09/03/2026
One of my favorite things about Springmaid Mountain Retreat in Spruce Pine, NC is that you can still experience the mountains on horseback.
Springmaid has a long history with horses. When the property was acquired in the 1980s, part of the vision was to create a place where kids could come to the mountains, connect with nature and learn to ride. Today, horses are still part of the experience, with guided trail rides that take you through the property and even through the North Toe River.
I was one of those kids. I grew up coming to Springmaid Mountain, and this is where I first learned to ride a horse.
I’ve always thought there’s something special about experiencing a place from horseback. You slow down. You notice the landscape differently. And you get to see parts of a place in a way you simply can’t from a car.
Getting back in the saddle at Springmaid all these years later made this trail ride a little extra special.
And the best part for my York County friends? Springmaid Mountain is only about two hours from Fort Mill, making it an easy mountain getaway for a weekend.
If you’re an Anne Springs Close Greenway member, there’s an extra perk: Greenway members receive 25% off nightly cabin rates at Springmaid Mountain year-round with proof of membership at check-in.
So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to plan a mountain weekend, this might be it.
📍 Springmaid Mountain | Spruce Pine, NC
