I have been coming to woodside for 5 years with my daughter. We love everything about the experience, especially being able to spend a few days on horseback. Accommodations are rustic and perfectly suited to the environment. The horses and wranglers are outstanding, and the trails reveal different aspects of Wisconsin's beauty in all seasons. Carly is an especially superb guide. We just returned home yesterday, and we're already planning our next trip.
Heather Lynn
I will start out by saying. I love this place. However I received very sad. Heartbreaking news today.. when I called to find out about the upcoming 2024 season . I was told that there will no longer be a homestead offered here at Woodside Ranch. I’ve been coming here for over 30 years. It is very sad to hear that they will no longer serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a breakfast ride. All guests must make accommodations to eat on their own at the trading post for their meals or go to a local restaurant, I was told you can even bring a grill to cook their your own meals. Everything was the package deal . Unfortunately I now will have to make new memories somewhere else. We were committed in coming once a year with our family. Now we wanted to extend it to our friends at our barn as we own horses and a bunch of us wanted to come out for a weekend of fun. This is extremely devastating to hear the sad news
Over the years, I have recommended many people to Woodside Ranch . Now I’m going to have to asking people for referrals to a beautiful ranch to go to with my family that has a food package .
If things go back to the way, it was, I would be 100% happy to return with my friends and family along with many referrals . If these didn’t have I would give them a 5+ STAR ⭐️ REVIEW
GoldenRidge801
Our family had a great time on our trail ride. Before we started out, our youngest got a quick lesson from some amazing staff. After the lesson, we got to choose what horse to take on our ride. All the horses were very well mannered, and looked like they are well taken care of. After choosing our horses, we led them to an area with steps for easy mounting. We rode beautiful trails through the trees. After our guide made sure we were comfortable, she lead us on a few different “trots” in the open areas. We had guides both in front of us and behind us making sure we were all together. One of the guides even took and shared some photos of us. As a bonus, at the end of the ride, we spent some time with the goats, chickens, bison, and miniature cows. Great family experience.
Roxanne Matejovsky Hamlin
I stayed at the ranch in the 60’s, I took my sons in the 90’s, this past weekend I took my grandson. Things have changed, but stayed the same. The ranch is friendly, homey, and fun. The Wranglers are friendly and happy to help at anytime. The home cooked food is yummy, the breakfast ride is always a treat. The horses are sweet, gentle and easy to ride. This was my grandson first time riding alone, his lesson was thorough and explained well. My grandson enjoyed visiting the other small animals, Murphy the donkey is the welcoming committee and puts a smile on all faces. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this a wonderful time for us. We will be back. ❤️
Jen Luik
Our family has been going to Woodside for over 20 years and have loved it every time. It's Wisconsin's best kept secret, mostly known by guests who travel there locally. The food is great, especially the Breakfast Ride (horseback ride to breakfast ). it's probably one of the few places where you can pick your horse and trot on the trail. It's also a place where you can have some serious unplugged fun in the Wisconsin countryside. My 4yr old loved it!
JJ Lengyel
Awesome, friendly place for horseback riding!
