River Valley Ranch
River Valley Ranch
4
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Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.0
10 reviews
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5
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2
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3
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BRC
1 contribution
Sept 2020
Ride is at best 45 minutes. Could be less depending on group size. Expensive! for what you are getting. Staff seem to enjoy injecting politics into horse riding? We'll be taking our entertainment dollar somewhere else next time horse riding comes up. I wouldnt put anything down here on how they can turn this business around because quite frankly I hope they go out of business.
Written 11 September 2020
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.
TeamHerz
Prior Lake, MN272 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Make reservations…but don't expect to ride out at your reservation time…Anticipate an additional 45 minutes….
Meet the staff by the horse gate, not in the buildings…they will take your money and have you sign by the gate.. $30 trail ride….We may have caught them on a bad day, but staff members are crabby!!!!
Single file…ALWAYS….Horses are too exhausted to do anything but, and the guide won't allow you to do anything but. Lots of rules. Anticipate a slow walk…2 areas they allowed a trot that lasted 30 seconds. Not impressed
Meet the staff by the horse gate, not in the buildings…they will take your money and have you sign by the gate.. $30 trail ride….We may have caught them on a bad day, but staff members are crabby!!!!
Single file…ALWAYS….Horses are too exhausted to do anything but, and the guide won't allow you to do anything but. Lots of rules. Anticipate a slow walk…2 areas they allowed a trot that lasted 30 seconds. Not impressed
Written 22 October 2016
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.
treesaw944
Edina, MN37 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Sign was obscured by foliage so a little hard to see for the River Valley Ranch went past it and had to turn around but it was worth it. Drove down the lane to the parking which was right by a big pasture which many of the horses not on duty that day for riding were grazing around. Walked past the fire pit and old farm house which was probably original to the property. Greeted by the owners in this case we were there early in the day. Did our paperwork, paid $30- for an hour long ride had our long pants and closed toe shoes on. Staff inquired both when registering and at horse picking time about riding experience levels. We were in a group of six and were all happy with the horses we got.
We started the ride by a gravel pit which was interesting then went down into the river valley. It was a warm day but we stayed under the canopy of the mature trees. weaving in and around the features of the river valley. At times we were right along the river but the growth was so dense you wouldn't have even known if a boat wasn't motoring by.
In our group we had small children age 6 and 9 one had no riding experience so we had occasional trotting for a short time down an incline. Very peaceful and relaxing when we were on the edge of a field
I saw a deer going by. I do like to run the horses normally when I horse back ride so I thought I would feel disappointed going with my young grandchildren but I really liked it more than I expected.
The guide didn't really talk much unless to give us instructions on the terrain or trail which was fine because it was hard to hear from the front of the line of horses to the back of the line.
I want to go again, fall would be really nice too. We did a 1 hour ride but you have other choices.
We started the ride by a gravel pit which was interesting then went down into the river valley. It was a warm day but we stayed under the canopy of the mature trees. weaving in and around the features of the river valley. At times we were right along the river but the growth was so dense you wouldn't have even known if a boat wasn't motoring by.
In our group we had small children age 6 and 9 one had no riding experience so we had occasional trotting for a short time down an incline. Very peaceful and relaxing when we were on the edge of a field
I saw a deer going by. I do like to run the horses normally when I horse back ride so I thought I would feel disappointed going with my young grandchildren but I really liked it more than I expected.
The guide didn't really talk much unless to give us instructions on the terrain or trail which was fine because it was hard to hear from the front of the line of horses to the back of the line.
I want to go again, fall would be really nice too. We did a 1 hour ride but you have other choices.
Written 16 July 2015
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.
Christine H
3 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
I've been going to Hanson's & River Valley Ranch since 1970s. They take good care of their horses and facility.
I highly suggest you get there sooner than later as the gravel pits surrounding the ranch are looking like they are swallowing up the ranch. I'm not sure how much longer they can maintain the ranch amidst all this "progress".
The trail ride goes along the Minnesota River bottoms and up on the cliffs overlooking the valley. So gorgeous in any season.
The staff know horses and how to run a ranch. They are not into "fluffy customer service" so don't expect any "boutique" experience. Call ahead, set a time, and be there early so you don't hold up the group.
I highly suggest you get there sooner than later as the gravel pits surrounding the ranch are looking like they are swallowing up the ranch. I'm not sure how much longer they can maintain the ranch amidst all this "progress".
The trail ride goes along the Minnesota River bottoms and up on the cliffs overlooking the valley. So gorgeous in any season.
The staff know horses and how to run a ranch. They are not into "fluffy customer service" so don't expect any "boutique" experience. Call ahead, set a time, and be there early so you don't hold up the group.
Written 8 August 2018
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.
Mary F
21 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
My grandchildren and I have been going to the River Valley Ranch and have love it every time. we have always had great guides. Thanks for all the fun times. See you next year.
Written 12 July 2018
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.
Roger R
Minnesota834 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Went today - the facility and the horses are in excellent condition - our trial ride took us up and down hills, by lakes, a high hill with killer views of the fall foliage -
Our experience was 100% positive and the people were great the past reviews were not what we encountered - we rode for a full hour and it was great
Our experience was 100% positive and the people were great the past reviews were not what we encountered - we rode for a full hour and it was great
Written 20 October 2017
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.
Cami S
1 contribution
Nov 2016 • Friends
We went to the last session of the day and I was coming from 2 hours away from Carver. We got there 15 minutes late because we got stopped by a big hold up of cop cars down the road. We went in the wrong way and the main gal was disrespectful and smirked and smiled like we were stupid... I didn't want to be quick to judge since we were running late but it rubbed me very wrong. The same gal offered to take my wallet so I said "yes thank you!" I was flustered not realizing the situation still feeling rushed. The ride was absolutely gorgeous we watched the sunset and met an awesome trail guide named Lacy! When we were done with the ride the other employees were waiting for us. We tried walking out of the gate and were snapped at again by the main lady go figure... Haha! "Wrong way!" We turned around. Then we were getting ready to leave we took a while and said thank you stayed around talked to staff. We got an hour and a half down the road and I realized I left my wallet with the main lady and didn't get it back. I'm forgetful so I just assumed "whatever my fault." Honestly was pretty nervous because of the rude impression I got of her and she seemed not very trustworthy. We called her and she said send your address to me. She was very good to work with about getting it back. I apologized and said thank you then got it back 3 days later... I had a 20 in my wallet with a lot of important cards. It came back today in the mail with money missing she must've used to pay for sending it back... At first I was confused! I understood why she may have done that but I never said "Hey go through my wallet take the money to pay for sending it back!!" I mean even as a 17 year old if I owned a business and I took someone's wallet to help them out and forgot to give it back to them DAMN right I would've taken blame! And sent it back immediately paid by me! Super super unprofessional. Yes I liked the ride but dealing with that kind of stuff and sneakiness. I WILL NOT GO BACK and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you do I recommend leaving all important things in your car or with you! And also expect a rude greeting from the older lady.
Written 16 November 2016
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.
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