County Museum

from DISCOVER COCKE COUNTY 2021

Walk On The Wild Side

PHOTOS BY FRENCH BROAD OUTPOST RANCH

Horseback riding is the main ranch activity that is done every month the ranch is open. Guests will be given a horse that fits their skill at the start of the week. Rides range from one to two hours in duration not counting saddling and grooming. Experience the Cowboy Life at the French Broad Outpost Ranch

Located at 461 Old River Road in Del Rio, French Broad Outpost Ranch offers horseback riding, square dancing and other staples of a traditional western dude ranch. Opened in 1993 by Shawn Gannon, the ranch is nestled in the historic Cherokee National Forest, on the banks of its namesake, the French Broad River. Since opening, the ranch has expanded to include a hotel with a saloon, a game room, a lodge and a swimming pool. The ranch was featured on “Best of America by Horseback,” a television series that showcases various horseback riding facilities across the country. The show spotlighted the ranch’s treatment of the horses, noting that, unlike many facilities, French Broad encourages the guests to spend more time with their horses, building a stronger bond. All the horses at French Broad are Arabians, which draws attention. Arabians are considered to be more hot-tempered, but the Gannons pride themselves on how well mannered their horses are, as well as on the attention to detail they take in training and keeping their horses. The ranch offers 6-day packages and 3-5 day packages. Available activities depend on the season. Guests check in on Sunday night or Wednesday night (3-night guests only) and receive a horseback riding orientation class. Cattle drives are held with six to 10 guests just like the old ranch hand days. Each guest during the summer high season gets to do one cattle drive. Drives start in mid March and are done until January 1

Monday starts with breakfast at 8 a.m., and then two horse riding sessions, one before lunch and one after. Supper is at 6 p.m. every night. Mondays and Saturdays in the summer include a Team Penning activity, in which guests herd cattle into pens. In the summer, Tuesday and Wednesday feature tubing and white water rafting trips respectively, and Wednesday night is the Pioneer Games with the late-half guests. Thursday sports a Bluegrass band concert in the Iron Horse Saloon. Friday is the busiest day of the trip. The morning begins with a big cattle drive, and lunch is served on the drive. The drive is followed by a kids’ rodeo in the summer and square dance after supper. Checkout for full-week and Wednesday 3-day guests is Saturday at 2 p.m. During the stay, guests may also take advantage of the area’s fishing and hiking. In the low seasons (March-Memorial Day, Labor Day-Thanksgiving),

Shawn Gannon, owner and operator of French

Broad Outpost Ranch, has been helping people learn to ride horses and relax since the ranch opened in the 90s.

The ranch has two team penning events each summer, once Monday after supper and again on Saturday morning. Team penning is one of our most popular events. Everyone enjoys this rodeo game of pushing cows into the box.

From page 25 guests can expect a more relaxing experience with extra free time to enjoy the area on their own. French Broad Outpost Ranch sports a lodge of 4 rooms (each capable of sleeping four guests), the Lone Star Hotel (which can house up to 21 guests), and the standalone Mountain Springs Cabin (which is available as an upgrade to the Dude Ranch package, sleeping four guests). The Mountain Springs Cabin is available for rent separate from the Dude Ranch package at a rate of $125 per night for two guests, with each additional guest at $10 per night, up to four guests total. All meals are served family style, with guests passing around dishes full of classic, hearty, homestyle food such as mashed potatoes, fried okra and homemade bread. Summer rates are $250 per night for adults, $200 per night for teenagers, $160 per night for kids 5-12, and $50 per night for kids under five years old. Low season rates are $225 per night for adults, $190 per night for teens, $145 per night for kids 5-12, and $50 per night for kids under five years old. The Gannons offer riding clinics at the ranch on select weekends throughout the year. Prices are $599 per person, including lodging. Local participants who do not need lodging are $100 per person for the weekend. Meals are included.

All meals are served family style, with guests passing around dishes full of classic, hearty, homestyle food such as mashed potatoes, fried okra and homemade bread. For more information, including booking, directions, and policies, visit frenchbroadduderanch.com