THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Stay at primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire rings near Zaleski State Forest. Ride horseback through the famed Moonville and King Hollow tunnels. Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable offers an authentic Ohio wilderness experience with live music and rustic charm.
Stay at primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire rings near Zaleski State Forest. Ride horseback through the famed Moonville and King Hollow tunnels. Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable offers an authentic Ohio wilderness experience with live music and rustic charm.
Book with Uncle Buck's Riding Stable
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Uncle Buck's Riding Stable · New Marshfield, Ohio
Set within the rugged expanse of Zaleski State Forest in southeastern Ohio, Uncle Buck's Riding Stable offers a raw and rewarding retreat into the heart of wild country. This 20-hour primitive campsite rental pairs old-school camping with world-class horseback riding, bringing visitors face-to-face with iconic landmarks like the Moonville and King Hollow tunnels—two remnants of Ohio’s railroading past carved deep into sandstone hillsides. Here, nature still commands attention, with dense hardwood forests, rolling hills, and quiet bridle trails that stretch for miles beyond the campsite.
The campsites themselves shun luxury for authenticity: no electric hookups, just well-maintained picnic tables and classic fire rings for evening cookouts under an open sky. Those arriving without their own horses can easily rent from Uncle Buck’s stable, making the experience accessible for riders of all levels. For guests who bring their own horses, stalls are available, emphasizing the stable’s commitment to a horseback-centered adventure.
Saturday nights at Uncle Buck’s saloon inject a lively local flavor into the trip, with live music performances that echo through the venue and create a communal atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the solitude of the forest days. This perfect blend of adventure, rustic camping, and social evenings makes the stable a standout gateway to the Zaleski wilderness.
Beyond riding and camping, the area’s unique features—including the ghostly atmosphere of Moonville Tunnel, said to be haunted, and the quieter King Hollow Tunnel—offer a glimpse into Ohio’s layered history amid untouched natural beauty. The stable’s proximity to this expansive state forest, Ohio’s second largest, positions it as a rare location where guests can step back from modern life and engage deeply with the natural landscape in a responsible, sustainable way.
For outdoor enthusiasts seeking a hands-on, horse-centric wilderness experience with a touch of local culture, Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and its primitive campsite rentals provide a distinctive and memorable adventure destination.
moderate.
20 hours.
Basic fitness recommended; horseback riding requires some endurance and balance.
Yes, Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable offers horse rentals for guests without horses.
No, the campsites are primitive with no electric hookups or running water available.
No, beginners are welcome, though some riding experience helps with trail confidence.
Yes, stalls are available for guests who bring their own horses.
Uncle Buck’s saloon and restaurant offer meals and drinks, particularly lively on Saturday nights.
Please contact Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable directly to confirm pet policies.
Moonville Tunnel dates back to the late 1800s and is tied to regional railroading heritage and local legends of hauntings.
Visiting guests are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the sensitive forest ecosystems and historic sites.
Uncle Buck's Riding Stable operates in New Marshfield, Ohio and offers a range of equestrian experiences and services centered on horseback riding and outdoor stays. The stable provides guided trail rides such as the Moonville Tunnel Ride, a two-hour trip that passes through the Moonville Tunnel, visits remains of the old town, and includes a stop at a rumored haunted cemetery. The Coal Bucket Trail Ride is a gentle, one-hour scenic ride suitable for families and riders of all experience levels. In addition to guided rides, Uncle Buck's offers stall rental for customers’ horses with box stalls prepared and available; guests supply their own bedding and buckets. Primitive campsite rental is available on site, giving riders access to trails through Zaleski State Forest and nearby Moonville and King Hollow tunnels, with campsites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. The property hosts live music at Uncle Buck’s saloon on Saturday nights for guests using the campsite. Horses used on rides are described as well-trained and healthy, and trips are presented as welcoming to riders of varying experience. Booking details, specific schedules, age restrictions, and pricing are provided directly by Uncle Buck's Riding Stable. Visitors should contact the stable in New Marshfield, Ohio for current availability, reservation requirements, and any questions about accessibility or horse experience.
Book with Uncle Buck's Riding Stable