bring a travel stroller if you have a toddler. 🤠The chocolate cake at dinner is fantastic.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Lines at ski rental can be long so go early when it opens (10am).
Book an end of hall room if...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Jan 6, 2025
Hello Nomad63450949472, Thank you for sharing your experience. We are so happy to hear that you plan on returning for another stay, as it is always our goal to exceed guest expectations. Many of our rooms have already undergone renovations, with the remainder to be finished early this year. Again, we appreciate the feedback, and look forward to seeing you soon. We'll have some chocolate cake ready to go! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was the 9th time we have been to RHR in 10 years (Covid year) and we’ll be back next year. My children are now 12,14,16 years old and still love it as my wife and I do. This year we had a Family Reunion which was a smashing success of close to 50 people. Tons of memories and so much fun. RHR a is just filled with so many great activities from sun up to sundown. We had about 20 kids from age 2 to 16 and everyone had something to do. Horse back riding was a huge hit for the newbies. The owner Steve is the most hands on small business owner I have ever met & matched by an equally accommodating staff. The chef bent over backwards for our Aunt with several dietary needs. Just tremendous! In the inflationary environment these days it’s also one of the best price value vacations you can take. Try it in October for Fall Fest with great weather, indoor pool, Halloween activities, Hudson Valley wine and food tasting and so much more .We can’t wait to next year!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:PARENT HACK - if you have a little children learning to ski go in the winter when the snow is on...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Oct 31, 2024
Erik, Thank you so much for your feedback. It's wonderful to hear that you had a fantastic family reunion. We like to say that the staff here at The Ranch is our #1 attraction, and we're glad you agree. Looking forward to seeing you for visit #10! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I was honestly blown away by what a great vacation we had at Rocking Horse Ranch. My children are 12, 8, 7 and 2 and it’s very hard to find a vacation that all of them will love as much as they loved RHR. We came up from Florida to let the kids see snow for the first time and see if they liked skiing and this was the perfect choice. The hotel staff was so friendly, helpful and attentive from the moment I called to book the room. They offered to pick us up at the train for no cost which was a huge convenience considering we aren’t used to driving in snow to rent a car and some Ubers XLs wouldn’t fit all of us and our luggage. This was just the start to the wonderful hospitality we would experience from RHR. The resort itself is beautiful and the property is very convenient to navigate around. Big, but small enough to get from activity to activity with kids without it being a hassle. The rooms are large and easily accommodated a family of 6 with their 2 comfortable beds and bunk beds. The front closet area is a dream with all of the snow gear. The room didn’t feel cluttered at all. The activities offered being all inclusive really gave the young ones an opportunity to try things that we normally may have not taken them to do. The loved the horses, snow activities, shooting competitions, indoor/outdoor hot tub and the list goes on and on. All the staff was so friendly and helpful, they made us feel right at home. Their hospitality is what made the trip such a success. The food and the food staff was also excellent. The choices could satisfy the pickiest of eaters, which is good with lots of kids and the kind staff really made the whole experience. Our server Jason and Brian the manager really went above and beyond. We can’t wait to book our next trip. It was one of our most memorable vacations to date.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steven Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Feb 2, 2024
Hello Jillian, Thank you for the kind words. It is always our goal to exceed guest expectations, and we're glad we were able to blow yours away! It sounds like you had a wonderful family adventure here at The Ranch and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is, hands down the best resort I've ever stayed at. The rooms are clean and nicely themed. They perfectly fit in with the resort's western style. It is all inclusive and my wife loves how she can just tell our 2 kids, "Snack is in 30 minutes wait till then." It is a safe place so me and my wife don't have to be with our kids 24/7. The dining hours are long so you can eat when its convenient to you, and when the weather is nice they have lunch outside. My wife is not crazy about buffets, but she doesn't mind the RHR system because its clean with a huge variety. They have sit down dinners, and they change the menu so you don't need to eat the same things. They have plenty of rainy day activities, and prepare a special itinerary each day with a family friendly show at night. My kids lost money to a air hockey machine because it broke, and the front desk refunded the money no question without me and my wife being present. Will return in a heartbeat and have already recommended RHR to many of my friends.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:book far in advance for good value, and don't stay near a holiday.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded 3 weeks ago
Hello Steve, Thank you for the feedback regarding your recent stay. It is always our goal to exceed guest expectations and it seems like we were able to do that for you. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our second time to the ranch with a 4 and 6 yr old. We stayed for 3 nights and had THE BEST TIME. Every single staff member we encountered was friendly, kind, and happy. It has a relatively small number of rooms so even though it was booked, it never felt crowded. I don't think they allow daytrippers and I hope they never do because it has a family feeling and there's so much to do that you're never on top of other guests. They have little events happening all the time (bingo, karoake, juggler, magician, reptile guy, falconeer, pool games, pedal boat races, etc). You can tell everyone, staff and guests of ALL ages, are having the time of their lives. Don't miss the 3pm chef's tasting and complementary drinks by the pool! Can't wait for our next visit! Oh and the Memorial Day fireworks show was absolutely incredible!
Read more
Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Bring 2 bathing suits. It's humid so they take awhile to dry.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded May 28, 2024
Hello Jules4399, Thanks for sharing your experience. We are thrilled to hear that you had "the best time" during your stay. It is our belief that the staff here is our number one attraction, and we're glad you agree. We look forward to seeing you for visit #3! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are seeking a 3 day stay somewhere full of activities, included food, comfortable rooms and easy to get to, then Rocking Horse Ranch is an excellent option! Pros only needed here: +The horse riding is top notch. The horses are happy and healthy and very good for beginners as they know what to do. +The accommodations are comfortable and the bunk beds make it easy for larger families +The pools are great and my family loved the massive indoor/outdoor hot tub. My kids stayed in the pools each night until they closed +The food was quite good for an all-inclusive family location +The shows were a little campy, but fun nonetheless +Besides horse riding there are plenty of other activities including paddle boats, laser tag, trampolines, mini golf and so on.
We loved it here! We recommend 3 days as a good amount of time, and we are already booked to come back later in the year.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steve Turk, Owner at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Responded Jun 19, 2024
Hello psudino, Thank you so much for sharing your experience. The best compliment we can get is when a guest immediately books another stay. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again soon! Steve Turk-Owner
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
New York City, New York17 contributions11 helpful votes
No but there are waivers that need to be filled out before you ride the horses (and do certain other activities such as skiing which is available in the winter)
United StatesNew YorkCatskill RegionSullivan CatskillsHighland
NUMBER OF ROOMS
113
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Rocking Horse Ranch Resort?
Nearby attractions include Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park (3.9 miles), Locust Grove Estate (4.7 miles), and Walkway State Historic Park (3.4 miles).
Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