HempHippie
Believe me when I tell you I'm familiar with Woodside Ranch. I've visited the Ranch when it was owned by the Feldmans. I've visited the Ranch when it was owned by Damon Zumwalt. I've seen it go through decades of changes and have stayed with family, friends, and different generations of all ages. QUICK OVERVIEW Woodside Ranch Resort is a cute place in Wisconsin where you can stay in log cabins, ride horses, and participate in several planned (and a few unplanned) activities. It currently offers various packages but the typical one is the "Homesteader" which includes activities and meals (not snacks - anything you buy at the bar is a la carte). The groups of employees are wranglers/horse staff (work with horses), front desk (take your reservation, answer questions), cleaning crew, maintenance, bartenders, wait staff and social directors. Horseback rides go out at preplanned times during the day in a long line with some wranglers for about 50 minutes. Currently, all rides are "slow rides" so you won't go faster than the occasional trot. If you're 8 and older, you can go on trail rides. You need to "test" before you ride if you're between 8-12 although I recommend if you're a novice of any age, practicing won't hurt. Activities can be anything from scavenger hunts to archery to crafts and even a dance. There is a bar which also serves snacks that has a game room attached to the back. There is an in-ground pool that starts at 8" (great for children). Breakfast is served outside in the woods. THE ISSUES Woodside used to be incredible. Not only was it a unique and more rustic experience, but the way it was structured used to encourage guests to really interact with EACH OTHER as well as the STAFF. I cannot tell you how many times we left Woodside with the phone numbers of new friends and kept in touch with them for many years. Something has changed. I'm not one to complain without offering suggestions to fix these issues so here they are: - BREAKFAST RIDE - Previously, the "breakfast ride" (going out to the woods on horseback or by covered wagon/hayride and having breakfast) used to be OPTIONAL. Now, if you don't go out into the middle of the woods at 8am, YOU DON'T GET BREAKFAST. There is no reason why breakfast shouldn't still be served in the dining hall if someone physically cannot make it into the woods or simply doesn't want to. A poor child there had a bad reaction to hay and had to skip breakfast since going down by the horses wasn't an option for him. Don't make your guests choose. They also crammed way too many people into one ride, overall. Not just horse-wise. There wasn't room on the wagon to take everyone so some people couldn't go and couldn't get the meal they paid for. Once out there, the line took 20 minutes. TWENTY. That's too many people at a time. Open the kitchen again and let those who want to stay in, stay in. Not everyone feels like eating breakfast outside every morning. -- COVID -- COVID is still VERY MUCH an issue but if you visit Woodside, you'd never know we were in the middle of a pandemic. Their website (which is partially broken) doesn't mention it and there is zero talk of any safety precautions being taken. Indoor meals are still served in cramped conditions and families are forced to sit together at the same table. Outside of a pandemic this is fine, but during one? Not wise. If there is room, spread out the families. The amount of food you prepare is the same. Pretend you care that your guests might want to attempt to remain safe. -- THE POOL -- Fix the pool. Please. The bottom of it is chipping all over the place and pieces of cement are being lodged into the feet of children. Just drain it, patch it, refill it. -- THE SAUNA -- Why did we get rid of the sauna? It looks like a junk room now! It was so fun to come in from the pool on a cooler day and warm up in the sauna. It was functional for decades. Why let it die now? -- LITTLE RED SCH
tonyav955
I called several times to schedule a trail ride for my daughter's birthday. First time I left a voicemail they called back an hour later and said they had to transfer me to the trail riding area, tried to book out 1.5 hrs in advance but they were full. I then called back thr next day, a Fri to schedule for Sunday, phone just rings and goes to voicemail. I left 3 Messages and no one returned our call. I am very disappointed that no one could call us back and this was the only thing my daughter was looking forward to for her bday.
