Take a horse-drawn carriage atop Mellon Hill for a private picnic with views stretching to Boston’s skyline. Cornerstone Ranch offers a unique, picturesque outing ideal for couples and families.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; no strenuous activity required
Wildlife
History
Rutland’s Mellon Hill marks the geographic center of Massachusetts and holds historic significance in early settler routes and agriculture.
Conservation
Cornerstone Ranch maintains sustainable land management practices to preserve native habitats and promote horse welfare.
Cornerstone Ranch
Take a horse-drawn carriage atop Mellon Hill for a private picnic with views stretching to Boston’s skyline. Cornerstone Ranch offers a unique, picturesque outing ideal for couples and families.
Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton, Massachusetts operates a working equestrian ranch offering riding, horsemanship, and seasonal ranch experiences.
The ranch offers multi-week horsemanship courses, single-day riding workshops, private and semi-private lessons, ground lessons, and guided trail rides ranging from 45 minutes to two hours. A Young Adults three-week horsemanship and riding course is designed for ages 20 to 30 and combines ground lessons, riding techniques, and an extended trail ride. Kids Fun all-day riding workshops welcome ages 8 to 16 for riding, grooming, horse care, trail rides, and social activities. Intermediate and advanced riders aged 12 and up can join all-day workshops that feature two mounted sessions, classroom discussions, and Balanced Seat technique work.
Private and group lessons, including semi-private options, accommodate varied skill levels and focus on balance, rhythm, and safety. Guided trail rides are led by professional wranglers who guide guests through scenic forest trails for personal or group bookings. Ground lessons deliver 30-minute hands-on instruction in grooming, saddling, and handling hooves to build horsemanship from the ground. Additional offerings include ranch photo shoots, horse-drawn ranch tours with ice cream (May through November 15), winter private and group sleigh or wagon rides, and horse driving lessons. The ranch hosts birthday parties, reunions, school field trips, picnic outings, and group events with tailored horse experiences. After-school horsemanship programs and multi-week riding options extend learning opportunities for regularly enrolled students.
Many programs emphasize connection with horses, hands-on skill building, and opportunities for riders to progress across levels. Programs serve all levels.
Location
Princeton, MA
Central Massachusetts ranch location
Age Groups
Kids to young adults
Programs for ages 8 to 30
Experiences
Riding, workshops & tours
Lessons, trail rides, photo shoots
Seasonal Rides
Horse-drawn tours & sleighs
May–Nov tours; winter sleighs
Check availability for private and group trail rides, multi-week courses, birthday parties, and seasonal horse-drawn tours at Cornerstone Ranch.
Arrive Early to Secure Preferred Time
Booking early ensures the best carriage departure times and picnic spot selection atop Mellon Hill.
Dress for Layered Comfort
Even summer evenings on Mellon Hill can turn cool; bring layers to stay comfortable during your picnic.
Accessibility Considerations
The carriage ride is gentle and suitable for most ages and mobility levels, but confirm accessibility needs ahead of time.
Check Weather Forecast
Clear skies offer the best views of Boston; rescheduling on cloudy days can enhance your experience.
Layered Clothing
Adapt your outfit to fluctuating temperatures during the ride and picnic.
Sun Hat and Sunglasses
Protect yourself from sun exposure on open carriage rides.
summer
Insect Repellent
Keeps biting insects at bay during calm evenings atop the hill.
summer|fall
Camera or Smartphone
Capture panoramic views and memorable moments during your picnic.