Tricia H
Family of 5 (13, 9, 8) just returned from 4 days, 3 nights, and are already wondering when we can go back! We did the all-inclusive package, which meant 3 meals were included, and all the activities. For those of us who wanted to ride the horses, we had ample opportunity - after the breakfast ride, there are rides at 10, 11, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. You ride out to the middle of the forest every day for breakfast (covered wagon for those who don't want to ride) and enjoy the best bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes or french toast. You won't go hungry! The horses never trot, only walk, on the breakfast ride, so take a flyer and try it - they are well-trained trail horses who know their job and do it well, plus there are 1-2 wranglers who ride middle and end of the line to help give instruction if there is ever a need. My 8 yo daughter and I rode a lot while the boys found other things they wanted to enjoy like canoeing, working out, basketball in an air-conditioned gym (or kickball or dodgeball). There is an outdoor pool, archers, fishing at the lake, a movie theater. They have staff that run various activities throughout the day. The meals are family-style and plentiful. For lunches we had reubens, chicken salad sandwiches, and grilled ham and cheese. Dinners were a cookout (Sat.and Tuesdays complete with burgers, dogs, brats, chicken and bison burgers - order what you want and beans filled with bacon!), Northern fried chicken, meatloaf. They used COVID as an opportunity to do some maintenance and the main house got a facelift. We stayed in Ranchero and it was 3 bedroom (2 with Queen beds, and one with bunks), one bathroom. Pets are allowed, but think through how that will work if you are enjoying all the activities. Our dogs did not want to do their business on a leash, so that was interesting - not sure we would bring them again because you check out at 11a.m. but can stay till 5:00 and there was no place to put the dogs, so someone has to sit out of the remaining fun. Bring lots of bug spray - the type with lots of Deet (even then I got a few bites but I'm super sensitive to bites)! My kids ended up wishing they had more time to fish because we tried it on the last day and ran out of hotdog bait and time! My only suggestion is to bring something to hang up your swim gear - I wish each cabin had a clothes line for that purpose - as we ended up setting clothes over the chairs that were outside our cabin.
Loved it, would come back! went with one other person and two wranglers. instructions were very clear and all of the staff was very pleasant. I would come 30 minutes early so you can walk and see the llamas, goats,mules, buffalo as well as all the horses. They have so many horses and let you choose i loved it.
tracyb304
We spent 2 nights at the Woodside Ranch with friends for a NYE getaway. The carriage rides and horse back riding were terrific! Our crew had 6 kids ranging from ages 8-15 and everyone loved it. *kids 8 and older can go on trails rides, younger kids can do pony rides at stables. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Kids loved hanging in the game room while parents hung out in the bar area. Sledding and archery was also offered. Family games, movies were planned at night and NYE was a dance and balloon drop. Food was family style- breakfast was buffet of pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, bacon etc. lunch/dinners were ham and macaroni and cheese, salads, rolls, spaghetti and always a dessert. Water and lemonade served with meal. A suggestion would be to also offer milk. Coffee/hot tea and cocoa also available. (Even our pickiest eaters survived) Minor suggestions- cabins are rustic and no frills. Beds are very uncomfortable. New mattresses and bedding etc would help. Only a small refrigerator and no microwave or coffee pot. Had fireplace but we did not use. Bathrooms are old and basic. The property is beautiful. A great way to enjoy nature and expose kids to horseback riding. Only 20 minutes north of Wisconsin Dells. We would consider a trip back just to check out more trails with the horses. We are campers so the charm and rustic nature of the property were ok with us. If you require more “hotel comforts” this might not be the place for you.
Heather C
The main reason to visit Woodside Ranch is horseback riding on their amazing property. The woods are beautiful - I especially love the pines. Every trail ride goes a different way so you can ride 3-4 times in a day and not repeat much scenery. All the horses are solid but after a few rides people pick out their favorites. It's very beginner-friendly. This is the perfect place for a city or suburban family who doesn't get to ride too much to just spend some time in nature. My favorite meals were the trail ride breakfasts and the cookouts. We had a member in our party who doesn't eat most meats or milk. They cooked his scrambled eggs separately without milk at the breakfast and provided steamed veggies and rice, veggie burgers, and salad without cheese. It's important though to remind them about any diet issues about a week and a half before your trip. We went as a family and the kids had a great time. The bar and game room was very family friendly and they enjoyed hanging out there and getting special slushies, playing ping pong and the arcade games. The kids also like playing basketball in the gym which is a good way to keep them busy while you're waiting for the trail ride to start. The staff is very friendly and helpful and I felt very welcome the whole time. I left my AirPods in my room by accident. Doh! Most hotels would just say "too bad, we're not responsible for items left in room" but Woodside found them and mailed them back to me no charge! They were also really flexible about giving us a later check out time when we needed it. We went during October and our stay included tickets to a Haunted Hayride down the road which was really fun and added a nice seasonal touch.
I have been coming to woodside for 5 years with my daughter. We love everything about the experience, especially being able to spend a few days on horseback. Accommodations are rustic and perfectly suited to the environment. The horses and wranglers are outstanding, and the trails reveal different aspects of Wisconsin's beauty in all seasons. Carly is an especially superb guide. We just returned home yesterday, and we're already planning our next trip.
I will start out by saying. I love this place. However I received very sad. Heartbreaking news today.. when I called to find out about the upcoming 2024 season . I was told that there will no longer be a homestead offered here at Woodside Ranch. I’ve been coming here for over 30 years. It is very sad to hear that they will no longer serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a breakfast ride. All guests must make accommodations to eat on their own at the trading post for their meals or go to a local restaurant, I was told you can even bring a grill to cook their your own meals. Everything was the package deal . Unfortunately I now will have to make new memories somewhere else. We were committed in coming once a year with our family. Now we wanted to extend it to our friends at our barn as we own horses and a bunch of us wanted to come out for a weekend of fun. This is extremely devastating to hear the sad news Over the years, I have recommended many people to Woodside Ranch . Now I’m going to have to asking people for referrals to a beautiful ranch to go to with my family that has a food package . If things go back to the way, it was, I would be 100% happy to return with my friends and family along with many referrals . If these didn’t have I would give them a 5+ STAR ⭐️ REVIEW
Our family had a great time on our trail ride. Before we started out, our youngest got a quick lesson from some amazing staff. After the lesson, we got to choose what horse to take on our ride. All the horses were very well mannered, and looked like they are well taken care of. After choosing our horses, we led them to an area with steps for easy mounting. We rode beautiful trails through the trees. After our guide made sure we were comfortable, she lead us on a few different “trots” in the open areas. We had guides both in front of us and behind us making sure we were all together. One of the guides even took and shared some photos of us. As a bonus, at the end of the ride, we spent some time with the goats, chickens, bison, and miniature cows. Great family experience.
I stayed at the ranch in the 60’s, I took my sons in the 90’s, this past weekend I took my grandson. Things have changed, but stayed the same. The ranch is friendly, homey, and fun. The Wranglers are friendly and happy to help at anytime. The home cooked food is yummy, the breakfast ride is always a treat. The horses are sweet, gentle and easy to ride. This was my grandson first time riding alone, his lesson was thorough and explained well. My grandson enjoyed visiting the other small animals, Murphy the donkey is the welcoming committee and puts a smile on all faces. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this a wonderful time for us. We will be back. ❤️
Our family has been going to Woodside for over 20 years and have loved it every time. It's Wisconsin's best kept secret, mostly known by guests who travel there locally. The food is great, especially the Breakfast Ride (horseback ride to breakfast ). it's probably one of the few places where you can pick your horse and trot on the trail. It's also a place where you can have some serious unplugged fun in the Wisconsin countryside. My 4yr old loved it!
Awesome, friendly place for horseback riding!
Believe me when I tell you I'm familiar with Woodside Ranch. I've visited the Ranch when it was owned by the Feldmans. I've visited the Ranch when it was owned by Damon Zumwalt. I've seen it go through decades of changes and have stayed with family, friends, and different generations of all ages. QUICK OVERVIEW Woodside Ranch Resort is a cute place in Wisconsin where you can stay in log cabins, ride horses, and participate in several planned (and a few unplanned) activities. It currently offers various packages but the typical one is the "Homesteader" which includes activities and meals (not snacks - anything you buy at the bar is a la carte). The groups of employees are wranglers/horse staff (work with horses), front desk (take your reservation, answer questions), cleaning crew, maintenance, bartenders, wait staff and social directors. Horseback rides go out at preplanned times during the day in a long line with some wranglers for about 50 minutes. Currently, all rides are "slow rides" so you won't go faster than the occasional trot. If you're 8 and older, you can go on trail rides. You need to "test" before you ride if you're between 8-12 although I recommend if you're a novice of any age, practicing won't hurt. Activities can be anything from scavenger hunts to archery to crafts and even a dance. There is a bar which also serves snacks that has a game room attached to the back. There is an in-ground pool that starts at 8" (great for children). Breakfast is served outside in the woods. THE ISSUES Woodside used to be incredible. Not only was it a unique and more rustic experience, but the way it was structured used to encourage guests to really interact with EACH OTHER as well as the STAFF. I cannot tell you how many times we left Woodside with the phone numbers of new friends and kept in touch with them for many years. Something has changed. I'm not one to complain without offering suggestions to fix these issues so here they are: - BREAKFAST RIDE - Previously, the "breakfast ride" (going out to the woods on horseback or by covered wagon/hayride and having breakfast) used to be OPTIONAL. Now, if you don't go out into the middle of the woods at 8am, YOU DON'T GET BREAKFAST. There is no reason why breakfast shouldn't still be served in the dining hall if someone physically cannot make it into the woods or simply doesn't want to. A poor child there had a bad reaction to hay and had to skip breakfast since going down by the horses wasn't an option for him. Don't make your guests choose. They also crammed way too many people into one ride, overall. Not just horse-wise. There wasn't room on the wagon to take everyone so some people couldn't go and couldn't get the meal they paid for. Once out there, the line took 20 minutes. TWENTY. That's too many people at a time. Open the kitchen again and let those who want to stay in, stay in. Not everyone feels like eating breakfast outside every morning. -- COVID -- COVID is still VERY MUCH an issue but if you visit Woodside, you'd never know we were in the middle of a pandemic. Their website (which is partially broken) doesn't mention it and there is zero talk of any safety precautions being taken. Indoor meals are still served in cramped conditions and families are forced to sit together at the same table. Outside of a pandemic this is fine, but during one? Not wise. If there is room, spread out the families. The amount of food you prepare is the same. Pretend you care that your guests might want to attempt to remain safe. -- THE POOL -- Fix the pool. Please. The bottom of it is chipping all over the place and pieces of cement are being lodged into the feet of children. Just drain it, patch it, refill it. -- THE SAUNA -- Why did we get rid of the sauna? It looks like a junk room now! It was so fun to come in from the pool on a cooler day and warm up in the sauna. It was functional for decades. Why let it die now? -- LITTLE RED SCH
I called several times to schedule a trail ride for my daughter's birthday. First time I left a voicemail they called back an hour later and said they had to transfer me to the trail riding area, tried to book out 1.5 hrs in advance but they were full. I then called back thr next day, a Fri to schedule for Sunday, phone just rings and goes to voicemail. I left 3 Messages and no one returned our call. I am very disappointed that no one could call us back and this was the only thing my daughter was looking forward to for her bday.
Family of 5 (13, 9, 8) just returned from 4 days, 3 nights, and are already wondering when we can go back! We did the all-inclusive package, which meant 3 meals were included, and all the activities. For those of us who wanted to ride the horses, we had ample opportunity - after the breakfast ride, there are rides at 10, 11, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. You ride out to the middle of the forest every day for breakfast (covered wagon for those who don't want to ride) and enjoy the best bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes or french toast. You won't go hungry! The horses never trot, only walk, on the breakfast ride, so take a flyer and try it - they are well-trained trail horses who know their job and do it well, plus there are 1-2 wranglers who ride middle and end of the line to help give instruction if there is ever a need. My 8 yo daughter and I rode a lot while the boys found other things they wanted to enjoy like canoeing, working out, basketball in an air-conditioned gym (or kickball or dodgeball). There is an outdoor pool, archers, fishing at the lake, a movie theater. They have staff that run various activities throughout the day. The meals are family-style and plentiful. For lunches we had reubens, chicken salad sandwiches, and grilled ham and cheese. Dinners were a cookout (Sat.and Tuesdays complete with burgers, dogs, brats, chicken and bison burgers - order what you want and beans filled with bacon!), Northern fried chicken, meatloaf. They used COVID as an opportunity to do some maintenance and the main house got a facelift. We stayed in Ranchero and it was 3 bedroom (2 with Queen beds, and one with bunks), one bathroom. Pets are allowed, but think through how that will work if you are enjoying all the activities. Our dogs did not want to do their business on a leash, so that was interesting - not sure we would bring them again because you check out at 11a.m. but can stay till 5:00 and there was no place to put the dogs, so someone has to sit out of the remaining fun. Bring lots of bug spray - the type with lots of Deet (even then I got a few bites but I'm super sensitive to bites)! My kids ended up wishing they had more time to fish because we tried it on the last day and ran out of hotdog bait and time! My only suggestion is to bring something to hang up your swim gear - I wish each cabin had a clothes line for that purpose - as we ended up setting clothes over the chairs that were outside our cabin.
Good service , great prices
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved it, would come back! went with one other person and two wranglers. instructions were very clear and all of the staff was very pleasant. I would come 30 minutes early so you can walk and see the llamas, goats,mules, buffalo as well as all the horses. They have so many horses and let you choose i loved it.
We spent 2 nights at the Woodside Ranch with friends for a NYE getaway. The carriage rides and horse back riding were terrific! Our crew had 6 kids ranging from ages 8-15 and everyone loved it. *kids 8 and older can go on trails rides, younger kids can do pony rides at stables. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Kids loved hanging in the game room while parents hung out in the bar area. Sledding and archery was also offered. Family games, movies were planned at night and NYE was a dance and balloon drop. Food was family style- breakfast was buffet of pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, bacon etc. lunch/dinners were ham and macaroni and cheese, salads, rolls, spaghetti and always a dessert. Water and lemonade served with meal. A suggestion would be to also offer milk. Coffee/hot tea and cocoa also available. (Even our pickiest eaters survived) Minor suggestions- cabins are rustic and no frills. Beds are very uncomfortable. New mattresses and bedding etc would help. Only a small refrigerator and no microwave or coffee pot. Had fireplace but we did not use. Bathrooms are old and basic. The property is beautiful. A great way to enjoy nature and expose kids to horseback riding. Only 20 minutes north of Wisconsin Dells. We would consider a trip back just to check out more trails with the horses. We are campers so the charm and rustic nature of the property were ok with us. If you require more “hotel comforts” this might not be the place for you.
The main reason to visit Woodside Ranch is horseback riding on their amazing property. The woods are beautiful - I especially love the pines. Every trail ride goes a different way so you can ride 3-4 times in a day and not repeat much scenery. All the horses are solid but after a few rides people pick out their favorites. It's very beginner-friendly. This is the perfect place for a city or suburban family who doesn't get to ride too much to just spend some time in nature. My favorite meals were the trail ride breakfasts and the cookouts. We had a member in our party who doesn't eat most meats or milk. They cooked his scrambled eggs separately without milk at the breakfast and provided steamed veggies and rice, veggie burgers, and salad without cheese. It's important though to remind them about any diet issues about a week and a half before your trip. We went as a family and the kids had a great time. The bar and game room was very family friendly and they enjoyed hanging out there and getting special slushies, playing ping pong and the arcade games. The kids also like playing basketball in the gym which is a good way to keep them busy while you're waiting for the trail ride to start. The staff is very friendly and helpful and I felt very welcome the whole time. I left my AirPods in my room by accident. Doh! Most hotels would just say "too bad, we're not responsible for items left in room" but Woodside found them and mailed them back to me no charge! They were also really flexible about giving us a later check out time when we needed it. We went during October and our stay included tickets to a Haunted Hayride down the road which was really fun and added a nice seasonal touch.
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